Overview 2024
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- CRICOS: 096367G
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As a gateway to Antarctica and with a natural marine laboratory on your doorstep, the University of Tasmania provides an ideal base to study for a career in marine biology and the fisheries and aquaculture industries.
Our Graduate Diploma in Marine and Antarctic Science provides you with a solid coursework grounding in your chosen area of specialisation, and provides a pathway to move onto our Master of Marine and Antarctic Science.
This unique program combines marine science with a focus on the southern ocean and Antarctica. You’ll have access to industry-leading facilities at the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and internationally recognised experts to help you kick-start your career.
The Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science provides:
- Practical skills alongside theoretical studies to broaden your experience and give you the edge when it comes to employment
- More than lectures, labs and tutorials with study trip units that take learning to the Southern Ocean and into Australia's largest fisheries, aquaculture and seafood industries
- Contacts, work experience and research links in Australia's largest fisheries and aquaculture industries (based in Tasmania)
- Access to our international partner organisations and internationally recognised marine science organisations based in Tasmania
You'll have the choice to study one of the following three streams: Marine Biology, Fisheries Management or Sustainable Aquaculture.
Course objectives
The course provides specialist coursework streams for students to pursue in-depth learning in a particular area of marine science. This is supported with two subjects all students undertake in research methodology.
This course provides students with in-depth knowledge in their chosen area of coursework through a focus on both the quantitative elements of marine and Antarctic science as well as the application and translation of science into industry practice and management.
The skills gained will assist graduates in contributing to world issues such as seafood production and security, climate change and marine stewardship.
Graduates can choose to continue their study and articulate into the Master of Marine and Antarctic Science, and pursue research in IMAS' key research areas of oceanography and cryosphere, fisheries and aquaculture, ecology and biodiversity, climate change, oceans and Antarctic governance and ocean-earth systems.
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
Your university learning experience goes beyond lectures, labs and tutorials.
IMAS has strong relationships with international experts and industry-leading facilities including the Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO, CCAMLR and Institut Polaire plus, as the only university in Tasmania, we have prime access to the broad range of fisheries and aquaculture businesses in the State.
During your study, you'll gain hands-on experience in field research techniques and laboratory methods as a large number of the units in this degree include field trips to marine reserves, fishing expeditions or visits to commercial aquaculture businesses throughout Tasmania.
Career outcomes
The University's Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science (IMAS) provides our students with access to some of the world's leading research facilities giving you the best career foundation.
With an annual value to Australia of approximately $40 billion and growing, graduates from the University of Tasmania are highly sought-after in a range of fields. The commercial fishing and aquaculture industry directly employs 7000 people in Australia and Tasmania is the country's largest commercial operator in this area.
We have graduates working across the world in a variety of positions and organisations.
Career opportunities (dependent on field of study)
- Scientific Officer
- Coastal Community Engagement Officer
- Federal or State Government advisor (policy / environment)
- Antarctic Researcher – Australian Antarctic Division
- Marine Park Manager
- Commercial Diver
- Conservation Biologist
- Marine Biologist
- Australian Customs
- Fish Health Officer / Fisheries Biologist
- Aquarium Manager
- Aquaculturist / aquaculture entrepreneur
- Aquaculture farm manager
- Ice Core Chemist
- Climatologist
- Glaciologist
- Hatchery Technician
- Fisheries Management Officer
- Fishery Stock Assessment
- Quota Licensing Officer
- Fisheries Biologist
- Quality Assessment Technician
- Researcher or University Lecturer
Further Study Opportunities
Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma in Marine and Antarctic Science, students can articulate into the Master of Marine and Antarctic Science.
The masters program provides a clear pathway for students who are interested in undertaking a research higher degree such as a PhD in their specialist area. IMAS is the perfect place to undertake further study, with supervisors who are international experts with global connections.
Course structure
The Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science is a one-year graduate diploma course.
Students will complete coursework consisting of four core units (50%) and four specialisation units (50%).
Core units
This unit will equip students with skills necessary to join the scientific technical workforce or undertake a research project at the Honours or Masters level. It will include a range of skills such as: scientific communication (writing, presentation, stakeholder engagement…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KSA405 Research Methods in Marine and Antarctic Science
The unit provides an overview and instruction in a broad range of topics related to the marine and Antarctic environments. In IMAS, study and research are both discipline-based and multi-disciplinary—the latter reflecting the true nature of collaboration and cooperation in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KSA726 Marine and Antarctic Environments and their Management
Quantitative skills are fundamental tools for marine and Antarctic scientists. They are necessary to design studies, analyse data, and to assess and interpret published studies. This unit provides a solid grounding in appropriate ways to collect and analyse and present…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KSM721 Quantitative Methods in Marine and Antarctic Science
The unit covers fundamental building blocks (cell biology, biochemistry, genetics) and key processes (marine primary and secondary production, and marine microbial ecology) underpinning life in the ocean and introduces students to key organisms (marine algae, invertebrates, vertebrates) of local ecosystems.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Choice of Specialisation
Fisheries Management
The Fisheries Management specialisation is comprised of four core units. The units in this specialisation explain the sustainable development of fisheries based on the principles outlined in international and national policies and legal instruments. This specialisation focusses on optimising the economic and social benefits while minimising any negative biological and ecological impacts of fisheries using an ecosystem-based fisheries management framework. This specialisation builds contemporary knowledge on fisheries and assessment techniques across freshwater and marine recreational, traditional and commercial fisheries, and integrates ecosystem indicators and reference points into fisheries decision making using marine strategy evaluation.
Core Units
The unit will introduce to the student to the factors that influence the design of a range of commercial fishing gears and methods as well as the fishing vessels that are required for their effective operation to produce high-quality seafood.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit provides students with a detailed understanding of fisheries biology and population dynamics. Biological concepts include how morphology, behaviour, habitat preferences and life history strategies affect the exploitation of fisheries taxa. The unit also covers the logistical and quantitative…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KSM606 Fisheries Biology and Population Dynamics
Fisheries assessment is a critical component of monitoring and managing fishery harvests. This advanced unit provides students with a detailed understanding of the quantitative techniques employed in the assessment of fished stocks. The unit covers fishery dependent and fishery independent…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit focusses on the application of strategic management and planning processes to fisheries case-studies. Students will critically appraise issues (biological, ecological, economic and social) for the management of a fishery under the principles of ecologically sustainable development, define fisheries…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KSM609 Fisheries Management and Planning
Governance and Policy
The Governance and Policy specialisation is comprised of four core units. The units in this specialisation explain the key environmental problems affecting the world’s oceans, atmosphere and Antarctica. These units employ leading theories of environmental governance to assist in designing effective management responses to these problems.
Core Units
Unit Aim: To provide the student with the principles and practices necessary for the planning and management of marine protected areas. Within this unit students will study protected area management from a regulator’s perspective, covering the following broad concepts: 1.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for JFA533 Marine Protected Area Management
The unit explores environmental governance in the context of areas of global concern and shared international management – focusing on the polar regions, the oceans and the global climate. The concepts of sustainable development and the global commons are crucial…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit provide an introduction to the management of uses of the marine environment in arras beyond national jurisdiction. International Marine Management incorporates distinct yet interconnected themes: commercial resource exploitation (living and non-living); tourism, recreation and other non-extractive commercial uses…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are a unique biophysical region of the planet and similarly have unique governance arrangements. This unit provides an advanced analysis of the institutions, rules and power structures which govern the Antarctic region. The unit closely…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KSM715 Antarctic Governance and Policy in the 21st Century
Marine Biology
The Marine Biology specialisation is comprised of four core units. The units in this specialisation explain the key environmental problems affecting the world’s oceans, atmosphere and Antarctica. These units incorporate modern laboratory techniques and field-work, conservation management and an undertanding of the structure of marine ecosystems.
Core Units
This unit explores the suite of molecular tools available to biologists and how they can be applied to questions concerning the biology, ecology, diversity, phylogeography and evolution of marine organisms. Topics covered include theory and practice of key molecular tools…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit introduces systematic methods of field and laboratory-based data collection, analysis, and reporting for practical applications in marine conservation. Lectures outline the quantitative nature of marine conservation research, the value of robust sampling strategies and experimental methods, assessment of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KSM718 Marine Conservation and Restoration
Advanced Plankton Methods is a unit within the Marine Biology specialisation of the Master of Antarctic Science Course (S7Z). This unit forms a foundation for quantitative research methods and technology used in studying marine plankton physiology, ecology, and biogeochemistry. This…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Winter school | ||||
From the poles to the tropics, marine predators influence marine ecosystem structure through top down and bottom-up processes. Marine predators including tuna, turtles, sharks, seabirds, and marine mammals, range widely across global oceans. Often feeding at the top of marine…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KSM723 Marine Predator Diversity and Ecology
Sustainable Aquaculture
The Sustainable Aquaculture specialisation is comprised of four core units. The specialisation prepares graduates with advanced theoretical and practical application of scientific principles to the global aquaculture industry. This specialisation builds advanced knowledge on whole of lifecycle production techniques for freshwater and marine plants and animals, using examples from emerging species and commercial case studies across crustacean, molluscan, finfish and macroalgal culture. Underpinning scientific principles supporting animal welfare, growth and reproduction, health and disease management are explored in advanced units to prepare graduates for employment across a range of commercial or management careers. Research training units extend research skills appropriate to applied and strategic research for direct employment, or articulation to higher degree research programs.
Core Units
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the practical and theoretical concepts involved in the production of current and future commercially important aquatic species (including molluscs, crustaceans and finfish). Students will be able to relate the biology of culture species…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit will integrate knowledge about larval and early life history biology with the practices and processes that underpin hatchery operations for algal, molluscan, crustacean and finfish production. This unit will expose students to a range of practices across key…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
The unit provides students with the latest techniques in molecular biology and their application in health diagnostics, and molecular studies of aquatic animals and plants. The unit introduces students to ubiquitous and pathogenic organisms, explores current techniques and health management,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KSM716 Aquatic Molecular Diagnostics and Health
The unit provides students with the fundamental basis of physiology and nutrition, and how they interact to control growth and metabolism, reproduction, osmoregulation and welfare of aquatic animals. The applied relationships between nutrition and feeding behaviour, feed formulation, physiology and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KSM717 Aquatic Animal Nutrition and Physiology
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
To be admitted to study the Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science you must have a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science from the University of Tasmania, or an equivalent qualification from an Australian university. An example of an equivalent qualification is a Bachelor of Science with a major in life sciences (such as biology, environmental science, zoology, plant science, marine biology, ecology etc).
In addition, specifically for the Governance and Policy specialisation, students may be admitted with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an Australian university in a governance and policy field with evidence of completion of units at undergraduate level that are related to life sciences.
For International students
Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.
English Language Requirements
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
English Language Requirements are: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)
Course Specific Requirements
To be admitted to study the Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science you must have a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science from the University of Tasmania, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary education institution. An example of an equivalent qualification is a Bachelor of Science with a major in life sciences (such as biology, environmental science, zoology, plant science, marine biology, ecology etc).
In addition, specifically for the Governance and Policy specialsation, students may be admitted with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a governance and policy field from a recognised tertiary education institution with evidence of completion of units at undergraduate level that are related to life sciences.
Credit transfer
The maximum credit granted will be in accordance with the limits set down in the Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.
Articulation
Students can articulate from the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, or Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science with Honours to the Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science.
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science may apply to articulate into the second year of S7Z Master of Marine and Antarctic Science.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2024 Total Course Fee (international students): $41,950 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $41,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including those who have achieved high academic results; those from low socio-economic backgrounds; students with sporting ability; students undertaking overseas study; and students with a disability.
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Applications for most awards that commence in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
International students
There is a large range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
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