Master of Marine Biology

The Master of Marine Biology offers two major pathways: the Research major and the Professional major. In the Research major, students undertake a year-long research project on a topic of their choice at the outset of the second year, with opportunities for co-supervision with JCU academic staff and industry partners such as CSIRO, AIMS, and TropWATER. In the Professional major, students complete a three-month workplace internship (300 hours of Professional Experience) with leading industry or government partners, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as conservation science, environmental management, fisheries, eco-tourism, science communication, big data, or policy development.

Students gain access to a range of unique learning environments including the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef, the new Technology and Innovation Centre at the JCU Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus (Douglas), the Marine and Aquaculture Research Facility (MARF), the Advanced Analytical Centre (AAC), a high performance super computer, and The Science Place — the first educational facility in Australia to achieve the LEED Gold certification for its environmentally sustainable design.

The estimated annual tuition fee for international students is AUD $48,492 (plus the Student Services and Amenities Fee) for a full-time study load, based on 2026 fees which are subject to change in following years. Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students. Student Visa holders must also have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa.

Applicants are required to hold an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in science with a minimum GPA of 5.0, or an equivalent qualification. If English is not your native language, you must also meet the Band 1 minimum English language requirements for this course.

Graduates are sought after within a range of private and public sector organisations, both in Australia and internationally, for technical, research, education, management and policy-related positions. Career pathways include employment at high-profile environmental management and consultancy agencies, government departments, scientific research institutes (such as AIMS and GBRMPA), commercial ventures, education institutions, tourism organisations, and global environmental media groups. Internship and research project opportunities frequently lead to employment or further research through PhD studies post-graduation.