New course is just the job for marine science students

A new marine science undergraduate Masters that prepares students for working in the blue economy has been rolled out by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban, a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

The Applied Marine Science MSci straddles the institute’s BSc (Hons) Marine Science but includes extra employability skills training and a fifth year working with a programme partner in sectors such as aquaculture, marine technology, scientific diving, conservation and marine renewables.

The course was developed in response to a need for a more skilled workforce as the blue economy develops in Scotland and the wider UK.

Urgent challenges

Programme leader Dr Arlene Ditchfield of SAMS said: “There’s never been a more vital time to study marine science. Our oceans face urgent challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, and the unsustainable use of precious resources.

“As society attempts to provide solutions to address our impact on the environment, various industries and sectors will require more graduates with the knowledge and skills to tackle these issues head-on.

“This new course blends academic excellence with hands-on experience, ensuring that graduates can bring a holistic and informed perspective to the world of work.”

The inaugural intake of 16 students exceeded expectation but, said Dr Ditchfield, shows the appetite for higher education courses that relate directly to the world of work.

Building connections

The Applied Marine Science MSci has partnered with companies throughout Scotland, including SAMS Enterprise, the commercial arm of SAMS, to allow students to match up with their preferred programme partner and build connections before their final year placement.

Steve Ham, head of SAMS Enterprise, said: “In order to fully develop the emerging blue economy, creating new services and markets that operate in harmony with the marine environment, we will need scientific expertise.

“I’m therefore delighted that SAMS is taking forward this unique MSci opportunity. SAMS Enterprise is fully behind the aims and objectives of the course and I’m excited to see how these highly-skilled and informed graduates will benefit industry.”

Seabed Trust

One of the partners is the community-led organisation the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), which has in the past opposed salmon farming, a keystone of the Scottish blue economy.

Executive director Aine Purcell-Milton said: “We look forward to partnering on the new MSci Applied Marine Science programme and supporting academic study into real-world marine conservation and protection.

“The programme is set up to give students the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to make a real difference, at a time when our marine environment needs it most.”

Placement opportunity

Dr Martin Sayer, managing director of programme partner and seabed survey specialist Tritonia Scientific, said: “At Tritonia, we are committed to supporting the next generation of marine scientists and are excited to offer a placement opportunity to a SAMS Msci Applied Marine Science student.”

Iain Eisner of UHI Futures, which supports students in careers and employability, said: “From the employer’s point of view this is filling a gap in the sector.

“The course content was designed with input from employers, which I think is a big plus point for the course. It means the content is unique and focused on an attractive and growing sector that will have a lot of need for the skillset these students will possess.”