Course overview

We are increasingly aware of the significance our aquatic environment holds both for human society and the healthy functioning of ecosystems. In recent years awareness that aquatic ecosystems are under increased threat from pollution, overfishing, global climate change and many other impacts have highlighted the importance of understanding their function at all levels, from the molecular to the global.

Our course is taught by leading international researchers and has been designed with strong input from outside agencies including environmental consultancies, a range of government bodies and industry. This ensures your training links directly to UK and international employment opportunities.

Our closeness to examples of most types of temperate marine habitats (such as rocky, sandy and muddy shores, estuaries and the English Channel), and our proximity to internationally protected conservation areas, provides a fantastic location to investigate marine habitats that are subject to wide ranging pressures.

Course content

You will undertake a variety of taught units covering aspects of ecosystem function and management, aquaculture, ecotoxicology and pollution, and advanced laboratory and field skills. A major part of the programme will be a research project that will enable you to apply the skills and knowledge you have gained.

• Ecosystem Function and Management examines ecosystem processes and their management in the context of exploitation and anthropogenic impacts. You will cover topics including ecosystem services, nutrient cycling, anthropogenic impact (e.g. climate change, fisheries, environment and alien species), and coastal zone and resource management.
• Ecotoxicology and Pollution provides an introduction to environmental toxicology using model and non-model organisms.
• Aquaculture focuses on the principles of aquaculture production, global production and diversity of aquaculture species. It is taught by academic staff and staff from the National Aquatics Training Centre at Sparsholt College. Areas covered include larval culture, diseases and pathology, feeding and growth, reproductive manipulation, and business and management.
• Research Toolkit covers a range of key professional skills for research methods (communication skills, ethics and report writing), advanced field skills (boat sampling, taxonomy, and marine and freshwater sampling methods), advanced laboratory skills (genomics, monitoring and pollution monitoring methods) and remote sensing technology (such as GIS).
• Research Project allows you to select from a range of marine and freshwater projects provided by staff within the School, government research laboratories, NGOs and private research companies. During the project you will write literature reviews and develop skills in data analysis and presentation.

Teaching and assessment

Laboratory-based practical work and field trips underpin the theory learned in lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Some aspects of your course may also be taught online using our virtual learning environment.

You will also encounter a range of assessment methods including exams, coursework, practical and project work, and poster and oral presentations. There is also a research day where you can present your final-year projects to industry and researchers from other departments and organisations.

All projects are supervised by academics within the School or from any of the partner organisations (including government organisations, NGOs and industry).

Study abroad

You will also have the opportunity to do the research project abroad under the research placement Erasmus scheme or with various conservation and research schemes including Operation Wallacea, Global Vision and the Atlantic Whale Foundation. Read more about opportunities for studying and working abroad on our studying abroad page.

Career prospects

You will be particularly well placed to enter a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers in the UK and abroad, whether this is in consultancy, industry, government or university-based sectors. Most importantly, all of our units have been developed so you will have the knowledge and skills that employers require.

Facilities and features

You will have access to very high quality resources and facilities including the University’s Institute of Marine Sciences in nearby Langstone Harbour. This internationally-renowned marine station is undergoing a £10-million refurbishment, starting with a new Home Office-licensed aquarium facility, quarantine and animal holding rooms, and research laboratories.

The School has high external investment for research and development work, giving you access to excellent research opportunities. You will also have access to the University’s Field Centre for Environmental Technology at Petersfield Sewage Works, which houses a variety of research and test facilities for microbiological work, and your course is taught in collaboration with Sparsholt College, which houses the National Aquatics Training Centre. Facilities there include a 650m² purpose-built fish house with systems sponsored by industrial contacts. There is also a hatchery for rearing coldwater species for restocking programmes. The college also provides a site for a number of commercial trials on fish feed for the largest fish food manufacturers in Britain.

Industry links

All student projects are supervised by academics within the School or environmental consultancies like EMU Ltd, other government organisations, NGOs and industry.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Applied Aquatic Biology are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Biological Sciences
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5550
Email: sci.admissions@port.ac.uk