Marine science is the scientific study of our oceans and coastal habitats, and includes a wide range of disciplines in the biological, chemical, physical and Earth sciences. Students can pursue a general study plan or a more specialised plan in an area such as marine biology or marine geology. With an increasing focus on the role of our oceans to provide food and resources for our growing populations, the next generation of UQ marine scientists will play a major role in ensuring that we protect and profit from our oceans. UQ has the largest and best marine research facilities of any Australian tertiary institution, and also possesses the largest assembly of marine scientists in the state, and possibly Australia. Students of marine science have an opportunity to undertake studies at the Moreton Bay Research Station (MBRS), and Heron Island Research Station (HIRS) in the southern Great Barrier Reef.

Marine scientists work in many fields of research and education, including teaching, fisheries laboratories, wildlife conservation, marine parks, planning and management, museums, universities, marine science institutes, the fishing industry, oil companies, power-generating authorities, marine-resource development, and engineering and consulting companies.