Get work-ready
Our purpose-built marine facilities allow you to test your knowledge in real-world environments while you study. Discover what's under the surface, from shallow rock pools to the deep sea, and learn how to preserve all it has to offer. You’ll have the chance to access placements with high-profile organisations such as Parks Victoria, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, as well as other local, state and government agencies. You’ll graduate ready to tackle the latest in conservation, management and sustainability of our marine environment.
Undergraduate
Undergraduate (your first degree)
An undergraduate degree is generally completed between two to four years, depending on the pattern of study and any recognition of prior learning you may have. Associate degrees, bachelor and bachelor with honours are all undergraduate degrees.
Research
Higher Degrees by Research (supervised research)
Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.
Choose marine science at Deakin
Be taught by world-leading marine scientists dedicated to equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to enter the marine and environmental employment sectors. Our campuses are situated close to some of Australia’s most renowned coastlines for fieldwork, giving you access to a diverse array of marine animals, plants and coastal locations, such as rocky shores, mangroves and open ocean.
Deakin's Bachelor of Marine Science is an interdisciplinary program that aligns closely with the National Marine Science Plan. It provides you with a broad field of marine science studies where you can select a major in either ocean, fisheries and aquaculture sciences or sustainable marine management. Get hands-on, practical learning experience in our excellent laboratory facilities and gain the skills needed to protect and drive a sustainable future for our world’s oceans.
Career opportunities
Graduate ready to help manage our marine habitats and ecosystems, with access to a diverse range of career opportunities and roles. Graduates in marine science are multidisciplinary and enjoy a diverse range of career options including:
- aquaculture
- biodiversity conservation
- fisheries
- marine biochemistry and biotechnology
- marine biology and ecology
- marine management
- microbiology and genomics
- oceanography
- remote sensing and quantitative modelling.
I love the hands-on nature of our marine units – from developing essential skills in our state-of-the-art laboratories and applying these skills out into our local marine environment, the Great Southern Reef.
Prue Francis
Senior Lecturer, Marine Science
First-class facilities
Studying in Warrnambool means you gain access to our Aquaculture Futures Facility, which houses both fresh and saltwater recirculating systems. Geelong Waurn Ponds students have access to the Deakin Queenscliff Marine Science Centre; a research and teaching facility located on Swan Bay in Queenscliff and shared with the Victorian Fisheries Authority. The centre provides access to excellent facilities and a variety of nearby marine and coastal ecosystems.
Explore our marine facilities
Discover what sets Deakin apart with facilities located right on the doorstep of pristine coastal ecosystems and some of Australia's most renowned coastlines for fieldwork.
Study with the best
Deakin is ranked in the top 1% globally for life sciences and medicine.* This rating highlights Deakin’s world-class facilities, academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact.
Valuable links with industry
Every marine science student at Deakin will complete a Professional Practice unit that includes an industry-based placement (internship). This provides experience in your potential career path, and the opportunity to start establishing your professional networks, all while receiving credit towards your degree.
Our marine science staff have close links with industry and relationships with various organisations, ensuring our courses are up to date with industry trends and giving you first-hand insight into the current environment. We work with many government agencies including the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Parks Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and local water and catchment management authorities in addition to industries such as those involved in aquaculture.
Our students have previously completed placements in high-profile organisations such as The Nature Conservancy, and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, as well as other local, state and federal government agencies.
Study in Warrnambool
Set on the picturesque Hopkins River, minutes away from the southern coast and at one end of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road, our Warrnambool Campus provides a friendly, tight-knit and personal approach to your studies. Outside, your classroom extends to the Merri Marine Sanctuary and picturesque beaches, including the famous Logan’s Beach where Southern Right Whales visit almost annually to calve.
Study in Geelong
Close to world famous landmarks like Bells Beach and numerous marine sanctuaries, the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus provides the best of both worlds – a bustling city life and relaxed fun-filled regional environment adjacent to the Bellarine Peninsula.
Footnotes
*2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
Browse other disciplines within environment and sustainability
Choose an area that you're interested in and learn how Deakin's extensive range of study options and experiences can help turn your dreams into reality.
Browse other disciplines within science
Choose an area that you're interested in and learn how Deakin's extensive range of study options and experiences can help turn your dreams into reality.
