BSc (Hons) Marine Biology

The course

UCAS code
C160
Duration
4 years
Location
Edinburgh
Delivery type
Full-time

Heriot-Watt’s BSc (Hons) Marine Biology explores marine organisms, marine habitats and related environmental sciences components, including their context to the wider biological sciences subjects.  

Contact

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Overview

BSc (Hons) Marine Biology will provide you with the knowledge and subject-specific skills relevant to working with marine organisms and marine habitats, the practical applications of marine biology and its relationship to the broader biological sciences disciplines.   

You’ll learn the principles of all biological components of marine science and related environmental sciences including:  

  • Marine fauna and flora
  • Marine environments and habitat ecology 
  • Oceanography 
  • Marine and coastal environmental management and conservation 
  • Marine resource development 
  • Marine biotechnology  

You’ll develop your critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. You’ll learn about scientific concepts, evaluate research findings, and present innovative solutions to complex biological problems using a range of media. You’ll work independently and collaboratively, and engage in group projects, scientific discussions, and research initiatives.  

Hands-on laboratory work and practical field research is prominent throughout the degree, and you’ll have access to our state-of-the-art labs where you can put theoretical knowledge into practice. This will help you gain valuable skills in interpreting and analysing scientific data. Fieldwork also provides an opportunity for you to engage with real-world ecosystems.   

As well as building your skills in biological sciences, you’ll develop sought after soft skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and practical presentation skills.  

This industry-focused degree will ensure you have the understanding, knowledge, skills, and personal qualities required to undertake a wide range of careers within the scientific or other employment sectors. You’ll specifically understand the role of marine biologists in professional fields including research and development, quality assurance and public health and especially in organisations connected with environmental management and conservation. 

Our Expertise 

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active biologists and academics from the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences which sits within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS). 

EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. Our teams work closely and have links with industry, and experts are regularly invited as guest lecturers in most courses and advise on student research projects.  

The Institute of Life and Earth Sciences is well known for its strong research focus in various areas of biological sciences. Research activities encompass both fundamental and applied research, addressing critical issues in the field and making significant contributions to scientific knowledge. This degree is aligned with our research objectives to advance our understanding of the natural world, address global challenges, and contribute to scientific advancements that benefit society.  

Your learning environment  

BSc (Hons) Marine Biology is taught though a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals, and field work, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework and examinations and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.  

During your studies, you’ll have access to our high-specification laboratories, the latest technologies and industry-standard equipment.   

Some examples of our facilities and equipment include:  

  • Our John Muir Aquarium is a flexible, multi-room space that allows for simulation of natural marine conditions.  
  • The Research Vessel Serpula is a custom-built vessel equipped for scientific and diving work and is in Oban.  
  • Biology teaching lab, including an audio-visual system to see demonstrations on plasma screens around the room.  
  • Plant growth rooms for the study of plant molecular biology and genetic engineering of cereal plants.  
  • Our research laboratories have equipment to support a range of project activities linked to the cellular, molecular and microbiological sciences, including facilities for cell culture, genome editing, bioimaging and bioinformatics work.  
  • We have access to state-of-the-art sequencing technologies in the form of nanopore sequencers, allowing whole genome sequencing of different organisms and species identification from environmental and other DNA samples. This enhances research into a range of microbial and plant microbiomes.  

Outside of the classroom, you can get involved with the Heriot-Watt Student Union and there are lots of ways to do so including participating in student groups, becoming a student representative or a school officer, and joining societies.   

You may be particularly interested in joining the Marine Biology Society, which is student led and offers anyone with an interest in marine biology the opportunity to meet friends and be supported in your future career aspirations.  

Societies provide a great opportunity to meet likeminded people, get involved in regular social and networking events, and gain insights into career prospects.   

Customise your learning 

You’ll take eight mandatory courses in year one where you will be introduced to principles and practical skills in biology, and principles of mathematics and chemistry. You’ll also take a course designed to inspire awareness of the contribution of your discipline to tackling global challenges and its connection to other disciplines. You’ll work in teams, learn to cope with complexity, gain core study skills, and thrive on ambiguity.  

In year two, you’ll take six mandatory courses which will enhance your research sills, and be introduced to metabolism in human nutrition, the biosphere, plant, cell and molecular, and animal biology. You can customise your learning by choosing two courses one of which can be a management course.  

You can transfer between our biology degrees until the end of year two, allowing you time at university to make final decisions on your area of specialism and degree of choice. 

You’ll take three compulsory marine biology courses in year three along with a course that will enhance your research skills. You can customise your learning in year three by choosing four courses from a wide range of general biology and marine biology courses.  

You’ll conduct your research project in year four and take six mandatory courses which will consolidate your knowledge in marine science.  

Industry  

We work closely with industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.   

Elinor Spencer UG Marine Biology student

I’m studying BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and want to apply for MSc International Marine Science at Heriot-Watt after I graduate to help me enter a career in oceanography and arctic marine research. As a mature student, I am impressed with how easy it was to develop friendships with fellow student peers and communicate with the academic staff.

Elinor Spencer, Marine Biology student

Course content

Year 1

Semester 1

  • Introductory Biology 1   
  • Practical Skills in Biology 
  • Shaping Tomorrow Together A 
  • Mathematics for Scientists 1 

Semester 2

  • Biology Practical 
  • Introductory Biology 2  
  • Chemistry for the Life Sciences   
  • Shaping Tomorrow Together B 

Year 2

Semester 1

Core courses in Semester 1:

  • Metabolism in Human Nutrition  
  • Research Methods in Biology 
  • Science and Exploitation of Plants

Optional courses include:

  • Human Physiology
  • Management in a Global Context

Semester 2

Core courses in Semester 2:

  • The Biosphere
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Animal Biology

Optional courses include:

  • Chemistry for the Life Sciences
  • Introduction to Microbiology

Year 3

Semester 1

Core courses in Semester 1:

  • Practical Marine Biology
  • Marine Biodiversity

Optional courses include:

  • Introduction to Food Microbiology
  • Pathobiology of Human Disease
  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Marine and Coastal Geography

Semester 2

Core courses in Semester 2:

  • Marine Environmental Biology
  • Global Research Skills

Optional courses include:

  • Applied Studies in Human Health
  • Medical Microbiology
  • GIS and Spatial Analysis for Environmental Application

Year 4

Semester 1

Core courses in Semester 1:

  • Honours Research Project - Execution
  • Scientific Management of Marine Environments
  • Marine Biological Survey and Analysis
  • Stressors and Sustainability

Semester 2

Core courses in Semester 2:

  • Honours Research Project - Dissemination
  • Management of Marine Developments and Protected Areas
  • Aquatic Toxicology
  • Marine Fisheries Biology

Discover Uni course data

Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.

Employability

Work and study

This is what our BSc (Hons) Marine Biology students are doing 15 months after graduating:

  • 60% are working
  • 15% are studying
  • 15% are working and studying.

Salary

  • The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £25000
  • The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £24000

Potential career paths

  • Natural and social science professionals
  • Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

Entry requirements

Year 1

Standard entry requirements

  • Highers AABB (including a science subject)
  • A-Levels BBC - ABB (including a Maths or Science subject)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 27 points to include a science subject at Higher Level 5
  • BTEC DMM (in relevant subject)
  • HNC C in graded unit (in relevant HNC)

Minimum entry requirements*

  • Highers BBBC (including a science subject at B)
  • A-Levels BBC - ABB (including a Maths or Science subject)

Additional information
Suitable science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

  • live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
  • are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements

Year 2

  • Advanced Highers BB (including Biology or Human Biology plus Highers AABB)
  • A-Levels ABB (including Biology or Human Biology)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 32 points (with Biology or Human Biology)
  • HNC B in graded unit (in relevant HNC)
  • HND BB in graded units (in relevant HND)
  • BTEC DDM (in relevant subject)

Year 3

  • HND AB in graded units (in relevant HND)

Additional information

English language requirements

The minimum requirement for English language for all our undergraduate Biology courses is IELTS 6.0. Please see our English language requirements.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2024 entry
Status* Scotland England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland International**
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,250 £24,048

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.

** 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Additional costs

You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.

Scholarships and bursaries

Featured scholarships

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

  • Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View details about the Heriot-Watt University Bursary

View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.