Marine Science is a General subject which allows students to participate in activities inside and outside the classroom.
Course Content
Marine Science content includes oceanography, marine biology, marine systems, ocean issues and resource management. The Marine Systems unit which focusses on Coral Reefs and Ocean issues and the Resource Management unit which focusses on fisheries and oceans into the future are assessed internally and externally and contribute to an ATAR.
It is assumed that students have prior knowledge of the P–10 Australian Curriculum: Science to year 10. The subject can earn up to 4 QCE points and contributes to an ATAR.
Year 11
| Unit 1 | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 2 |
Topic 1: An ocean planet | Topic 2: The dynamic shore | Topic 1: Marine ecology and biodiversity | • Topic 2: Marine environmental management |
| Data test | Student Experiment | Research Investigation | Exam |
Year 12
| Unit 3 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 4 |
Topic 1 The reef and beyond | Topic 2: Changes on the reef | Topic 1: Oceans of the future | Topic 2: Managing fisheries |
| Data Test | Student Experiment | Research Investigation | External Exam |
Special Features
Marine subjects often enable students to complete activities outside the classroom to conduct research and perform skills. These activities can be introductory units to assist students in later gaining qualifications or activities that make learning more interactive and engaging.
Noosa High owns and runs a fleet of commercially registered vessels for training purposes. We have four 3.8m aluminium dinghies, a 4m rigid inflatable rescue boat, and a 6m centre console. All vessels are in commercial 2C and 2E survey and carry the necessary safety equipment.
Many venues are accessed to complete course content. These locations include the Noosa River (usually the Tewantin boat ramp adjacent to the Noosa Council offices), Noosa National Park, Noosa Heads main beach, aquaculture facilities, and rocky headlands.
Annual camps are an important feature of Marine subjects. Some run in the past have included an overnight stay at North Shore where boating skills are assessed and research undertaken, and a five night stay at North Keppel Island Environmental Education Centre where investigations conducted form the basis of assessment tasks.
In Marine Science in both year 11 and 12 the course comprises 3 internal assessments weighted at 10 %, 20% and 20% and an exam, which in year 12 is an external exam weighted at 50 %
- Careers
- Australian Institute of Marine Science in Tasmania – skipper, engineer, fisheries biology
- Bachelor of Applied Science etc
- University of Queensland and James Cook University in Townsville – Science degrees in Marine Biology (B.Sc)
- TAFE – Coxswains course
- Boat hire
- Commercial fishing / Aquaculture