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Marine Biology

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From Molecules to Ecosystems

Queen's University Belfast offers a degree in Marine Biology led by internationally recognised researchers.  Areas of expertise range from molecular evolution of marine flora and fauna, invasive species, community ecology and climate change to the migration of marine vertebrates such as basking sharks and sea turtles.

Students get hands-on experience in class and with extra-curricular events.  We are ideally located for the study of marine biology, with close access to diverse habitats, from estuaries and mudflats through to rocky shores and the open Atlantic Ocean.  The Queen's University Marine Laboratory is our research centre for interdisciplinary marine sciences, located 30 miles from the main campus, in the Strangford Lough Marine Nature Reserve on a site we share with the Northern Ireland aquarium, Exploris.  Studying marine biology at Queen's includes at least one residential field course each year in the Marine Laboratory.  And all students have the opportunity to pursue an independent research project for their honours thesis in the final year.

Why study marine biology?

Pressure upon marine systems continues to mount year on year.  Complex issues such as overfishing, pollution and climate change work together to bring about wholesale shifts in marine communities over regional and global scales.  The challenge facing today's marine scientists is not only to identify when such changes have occurred, but to understand why and predict the broader consequences for future years.  To achieve this goal marine biologists need a solid grounding in core scientific disciplines from genetics and physiology through to ecology and evolution.

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 PhD positions at leading universities, 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 interests and a record of success.  We believe that studying Marine Biology at Queen's will enable you to acquire and develop these qualities.

The three-year Marine Biology degree typically includes:

  • Level 1  Biological Diversity - Skills for Biosciences - Genetics - EnvironmentalBiology - Microorganisms - Biochemistry
  • Level 2 Adaptations in the Marine Environment - Marine Ecology - Applied Ecology - Invertebrate Biology - Molecular Ecology - Physiology
  • Level 3  Honours research project in marine biology (2 modules) - Marine Processes - Marine Zoology - Parasitology - Behavioural Ecology

Taught modules are also supported by the Queen's Degree Plus Scheme which is accredited award for career skills developed through extra-curricular activities.

The Irish Marine Institute produces a useful guide to careers in marine science that you can download here (NI courses are not included in this edition but the information is applicable).

For more information on entry requirements and course content, please use the Undergraduate Course Finder.
Alternatively contact:

Head of School
The School of Biological Sciences
Medical Biology Centre
97 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7BL

Phone:  (028) 9097 5786
Email:  biosciences-ug@qub.ac.uk

Or use our on-line information request form.

Main image:  Looking across Strangford Lough at sunset towards the Mourne Mountains Photo credit (c) Alain Le Garsmuer.