Marine Biology with Foundation Year

Climate change, pollution and unsustainable fishing are just some of the many challenges facing marine life. Join the fight to protect complex ocean ecosystems by building relevant knowledge and skills to make a difference with our BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Foundation Year degree.

Our oceans are filled with delicate ecosystems and amazing wildlife - but all of this is in danger. With climate change highlighting the greater need for action to address the human impact on precious ecosystems, seize this opportunity to develop the skills to manage and preserve our oceans.

Build in-demand scientific knowledge and skills
This foundation year pathway is recommended if you want to study the full honours degree, but don’t meet the direct entry requirements. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be ready to progress on to our full BSc (Hons) Marine Biology degree, which is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Continuing your studies for three further years – or four, if you choose to include an industry placement – you will build knowledge of key biological processes, biodiversity and ecosystems, while building practical skills in our Bodmer laboratories and through field work. In your final year, you will complete a research project based on a subject topic of your choice and gain specialist knowledge in fisheries science and marine biotechnology.

Get closer to industry
Focusing on real-world issues, we put fieldwork at the heart of your learning experience. In recent years, students have taken part in residential trips to Cumbria, Scotland, Shropshire and Honduras.

Once you have progressed onto the full BSc Marine Biology degree, you will have the option to include an industry placement between years two and three. Previous Marine Biology students have experienced placements with organisations such as Operation Wallacea (various destinations worldwide) and Archipelagos (Greece), studying charismatic animals like sea turtles and marine mammals.

Features
• Build your knowledge with our foundation year ready to progress to the full BSc (Hons) Marine Biology degree
• Experience residential field trips opportunities
• Choose to include an industry placement and gain real-world context for your studies
• Part-time study option available

This course is not open to international students.

Foundation Year:

• Biological Principles
• Scientific Methods
• Data Handling
• Professional Communications
• Science for Health
• Environmental Conservation

Year One:

• Biodiversity
• Global Distribution of Wildlife
• Study Skills for Marine Biology
• Introduction to Marine Biology
• Biological Skills
• Genes to Ecosystems

Year Two:

• Ocean Challenges
• Animal Evolution (Marine and Wildlife)
• Conservation Biology
• Coastal Management
• Research Skills
• Data Science

Year Three:

• Fisheries Science
• Marine Biotechnology
• Applied Aquatic Biology

Choose one option from the following:

• Final Year Project and Professional Skills
• Final Year Project with Science Communication and Professional Skills (HANS)

Plus one option from:

• Environmental Geographical Information Systems
• Diving for Marine Conservation
• Mitigating Climate Change

Assessment strategies are designed to develop your skills for future employability and assessment success. We regularly provide you with feedback via written communication, online notes, and group activities.

Typical assessment combines coursework and examination, and this will vary depending on your level of study. We also use other formal, informal and continuous assessment methods that could include:

• Research projects
• Laboratory reports
• Essays
• Literature reviews
• Data analysis
• Presentations