Marine biology

Personalised by

Use this icon to personalise the page to your pathway, preferred campus and study level.

Personalisation is not available through private browsing.

Our oceans cover 70 per cent of the surface of the earth and are some of the most poorly understood ecosystems on the planet. This massive natural resource is also under constant pressures of our modern, coastal society. With complex issues such as global climate change, food production, tourism, oil, gas and mineral extraction, and waste management, the need for highly trained and specialised marine science professionals continues to grow.

The Bachelor of Marine Science has a broad interdisciplinary approach, encompassing biology, chemistry and quantitative physical science. In your second and third years, you have the opportunity to specialise in: coastal physical science, coastal resources management, marine chemical sciences or marine ecology.

Skip to degrees

Flexible study options

Learn how we can help make University work for you.

Find out more about Flexibility

Study marine biology at Griffith

The Heron Island experience

With cutting-edge teaching and research strengths, Griffith University is an ideal location to study marine biology. Located within easy access to a variety of extensive natural and artificial waterways, iconic surf beaches and the diverse wetlands and coastal biodiversity of Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast is the perfect natural laboratory.

With a focus on practical experience you will build your knowledge and understanding of ocean ecosystems, in and out of the classroom.

As a student you will address and manage complex issues to ensure that marine industries prosper sustainably in healthy marine ecosystems. As a graduate, you will be equipped to tackle problems that affect our oceans, tourism, fisheries and food production, climate change, maritime pollution and waste management.

5-Star Rated

Environmental and Marine Science at Griffith has rated 5-stars for Educational Experience and Student Support by the Good Universities Guide 2018, a leading independent provider of high-quality education and career information.

Max Campbell

Bachelor of Marine Science

Playing in rock pools at the beach was what first developed Max Campbell's interest in marine science. But studying at Griffith University opened his eyes top a world that he never knew existed beyond the beach and cemented his passion even further. 'I want to own my own eco-tourism business one day and this course will take me in the direction to make more informed decisions', he said.

Study options

{"executionContext":"Public","query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":{"facetDefinitions":[],"metadataFieldsUsed":[]},"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0156|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["-33.861496,151.2055"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-search01.log"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetCollectionConstraints":null,"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"43.245.40.214","logQuery":null,"rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0156|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","query_and":"discipline:0156|T:Single|B:|W:|J:","city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","location":"","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","num_ranks":"1000"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":"Sydney","countryCode":"AU","countryName":"Australia","dmaCode":0,"latitude":-33.861496,"longitude":151.2055,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":"1001","region":"02"},"hostname":null,"funnelbackVersion":{"major":15,"minor":20,"revision":0},"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0156|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Marine Science	Gold Coast	14
Bachelor of Science	Gold Coast	15
Bachelor of Science (Honours)	Nathan
Bachelor of Science (Honours)	Gold Coast
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours)	Gold Coast Nathan	8
Master of Environment	Nathan Online

{"executionContext":"Public","query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":{"facetDefinitions":[],"metadataFieldsUsed":[]},"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0156|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["-33.861496,151.2055"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-search01.log"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetCollectionConstraints":null,"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"43.245.40.214","logQuery":null,"rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0156|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","location":"","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0156%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","query_and":"discipline:0156|T:Double|B:|W:|J:","REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","num_ranks":"1000"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":"Sydney","countryCode":"AU","countryName":"Australia","dmaCode":0,"latitude":-33.861496,"longitude":151.2055,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":"1001","region":"02"},"hostname":null,"funnelbackVersion":{"major":15,"minor":20,"revision":0},"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0156|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

Expand your qualifications and your career options with our range of double degrees. As a double degree graduate, you’ll have a special skill set that will help you stand out with future employers.

Double Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Science	Gold Coast	12
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts	Gold Coast Nathan	15
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Business	Gold Coast	15
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Commerce	Gold Coast Nathan	15
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Data Science	Gold Coast Nathan	14
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Information Technology	Gold Coast Nathan	15
Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning/Bachelor of Science	Gold Coast	15

It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.

Scholarships

Over 600 Scholarships available.

Find out more about Scholarships

Career outcomes

Our marine graduates find employment around Australia and internationally in a wide range of industries that use and protect our marine environment. Career options include: marine biologist, environmental consultant, pollution control and mitigation, fisheries and aquaculture, modelling and meteorology, oceanographer, coastal planning and marine parks, marine education and tourism, environmental assessment and planning.

Not all science graduates work as scientists - the transferrable skills and methodology developed through your degree provide a springboard to any career where critical thinking, the ability to analyse and investigate new information and evidenced-based decision making are valued.

Create a personalised study guide

Explore what Griffith has to offer

Get started

Life at Griffith

You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.

Learn more about life at Griffith University

News

View all news articles

03 Oct 2019

Geography and tech key to sustainable development

02 Oct 2019

Griffith alumni awarded prestigious Churchill Fellowships

Key dates

View all key dates

Monday 21 October — Friday 25 October

Trimester 3: Orientation

Get the right start and find out everything you need to know about starting at Griffith.

Find out more.

Tuesday 29 October — Thursday 31 October

Application Support Nights

Need help with your university application? Receive personalised advice and assistance from one of our expert study advisers to start and/or complete your university application.

Find out more.

Monday 16 December — Thursday 19 December

Explore your options

If your OP or ATAR result changes your direction, chat online with our expert study advisers to explore your study options. Find out about admissions pathways, entry requirements and changing your preferences.

Find out more.