Fisheries Biology and Management

JCUs programs in tropical marine ecology and fisheries biology are dedicated to the study of tropical, shallow water marine systems.

JCU’s programs in tropical marine ecology and fisheries biology are dedicated to the study of tropical, shallow water marine systems. There is an emphasis on whole organism biology, the ecology and biogeography of tropical marine organisms, and the evolutionary mechanisms that underlie their diversity.

Proximity to the Great Barrier Reef provides unparalleled opportunities for investigating ecological and evolutionary questions for reef fish, corals, and other marine organisms.

Students will develop their knowledge and skills in quantitative marine ecology, conservation biology, and the biology, life history and taxonomy of tropical marine organisms. Preliminary coursework subjects consist of semester-long offerings. More advanced subjects are offered by block mode, which are 2-week intensive sessions on campus. The courses are flexible, with a range of electives available. Students devise a study program to meet their professional goals, in consultation with the course coordinator. Programs may include a research component if approved.

Why JCU?

James Cook University is a leading education and research centre for biology in the tropics.

• Internationally-recognised undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs in biological sciences
• dedicated research vessel, and research stations at Orpheus Island and Paluma
• more tropical courses and subjects than any other institution in the world
• teaching and research facilities including the Advanced Analytical Centre and the Aquaculture Research Facility.

Structure

Core Subjects

• MB5003:03 Fisheries Science
• MB5300:03 Sampling and Experimental Design
• MB5310:03 Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools orEV5014:03 Managing Tropical Fisheries
• SC5055:03 Research Communication Skills in the Natural Sciences

Options

Select 6 credit points of specified level 5 subjects

• AQ5007:03 Aquatic Animal Ecophysiology
• BZ5001:03 Quantitative Methods in Science
• BZ5450:03 Ecological and Conservation Genetics
• EV5014:03 Managing Tropical Fisheries
• EV5210:03 Management of Marine Protected Areas
• EV5701:03 Managing Coastal and Marine Environments
• MB5055:03 Biological Oceanography
• MB5230:03 Design and Analyses in Ecological Studies
• MB5260:03 Ecological Dynamics: An Introduction to Modelling
• MB5270:03 Wetland and Estuarine Ecosystems
• MB5300:03 Sampling and Experimental Design
• MB5310:03 Fisheries Biology, Assessment and Management
• MB5450:03 Molecular Approaches to Marine Ecology and Evolution

PLUS

Select 18 credit points of any level 5 AQ, BCBZ, EV, MB, MI, TO or TV science subjects. This list includes research electives.

Completion of a recognised, appropriate undergraduate degree attaining a minimum of 65% or equivalent prior learning including appropriate professional experience. English band level 1 - the minimum English Language test scores you need are:IELTS – 6.0 (no component lower than 5.5), ORTOEFL – 570 (plus minimum Test of Written English score of 4.5), ORTOEFL (internet based) – 90 (minimum writing score of 21), ORPearson (PTE Academic) - 64If you meet the academic requirements for a course, but not the minimum English requirements, you will be given the opportunity to take an English program to improve your skills in addition to an offer to study a degree at JCU. The JCU degree offer will be conditional upon the student gaining a certain grade in their English program. This combination of courses is called a packaged offer. JCU’s English language provider is Union Institute of Languages (UIL). UIL have teaching centres on both the Townsville and Cairns campuses. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 TOEFL paper-based test score : 570 TOEFL iBT® test: 90