Course details

Summary

Join the Bachelor of Science (Marine Ecology) and help us make new discoveries about the sea and the life within it every day. You could even help preserve that life for the future.

What is it Like?

More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by seawater - this marine environment plays a crucial role in supporting life on our planet. It is diverse, complex and a valued natural resource.

Waiting for your discoveries

The Bachelor of Science (Marine Ecology) will teach you about the principles and processes underpinning marine ecology, the vastness of life in the seas and coasts. You’ll learn that much of the marine environment remains undiscovered.

Be sought-after

Imagine monitoring whale movements and their impact on fish species or providing consultancy on sustainable practices for construction near waterways. As a marine ecologist your unique skills and knowledge, will be in huge demand and lead to a range of jobs working independently or for agencies like DOC, NIWA and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Exciting study areas

Learn about majestic creatures of the underwater world, gain skills for estimating dolphin populations or investigate an area of marine ecology that interests you through our courses: Quantitative Statistics, Marine Mammalogy and Topics in Marine Ecology.

The practical skills you’ll need

Massey’s marine ecology programme will introduce you to the biological principles and processes that are basic to all forms of life in the sea. You will learn about the ecology of marine organisms; how they interact with one another; and with their environment and the land. You will gain a solid grounding in marine ecology history and theory. Studying at Massey will also give you practical skills in field biology and data analysis and support you in formulating and answering complex questions about the marine environment.

Learn from our experts

Understanding the sea is a multidisciplinary endeavour encompassing biology, ecology, statistics, physical and the social sciences. At Massey we have expertise in all these areas - you’ll get access to our experts across all the sciences.

We also have world-renowned experts in quantitative marine statistics and marine mammalogy. If you wish, the opportunity exists to further specialise in these fields of research at a postgraduate level.

Careers

Marine ecology opens the door to an exciting and dynamic career.

Jobs include:

• Working in the private sector as an environmental consultant
• Within government agencies such as the Ministry of Primary Industries or the Department of Conservation
• Within a Crown Research Institute, such as the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences or the Cawthron Institute
• Researching for a university

Entry criteria

Students must have successful completion of a qualification equivalent to the New Zealand Year 13 - NCEA Level 3 University Entrance.

It is recommended (but not compulsory) that students beginning their study of Marine Ecology should have a sound background to NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) in at least one of chemistry, physics or biology and a mathematics subject.

English Language Requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.0 (no band less than 5.5)
• TOEFL iBT score of 80 overall (min 19 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 50 Overall (min 42 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 170