This stream allows our Marine Science BSc students with a particular interest in physics and maths and a good aptitude for quantitative working to acquire in depth robotics and oceanography expertise recognised in their qualification title. This is the only such programme available in the UK. Given that robotics is a rapidly growing industry this new stream will provide some of the skilled graduates this sector requires.
Students will initially register for the Marine Science BSc programme and can, through selection of a specific range of modules, choose to graduate with this dedicated exit qualification. Students can revert back to the core degree at any point during their studies as long as they maintain the multidisciplinary balance of the programme when choosing elective modules. The course is taught by a combination of face-to-face teaching and self study.
Pathway leader: Dr Niall Burnside
Each year, students study six 20 credit (10 ECTS) modules, usually three per semester.
Most modules are assessed through a combination of examination and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment is designed to suit the subject area and mostly includes one or several of these: lab reports, field course reports, essays, talks, poster presentations, research proposals, policy briefings etc
Named qualifications are available to students leaving after any year of successful study.
Oceanography and Robotics pathways students study first year with all marine science students.
In the second year students deepen their knowledge of the core sciences and continue developing analytical skills.
Mandatory modules
- >Chemical Oceanography
- >Data Science
- >Marine Geology
- >Physical Oceanography
- >Marine Biology
- >Advanced Maths and Programming (essential for Oceanography & Robotics pathway)
If a student chooses to leave after successfully completing the second year, they will be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Foundations of Marine Science.
In third year students dive deeper in marine science with more applied options and specialisations.
Mandatory modules
- >Literature review (topic must be relevant to oceanography and/or robotics)
- >Marine Instrumentation and Data
- >Ocean Circulation and Climate
- >Applied Marine Robotics
Optional modules (choose two)
- >Marine Pollution
- >Marine Zoology
- >Marine Conservation
- >Marine Biogeochemical Cycling
A student who chooses to leave the programme after three years of successful study will be awarded an (ungraded) BSc Marine Science.
Mandatory modules
- >Dissertation (double module - must contain significant elements of marine technology, modelling and/or numeracy)
- >Marine Modelling
- >Polar Seas
- >Coastal Shelf Sea Dynamics
One optional module
- >Defining the Marine Carbon Cycle
- >Behaviour and Biological Clocks
After successful completion of all four years students are awarded the qualification of BSc (Hons) Marine Science with Oceanography and Robotics. This qualification is graded as first class (70%+), second class (upper) (60-69%), second class (lower) (50-59%) and third class (40-49%).
The importance of physics in understanding the marine environment is often overlooked. Marine science is commonly perceived to be solely about the biological and geochemical aspects of the environment. However, increasingly, there is a need to understand how the physical processes determine key responses of the ocean and thus be able to predict and manage the marine environment. The use of complex numerical models are an important tool and it is necessary for skill development to include the more numerate aspects of oceanography.
Further, modern technology is increasingly allowing us to make in situ observations of the oceans. It is likely that developments of technologies such as gliders, autonomous underwater vehicles, in situ instrumentation, remote sensing, and airborne surveying from remotely piloted aircraft will increase rapidly in the coming years opening a new age in ocean observation. SAMS UHI hosts the Scottish Marine Robotics Facility and is therefore uniquely placed to deliver degree level teaching in this developing area.
The marine science with oceanography and robotics BSc degree stream
- >focuses on the physics/engineering aspects of marine science
- >meets an employer need for a more numerically trained graduate
- >prepares students to respond to the current scientific/industrial interest in how these technologies are used for environmental science