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Marine Science

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Entry Points (2015)
405

Course Overview

Marine Science encompasses the study of marine life and environments, how they are formed and evolve, and how they are affected by human activity. Topics covered in this programme include marine biology, earth science, chemistry and experimental physics, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, meteorology, botany, geology and microbiology.

The degree in Marine Science is a four-year degree leading to a BSc (Hons). At the end of the degree, you will have improved your knowledge about the marine environment and will have developed your thinking and practical and personal skills, enabling you to undergo further academic training in a wide variety of scientific disciplines or begin your career. Marine Science is a broad area and the programme aims to help you find what speciality you prefer to study by introducing the subject in a general way at first and allowing you to follow your particular interests later on.

At present, NUI Galway is the only Irish university offering this degree programme and it now has the highest concentration of marine scientists of any institution in Ireland. Research ranges from fundamental understanding of the marine ecosystem to very applied activities involving close co-operation with industry and state agencies. The 3,000 square metre Martin Ryan Marine Science Institute houses most of the teaching and research activity in Marine Sciences at the university. MRI Carna carries out applied research in Carna, County Galway.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum HC3 in two subjects and Passes in four other subjects at H or O Level in the Leaving Certificate including: Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements

Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2017

A Level Grades (2015)

AAA or equivalent combination

Average intake

33

Closing Date

Next start date

September 2017

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY310

PAC code

Course Outline

Year 1

  • Biology
  • Introduction to Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Chemistry/Physics

Plus one of the following:

  • Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematics

Year 2

  • Introduction to Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • One of: Sediments and the Biosphere or Applied Statistics

Plus two of the following:

  • Botany
  • Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Microbiology
  • Applied Mathematical Science
  • Zoology

Year 3

  • Introduction to Marine Ecology
  • Marine Geoscience

Plus one of the following:

  • Botany
  • Microbiology
  • Zoology
  • Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematical Science

Year 4

  • Advanced Topics in Marine Science

Plus one of the following:

  • Marine Microbial Processes
  • Marine Zoology
  • Marine Plant Science
  • Chemical Oceanography
  • Physical Oceanography

Further Education

Honours BSc Marine Science graduates can pursue higher degrees in a wide range of related disciplines.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

The course will enable you to find work in the commercial or state regulatory sectors, e.g. the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara or the EPA, as well as in the fisheries sector, pollution and environmental impact assessment, environmental consultancies,non-government (environmental) organisations, aquaculture,
education projects, basic and applied research institutes and universities.


Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,492 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Tuition

€4,268 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Non EU

€13,750 p.a. 2016/17
EU Fees 2016/17:
- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf if you qualify for free tuition fees see - free fee initiative.
- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant.
- Student Levy:  €224 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.

Find out More

Professor Mark Johnson
Programme Director
College of Science
T 353 (0)91 492126
E marinescience@nuigalway.ie
mri.nuigalway.ie/science

What Our Students Say

Alina Madita

Alina Madita Wieczorek |   4th Year Marine Science

I moved from Germany to Galway to study Marine Science as I wanted to study in English and as close to the Atlantic as possible. The first year of the course focused on giving the same background knowledge to all students. During the second and third year I gained in-depth knowledge in many different areas of Marine Science as the course is truly multidisciplinary. I more and more realise now that this is one of the more important if not the most important aspect of my studies in NUI Galway as it enables me to link up topics from different areas such as how ocean physics influence the biology of our oceans. My favourite part of the degree was the research project in year four where the lecturers hand over to you. In this period I picked up many valuable skills, which are of great help to me now. At the moment I am doing a bursary in the Marine Institute. I hope in the future to do research around marine environmental issues and acquire a PhD in this area.

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