BSc (Hons) Marine Biology Bachelor's degree at the University of Portsmouth

Through a mixture of lectures, workshops, and practical classes, you'll delve into evolutionary concepts and the fundamentals of phylogenetics. You'll also gain an understanding of the rich diversity of life from its origins to present day and you'll explore the major groups of organisms from the smallest bacteria to the largest plants and animals. This module will give you a strong foundation on which to build your understanding of diversity, ecological processes, choice of biomedical or industrial model organisms, comparative physiology and more.

You'll develop a strong understanding of the structure and function of the molecules and organelles that make up living cells. Sessions in laboratories will see you build your practical confidence in using key biochemical and microbiological techniques. Your progress on this module will see you explore the diversity of microbial life, including how microorganisms grow and how they are studied in the labs.

You'll be given a thorough introduction to key laboratory equipment, techniques and methods that are widely used in biological sciences, and that will allow you to adopt good laboratory practice (glp). You'll learn these important lab techniques through various hands-on lab practical sessions, providing a learning-by-doing approach. Additionally, a series of lectures and computer sessions will provide theory and practise for experimental design strategies and statistical analyses of resulting data sets, providing fundamental skills for interpreting scientific experiments and data. these skills will collectively form a basis for your future scientific studies and careers.

You'll gain a broad introduction to the marine environment, exploring how ocean biology, chemistry, physics and geology work together to shape life in the seas. You'll learn about physical and chemical processes that control seawater and sediments, and how these influence marine habitats and ecosystems. You'll research scientific literature, develop academic writing skills, and build confidence in interpreting marine environments and the interactions between organisms and their surroundings.

You'll discover the incredible diversity of marine organisms and how they interact within ecosystems across the globe. Learn taxonomy, ecology, and the processes that shape life from polar regions to tropical seas. Explore the impacts of climate change and human activity while developing practical skills through engaging lectures and hands-on sessions.

Learn how to plan and design a scientific research project, exploring experimental design, ethics and health and safety. You'll develop practical data analysis and coding skills by working with real datasets and using r to run and interpret statistical tests. You'll strengthen your career readiness by developing academic writing skills, creating professional cvs and cover letters, and reflecting on your future career goals.

You'll discover how species interact within marine and terrestrial ecosystems and what shapes biodiversity and ecological balance. Take part in a week-long field course to develop practical skills in sampling, data analysis, and experimental design. Learn to apply ecological theory to real-world challenges and communicate your findings like a professional scientist.

You'll investigate estuarine, coastal and open-ocean systems, learning how physical, chemical and biological processes interact in marine environments. You'll take part in hands-on fieldwork aboard a coastal survey vessel and laboratory practicals to collect and explore real oceanographic data. you'll develop computing, data analysis and teamwork skills, gaining confidence in interpreting multi-disciplinary datasets and presenting professional scientific reports.

This module will see you study microbial interactions with humans, animals, and plants, and will learn about antimicrobial resistance. You will also learn how microbes can modify the availability of essencial nutrients and their role in the environment. In the laboratory practical sessions, you will learn how to work independently in a microbiology lab and how to cultivate and identify microbes.

This module will introduce you to the core principles of genetics, from inheritance and gene expression to molecular and evolutionary processes. You'll work with real genetic data through practical sessions and interactive workshops, building confidence in analysing sequences, mutations and inheritance patterns. You'll also apply bioinformatic tools and case studies to solve problems and understand how genetics informs modern bioscience research.

Take your diving expertise to the next level with our scientific diving techniques module, designed for students already holding a padi open water certification (or equivalent). This padi scientific diver course combines advanced practical skills with academic depth, covering the theory and challenges of underwater scientific operations. Through classroom-based workshops, you'll master hse legislation, risk assessment, project planning, and reporting - all aligned with approved codes of practice. You'll then apply your knowledge in the field by planning and executing a real-world diving project. Delivered under padi accreditation and university-approved standards, this module offers a unique

This module will see you navigate your way to new skills as you learn the theory and practical principles of coastal navigation, chart reading, and course plotting, ensuring you can plan and execute safe journeys at sea. Through the rya day skipper theory and powerboat level 2 courses, you'll develop your boat handling skills under the guidance of accredited providers. This module is ideal to combine maritime theory with hands-on skills to help you enhance your professional profile and personal development.

You'll gain hands-on experience using the same gis and remote sensing software that professionals rely on in geography, environmental and earth science careers. Through working with real-world data, you'll learn core theory before exploring the capture, interpretation and analysis of geographical and environmental data around topics such as wildlife habitats and natural disasters. Along the way, you'll develop valuable digital, analytical, and problem-solving skills that will give you a strong advantage in the job market.

You’ll get familiar with the big issues and contemporary debates in education studies as well as the role and expectations of a teacher. You’ll develops fundamental knowledge and skills that teachers require, as well as your capability to structure and critique a lesson plan.

Explore how plants and animals are adapted to their environments, linking physiology, structure and behaviour to evolution and ecology. you'll compare adaptations across marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, from plant growth and reproduction to animal responses to temperature and oxygen. You'll also develop practical and data-handling skills by collecting, analysing and communicating biological data from real plant and animal studies.

You'll plan and deliver an independent research project guided by your interests and career ambitions. Through structured supervision and self-directed enquiry, you'll strengthen your ability to frame research questions, work with evidence, and evaluate findings critically. The module helps you build confidence as an emerging professional, preparing you for postgraduate study or graduate roles that require independent thinking, problem solving and clear communication.

You'll learn how environmental factors shape the physiology of marine organisms, from algae to vertebrates. Explore real-world examples and evaluate cutting-edge research to understand adaptation and resilience. Develop skills in data interpretation and critical analysis to tackle challenges in marine science.

You'll discover how marine ecosystems function and the impact of human activity on biodiversity. Learn the principles of conservation and restoration through labs, workshops, and field trips. Develop practical skills in ecological data collection and analysis while exploring strategies to protect vulnerable species and habitats.

You'll learn how fisheries and aquaculture shape global food security and marine sustainability. explore stock assessment, climate impacts, and strategies to manage ecosystems responsibly. take part in real-world case studies and develop skills in research, analysis, and professional communication.

In this module, you'll study the presence, functions and activity of microbes in their natural environments; looking at how they adapt to different environments and interact with each other. You'll learn modern approaches and techniques - including advanced molecular methods - and apply these in practical lab sessions after which you'll interpret and analyse results in scientific reports. In computational workshops you'll learn how to analyse microbiome sequence data and enhance on the skills needed for exciting careers in microbiome sciences.