BSc Honours In Marine Biology
Most of us are fascinated by the oceans and the rich diversity of organisms that inhabit their depths. Marine Biology is the study of
these specialised plants and animals and the habitats in which they live, with respect to how they solve the unique problems imposed
by the physical and chemical environment of the seas. It explores the impacts of natural and man-made changes, such as climate change
and pollution on marine habitats and species, and examines effects of the exploitation of plant and animal resources, and tries to
find ways in which they can be used sustainably.
Marine Biology is a multi-disciplinary science and is taught by staff in a truly multi-disciplinary department, the Institute of
Aquaculture. This provides Marine Biology students at Stirling with a unique opportunity to learn and gain practical experience
in a range of disciplines applied to Marine Biology, from cutting-edge molecular science to ecology, all within one department.
The degree follows a common structure with other aquatic science programmes until the end of the 3rd year, providing an opportunity
to switch between programmes up to this point. In 1st and 2nd year a range of topics in biological and environmental sciences are
studied to provide the broad-base of knowledge and skills, before specialising in Marine Biology.
Click on course titles below for detailed descriptions of aquatic science modules you will study on the Marine Biology programme:
Semester 7
Year 4, Semester 8
Our Blue Planet
The success of recent television series’ such as ‘The Blue Planet’, ‘Coast’ and ‘Oceans’ demonstrates our universal fascination with the aquatic environment. This introductory module will provide an overview of, and introduction to, aquatic environments, habitats and their associated biodiversity.
The module will consider aquatic environments from upland streams, descending through diverse freshwater environments (including lakes and wetlands) to rivers, estuaries, the coast, seas and oceans. Fascinating case-studies will explore a range of topics such as turtle migrations, the hunting adaptations of the Great White Shark as well as topical subjects such as Hurricane Katrina. At the end of the module you will have a broad-based knowledge and understanding of marine & freshwater systems and will recognise that a wide diversity of plants and animals are important components of aquatic ecosystems.
Principles of the Aquatic Environment
This module will further understanding of aquatic environmental systems and processes by examining physical and chemical cycles and their influences on the biology of the inhabitants of these ecosystems. Students are introduced to the effects of human activities on water resources and the consequences for aquatic biodiversity. At the end of the module students will be able to apply knowledge of marine and freshwater environments, and use technical sampling skills, to assess aquatic habitats and understand how they can be affected by natural and man-made changes.
Lectures are complemented by a series of field and laboratory practicals that aim to familiarise you with the functioning of a variety of aquatic ecosystems and the use of sampling and recording techniques and analysis of data collected.
Science of Diving
SCUBA diving is an important tool for marine biological research and for commercial uses in aquatic environments. It is also an ever increasing recreational activity. The use of diving in scientific activities is a specialist activity requiring both theoretical and practical training. It is also becoming the subject of greater regulation in research and industrial use, requiring HSE (Health and Safety Executive) diving qualifications as a minimum in the UK.
HSE diving qualifications can usually be obtained upon graduation at considerable personal expense. The Science of Diving course at Stirling offers a purely theoretical, taught module which will count as SCQF credit towards the BSc degree, but with the added option to take a practical HSE diving course, during summer, at a much reduced cost. The practical diving course has no academic credit associated with it and therefore will not disadvantage students who do not wish to take this element of the course.
At the end of the taught course you will have a strong theoretical knowledge of diving physiology, practice, and safety for scientific investigation, and will be able to design and apply methods of underwater survey and environmental assessment, to carry out scientific investigations.
Lectures will be complemented by practical sessions which will train you in the use of diving equipment and survey techniques.
Optional Practical Diving summer module
This non-credit bearing optional, residential, practical course, is taught by an outside organisation, and leads to either a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) sports diving certificate and/or an HSE (Health and Safety Executive) Professional SCUBA (formally known as HSE part 4) diving qualification by conversion course, depending on your level of interest. With the HSE qualification you will be able to dive for most scientific and inshore commercial purposes (SCUBA) in the UK and the professional certification is widely recognized throughout the world. The PADI sports diving qualification is recognized throughout the world for recreational diving.
The advantage of taking such a course interdigitated as part of the degree programme is that you will be able to begin diving as part of your job immediately upon graduation. This makes Stirling students very attractive to prospective employers.
Management of Living Aquatic Resources
The module content provides a broad introduction to the issues surrounding human exploitation of aquatic resources (particularly in the contexts of capture fisheries and aquaculture) and of human interaction with these valuable biological assets. The biology of principal cultured aquatic organisms, with respect to their exploitation, is studied.
The module consists of lectures supplemented by laboratory-based practicals to examine the biology of cultured organisms, and field visits to demonstrate aquaculture and fisheries in practice.
Issues in Marine Biology
This course examines marine habitats from an ecological perspective, evaluating how they function, assessing species diversity, and importantly, how natural and man-made impacts are affecting this. We will also explore the impact marine organisms have on human society through developments in biotechnology and other uses. Major risks likely to affect these species and habitats are also studied. At the end of the course you will be able to appreciate and understand the diversity of marine species and ecosystems that exist and the major man-made risks affecting them.
The module is made up of lectures and field and laboratory-based practical sessions demonstrating marine survey techniques and analysis.
Aquaculture
This module expands upon, and further develops, the topic of aquaculture by consideration of a number of the key biological
research themes in this discipline including disease, nutrition, reproduction and genetics. In addition the module applies
biological principles to production systems for finfish, crustacea and molluscs.
The module consists of lectures, workshops, and laboratory-based sessions which aim to develop practical skills and
techniques in the above research themes.
Laboratory skills
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module will provide students studying all Sciences with the
elementary laboratory skills which they require to pursue subsequent more advanced modules. Material ranges from basic methods for
measurement of mass, volume, time, pH, absorbance, protein concentration and enzyme activity over a range of scales on a range of
biological and environmental common materials and methods for making precise and accurate measurements on a range of samples representative
of those typically encountered by marine biology, biology and environmental science students.
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Introduction to Cell Biology
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, the module provides a background in the basic cell biology that is essential
for subsequent biology courses. The programme is designed to accommodate those with no background as well as providing new information and
stimulation for those who already have some knowledge.
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Statistical Techniques
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module will provide training in the use of information technology and
its use in data processing and statistical analysis; and the use of basic statistical techniques and their application to environmental and
biological data sets and problems. The skills learnt from this unit will help you with future modules were such analysis is essential.
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Introduction to Ecology
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module will explore ecology at all levels from individual behaviour and
life history strategies to population dynamics and community structure.
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Biodiversity
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module provides an overview of the diversity of organisms and explores
their evolution and adaptations to different environments. It will introduce ideas about the origins of life, prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
and the theory of endosymbiosis. It will review the animal kingdom through a survey of invertebrates and vertebrates, gaining knowledge of animal
form and function, ecological adaptation, evolutionary processes and phylogenetic relationships. It will include the structure and function of
eukaryotic green plants and to develop an appreciation of floral structure in relation to pollination mechanisms and breeding systems.
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Genetics and Evolution
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module will provide a basic understanding of conventional Mendelian genetics
and evolutionary biology. In addition the course focuses on modern molecular genetics.
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Animal Physiology
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module explores the adaptation of organisms to particular environments and
provides an integrated understanding of the physiological mechanisms animals use to function.
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Advanced techniques
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module will teach you advanced statistical techniques for the analysis of
biological datasets. Completion of this module will help you with your final year project design, execution, analysis and presentation.
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Field skills
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module provides students registered for degrees in Aquatic, Biological
and Environmental Sciences with practice in some of the elementary field skills which they will require to pursue subsequent more advanced modules
and a career in science.
This will be developed through estimation of sampling designs and the collection of appropriate environmental and biological data in aquatic,
terrestrial and aerial environments.
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Introduction to Physiology
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences this module will examine basic animal and plant cells, their anatomy and
physiology. This will be done through discussion of how various tissues and organs function in whole organisms and will include an understanding
of the structures and functions of specialised cells, the organisation of cells into tissues and organs, and a basic understanding of
homeostatic processes.
More information →
Global Environments
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module is an introduction to key global environmental problems
and the linkage of human activities to environmental processes through an examination of the issues, the underlying science and the potential
solutions. The main themes are waste disposal, air and water pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity.
This module is linked to the acquisition of core skills including making measurements and field observations, using and interpreting
questionnaires, calculations and unit conversions, processing and presentation of data using MS-EXCEL, assessing data quality and
critically interpreting data, scientific report writing, referencing literature including internet sources correctly.
More information →
Aquaculture Field Course
This is a residential field course which will put into practice learning from in previous modules in the context of aquaculture in the
environment and selection of suitable sites for culture and social infrastructure. This will improve your understanding of aquaculture in
practice and enhance employment opportunities as you will learn valuable field skills. These will include learning how to survey and collect
data required for effective aquaculture siting and development, and developing expertise necessary to process this information as part of a
scientific study.
Aquaculture Nutrition
This half-module examines in detail, the relationship between aquatic animal nutrition and the level of aquaculture
intensification, how the nutrient requirements of farmed species relates to their culture, and how feeding regimes
affect the behaviour and physiology of cultured species.
Production Environments
This half-module details the varying culture requirements crucial for health, growth and condition of different cultured species,
and how selective breeding can be used to domesticate and adapt species to living in the farm environment and improve the quality of
the end product. All levels of aquaculture intensification from extensive rural ponds to intensive tank and cage based systems are
covered. You will also learn to sample and analyse farm water quality and assess the quality of the farm environment.
Aquaculture Genetics and Reproduction
Much of the application of genetics and reproduction takes place in the management of stocks of aquatic organisms in
hatcheries, where appropriate management has a major effect on seed quality. This half-module covers the traditional and
molecular scientific principles of genetics and reproduction, and the ways in which these are applied to manage
aquaculture stocks and seed quality in hatcheries. Basic concepts of hatchery management are demonstrated and
practised in the Institute's tropical aquarium and external farm facilities.
Aquatic Diseases
An understanding of disease and welfare of aquatic animals is vital to the success of aquaculture operations and
also impacts upon wild populations. The Institute has a long history of research and teaching in these subjects,
and staff are uniquely qualified to present a course in this area. The course will build upon introductory material
and will introduce students to the principles and concepts of fish and shellfish health management and to the welfare
of aquaculture species. The course will explore a number of relevant topics in detail and will also include
practical tuition in applied skills such as disease diagnosis and treatment of disease. The module will make an
important contribution to the programme by providing you with an understanding of how disease and welfare and
their control affect the sustainability of aquaculture systems.
Aquaculture Project
Your final semester largely consists of designing, conducting, and analysing a small research project which will draw together
learning from previous modules. Research topics are varied and are guided by your personal interests. Regular supervision is provided
by Institute staff who specialise in that particular research area.
Projects can be laboratory or field-based, and can be located here in Stirling, or elsewhere in the UK or overseas. Overseas projects are
encouraged and past projects have been located throughout Europe, North and South America, the Indian sub-continent, Asia, Oceania and Australia.
Projects offer an opportunity to gain valuable work experience as they can often involve carrying out your research in industry or government
research or farm facilities.
Man and the Aquatic Environment: Preserve or Plunder
This module introduces the concept of water as a finite resource and examines the impacts of mans usage, and sustainable alternatives, in order
to preserve the resource for future generations.
We look at both current and future issues of global importance: topics such as drought, pollution, dam construction, declining fisheries and
habitat destruction, along with emerging issues such as climate change, water wars, and fresh drinking water availability, are covered.
You will learn how to present these issues and argue a scientific viewpoint with integrity and in a balanced manner.
Introduction to Physiology
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences this module will examine basic animal and plant cells, their anatomy and
physiology. This will be done through discussion of how various tissues and organs function in whole organisms and will include an understanding
of the structures and functions of specialised cells, the organisation of cells into tissues and organs, and a basic understanding of
homeostatic processes.
More information →
Global Environments
Coordinated by the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, this module is an introduction to key global environmental problems
and the linkage of human activities to environmental processes through an examination of the issues, the underlying science and the potential
solutions. The main themes are waste disposal, air and water pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity.
This module is linked to the acquisition of core skills including making measurements and field observations, using and interpreting
questionnaires, calculations and unit conversions, processing and presentation of data using MS-EXCEL, assessing data quality and
critically interpreting data, scientific report writing, referencing literature including internet sources correctly.
More information →
Marine Biology Field Course
The module is a residential field course which puts into practice knowledge and learning from previous modules within
the marine biology programme by putting these into the context of the real marine environment.
The field course will involve investigating a number of marine coastal habitats using practical techniques in ecology,
invertebrate identification, and environmental survey design. This will provide important field experience in processing
and analysing samples collected for scientific study, and improve understanding of project design for coastal habitats
and communities, and resources development. Practical experience such as this can enhance employment opportunities.
Marine Systematics and Taxonomy
This module is designed to provide marine biology students with an advanced understanding of the main systematic groups of marine flora and fauna. Key physical structures that determine functional groups, how genetic variability determines speciation and the formation of a distinct species of plant or animal, and how these factors relate to habitat and niche preferences, growth and development and feeding behaviours.
The Institute of Aquaculture has experienced taxonomists, who participate in the UK National Marine Biology Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC)
scheme, and can provide a high quality understanding of marine benthic fauna. There is an increasing use of cutting-edge
genetic techniques to determine speciation, therefore teaching and skills development in this area forms the foundation of this module. In addition
we have leading scientists working in the field of marine genetics, with supporting facilities, where you will learn valuable practical molecular
genetics skills.
Systematics and taxonomy are in increasing demand and the skills developed in this module will give Stirling Marine Biology graduates an advantage in the job market.
Marine Mammal and Turtle Biology
This module provides the opportunity to learn field skills used to study the behaviour, distribution and abundance of large
marine vertebrates and provides an overview of the taxonomy, physiology, behaviour, and current research on seals, whales,
dolphins and turtles.
The core of this module is field trips based in Scotland, made on research vessels to study common and grey seal behaviour at local haul-out sites and to conduct transect surveys for porpoise, minke whale and basking shark in the area of Arran. Around the Isle of Mull, time is spent at sea studying minke whale and other cetaceans on research and commercial whale watching boats. Coastal observations and observing otters in local sea-lochs, also forms part of this module.
Marine Biology Project
Your final semester largely consists of designing, conducting, and analysing a small research project which will draw together learning from previous modules. Research topics are varied and are guided by your personal interests. Regular supervision is provided by Institute staff who specialise in that particular research area.
Projects can be laboratory or field-based, and can be located here in Stirling, or elsewhere in the UK or overseas. Overseas projects are encouraged and past projects have been located throughout Europe, USA, Bermuda, and the Seychelles. Projects offer an opportunity to gain valuable work experience as they can often involve carrying out your research in industry or government research facilities.
