Tropical Marine Biology (Integrated)

Overview

Tropical ecosystems provide important resources locally and globally, and coral reefs are the most diverse of marine ecosystems threatened by human activities.

The first year on our Tropical Marine Biology (Integrated) program from University of Essex is designed to deliver advanced tropical marine biology theory and to facilitate the development of a comprehensive range of practical and professional skills required by today’s employers. As a student of our School of Life Sciences you will benefit from the breadth of research carried out by our internationally recognised academics, and will engage with current research activities both in the UK and abroad. You also have the opportunity to put theory into practice and study coral reef conservation first hand during the School’s annual field trip to the Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia. Please note that students who join this optional expedition are subject to additional travel costs – the fee for field trips vary from year to year.

In your second year you move into the PhD element of the course. Research in our School covers a wide spectrum of biology from genes to ecosystems, and this broad-based structure provides opportunities for developing novel ideas and inter-disciplinary projects. We offer supervision in all areas of staff expertise in marine biology including community ecology of coral reef systems, tropical seagrass beds, mangroves and fisheries, deep sea/marine connectivity, ocean acidification and macronutrient cycling.

Two-thirds of our research is rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (REF 2014), and you learn from and work alongside our expert staff.

Why we're great

• Our Coral Reef Research Unit is the most extensive of its kind in the UK.

• You will be part of our collaborative Research Groups that work on important international and national problems using cutting-edge techniques.

• We have strong links with a range of organisations, such as the Environment Agency, Cefas, Defra, Operation Wallacea, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.