Examine the intricate relationship between climate, coastal systems and marine environments to solve complex challenges facing our oceans.

In this major, you'll dive into the scientific study of coastal processes, oceanography, ecology, marine geology and marine conservation. 

You’ll learn to apply a wide range of evidence-based environmental and conservation strategies to protect vital coastal habitats and marine ecosystems across the globe.

Guided by Australia’s leading marine researchers, you’ll gain extensive fieldwork experience at UQ’s Heron Island Research Station on the southern Great Barrier Reef and UQ’s Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island.

Enhance your employability by combining your speciality with a minor in a broad range of complementary fields, including ecology and conversation biology, earth science, genetics, microbiology or computational science.

Demand for highly skilled coastal and marine scientists is on the rise. You’ll find opportunities in various fields including:

• teaching and universities
• fisheries laboratories
• environmental consultancies 
• marine parks
• coastal management
• government departments.

Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Depending on which major you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

• Research officer
• Food chemist
• Bioinformatician
• Data scientist
• Marine biologist
• Laboratory technician
• Materials scientist
• Agronomist
• Conservation officer
• Environment and resource manager