Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Ocean Science and Marine Conservation (Optional Placement)

at University of Plymouth United Kingdom

Geography explores the relationships between people, places and the environment. Our Geography with Ocean Science course allows you to focus on the physical side of this and also spend time studying ocean science. Plymouth is the ideal setting for this, giving you hands-on experience of the physical geography of a dynamic estuary and coast within walking distance of campus.

Our geography degrees make the most of geography’s strengths in tackling head on the biggest global challenges we face. Modules have been designed to address many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – developed by the UN as the 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all' – all of our degrees are fully accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Key Features

• Our newly designed Geography curriculum places sustainability challenges at the centre, with modules designed to help address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Choose from an exciting range of physical geography and ocean science modules. Establish a sound knowledge base across all areas of ocean science, with options to study physical oceanography and meteorology, biological and chemical oceanography, and coastal oceanography.
• Our supportive staff are expert researchers and many are world leaders in their field.
• Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support.
• Learn to use Geographical Information Systems to analyse and communicate complex spatial data.
• Take advantage of a wide range of study abroad possibilities in Europe, North America and Australia.
• Experience a valuable work placement programme, opening up a range of career opportunities such as consultancy, policy development and management, teaching, planning and conservation.
• LABplus is a unique open access laboratory and resource centre designed for students studying science and engineering courses. The lab provides a flexible workspace, computing facilities, specialist software, access to microscopes, microscope cameras and bespoke resources.  
• Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.

Key Features

• Develop a range of knowledge, skills and practical experience in biosciences, that will equip you for a wide variety of careers. Biosciences students go on to careers including biomedical and human health sciences, biotechnology or environmental biology.
• Benefit from a dedicated research project module catering for the needs of incoming foundation degree students.
• Expand your learning through practical classes in the laboratory and in the field.  
• Draw on a strong system of student support and tracking through personal tutors.
• Take part in an optional work placement year before starting the course and gain invaluable insights into the practical aspects of working in biosciences.
• Study up to four topic areas in depth including plant biotechnology, global change biology, ecotoxicology, environmental microbiology and biotechnology, medical genetics, animals and human health and science centres communication.

Conserve our environment for future generations – work within the sector on an eight-week placement to reduce human impacts and provide solutions to today's environmental challenges across the globe. This MSc programme helps launch your career, giving you the skills and knowledge required for a job in the environment sector. Maximise your career prospects by learning the latest desk, laboratory and field techniques used in the management and assessment of environmental impact.

Computing and software development drives many of the world’s greatest technologies, helping us to live, learn, build and even save lives. This course combines computer science, software engineering and information systems to give you the skills employers want.

You’ll learn about programming, databases, computer hardware, computer networking, and how a computer operating system works. You will then extend your knowledge in graphical representation, data modelling and artificial intelligence. You can also enhance your career prospects with a placement at industry leaders such as IBM, Microsoft, Goss Interactive and Vualto.

Key Features

• Benefit from our close links with local industry by taking part in local meetups, conferences such as Agile on the Beach, and networking events across the South West such as Tech Exeter, Digital Plymouth. 
• Distinguish yourself with a degree that’s accredited by, and entitles membership of, British Computer Society, BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT (subject to approval). 
• Graduates may also gain registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and will partially meet the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration. 
• Be inspired by the creativity that our practical, hands-on course nurtures. Our ‘learning through doing’ ethos means you build the skills to make you a desirable applicant for employers. 
• Learn from dedicated teaching staff who are engaged in internationally significant research, are actively creating and developing applications, and have a wealth of industry contacts.
• Enjoy guest lectures on cutting edge computing from the experts in industry such as Red Hat and Goss Interactive.
• Discover the many collaboration opportunities, which mirror the teamwork at the heart of the industry. In the second year, you’ll work in a team to develop a piece of software with a real purpose.
• Immerse yourself in the very latest technology and software. We use open source as well as providing access to Microsoft Imagine for software to work at home with. In our specialist labs you will get to use the Microsoft and Apple industry standard software, which we regularly update and refurbish. 

Environmental scientists are critical to addressing global environmental challenges. Your degree will provide you with the knowledge and skills to identify and develop solutions to a wide range of environmental challenges on land and in our oceans, including climate change, biodiversity loss, conservation and sustainability. Applying the latest techniques in the laboratory and the field, you will graduate ready to shape the future of fields from ecosystem management to environmental monitoring.

Key Features

• In the 2018 National Student Survey (NSS), 90 per cent of students agreed that the course was intellectually stimulating 93 per cent of students agreed that staff were good at explaining things and 95 per cent were satisfied with the quality of the course*.
• Benefit from enthusiastic, supportive staff and teaching informed by our renowned research.
• Take part in regularUK and overseas fieldwork in destinations such as Dartmoor National Park, Malaysia and Malta, where you will explore and study terrestrial and marine environmental systems.
• Experience in-depth coverage of natural sciences in the context of cultural and economic systems.
• Learn about the latest actions and technological developments in the struggle against climate change.
• Deepen your knowledge through our international exchange programme with the USA, Canada, Australia and various European countries.
• Hone your skills and knowledge with a wealth of facilities, including our marine research vessel Falcon Spirit, high specification laboratories and analytical facilities, LABplus and our new Marine Station. 
• LABplus is a unique open access laboratory and resource centre designed for students studying science and engineering courses. The lab provides a flexible workspace, computing facilities, specialist software, access to microscopes, microscope cameras and bespoke resources. 
• Develop your employability with placement opportunities in the UK and abroad, with organisations such as Kew Gardens, Pell Frischmann, The National Trust and Hyder Consulting Ltd.
• Qualify as a professional diver (HSE SCUBA) as part of your second year of study. 
• Increase your confidence with support from student mentors in our externally recognised peer assisted learning scheme, PALS.

Statisticians play a vital and increasing part in all areas of society, business and industry. We have recently seen the importance of statistical analysis and thinking in understanding and managing the Covid-19 pandemic as an example.

You will gain key statistical knowledge and skills to build data fluency that is very much valued by employers. You will have the opportunity to work on a statistics project that provides innovative solutions to real-world problems driven by business, information technology, engineering, finance, medicine, biology and psychology.

Key Features

• This programme provides a deeper knowledge of statistical techniques and a broader experience of data analysis than our BSc (Hons) Mathematics programme. It also covers all the mathematics necessary for a career as a professional mathematician.
• Your experience of studying Statistics at Plymouth will be different from school, because you will learn with experts who design clinical trials, collaborate with national and international health organisations, and provide consultancy to medical practitioners and financial institutions. You will solve problems of contemporary importance using real-world data. For example, you will meet techniques for monitoring and understanding the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Your lectures are also highly qualified and renowned practitioners of mathematics and statistics education. They include authors of text books used worldwide, winners of prestigious research prizes for statistical education, and Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. They are dedicated to enabling students from different educational backgrounds to reach their full potential and maintain it long-term.
• You will have the opportunity to collaborate with lecturers on a mathematics or statistics research project, one output of which is a report which also provides material for discussion in job interviews. The Plymouth Mathematics and Statistics programme is designed to enable you to become a creative, analytical and persevering problem solver and to discuss technical results with non-specialist collaborators clearly and in-depth.
• You will gain knowledge of techniques relevant to business, education, engineering, health and wellbeing, psychology, science, social media analytics and sport, which will make you highly valuable to an extremely broad range of employers.
• You will be equipped with subject-specific knowledge needed by mathematicians and statisticians throughout their working lives. You will learn how to master state-of-the-art analytical software in such a way that you can quickly become familiar with programs that you will use in the workplace.
• You will be part of the close-knit, collaborative and supportive family that is Mathematical Sciences at Plymouth and that is based in the naturally beautiful South West. We are highly committed to interactive student engagement and personalized learning, as this enables us to check regularly your knowledge and skills consolidation together with your general development. This means that studying with us will provide you with the strongest possible foundations for life-long professional success.

Experience nine months working in critical care and gain a degree at the same time, studying our Intercalated BSc (Hons) in Critical Care. Develop your clinical skills and specialist competencies specific to the care of critically ill, with placements in intensive and high dependency care. Our placement provision is varied and, where possible negotiated to assist you with the additional living costs incurred, such as accommodation and travel.

During your intercalation you will engage in quality improvement and develop your confidence and competence as a leader and member of the healthcare team. The unique mentoring, usually provided by a consultant in intensive care, will support your progression developing relationships and the wider networks, that are so valuable as you complete your medical degree and commence your early years as a doctor.

First choice for Health
Delivered by professional experts, our programmes are tailored to you and your career. Together, we address today's most challenging healthcare issues, through research-informed teaching and active, real-world learning.
#firstchoiceforhealth

Key Features

• Study with the only university to offer an intercalated degree in critical care in the UK
• Explore opportunities to set up placements within your preferred locality which helps with the cost of living and, the development of relationships and networks where you may wish to work when you complete your primary medical degree. 
• Experience a long practice placement working in challenging critical care environment that reflects the continuum of critical care provision. 
• Receive mentoring and supervision from an experienced clinician; for example, a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine.
• Learn with and from others who represent the multi-professional team caring for the critically ill.
• Prepare to be a follower and leader exploring and applying key concepts, professional theories and evidence to practice. 
• Develop and hone your interpersonal, professional and clinical skills aligned to reputable competency frameworks and standards; for example, from the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine.
• Develop your ability to lead and manage quality improvement (QI) and audit and your opportunity to disseminate widely via poster and conference presentation and publication.
• Join our growing and active ‘socially connected’ community of intercalated students and graduates/alumni engaging in mentoring, program development, recruitment and educational activities.

Zoology is the science of animals and you will study the whole diversity of animal life, from tardigrades to elephants. You'll gain in-depth knowledge of how animals work, develop key lab skills in molecular biology, physiology, and cell biology that are sought after by employers and build fieldwork skills on two residential field trips.You'll also gain the expertise and skills to be a professional zoologist and work across a diverse range of professions or go on to further study.

Key Features

• Study the biology of animals in marine, terrestrial and freshwater aquatic habitats. A spectacular range of these habitats are right on our doorstep.
• Gain a strong foundation in theoretical aspects of ecology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, evolution and genetics.
• Develop high-level laboratory skills across animal biology in a wide range of taxa and habitats and gain key transferrable skills that are sought after by employers.
• Undertake in-depth field studies of animals, including residential courses in the UK and abroad that develop field techniques and familiarity with a wide range of ecosystems and fauna.
• Undertake self-study throughout your course, using our well-equipped library and range of online scientific journals, as well as LABPlus, our unique laboratory and resource centre designed for science and engineering students.
• Have the opportunity to boost your employability by taking a placement year between your second and final years of study, working in the industry, anywhere in the world - you can read more about this in the 'course details' section of this page.
• Take an extended personal research project on a range of topics, often linked to ongoing staff research, in your final year.
• Benefit from our strong links with external organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts, the Natural History Museums in London and Plymouth, the National Marine Aquarium, the Field Studies Council, Whitley Wildlife Trust, the Donkey Sanctuary, Dartmoor National Park.
• Explore a range of contemporary issues in zoology.

Are you a qualified health practitioner looking to enhance your knowledge and skills in order to advance your professional practice? Designed for registered dietitians, this pathway has a specialist core dietetic practice: supported studies module, which provides you with support to investigate and design an evidence-based ‘service improvement’ within your own specialist field of practice. You’ll be primed to become an evidence-based practitioner, ready to manage and lead in dynamic settings.

Key Features

• Become an evidence-based practitioner, equipped to manage and lead in busy and constantly changing settings. 
• Take the opportunity to study in an inter-professional setting with inter-professional core and optional modules. 
• Shape your own learning journey – you’ll have opportunities to tailor your learning in the workplace through module assignments and the Dietetic Practice: Supported Study module.
• Learn from experts in a setting where innovative thinking regards advanced professional development is put into practice.
• Take advantage of the flexibility our programme offers. You can take some of the modules by distance learning, while others are taught via short intensive study blocks to minimise time away from other commitments. 
• Complete the programme in one year with the full-time study option or balance work and caring commitments by studying part time over a maximum of five years. 
• The full-time route is suitable for international students, who will be supported to choose optional modules with non-clinical assignments.

Study in lively, purpose-built studios with creative students and award-winning staff. We help you forge your visual voice to succeed in today's fast-paced creative worlds. You set your work in a global context through inspiring overseas study trips. Take part in an International Exchange programme to broaden your cultural references and gain new contacts in the international illustration scene. Prepare to get noticed in the professional world with external commissions and competitions.

Key Features

• Be inspired by a varied studio-based culture and practise in our easy-access workshop facilities. Take part in everything from life and location drawing to printmaking and media exploration.
• Develop your Photoshop, Premiere, InDesign and Flash skills in digital workshops, and explore typography basics, bookbinding, creative writing and more.
• Gain invaluable knowledge, confidence and professional awareness by seizing work experience opportunities in years 2 and 3. This can range from simple studio visits to longer-term placements and collaboration, such as graduate Kate Mowbray’s placement as a Publishing Assistant with BBC History Magazine.
• Develop your personal visual ‘voice' and start getting noticed in the professional world by taking part in external commissions and competitions. Get an insight into the world of our award-winning students with freelance illustrator, Jack Teagle. 
• Define your illustrative direction within specific routes such as comic/graphic novels, children’s markets, printmaking, and design for animation/screen – or continue to explore within a broad range of practice. 
• Raise your profile and make new contacts by exhibiting your work at both our Degree Show and London graduate shows.
• Set your work in a global context through inspiring overseas study trips to places such as London, New York and Barcelona.
• Choose to take part in an International Exchange programme in your second year, broadening your cultural references and forging new contacts in the international illustration scene. Find out about recent student Alexander Lee’s experiences living and learning in Japan.
• Benefit from a varied visiting speaker programme of illustrators, commissioning editors, publishers and ex-graduates ready to share advice and insight to help shape your future career.
• Build up your analogue and digital portfolios and develop your professional profile and confidence, ensuring you’re ready for whatever future direction you wish to pursue, whether freelance, studio-based or within further education such as MA or PGCE courses. 
• Our National Student Survey (NSS) 2019 return show that 100% of students felt our staff were good at explaining things and 91% of students agreed staff made the subject interesting.