Course Structure
The Applied Oceans Sciences taught Masters Degree at UCT is a 13-month programme commencing in mid-January every year and comprising coursework (50%) and a short research project for the mini-dissertation (50%).
Conveners: A/Prof Marcello Vichi (Department of Oceanography), Dr Cecile Reed (Departement of Biological Sciences).
The Coursework Component (50%)
This takes place during the first half of the year (January to July), and comprises numerous modules summarised into (more details further down the page:
Foundational module – all students must complete this module
Disciplinary modules – students will select one of two streams (Operational Oceanography stream or Applied Marine Biology stream)
Interdisciplinary modules – students may select some courses as electives to complement the specific disciplinary modules that they choose.
Coursework Details
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Foundational modules (10 weeks)
- Numerical skills and statistics
- Scientific computing and data management
- Scientific writing and project management
- Descriptive and instrumental oceanography, sampling techniques
- Introduction to marine ecology, sampling techniques
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Disciplinary modules (12 weeks including 2 interdisciplinary electives)
To choose between Operational Oceanography OR Applied Marine Biology.
Operational Oceanography
- Operational oceanography
- Climate and Ocean diagnostics
- Marine biogeochemistry
- Ocean instrumentation and monitoring (+ open ocean cruise)
(OR) Applied Marine Biology
- Introduction to South African fisheries
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries and decision analysis
- Marine Conservation
- Aquaculture
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Interdisciplinary Modules (2 modules of your choice to include in your disciplinary module)
- Global change
- Ocean and ecosystem modelling
- Diving course
- Remote sensing
- Environmental impact assessments and specialist reports
- Multivariate Analysis
- Marine Ecosystems (BIO3002F - Undergraduate Semester Courses)
- Marine Resources (BIO3017S - Undergraduate Semester Courses)
- SEA3004F Ocean and atmosphere dynamics (Undergraduate Semester Courses)
Mini-dissertation component (50%)
The dissertation is smaller in scope compared to a dissertation-only degree. Students will be offered topics for research projects during the year according to their interests and performance. Topics may cover any aspect of applied marine science.