Marine Biology—Mātai Koiora Moana

Study Marine Biology at Victoria University of Wellington and gain hands-on experience exploring marine life, coastal ecosystems, and ocean conservation.

Scuba divers conduct underwater field research on a rocky reef covered with kelp. One diver records observations on a waterproof writing slate while another diver works nearby, surrounded by marine vegetation and rising air bubbles beneath the ocean surface.

Marine Biology is the study of life in the ocean and the interactions between marine organisms and their environments. You'll explore everything from microscopic plankton and coastal ecosystems to deep-sea habitats and marine mammals, while developing an understanding of the ecological processes that shape marine ecosystems. New Zealand's marine environment is one of the most diverse in the world, and the Wellington region provides an exceptional setting to study marine life and address the challenges facing our oceans.

At Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Marine Biology combines classroom learning with practical, hands-on experiences in the field and laboratory. Wellington is surrounded by extensive coastline and is home to the University’s Coastal Ecology Laboratory, located alongside the Taputeranga Marine Reserve. Students have opportunities to participate in field trips, laboratory investigations, marine surveys, and research projects that utilise the region's remarkable marine environments.

Throughout the major, you'll develop skills in marine ecology, field techniques, data analysis, experimental design, and scientific communication. You'll learn how marine organisms function, how ecosystems respond to environmental change, and how science can be applied to marine conservation and management. Employers and postgraduate programmes highly value these practical and analytical skills.

Where this degree can take you

Students conducting fieldwork in a rocky intertidal environment, using a quadrat to survey marine organisms in a tidal pool.

Graduates from our programmes have a background for future careers in marine conservation, fisheries management, aquaculture, environmental consulting, ecological monitoring, research, policy development, and science communication. Many graduates continue into postgraduate study, providing career opportunities with organisations such as the Earth Sciences NZ, Department of Conservation, regional councils, environmental consultancies, and other government departments.

Example programme of study 2027

An example programme of study for an undergraduate Marine Biology major is shown below. Note that this is an example—there is flexibility.

Required courses for the Marine Biology major are highlighted in bold.

Year	Courses
Year 1	BIOL 113 Biology of Plants and Fungi BIOL 114 Biology of Animals BIOL 111 Cell and Molecular Biology STAT 193 Statistics in Practice ESCI 111 The Earth System: Understanding our Dynamic Earth and Environment GEOG 114 Environment and Resources: The Foundations MAOR 123 Te Iwi Māori me āna Tikanga/Māori Society and Culture BIOL 132 Biodiversity and Conservation
Year 2	BIOL 228 Animal Diversity STAT 292 Applied Statistics BIOL 271 Introductory Marine Ecology BIOL 227 Plants and Algae: Function and Diversity BIOL 222 Ecology and Environment BIOL 236 Microbes and their Environments
Year 3	BIOL 370 Field Marine Ecology BIOL 371 Marine Ecology BIOL 372 Applied Marine Biology BIOL 325 Global Change Biology: The Ecology of Our Planet Under Stress BIOL 328 Behaviour and Conservation Ecology BIOL 329 Evolution

Year

Courses

Year 1

BIOL 113 Biology of Plants and Fungi

BIOL 114 Biology of Animals

BIOL 111 Cell and Molecular Biology

STAT 193 Statistics in Practice

ESCI 111 The Earth System: Understanding our Dynamic Earth and Environment

GEOG 114 Environment and Resources: The Foundations

MAOR 123 Te Iwi Māori me āna Tikanga/Māori Society and Culture

BIOL 132 Biodiversity and Conservation

Year 2