Our BSc Marine Biology programme focuses on understanding the biology of marine organisms and their ecosystems. We place special emphasis on whole animal biology, biodiversity, ecology and behaviour.
The programme provides you with the skills, concepts, and experience required to understand all aspects of marine ecosystems and the pressures they face, ranging from overexploitation to climate change. Our interdisciplinary approach to the study of marine ecosystems, from rocky shores to open-oceans and from shallow surface seas to deep-water habitats, allows you to develop a wide range of theoretical and practical techniques. The interface between research and learning is central to the degree programme and equips our graduates for career opportunities across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Year 1
- Genetics
- Zoology
- Marine Biology
- Evolution
- Skills and Careers
Year 2
- Analysis of Biological Data
- Exploitation of the Sea
- Biology of Aquatic Vertebrates
- Marine Ecology
- Biosciences Penryn Virtual Field Course
- Bio Penryn 2nd Year Field Course
Professional placement/study abroad year (if taken)
with Professional Placement
with Study Abroad
Final year
Work closely with an academic member of staff and carry out a detailed independent research project in the wild or a laboratory. You may also take a bespoke marine biology residential field course in the Azores, Galapagos Islands, Spain or Yukon-Alaska* in order to gain practical experience of research in the wild.
- Research Project
- Preparing to Graduate
- Borneo Field Course
- Galapagos Islands Field Course
- Yukon-Alaska Field Course
- Azores Field Course
- Northern Spain Field Course
- Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation: Costa Rica Field Course
- Human-Wildlife Coexistence in India Field Course
