Biological Sciences

Marine Biology

The final year project will be one of the most exciting parts of your degree. Below are some of research topics of previous students. Apart from projects in and around Portsmouth, you can also undertake projects abroad with various conservation and other non-governmental organizations such as Operation Wallacea and the Atlantic Whale Foundation. In addition, we have recently set up links with the (Falkland Islands Development Corporation) to investigate the potential of native species for aquaculture for these islands.

Marine Ecology

  • Sea grass ecology
  • Sediment meiofauna of a Brazilian beach
  • Fan worm ecology in Langstone Harbour
  • Ecology of coral reefs
  • Mangroves and cryptofauna
  • Alien species in the Solent
  • Impacts of pollution on clown fish and symbiotic anemones

Environmental Impacts

  • Environmental fish survey of Langstone Harbour
  • Investigation of nutrient levels in coastal waters
  • Detection of toxic sediments using algae
  • Effects of human pharmaceuticals on crab physiology and biochemistry
  • Endocrine disruptors and their effects on invertebrates
  • Environmental impacts of bait collection

Marine algal biology

  • Growth and spread of introduced seaweeds
  • The effects of salinity on reproduction in kelp species
  • The effect of pollutants on algal spore motility

Marine Microbiology and Biotechnology

  • Colonization and decay of wood at sub-tidal sites
  • Protection of wood from decay
  • Algal spores as indicators of effectiveness of anti-fouling paints
  • Marine natural products with antibacterial activities
  • Sulphur oxidising bacteria on wood from the Mary Rose
  • Biofuels and wood deterioration

Marine invertebrate biology

  • Behaviour of juvenile cuttlefish
  • Cuttlefish sense organs
  • Behaviour of oyster larvae
  • Alien polychaetes in Langstone Harbour
  • Molecular biology of polychaetes
  • The effects of copper on invertebrate development
  • Alarm signaling in invertebrates
  • Distribution of Christmas tree worms in Honduras

Marine vertebrate biology

  • The structure of the shark nose
  • The structure of the shark brain
  • Salmon chemical signaling
  • Impacts of tourism on cetaceans in Tenerife

Aquaculture

  • The impacts of the Marine Ornamental trade
  • Impacts of pesticides on Salmonids
  • Aquaculture of marine gastropods for the aquarium trade
  • Tropical fan worm Ecology