Marine Biology, BSc (Hons), with study abroad

Marine biology is a captivating field focused on sea life, offering students a chance to explore diverse modules such as marine plankton, oceanography, ecosystems, and ecology. This four-year BSc programme includes a year abroad at a partner institution, enhancing cultural and language skills. Located on the coast, the course provides access to varied habitats like rocky shores, cliffs, salt marshes, and estuaries, with hands-on boat work on a state-of-the-art 18m catamaran survey vessel. Facilities include a £1.6m survey vessel, a sustainable aquatic research centre, a £1.3m visualisation centre, and advanced laboratories.Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, the course covers topics like animal welfare, conservation, microbiology, and climate impacts, with options for a year in industry to boost employability. Assessment involves lectures, seminars, practical classes, field courses, exams, coursework, and a research project. All courses guarantee a conditional offer at Swansea University, subject to requirements; visit an Open Day for more details.

Year 1: Areas studied typically include: animal diversity, form and function; cellular and microbial biology; marine and terrestrial ecology and animal behaviour; molecular and evolutionary biology; plants and algae – diversity, form and function; and core skills for Bioscientists. Year 2: Areas studied typically include: marine ecosystems; ichthyology; marine biology field course (Pembrokeshire); marine invertebrates; marine plankton and oceanography; marine techniques. You will spend Year 3 at one of our partner institutions abroad. This is a marvellous opportunity to experience a different culture and, depending on the destination, to develop valuable language skills. Year 4: Areas studied typically include: diseases of aquatic animals; ecology of marine animals; fisheries and aquaculture; oceans and climate; polar biology; tropical marine biology field course (Puerto Rico); tropical marine biology and conservation; field and laboratory professional skills.