Skip to Content

Master of Marine Science and Management

MASM12MV2

Faculty:
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Award:
Master of Marine Science and Management (MMarScMgt)
Admission Requirement:
• Australian level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent in science, marine science, or a related discipline
• GPA of 2.50 (out of 4.00)
English Language Proficiency:
IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent
Study Mode:
Full-time, Part-time
Attendance Mode:
Internal, External
Candidature Length:
Full-time: 1 year - 1.5 years depending on RPL granted
Commencement:
Session 1 at North Ryde (Domestic, International)
Session 2 at North Ryde (Domestic, International)
Session 1 at External (Domestic)
Session 2 at External (Domestic)
Volume of Learning:
Equivalent to 1.5 years
General requirements:
Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above 48
Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below

In order to graduate students must ensure that they have satisfied all of the general requirements of the award.

Specific minimum requirements:

Credit points

800 level

Required
4
Conservation of Australasian Wildlife (4)
 
BIOL861
Required
4
Topics in Australian Marine Science (4)
 
BIOL877
Required
4
Environmental Measurement and Analysis (4)
 
ENVS807
Required
4
Coastal Environmental Science (4)
 
ENVS811
Required
32cp from
 
Biology Research Experience (4)
 
BIOL860
 
Conservation in Practice (4)
 
BIOL870
 
Cross Institutional Study B (4)
 
BIOL872
 
Wildlife Management: Principles and Practices (4)
 
BIOL873
 
Biodiversity Survey and Habitat Assessment Techniques (4)
 
BIOL874
 
Contemporary Conservation in Australia and New Zealand (4)
 
BIOL875
 
Climate Change Impacts (4)
 
BIOL876
 
Biodiversity Conservation (4)
 
BIOL887
 
Advanced Marine Conservation and Management (4)
 
BIOL893
 
Functional Proteomics (4)
 
CBMS833
 
Molecular Biology and Genomics (4)
 
CBMS836
 
Climate Change: Policies, Management and Adaptation (4)
 
CLIM805
 
Science in Environmental Management (4)
 
ENVS803
 
Climate Change and The Climate System (4)
 
ENVS804
 
Introduction to Geographic Information Science for Postgraduates (4)
 
ENVS808
 
Sustainable Development: Introductory Principles and Practices (4)
 
ENVS825
 
Pollution Control and Waste Management (4)
 
ENVS829
 
Environmental Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing (4)
 
ENVS853
 
Cross Institutional Study A (4)
 
ENVS875
 
Management of Degraded Environments (4)
 
ENVS898
 
Attitudes to the Environment (4)
 
GEOP800
 
Environmental Law and Policy (4)
 
GEOP801
 
Climate Change: Policies, Management and Adaptation (4)
 
GEOP805
 
Heritage and its Management (4)
 
GEOP808
 
Globalisation and Sustainable Development (4)
 
GEOP809
 
International Agreements and the Environment (4)
 
GEOP831
 
Environmental Decision Making (4)
 
GEOP843
 
Environmental Impact Assessment (4)
 
GEOP845
 
Cross Institutional Study B (4)
 
GEOP876
 
Problems in the Earth Sciences (4)
 
GEOS901
 
Climate Change Law (4)
 
LAW851
 
Environmental Law and Sustainable Development (4)
 
LAW855
 
International Environmental Law (4)
 
LAW860
 
Environmental Communication (4)
 
MECO805
 
Statistical Theory (4)
 
STAT810
 
Generalized Linear Models (4)
 
STAT811
 
Statistical Design (4)
 
STAT814
 
Multivariate Analysis (4)
 
STAT821
32
Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics (4)
 
STAT830

TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM

48
Additional Information
AQF Level Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree
CRICOS Code 083801B
Overview and Aims of the Program Key features of the program:
• is a unique cross institutional curriculum overseen by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science
• provides a breadth of knowledge and skills in the full spectrum of marine science disciplines
• focuses on the application of knowledge and skills to the development and implantation of policy at a national and international level to help sustain Australia’s marine environment.

Detailed description of the program:
The Master of Marine Science and Management (MMarScMgt) is a unique program that is specifically designed to train a new generation of Australian marine scientists with the skills necessary to take leading roles in protecting and conserving Australia’s coastal and oceanic environments, whilst appreciating and respecting the positions of all stakeholders in this area.

Marine science incorporates a broad range of disciplines, from molecular genetics through ecology to oceanography and geosciences. It is essential for professional marine scientists to have skills in a range of these different disciplines. Our MMarScMgt is designed to encompass this need for a broad range of experiences.

The MMarScMgt is unique in Australia (and perhaps the world) because it is built around cross institutional study coordinated by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). The program gives students access to the expertise of four partner universities (MQ, UTS, U Syd and UNSW), all of which offer the degree. This provides the broadest possible range of options for students. The collaborative nature of the MMarScMgt has allowed us to develop a unique program that is specifically designed to train a new generation of Australian marine scientists. This focus is exemplified by the MMarScMgt's capstone unit (MAR801 Topics in Australian Marine Science), which is offered simultaneously by the four partner universities and is taught collaboratively at SIMS. In the remaining 11 units of study in the program (in addition to MAR801), students are strongly encouraged to take two units as cross institutional study at our partner universities. This is an ideal structure because it allows us to compensate for marine science disciplines in which Macquarie does not have great strength, such as physical oceanography.

As its name suggests, the MMarScMgt provides training in areas needed for professional careers in policy development and management. This is critical because Australia has responsibility for the largest marine estate in the world, and we have critical shortage of appropriately qualified professionals with the broad skills required to manage and sustain our marine resources. In addition to this focus on developing skills required for policy development and management, the MMarScMgt provides ample opportunities for students to develop expertise in marine science research. Analysing and understanding large data sets, which are becoming the norm in marine science, is the main focus of the program's capstone unit, MAR801 (Topics in Australian Marine Science) and a number of other units of study in the program. Students also have the opportunity to develop specific research skills in BIOL860 (Biology Research Experience) and a range of equivalent "hands-on" research units offered at our partner universities.
Graduate Capabilities

The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:

Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative


Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible

Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning
Program Learning Outcomes By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. demonstrate knowledge in the broad backgrounds of key discipline areas of marine science and management (K, J)
2. implement highly specialized knowledge and skills in a discipline area within marine science (K, T, C, E, J)
3. implement the necessary expertise and knowledge to allow you to interface effectively with policy makers, government and industry (K, T, C, E)

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
4. analyse and interpret extremely large data sets, such as those provided by the Australian Integrated Marine Observing System (T, P)
5. effectively communicate (both orally and in writing) in the professional "language" of marine science as a way of influencing marine science policy and management in Australia and internationally (C, E)
6. identify the needs of the broad range stakeholders in Australia's marine environment, from recreational fishers to governments and multinational corporations (E, J).
Learning and Teaching Methods The Master of Marine Science and Management (MMarScMgt) is a multidisciplinary degree that is designed to provide you with a comprehensive grounding that allows you to:
• demonstrate knowledge in the broad backgrounds of key discipline areas of marine science and management
• implement highly specialized knowledge and skills in a discipline area within marine science
• implement the necessary expertise and knowledge to allow you to interface effectively with policy makers, government and industry
• analyse and interpret extremely large data sets, such as those provided by the Australian Integrated Marine Observing System
• effectively communicate (both orally and in writing) in the professional language of marine science as a way of influencing marine science policy and management in Australia and internationally
• identify the needs of the broad range stakeholders in Australia's marine environment, from recreational fishers to governments and multinational corporations.

To give you these skills and capacities, MMarScMgt requires you to successfully complete 48cp of study. 16cp are from four core “required” units, with the remainder comprising elective units chosen from a broad list of options. Two of the elective units can be taken at our partner universities through cross-institutional study arrangements. For each unit, you will complete several tasks including essays, literature reviews, critiques of articles in the scientific literature and popular media, group discussions, research proposals, case studies, practical reports, tutorial reports and seminars. These tasks are designed to further your skills in independent research, enhance your problem solving skills, give you practice in the use of logic and the development of coherent arguments, help you understand processes involved in the development and implementation of government policy, and refine your skills in communication to broad audiences in both oral and written form. The specific requirements for each task will be clearly explained to you and detailed feedback from staff will provide you with a measure of your progress and also provide advice to help you to improve your skills.

The units comprising MMarScMgt have a range of teaching modes including formal lectures, practical classes, tutorial sessions, and seminars. Typically tutorials reinforce and extend material presented in lectures, further explain conceptually difficult material and practise problem solving and in some cases involve numerical calculations. They are a forum for interaction between you and your fellow students and with your teachers. By participating in practical classes, you will become proficient in the manual and analytical skills that are integral to application or research in each specific discipline in marine science. In some tutorials or practical classes you will be performing complex tasks as part of a team so you will need to develop an ability to plan, communicate and co-operate with your peers to achieve successful outcomes.

Many of the required and elective units in MMarScMgt are presented in internal and/or external modes. Therefore, depending on your circumstances or preferences, you may decide to enroll in the internal mode and attend practicals and tutorials on campus each week. Alternatively you may choose to enroll as an external student and complete all the practicals and/or tutorials for the semester in block teaching sessions. Whether you are an internal or external student you can attend live lectures or download the electronic version at your convenience.
Assessment You will need to complete a test or exam in some but not all of the units in MMarScMgt. In some cases you will be required to pass the exam to pass the unit. All the details concerning the format of the tests and exams, the types of questions and the marks for each question will be explained to you before the exam and for most units any formal exam paper from the previous year will be available in the library for review.

Apart from exams, there will be assignments including essays, literature reviews, critiques of articles in the scientific literature and popular media, research proposals, research reports, practical reports, tutorial reports, fieldwork participation and seminars.
Recognition of Prior Learning

Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.

Domestic students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl

International students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl

undefined
Support for Learning

Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.

Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/

Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us
Program Standards and Quality

The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders.
Graduate Destinations and Employability The program of study for the Master of Marine Science and Management (MMarScMgt) has been developed in consultation with the main employers for our graduates in Australian marine science. These include the Australian Museum, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. These organisations are associate members of SIMS and have a keen interest in developing teaching programs that provide graduates with capabilities that match the needs of the marine science community. As such, the degree and its capstone unit (MAR801) are designed to match graduate capabilities with employer needs by providing specific training in areas of the greatest importance to stakeholders. MQ students will engage with students from other institutions that are contributing to the collaborative units, and will be encouraged to undertake units of study at the other contributing universities. This will broaden their engagement with the Australian university community with the options of further study and employment. Students of the core unit (MAR801) will also be encouraged to engage researchers and policy makers from a range of the key government agencies with responsibilities for managing Australia's Marine Environment. This will provide MMarScMgt students with unique opportunities for engagement with the broader scientific community, as well as peers from other institutions.
Assessment Regulations

This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy.
Accreditation This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.