Ocean Exploration and Surveying

Launch your global career exploring and surveying the world’s oceans. Using industry-standard equipment and software aboard our fleet of survey vessels, you'll build the hands-on expertise and advanced skills demanded by industry.

Career ready skills
Use our advanced industry-standard survey equipment, research vessels and uncrewed surface vehicles for practical data collection, gaining sought-after experience and in-demand skills in Plymouth's coastal environment.

Fieldwork from week one
Participate in boatwork throughout your degree, immerse yourself in our optional international fieldtrip, gain hands-on experience in real-world environments and apply your skills to the hydrographic sector.

Professional diving and global fieldwork opportunities
Boost your credentials with the HSE Professional SCUBA qualification and a dedicated scientific diving module (optional), alongside opportunities for overseas field courses and industry-based experiences.

This course is for you if...

• you're eager to develop skills in hydrographic surveying, using advanced, industry-standard equipment

• you’re passionate about understanding the ocean and seafloor, and the processes that shape them

• you enjoy hands-on learning through boatwork, fieldwork and labwork

• you aspire for a career that combines science, adventure and real-world impact.

Course Modules

Year 1
From week one, you will build practical skills and enhance your ability to analyse, present and interpret scientific data through boat and field-based activities.
Your first year, shared across the Marine Science undergraduate scheme, introduces the full range of topics within the degree and develops your underpinning scientific knowledge and practical skills. You’ll develop your understanding of the Earth’s oceans and the key physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in these systems.

Year 2
In your second year, you will receive advanced training in a wide range of survey equipment, with a particular focus on seafloor mapping. You'll cover marine positioning, underwater acoustics and digital mapping topics as well as developing an understanding of the physical coastal environment.
You’ll also be able to broaden your studies by taking an option module in meteorology, remote sensing or scientific diving (for suitably qualified individuals). As part of your independent skills progression, you will develop a proposal for your final year research project.

Optional placement year
During your optional third year, you’ll have the opportunity to do a work placement, for a six or 12-month period.
As well as providing valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom, a placement can prove to be a great networking opportunity and provide a deeper, working level understanding of the career paths that are available following your degree.

Final year
The final year modules focus on hydrographic surveying in coastal and offshore environments, including the use of marine autonomy, surveying for renewable energy, offshore construction, resource management and applied ocean exploration. You’ll participate in a residential field course, with the option to study overseas, to further develop your practical skills.
You’ll be able to broaden your studies to include an optional module, for example in big data, marine pollution, marine policy and planning or coastal processes. You will complete a research project, carrying out your own in-depth investigation, potentially involving practical work, under the guidance of a member of academic staff.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.