Programmes

Marine Biology (BSc.)

Programme Overview

The programme in Marine Biology is designed to give students hands-on exposure to the study of the marine environment and its organisms. The selection of courses offered under the programme provides a foundation in the concepts, strategies and practices available to scientifically investigate, analyse and manage marine species and communities. Students pursuing this programme are required to take a minimum of thirty-nine (39) advanced credits.

Programme Objectives

The BSc. programme in Marine Biology aims to:

  1. Introduce the different habitats associated with the marine environment.
  2. Identify the range of organisms associated with the different marine habitats, their biology and interactions and the abiotic factors of the environment which they affect their survival and distribution, with special emphasis on effects of the anthropogenic disturbance.
  3. Examine conservation measures used to mitigate against the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on marine systems.
  4. Provide a critical overview of the integrated management frameworks applicable to marine areas and species.
  5. Train students in the analysis, interpretation and presentation of their investigations.

Admission Requirements

In order to read for the BSc. Marine Biology, candidates must satisfy the requirements for the entrance to the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Either:

  1. Satisfy the University requirements for Normal Matriculation.
  2. Have obtained passes in two subjects at CAPE (both comprising passes in Units 1 & 2) or at GCE A-Level (or equivalent). One of the CAPE or equivalent passes must be an approved science subject preferably Biology.

Or:

  1. Satisfy the University requirements for Lower Level Matriculation.
  2. Have obtained passes at CSEC Secondary Education General Proficiency level with grades I, II, or since 1998 grade III (or equivalent) in Mathematics and two approved science subjects (one of which should be Biology or equivalent).

Programme Structure


Year 1: A minimum of twenty-four (24) credits from Level 1; eighteen (18) of which must be Faculty courses and include the Biology courses:

Semester I
   BIOL1017: Cell Biology
   BIOL1018: Molecular Biology & Genetics

Semester II
   BIOL1262: Living Organisms I
   BIOL1263: Living Organisms II 
 
Year 2: Twenty-one (21) credits as follows:

Semester I
   BIOL2401: Research Skills & Practices in Biology
   BIOL2402: Fundamentals of Biometry  
   BIOL2406: Eukaryotic Microbiology 
   BOTN2401: Plant Form & Systematics 

Semester II

   BIOL2403: Principles of Ecology  
   ZOOL2403: Maintenance Systems in Animals
   ZOOL2404: Coordination and Control in Animals 

 

Year 3: Fifteen (15) credits as follows:

Semester I

   BIOL3407: Oceanography 
   BIOL3408: Coastal Ecosystems 
   ZOOL3409: Aquaculture 

Semester II

   BIOL3409: Caribbean Coral Reefs 
   ZOOL3408: Sustainable use of Marine Fishable Resources 
 

Plus three (3) credits from the following:
Semester I
   ZOOL3405: Vertebrate Biology 

Semester II

   BIOL3410: Water Pollution Biology 

Careers after Graduation

Career opportunities in Environmental Consultation, Toxicology, Marine Biotechnology,

Aquaculture, Fisheries Ecology, Environmental Impact Assessment, Coral Reef, Seagrass and Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Rehabilitation, Oceanography and Marine Management, Education and Research fields.