Earth and Marine Sciences Degrees

Earth and marine sciences could be the perfect subject for anyone wanting to combine the study of animals, plants and the environment. It allows students to gain an understanding of how the natural world works and aid in efforts to protect the environment and its inhabitants. Read our guide to studying a degree in earth and marine science, including an overview of common course topics, specialisations and career options. 

Course content

Earth and marine science programmes will allow students to learn more about ecosystems on land and in water. An earth and marine science degree might cover topics such as: 

• Animal biology 

• Animal behaviour 

• Coastal ecology 

• Habitats 

• Biochemistry 

• Biodiversity and conservation 

• Evolution 

• Plant cell biology 

Entry requirements

The entry requirements to study earth and marine sciences vary from one university to another. Most will require some basic qualifications in maths and English or the national language equivalent. It is not common that students will have the opportunity to study earth and marine sciences before university so some of the most highly valued subjects for an application are the sciences, particularly biology and chemistry, and environmental sciences. 

Some other subjects of value include geography, geology, information technology, design technology and physics. 

Course structure and assessment methods

A degree in earth and marine science will include both essential modules, which teach students the basics of organic biology, environmental change, conservation, and study methods, and specialisation modules, which look at more specific topics which may be used to inform a student’s future career. Compulsory modules may include: 

• Earth and ocean systems 

• Animal science 

• Marine science 

• Biochemistry 

• Biodiversity 

• Evolution 

• Research methods 

The assessment methods will also vary from one university to another, however, they will usually include traditional exam papers, which will test students ability to recall information, coursework, which will allow students to look at existing research to inform their own work, and practical assessments which will give students the opportunity to conduct their own studies and record their observations. 

Specialisations

Students can choose to specialise in a variety of topics during their studies which may influence their careers in the future. These include: 

• Oceanography – the scientific study of the ocean which combines biology, chemistry, physics, and geology. It studies the movements of the sea, currents, waves, tectonic plates, and the sea as an ecosystem to sustain life. 

• Soil science – the study of soil as a natural resource: its formation and the classification of different soil types from different parts of the world. Soil type significantly contributes to plant health and the types of plants that grow in a certain environment therefore studying the soil will form a basis of knowledge to understand an ecosystem. 

• Meteorology – looks at the earth’s atmosphere and its climate. Meteorology is used in forecasting and to understand weather phenomena such as cloud formations, tornados, cyclones, monsoons, and electrical storms. 

• Palaeontology – the study of fossils to gain a better understanding of the natural world that existed before the current epoch. It differs from archaeology in that it excludes human life and practices and only looks at plants and animal ecosystems from prehistoric times. 

• Zoology – the scientific study of animals. It looks at the biology of a variety of animals, both alive and extinct, their physical structure, behaviour, classification, and how they interact with other life forms in their ecosystem. 

• Animal behaviour – similar to zoology, except this just focuses on the scientific study of animal behaviour: why animals act a certain way, how they find food, hunt, reproduce, whether they live alone or in groups and how they develop throughout their life cycle. 

• Food chains and systems – a study of the way animals and plants interact within a specific ecosystem by looking at what the different species eat, from apex predators at the top of a food chain to plants, fungi, and insects at the bottom. 

• Coral reefs – coral reefs are significant underwater ecosystems that maintain life and act as a feeding ground for many marine plants and creatures. The study of coral reefs helps scientists to find out more about marine creatures, their habitats and the ways in which plant and other life forms interact. 

• Cell biology – the study of animal and plant biology on a cellular level. This subject also incorporates elements of chemistry as it looks at the effects of different stimulus on organic matter to find out more about the organism that is being studied. 

• Deep sea ecology – many of the marine plants and creatures that are commonly studied live within 200m of the sea’s surface. The lack of light and oxygen in deeper waters, what is known as the deep sea, mean that ecosystems and marine life are completely different by comparison. The conditions of the deep sea make it difficult for divers to conduct experiments and field studies therefore the sector relies on emerging technologies. This means that new information and research is constantly evolving. 

• Reproduction and statistics – a subject that looks at the conservation of plant and animal species; reproduction statistics allows researchers to track the numbers of each species that exist in the wild and consider external factors that could positively or negatively affect populations. 

• Tropical marine biology – this specifically studies the marine plants and creatures that can be found in tropical locations where species can differ greatly from other parts of the world due to climate factors and ecosystems such as coral reefs. It specialises in the creatures which live within these ecosystems, instead of the ecosystems themselves.

Career options

There are also many careers that students can pursue with a degree in earth and marine sciences, such as: 

• Marine biologist – studies marine organisms and ecosystems to understand more about life in the deep and shallow sea environments. Their work will include field studies and diving expeditions as well as laboratory studies and experiments. 

• Conservation officer – a conservation officer conducts and analyses research on plant and animal life in a certain area and makes policy recommendations to ensure that each species is protected and able to thrive in their habitat. The types of areas that they may work with include woodlands, coastal regions, mountains, marine habitats, moorlands and rainforests. 

• Oil spill consultant – an emergency response consultancy team who are able to aid oil companies in the event of an oil spill at sea. Oil spills can have a catastrophic impact on marine life, so it is important that they are dealt with quickly and effectively. An oil spill consultant role may include designing contingency plans, conducting reviews on machinery which have the potential to cause an oil spill, and providing companies with a response plan should an unexpected oil spill occur. 

• Geologist – someone who studies the structure and composition of the earth. They study soil types and rock formations and monitor the threat of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. 

• Oceanographer – an oceanographer is a marine scientist. They look at the ocean and its currents, the rocks and minerals on the ocean floor and the plants and animals that live in a marine habitat. Their work may involve research dives and expeditions, collecting samples of water, plants, and rocks and conducting experiments in the laboratory, analysing any changes to marine life or their habitats and writing reports. 

• Environmental scientist – a researcher of the natural world who focuses mainly on climate change and environmental damage. They conduct research to identify threats to a natural environment and advise policymakers on how best to conserve the area and its animal and plant inhabitants. 

• Zoologist – a zoologist is a scientist who studies animals and their behaviours. From anatomy and physiology to their role within an ecosystem, a zoologist aims to understand more about animal biology. 

• Agriculturist – a scientist who studies agriculture and farmlands. Their research is used to inform farm owners how they can make the most of their land and improve the quantity and quality of their crop production. 

• Fishery policy manager – someone who looks at emerging marine biology and oceanology research and uses the findings to inform policy regarding fishing and the legislation around it. They either work for the government, where they will have a direct impact on new policies, or work as part of an environmental organisation who advises the government on the best course of action.