Charlotte McRae, enjoyed graduating with her Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, but she couldn’t spend too long celebrating.
“It hasn’t changed much because I have already started my master’s but it was a good experience.
There were only 30 people in my degree so it’s a very close, tight-knit group.
“We’re all here together, even the people who graduated in December last year are here to support us.”
Charlotte is already studying a Master in Policy and Management, something she says will help bridge the “science/policy gap.”
The gap refers to instances where solid science might not be properly understood by policy makers.
“We learn a lot about the science policy gap; scientists can’t talk to policy makers, policy makers don’t understand science.
“That is another reason I wanted to do a science degree and then a management degree so I understand both.”
“Since grade seven I have always wanted to do marine biology.
I looked at a few other unis but UTAS was the only one with an Antarctic program.
“It has a fair amount of field work as compared to other degrees; it’s a mixture of course work and field work.
“I’d really like to work with the state government in fisheries management or protected area management or CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources).”
Find out more about studying Marine and Antarctic at the University of Tasmania.