Marine Biology - BSc Hons Degree - Topup

Only applicants that have successfully completed the Foundation Degree in Marine Biology, validated by Lancaster University, with Blackpool and The Fylde College are eligible to apply to this course.

The programme aims to:

- Encourage critical engagement with the scientific literature in marine biology with a view to producing intellectual arguments, showing appreciation of different viewpoints. This will be especially relevant in the dissertation module when you will be expected to research, evaluate and write at length about an area of the curriculum of specific interest to you.

- Develop your skills in critical evaluation of primary and secondary data in the field of marine biology, with a view to proposing further lines of enquiry.

- Support the development of a creative approach to the design of a major scientific investigation which is  hypothesis driven, valid and reliable.

- Produce professional graduates that are skilled and well prepared to contribute to the environmental agenda either through work or further study.

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Placement

Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Concern for the marine environment has never been higher with luminaries like Sir David Attenborough and documentaries like Seaspiracy drawing global attention to the human impact on marine life.

As a result, employment opportunities both here and overseas have ballooned, as have those within the academic and voluntary sectors. In fact, many of our graduates have progressed onto level 7 courses, including Masters Degrees at Bangor, Lancaster, Herriot-Watt (Edinburgh) and Edge Hill Universities and also onto PGCE programmes here at B&FC and at Bangor University.

Others have progressed directly into employment with a variety of organisations such as North West Fisheries, APEM Ltd Environmental Consultants, Natural England and Merlin Entertainment (Sealife Centre).