June 18, 2020
Marine Biologist
The fields of geology, chemistry and physics are important to marine biologists because they help to characterise organisms’ behaviours and geographic distributions. Marine Biologists can specialise in many different fields, ranging from taxonomy (describing new species) to molecular biology, or from coastal ecologists to biological oceanographers. Researchers specialise either on the taxonomy and ecology of species, or on communities or types of ecosystems
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This is not an “office” job. You will need to be out in the environment that you are studying, whether that is a beach, and estuary or the open ocean, collecting data. You will also spend time in laboratories conducting tests. You will also need to spend time writing up your findings and presenting your studies. This means that you need to be an “all-rounder” who enjoys a varied workday and someone who is prepared to put up with severe weather or rough seas when collecting the data, you need.
Key tasks:
As a marine biologist you will be involved in the study of marine life including plants and algae, invertebrates as well as fish, birds, and mammals. You will study marine habitats, from the deep-sea trenches to the open ocean, to reef, estuaries, and inter-tidal zones. The growth of GPS and tracking technology has helped marine biologists enormously, as collecting scientific data is an important part of their work.
The key tasks of marine biologists can vary depending on their specific area of specialization and the nature of their work. However, here are some common key tasks associated with marine biologists:
• Field Research.
• Species Identification.
• Data Collection.
• Sampling Techniques.
• Population Surveys.
• Laboratory Analysis.
Entry requirements/training:
The Academic Performance Score (APS) will determine whether you can be accepted into the programme. A minimum of 28 points (excluding those for Life Orientation, which is not counted) for NSC-Deg and Matric Exemption, or 34 points for a Senior Certificate need to be reached for being considered for entry into the BSc (Marine Biology) programme. However, acceptance is also dependent on availability of places at the university.
Career advancement:
Should you wish to pursue your academic career, you would need to undertake an Honours and Masters degree, and eventually a PhD in your specialist area of interest.
Associated job opportunities:
Marine biologists may find a range of job opportunities in various sectors, including research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), consulting firms, and educational institutions. Here are some associated job opportunities for marine biologists:
• Research Scientist
• Field Biologist
• Aquarium Biologist or Curator
• Marine Conservationist
• Environmental Consultant
• Fisheries Biologist
• Marine Mammal Researcher
