(MSc) Master of Science
Marine Science and Sustainable Development
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MSC F71012
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with a 2.2 in a relevant subject such as : Marine Biology, Marine Chemistry, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences and tropical Biology.
Applications from students with a degree below a 2:2 will be considered dependent on any relevant professional or voluntary experience, previous modules studied and/or personal statement.
Your Degree should contain some Ecology components including aquatic/marine Ecology, Biodiversity or Conservation.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English isn’t your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- This course provides an opportunity to study issues in marine science with an emphasis on policy for sustainable development of marine resources.
- The course will utilise much of our existing modules in the School of Life Sciences, offer access to two modules on domestic and international environmental politics taught by the Department of Government, and include the opportunity to conduct research during a work-placement with one of our partners or other external placement providers.
- The overall aims are to:
- Provide advanced marine biology theory knowledge and to facilitate the development of a comprehensive range of practical and professional skills required by today’s employers.
- Equip graduates with an understanding of need, drafting, consulting and review of national and international policies for the sustainable development of marine resources.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A systematic understanding of marine fauna and flora and their role in marine systems
A2: A comprehensive understanding of the effects of environmental change on marine systems
A3: A conceptual understanding of the structure of marine communities
A4: A comprehensive understanding of applied marine biology and interdisciplinary approaches to management
A5: A critical awareness of threats to marine systems and possible management strategies
A6: A comprehensive knowledge of a specific research topic
A7: A systematic understanding of industry knowledge
Learning methods
A1-A5 are developed through three thematic modules that are delivered by lectures and seminars, and related assessed coursework (with feedback from it).
They are also developed throughout the work-placement report in close consultation with a supervisor.
Students are expected to extend and enhance their knowledge and understanding acquired from seminars and lectures by consulting library sources and other materials related to the course. Such independent research is a fundamental part of most assessments.
A6 is developed through the WBL/work placement.
A7 is developed through the WBL period and work placement.
The learning and teaching methods on all modules will be inclusive for all students
Assessment methods
A1-A5 are assessed through a variety of coursework, comprising a range of written work for different audiences (e.g. scientific essay, scientific poster, popular science article, scientific paper), through oral presentations, preparations of a podcast and vodcast, and through worksheets.
A6 is assessed with a literature review, a placement proposal and a placement report.
A7 is assessed with a research design paper and a research paper and associated oral presentation.
Assessment methods are inclusive for all students and modifications to timed assessments and arrangements for oral presentations can be accommodated upon request by the student.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: A systematic information retrieval
B2: A critical evaluation and synthesis of evidence and idea
B3: Critical reasoning and communication to a varied audience
B4: Originality in the application of knowledge including independent thinking and information integration
B5: Creation and interpretation of knowledge through conducting a research project
Learning methods
B1-B4 are taught and developed through seminars, lectures, coursework and its associated feedback and group sessions.
The seminars and group sessions encourage critical discussion, together with an emphasis on ability to reason and argue coherently, and to learn from others.
B5 is developed through the literature review, placement proposal and placement execution.
The learning and teaching methods on all modules will be inclusive for all students.
Assessment methods
B1-B4 are assessed through written coursework, the preparation of pod- or vodcasts and oral presentations.
B5 is assessed in the substantial placement report.
Assessment methods are inclusive for all students and modifications to timed assessments and arrangements for oral presentations can be accommodated upon request by the student.
C: Practical skills
C1: A comprehensive understanding and originality in the application of general research skills and locating relevant material
C2: A critical awareness of research skills associated with biodiversity assessment
C3: Originality in the application of laboratory skills
C4: A conceptual understanding on the formulation of research questions
Learning methods
C1-C3 are primarily taught through the methods and professional skills modules.
C4 is developed through skills gained for research question design and hypothesis testing in the data analysis and visualisation, and placement modules.
The coursework components of each module will also provide experience and feedback related to literature-based research skills and formulation of research questions.
The learning and teaching methods on all modules will be inclusive for all students.
Assessment methods
C1-C3 are assessed through the preparation of a poster and a vodcast (BS708), and the coursework associated with two laboratory reports for the practicals in BS707.
C4 will be mainly assessed through the placement report where students will demonstrate their research and practical-based skills.
Formulating research questions and hypotheses is assessed as part of the data analysis (BS709) and work-placement (BS719) modules.
Assessment methods are inclusive for all students and modifications to timed assessments and arrangements for oral presentations can be accommodated upon request by the student.
D: Key skills
D1: Able to communicate complex issues both systematically and creatively in a range of written work, oral presentations and using multimedia approaches appropriate for different audiences
D2: Critically evaluate and retrieve information using search engines, browsers and catalogues; use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present technical reports in various formats (documents, oral presentations)
D3: A systematic understanding of the application of appropriate methods to gather and analyse quantitative and qualitative data
D4: Demonstrate originality with exploring, analysing and finding effective solutions for scientific problems involving a variety of information from different scientific disciplines
D5: A practical understanding of the planning and managing of team activities and to work effectively and productively as a team member
D6: (i) A critical awareness of the requirements associated with working to deadlines, including planning and time-management to meet assessment targets,
(ii) A practical understanding of how to work independently for extended periods
(iii) A conceptual understanding that enables to evaluate and reflect on own performance
Learning methods
D1-D4 are developed through coursework, and the research project.
D5 Does not form a large component of the degree but is addressed in the practical work for the Methods in Marine Biology module (BS707).
D6 is developed through the initial course briefing, course assessments, rigid deadlines and feedback on assignments.
The learning and teaching methods on all modules will be inclusive for all students.
Assessment methods
D1-D4 are assessed through coursework, the Postgraduate Professional Skills module, the Methods in Marine Biology module, the WBL/placement and through oral presentations.
The placement report is only acceptable in word-processed form, and must be presented according to the programme's rules.
D5 Does not form a large component of the degree but is addressed in the practical work for the Methods in Marine Biology module and through student-supervisor teams as part of the WBL/placement.
D6 is assessed indirectly through coursework, by imposing strict deadlines for assignments and by awarding marks for evidence of extra reading/going beyond lecture material.
Assessment methods are inclusive for all students and modifications to timed assessments and arrangements for oral presentations can be accommodated upon request by the student.