At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. On the BSc in Marine Biology we achieve this goal by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are: Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (delivered in large groups to all year group peers at Level 1, with smaller, more specialised course at Levels 2 and 3). Practicals: where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. At level 1 practical sessions are generally laboratory based and are designed to reinforce the general principles of biology (e.g. physiology, genetics, micro-biology, biological diversity) with a residential field course at Portaferry Marine Laboratory associated with the Environmental Biology module. There is also a strong emphasis on skills development and data analysis during the first year through the ‘Skills for Biosciences’ module. Subject specific practicals come into play during Level 2 through the ‘Adaptations in the Marine Environment’ and ‘Marine Ecology (with field course)’ modules which are compulsory for all marine biology students. The final year starts with the ‘Marine Zoology’ module which introduces students to a range of contemporary skills used in marine science and includes 8 practical sessions on a range of marine species. The practical sessions in the other compulsory level 3 module, ‘Marine Processes’ help students to think critically and move beyond the text books into cutting edge marine science.

An Honours degree in Marine Biology offers comprehensive training in one of the most popular environmental disciplines, and good graduates move on to pursue diverse careers at home and abroad. Many recent graduates have secured MSc and PhD positions at leading universities in the UK, Republic of Ireland and overseas whilst others work in secondary education or for conservation organisations and government environmental agencies. The experience that you gain from applying the scientific approach to living organisms, solving numerical and practical problems, developing written and oral communication skills and using a wide range of sophisticated equipment will also help you to find employment in a variety of non-biological careers. Many employers are looking for graduates in any discipline, provided they show academic confidence, the ability to communicate, handle quantitative data and solve problems, and have good social skills, a wide range of interestsand a record of success. We believe that studying Marine Biology at Queen's will enable you to acquire and develop these qualities.