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Marine Science
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Entry Points (2021)
467
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 Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Computer Science or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
Additional Requirements
Duration
4 years
Next start date
September 2022
A Level Grades (2021)
nuigalway.ie/alevels
Average intake
33
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
GY310
Course code
Course Outline
YEAR ONE
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology
• Plus one of following:
· Mathematical Studies
· Mathematics
· Applied Mathematics
· Computer Science
YEAR TWO
• Fundamentals in Aquatic Plant Science
• Introduction to Ocean Science
• Microbes and the Environment
• Invertebrate Biology
• Vertebrate Zoology
• At least two of the following:
· Molecular and Cellular Biology
· Evolution and the Tree of Life
· Laboratory Skills
• Plus electives
YEAR THREE
• Plant Resources and Ecosystems
• Ocean Dynamics
• Aquatic Geochemistry
• Microbial Genomics
• Geographic Information Systems and Biostatistics
• Marine Habitat
• Concepts in Population and Community Ecology
• Plus electives
YEAR FOUR
• Marine Science Essay and Presentation
• Field Skills in Marine Science
• Research Project
• Plus electives including:
· Current Topics in Algal Research
· Global Change
· Microbial Ecosystems Services and Systems Biology
· Marine and Coastal Ecology
Further Education
Honours BSc Marine Science graduates can pursue higher degrees in a wide range of related disciplines. Recent examples include PhD projects in Sweden, Austraila and Ireland, with M.Sc. courses taken across Europe.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Erasmus opportunities in Oviedo, Spain. Marine Science students also go to Hong Kong with the HKUST exchange scheme. https://www.nuigalway.ie/studyabroad/
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€7,408 p.a. 2022/23
Fees: Tuition
€4,268 p.a. 2022/23
Fees: Student Contribution
€3,000 p.a. 2022/23
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2022/23
Fees: Non EU
€23,140 p.a. 2022/23
EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy** €140. **Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.
Find out More
Professor Mark Johnson
Programme Director
College of Science
T 353 (0)91 492126
E marinescience@nuigalway.ie
Twitter: @marinescigalway
What Our Students Say
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.
About NUI Galway
Founded in 1845, we've been inspiring students for 175 years. NUI Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching.
CONTACT
National University of Ireland
Galway,
University Road,
Galway, Ireland
H91 TK33
T. +353 91 524411
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