The Postgraduate Certificate in Marine Biology is a part-time programme running from September to March for graduates from non-biological or environmental disciplines unable to meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto the MSc in Marine Biology programme.

Candidates must have at least a 2H1 Honours degree (level 8) in any discipline. Where relevant, students with English not as their first language will need to fulfil the IELTS language requirements of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science: IELTS overall at least 6.5 - with no individual section lower than 6.0.

Students take four taught modules to the value of 30 as follows:
BL6010 Characteristics of the Marine Environment (5 credits)
BL6012 Marine Megafauna (10 credits)
BL6016 Marine Ecology and Conservation (10 credits)
BL6019 Ecological Applications of Geographical Information Systems (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

MSc in Marine Biology
Students wishing to progress onto the MSc in Marine Biology must obtain an aggregate of at least 60% across all modules to be eligible to transfer onto the MSc in Marine Biology in the following academic year. Students will hold exemptions in passed modules taken in the Postgraduate Certificate in Marine Biology if s/he applies for the MSc in Marine Biology within 5 years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Marine Biology.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Marine Biology (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding and integration of knowledge of marine flora and fauna, the marine environment and its biological and physical properties and processes;
• Define the roles of management and conservation across the marine environment;
• Apply the knowledge and skills acquired in this course in the working environment enabling the development of policy.