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What
is Marine Biology
Marine biology is the study of plants
and animal life within the seas ecosystems.
The marine biology field covers many aspects including animals, plants and
protists of our estuaries, coasts, and oceans, ranging from sharks to bacteria
and microscopic algae. Rather then focus on the taxonomy of species, marine
biology’s
specie classification is focused on the environment in which covered species
are those that spend some or all their time in the water.
Marine
biology is a large area of study and also
includes many sub fields including:
Qualifications
in Marine Biology
A degree Marine Biology is usually accomplished through a Bachelor of Science
degree with a stream in marine biology, however course titles vary according
to institutions.
Marine
Biology is a multidisciplinary field of
study, linking Biology and the ecology,
as well as other environmental sciences.
A marine biology degree provides students
with a vast range of opportunities to study
marine organism fundamentals, especially
in relation to biology as well as to genetics,
marine conservation and aquaculture.
Possible
subjects through out a marine biology degree
include the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Statistics
- Conservation
biology
- Ecology
of Marine Organisms
- Biological
Oceanography
- Marine
Mammal Biology
- Community
Ecology
- Plant
Speciation and Evolution
- Cell
Biology
Note:
Marine biology is continually changing,
as the new advances in biology continue,
genetic research is playing an important
role in analysing in species.
Other
optional qualifications to get into Marine
Biology
It
is common that students not necessarily
take a Marine Biology degree, some students
may take the path of a conventional Biology
degree and specialise in marine biology
with a Masters or PhD qualification.
Jobs
in Marine Biology
With a science degree a marine biologist has variety of employments options
that he may take, these including general biological positions available in
the aquaculture industries and ecotoxicology as well as marine biology positions
or non-degree related employment such as administration.
Graduates
of Marine biology are known as “Marine biologists” and are involved in a wide range of projects including:
Impact studies on whether marine protected areas conserve local biodiversity
Growth and reproduction of commercially important species.
Effects of global climate change on coastal ecosystems.
Controlling invasive marine pest species.
ecological effects of aquaculture
Employment
opportunities include:
- Research
- Environmental
Management
- Nature
Conservation
- Wide
variety of non-biological careers (e.g.
management, administration, leisure and
tourism industry)
- Water
companies
- Coastal
authorities
- Government
and University research laboratories
- Leisure
industry
- Pharmaceutical
industry
Note:
More qualifications including a masters or
PHD in science may often be required for
some of the more senior research positions
and it is common that students persist with
their honours for practical experience.