Marine Science and Management
Contents
Introduction
Living as close as most Australians do to the ocean, an understanding of the organisms that inhabit coastal areas and the processes which affect them is necessary if these important and picturesque environments are to be wisely managed. This is the philosophy which underpins the Marine Science and Management programs offered through UNE.
Why Study Marine Science and Management at UNE?
The University of New England, as Australia’s oldest regional university, has a long and distinguished history in the field of marine research and teaching. Graduates from UNE have gone on to become some of the foremost researchers in marine systems, particularly in tropical reefs, both in Australia and overseas. Staff currently teaching in the Marine Science and Management program have both national and international reputations and are involved in research in ecosystems as diverse as Antarctic coasts and tropical reefs. Research programs focus on the key topics facing global and national marine ecosystems (e.g. pollution, conservation management and assessment and maintenance of biodiversity) and the results of these programs form the core of many of the undergraduate units.
Although the main UNE campus is based at Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW, strong links with coastal environments have historically been maintained through the presence of a research station at Arrawarra Headland. With the opening in February 2002 of the National Marine Science Centre at Coffs Harbour, NSW, state-of-the-art venue became available ensuring that marine research and teaching through UNE are supported with the most up-to-date technology and facilities.
At UNE we have always placed a major emphasis on ensuring that the learning environment is conducive to successful outcomes for all our students. This not only requires the provision of quality courses, units and staff, but also a social environment which gives students access to quality accommodation, sporting facilities, and other social activities. The success of this approach is highlighted by the consistent, excellent reviews received from graduates for the "overall educational experience".
Courses
Marine science is a broad area which covers a number of disciplines each of which are covered in the Marine Science and Management teaching programs. For example, students can study topics as diverse as: basic ecology of marine and estuarine systems; the geological processes that have produced, and maintain coastal features and habitats; the taxonomy and systematics of marine organisms; the use of molecular techniques in marine ecology; the production of food from the sea (aquaculture and mariculture); and measures which can be applied to the conservation management of Australia’s rich biodiversity and marine resources.
Undergraduate
Postgraduate Research
| Doctor of Philosophy |
| Master of Science |
Postgraduate
Course data provided by the Course and Unit Catalogue
Units
| MSM301 | Marine Systems Science and Management | |||||
| MSM302 | Successful Sampling | |||||
| MSM303 | Science for Management of the Marine Environment | |||||
| MSM304 | Marine Communities as Sentinels of Change | |||||
| MSM305 | Global Climate and Ocean Systems | |||||
| MSM306 | Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment | |||||
| MSM307 | Pollution of the Marine Environment | |||||
| MSM308 | Coral Reefs on the Edge | |||||
| MSM400 | Honours in Marine Science and Management | |||||
| MSM501 | Marine Systems Science and Management | |||||
| MSM502 | Successful Sampling | |||||
| MSM503 | Science for Management of the Marine Environment | |||||
| MSM504 | Marine Communities as Sentinels of Change | |||||
| MSM505 | Global Climate and Ocean Systems | |||||
| MSM506 | Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment | |||||
| MSM507 | Pollution of the Marine Environment | |||||
| MSM508 | Coral Reefs on the Edge |
Unit data provided by the Course and Unit Catalogue
Careers
Students gain first hand experience in their chosen field, with an emphasis on utilizing the protected marine environment around the centre. Courses at the NMSC have been designed to meet a range of student needs, focusing on the expanding career opportunities in marine science and management in Australia and overseas.
With the the backing of two highly respected universities, Southern Cross University and The University of New England, and expertise from other scientific, environmental and industry groups, students can be part of a developing institute and achieve internationally recognised qualifications in marine science and management.
The training programs of the NMSC have the objectives of producing graduates and postgraduates that can meet the issues confronting the management of coastal and marine resources as outlined in "Australia's Oceans Policy" and the sustainable marine resource management standards set out in numerous international environmental agreements. The issues studied in the courses apply to not only Australia's marine resources, but also across other countries internationally and to the work of international organisations.
Career outcomes for students from the programs at the NMSC can be in the following areas:
Science, management and research with government agencies, the private sector (eg. consulting or firms supplying products and services) or non-government organisations in:
- marine and coastal biodiversity and ecological processes
- marine park and marine protected areas
- addressing marine and coastal pollution
- monitoring of ocean, coastal and marine processes
- development and commercialisation of marine technology
- fisheries administration and management
- fisheries science, including conservation technology
- aquaculture and mariculture
- sustainable development of coastal and marine resources
- science teacher training, with emphasis on marine and coastal science
- development and sustainability issues relevant to South Pacific and SE Asia under aid programs
- marine tourism and eco-tourism
Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links
Collaborating organisations
- NSW DPI Fisheries
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit (FCTU) comprises up to 8 researchers that are responsible for examining various conservation-based gear technologies for NSW’s commercial and recreational fisheries. Work done by the FCTU includes the invention, development and assessment of modifications to fishing gears and their methods that reduce unwanted catches; assessments of the hydrodynamics of fishing gears; quantification of the stress, physical damage and mortality sustained by organisms after escape or release during fishing; and assessments of species-specific physiological responses to stimuli generated from fishing gears.
For more information about the sorts of work done by the NSW DPI FCTU visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries or contact us here at the NMSC
- The Centre for Marine Policy, University of Wollongong
The NMSC has a collaborative research relationship with the centre working jointly in an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation project on “Valuing the marine economy”.
- Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre
The principle objective of the Whale Research Centre is to undertake research on cetacean populations in the Southern Hemisphere for the purpose of contributing to their conservation. The Centre has already commenced various national and international projects, including the Cape Byron Whale Research Project (CBWRP). From such studies the Centre endeavours to enhance our understanding of these remarkable creatures, so as to develop effective management strategies for their long-term protection, and to promote education about whales, dolphins and other cetaceans. To achieve this objective the Centre utilises a collaborative approach to the research involving the expertise of leading researchers from all over Australia, trained in fields such as marine mammal science, genetics, surveying, and acoustics.
- University of New England Centre for Agriculture and Law
The Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law at UNE is a law and policy research and consulting centre backed by the intellectual resources of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law and the Faculty of the Sciences. This provides access to economists, lawyers, management experts, soil scientists, production sciences, mathematicians, biologists and many other specialists. We have an extensive network of local and international academic and commercial collaborators.
- University of New England Centre for Ecological Economics & Water Policy Research
The Centre for Ecological Economics and Water Policy Research is one of the world's leading ecological economics research organisations. The theme of all the Centre’s research and associated activity is on the facilitation of synergistic linkages between all the relevant dimensions of environmental management and policy activity including the ecological sciences, economics, geography and planning, development and cultural studies.
Facilities
The National Marine Science Centre is the main focus of teaching activities throughout the Marine Science and Management program. The National Marine Science Centre commenced operations in February 2002 and provides state-of-the art facilities to support both teaching and research.
Occupying a site just north of Coffs Harbour and a few hundred metres from the beach, the building is large and spacious with four levels, each devoted to different activities. Teaching areas are serviced by the latest video display technology and the large teaching laboratory is generously equipped with all of the items necessary for the large scope of topics offered through the undergraduate teaching program. Other facilities include a large computer laboratory, an ocean-going research vessel, a tank farm and aquarium room, and a library.
20km north of the National Marine Science Centre is the UNE Arrawarra Coastal Field Station. The field station is located on Arrawarra Headland, adjacent to the Solitary Island Marine Park which supports substantial coral communities. The station was established in the late 1960's to provide a base for both teaching and research. The location of the station is ideal, providing easy access to a full range of marine and estuarine habitats. The rock-platform on the northern side of Arrawarra Headland supports a very high diversity of plants and animals and has consequently been fully protected by the regulations of the Solitary Island Marine Park.
To the west of the station, Arrawarra Creek supports a healthy estuarine community and is the site of long-term data collection on populations of marine yabbies. The beaches within the region have recently been studied to determine what lies within the sediments and most of the species identified from the region can be found on Arrawarra Beach.
The sheltered aspect of Arrawarra Beach allows for easy access to the stunning underwater communities in the Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Contacts
For general and administrative enquiries:
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Future Students can also visit the Future Student site |
For further information about studying Marine Science and Management:
email: ersteach@une.edu.au
phone: +(61 2) 6773 3455