Career opportunities
Marine scientists are valued, not only in learning institutions, but also by governments and large corporations. Many organisations need people with analytical minds on their team. Over 90 per cent of Marine Science postgraduates from Otago go on to find marine-related jobs.
Graduates with a Marine Science qualification find employment in a wide variety of areas, including:
- Academic/Research
- Government agencies
- Teaching/Community
- Applied/Industry research
- Consulting
- NGO/Advocacy
- Tourism
Marine research can take you from the poles to the tropics, Antarctica to Fiji and from regional councils to government agencies, such as the Department of Conservation, NIWA and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Careers have also been launched in private consultancy firms, within the IT industry, the media (e.g. Dunedin's Natural History New Zealand Ltd) and government science policy groups. Other graduates continue their marine science careers within the educational system, through teaching, community engagement, or research.
From sharks to sustainability
Study Marine Science at Otago and be part of real-world research. Work in the field, learn from top scientists, and help find solutions to the biggest challenges facing our oceans.
Read transcript
José Trujillo:
Hello, I’m José Trujillo. I’m a PhD student at the Marine Science Department, looking at behavioural ecology in young sharks.
Studying at Otago gave me the opportunity to do research with sharks in French Polynesia at a level that I couldn’t have imagined before. I think it was the very supportive environment that made me feel that my ideas were important and that my project matters. That, to me, is the number one reason to choose Otago over other universities.
Dr Bridie Allan:
Hi, I’m Bridie Allan. I’m a lecturer here at the University of Otago in the Department of Marine Science.
I hear you’re thinking about taking Marine Science. Marine Science is a multidisciplinary area of research and study. Essentially, that means marine scientists work across a number of different disciplines to understand how the marine environment is working.
Why is Otago such a great place to study Marine Science? There are two key reasons.
The first is that we are incredibly well equipped to study the marine environment. We have the Southern Ocean on our doorstep, a world-class marine lab just 30 minutes from the city, and access to a range of different research vessels. We also have study sites on Stewart Island and in Fiordland.
Undergraduates at Otago can expect to take a range of papers, covering everything from the biology and behaviour of marine invertebrates to large charismatic megafauna such as whales. We have a strong focus on fisheries and aquaculture—two really important topics as human populations continue to grow. We also explore physical and biological oceanography, and we study marine ecosystems as a whole through marine ecology.
And I can guarantee you’ll get your hands wet on multiple occasions as you participate in labs at the Portobello Marine Lab and gain valuable research experience on board our research vessels.
Now, I mentioned two reasons. The second is our people.
Our lecturers are dedicated to giving you the best learning experience possible while also being leaders in their own research fields. We have biologists, ecologists, physical oceanographers, chemists, and geologists. I myself am a behavioural ecologist—I study the behaviour of animals in their environment and, importantly, how that behaviour will change under future environmental conditions.
Because of our diverse research expertise, we work in a range of different locations—from Antarctica, the Auckland Islands, New Zealand of course, the South Pacific, and the Great Barrier Reef, which is where I do my research. We study a vast range of organisms, from sea urchin larvae and kelp forests to tropical and temperate fishes like sharks, and of course, whales.
Now more than ever, we need to focus on the marine environment, which faces increasing threats from global warming, ocean acidification, and marine pollution. We want our students here at Otago to work with us towards a more sustainable marine future.
There’s an ocean of opportunities here at Otago studying Marine Science—join us here at Otago to study the marine environment.
What will I learn?
Marine Science (MARI) is a highly flexible study option with a group of core papers that provide a solid background in the marine sciences, allowing students to add other science papers according to their interests (from subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ecology and Geology).
You start by enrolling in:
- EAOS 111 Earth and Ocean Science
- MARI 112 The Living Ocean
Health Science students may enrol in MARI 112 as their optional eighth paper, allowing them to continue in Marine Science if they wish to do so.
Common pathways
Marine Biology
Study of marine animals and plants, conservation, and management strategies.
BSc in Marine Science, minor in Zoology, Botany, or Ecology.
Aquaculture and Fisheries
Study of marine farming and fishing, learning both how to conserve, manage and improve sustainable production and practices.
BAppSc in Aquaculture and Fisheries. A minor or second major is essential from an approved list.
Marine Physics and Modelling
Study the sea and how it moves: waves and tides, energy, climate, and global physical processes.
BSc in Marine Science, minor in Maths, Physics or Computational Modelling.
Marine Geology and/or Geography
Study the whole planet! Understanding the past helps us to plan for the future. This is where climate research really hits the road.
BSc in Marine Science, minor in Geology or Geography.
Marine Chemistry
Study the complex chemical soup of elements, nutrients, and compounds that is the sea.
BSc in Marine Science, minor in Chemistry.
How will I study?
Marine Science is very much a hands-on discipline. Apart from attending lectures and tutorials, you will also have practical laboratories and field trips at sea. The Department of Marine Science has research and teaching facilities on the main campus in Dunedin, a major research laboratory at Portobello on the Otago Peninsula and field stations on Stewart Island and in Doubtful Sound. A fleet of research vessels, including the expedition vessel RV Polaris II, provides access to all the local marine habitats.
Can I combine my Marine Science study with other subjects?
Students majoring in Marine Science can include a minor from a different subject. It is most easily combined with other sciences (e.g Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry and Geology) but adding it to other disciplines (e.g Education, Law, Geography or Tourism) would lead to interesting job opportunities.
Marine Science is also available as a minor in any undergraduate degree from Business, Humanities or Sciences.
What about further study?
The Department of Marine Science offers research opportunities in diverse fields, including: behavioural ecology, ocean physics, Antarctic science, coastal processes, ocean acidification, climate change, remote sensing, marine geology, and marine mammal biology and conservation.
You may also be interested in
Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study
Students from a wide range of backgrounds are welcome to study Marine Science. You will need an interest in the marine environment and a solid foundation in science to Year 13 level. We particularly recommend Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Statistics or Calculus.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Over the summer Preston worked on a project which looked at the global state of involvement of indigenous knowledge in ecosystem restoration.
Preston Maluafiti
Marine Science
Related subject areas
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For those that love animals, plants, and nature, are curious about life on our planet and how living organisms interact
Environment, climate change and sustainability
Find creative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental issues
Physical sciences
Answer fundamental questions about nature and the universe and provide solutions by studying the world around us
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | EAOS 111 Earth and Ocean Science | 18 |
| MARI 112 Marine Biology: The Living Ocean | 18 | |
| One of COMO 101 Modelling and Computation MATH 120 Mathematics for Scientists MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1 MATH 140 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 2 STAT 110 Statistical Methods STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics | 18 | |
| 200-level | MARI 201 Oceanography: The Physical Ocean | 18 |
| MARI 202 Ecology and Biology of Marine Invertebrates | 18 | |
| 300-level | AQFI 301 Field Methods in Applied Marine Science | 18 |
| Two of: AQFI 352 Fisheries Ecology MARI 301 Marine Ecology and Ecosystems MARI 302 Biology and Behaviour of Marine Vertebrates MARI 322 Coastal and Shelf Seas Oceanography | 36 | |
| One additional paper in AQFI, BTNY, CHEM, COMO, ECOL, EMAN, ENVI, GEOG, GEOL, MARI, MATH, NAUT, PHSI, SCOM, STAT, or ZOOL | 18 | |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 72 points at 200-level or above Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Notes: (i) Students should check the prerequisites for 300-level papers when selecting 200-level papers. (ii) Students majoring in Marine Science will not be permitted to major or minor in Aquaculture and Fisheries. | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100-level | EAOS 111 Earth and Ocean Science | 18 | |
| 200-level | MARI 201 Oceanography: The Physical Ocean | 18 | |
| 300-level | One 300-level paper in AQFI or MARI Note: Students who have passed at least one of COMO 101, MATH 120, MATH 130, MATH 140, STAT 110 or STAT 115 as part of another subject's requirements do not need to pass another one of these papers to fulfil the Marine Science minor subject requirements.Note: Students should check the prerequisites for 300-level papers when selecting 200-level papers. Note: Students majoring in Aquaculture and Fisheries will not be permitted to take a Marine Science minor. | 18 | |
| Total | 108 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MARI papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARI112 | 2025 | Marine Biology: The Living Ocean | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MARI201 | 2025 | Oceanography: The Physical Ocean | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MARI202 | 2025 | Ecology and Biology of Marine Invertebrates | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MARI250 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MARI301 | 2025 | Marine Ecology and Ecosystems | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MARI302 | 2025 | Biology and Behaviour of Marine Vertebrates | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MARI322 | 2025 | Coastal and Shelf Seas Oceanography | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MARI350 | 2025 | Speciall Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MARI401 | 2025 | Advanced Methods in Marine Science | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MARI403 | 2025 | Critical Thinking for Environmental Scientists | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MARI429 | 2025 | Coastal Marine Environment | 20 points | Full Year |
| MARI431 | 2025 | Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| MARI450 | 2025 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MARI451 | 2025 | Advanced Topics in Marine Science | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MARI480 | 2025 | Independent Project | 40 points | 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
| MARI490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | 2nd Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
| MARI495 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
More information
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