Science Faculty of Marine Biology

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Marine Biology

Cape Town is one of the best locations in the world to study marine biology, as it is situated at the confluence of three of the world's major oceans ? the Atlantic, Indian and Southern Oceans. The University of Cape Town also has a long and proud history as a centre of research in this field, dating back to 1903, when John D. Gilchrist was appointed as the first Government Marine Biologist and Professor of Zoology at UCT.

Marine biology is the study of life in the sea in all its aspects. The world's oceans cover 71% of the surface of the planet, and have a mean depth of 3 800 m, meaning that they make well over 95% of all the `living space' on earth. They are also the least known of the environments on earth, indeed an estimated half of all marine species have yet to be discovered! Students taking this course will learn about the diversity of marine life in all its forms and about the structure and function of various marine ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs to polar seas and from estuaries to the abyssal depths. A new third-year course also focuses on the management and conservation of marine resources, a field that provides the most employment opportunities for marine biologists. The courses include field trips, tutorials and a series of practical sessions that introduce students to the experimental and analytical methods used by professional marine scientists.

WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THIS MAJOR? Any student interested in life in the sea and in the sustainable management of marine resources would find this course of interest. It is also of great interest to anyone with an interest in the diversity of life and in nature conservation.

WHAT COURSES WILL YOU TAKE? The compulsory courses listed below must be included in your selection of courses for a major in Marine Biology. Students are encouraged to take co-majors in Applied Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Environmental and Geographical Science, or Ocean and Atmosphere Science.

1ST YEAR LEVEL COURSES ? CEM1000W - Chemistry 1000 ? MAM1004F - Mathematics 1004 ? STA1007S - Bionumeracy ? BIO1000F - Cell Biology ? BIO1004S - Biological Diversity

2ND YEAR LEVEL COURSES ? BIO2013F - Life in the Sea ? SEA2004F - Principles of Oceanography ? BIO2010F - Principles of Ecology & Evolution

(highly recommended)

Two of the above course are compulsory

3RD YEAR LEVEL COURSES ? BIO3002F/S - Marine Ecology ? BIO3017S ? Marine Resources

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES Students graduating with a BSc degree with a major in Marine Biology are well placed to study further at postgraduate level in either Marine Biology or similar disciplines, either in South Africa or overseas. There are career opportunities in private consulting firms, marine fisheries and aquaculture companies; in research establishments such as the Council for Scientific Research (CSIR); in the government Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and of Environmental Affairs; in conservation agencies, natural history museums, in the education sector, etc.

MINIMUM ADMISSION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS NSC; APS of 420 Mathematics 70% & Physical Science 60%; NBT in Mathematics, AL & QL to be written

For further information on any of the majors, contact the Science Faculty Office on the following; Tel: (021) 650 2712 Fax: (021) 650 2710 e-mail: sci-science@uct.ac.za

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