AIMS

The aim of the Degree in Marine Sciences is to produce professionals capable of:

- carrying out research in the different areas of the marine sciences;

- providing the authorities and businesses with advice and consultancy on marine resources, environmental issues, environmental impact and other matters within the scope of their competence;

- training future scientists and technicians.

Accordingly, the Degree in Marine Sciences qualifies graduates to work in all areas related with the marine sciences, including scientific and technical development, using both  basic and  applied approaches.

This degree also qualifies future graduates to work in oceanography, at both basic and applied levels in a range of environments.

• Credit structure of the degree course
• Distribution of credits per subject type
• General description of the course programme
• Optional subjects and routes
  

CREDIT STRUCTURE OF THE DEGREE COURSE

Subjects on the Degree Course in Marine Sciences, each worth 6 European ECTS credits, are organised into semesters.  Students are required to take 5 subjects each semester, to complete 30 credits per semester and 60 credits per year, for a total of 240 credits over four years.

In order to make the course compatible with other activities, students are allowed to take a part-time degree consisting of 30 credits per academic year.

DISTRIBUTION OF CREDITS PER SUBJECT TYPE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE PROGRAMME

The Course Programme is divided into four modules: Core, Compulsory, Complementary and Optional

a) Core Module: The core module is taken in the first year and is worth 60 credits. 42 of these form core courses in the area of the Sciences, including the disciplines of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geology, whilst 12 form core courses in the area of the Health Sciences, and comprise the disciplines Biochemistry and Statistics.  In addition, the compulsory cross-disciplinary core course, “Introduction to Research in Marine Sciences”, is worth 6 credits (T) and is aimed at enabling students to acquire practical proficiency in searching for and handling biological information, cross-disciplinary skills such as IT, oral and written communication and reading documents in English (priority cross-disciplinary skills at the University of Alicante), and teamwork. The courses described comprise a total of 10 subjects, each worth 6 credits. Core courses in the area of the Sciences are taught in the first year, with Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geology being taught in the first semester (30 ECTS). In the second semester, core courses in the area of the Health Sciences (Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Statistics 24 ECTS) , together with a cross-disciplinary subject (6 ECTS).

b) Compulsory Module The Compulsory Module is taught in the second, third and fourth years (semesters 4-8). The module is divided into 10 courses, with a total of 19 subjects.

• Four courses are shared with the Degree in Biology (worth a total of 36 ECTS).  These are Zoology (12 ECTS), Botany (12), Ecology (6), and Microbiology (6).
• Six courses specific to the area of Marine Sciences ( worth a total of 90 credits), which include Biological Oceanography (18), Physical Oceanography (12), Marine Geology (12), Marine Chemistry (18), Applied Statistics (6) and Applied Marine Sciences (24).

All subjects are worth 6 credits and comprise the theoretical and practical contents of each course. Credits for practicals (laboratory, sea, computer, etc) are allocated differently for each of the 10 courses.

c) Complementary Module: this module comprises the subject, “Marine Sciences Projects” and is worth 6 ECTS. It reflects the recommendation that professionals in any branch of the Sciences, and especially those undertaking projects, should have taken a subject concerning projects.

d) Optional Module: The Optional Module consists of three optional course routes:

i) Marine Resources route;

ii) Marine and Coastal Environment route; and

iii) optional courses not ascribed to any route.

These three courses, each worth 24 ECTS, comprise a total offer of 12 optional subjects, including Work Experience, each worth 6 credits.  The optional courses mainly comprise applied subjects and are aimed at complementing the education of future graduates by offering an insight into the Marine Sciences as applied to different fields. Students may choose four optional subjects from either route plus one subject form among those not ascribed to either in order to complete the 30 optional credits. Another possibility is not to choose either route and simply take those subjects they consider of most interest.

8 subjects are offered in semester 7, of which students must choose 4, whilst in semester 8 students must choose one subject from among the 3 offered.  The subject, “Work Experience” may be undertaken by students during either of these two semesters. Subjects will be assigned to semesters 7 and 8 on an annual rotation basis. In semester 8, students are required to take the compulsory course ‘Marine Sciences Projects’, worth 6 credits, and carry out their Final Project, worth 18 credits.

Work Experience: Work experience is worth up to 6 optional credits. A framework collaboration agreement has been reached between the University and a series of companies and institutions, offering students the possibility of working in companies and public and private institutions in the field of Marine Sciences, providing  them with a first contact with the working world and increasing their employment prospects.

The Course Programme proposes the following optional work experience modalities:

• Work experience unrelated to the Final Project: Successfully completed work experience projects are worth a total of 6 optional credits.
• Work experience related to the Final Project: 6 optional credits may be taken as work experience, after which students may continue with one or two practical blocks from the Final Project, totalling a maximum of 18 ECTS.

In this regard, students may take up to 12 work experience credits related exclusively to the practical blocks of the Final Project. In this case, the Degree Supplement will specify that work experience has comprised part of the student’s Final Project.

Moreover, as specified below, students may complete or extend their work experience period providing the work undertaken can be used in the Final Project.

Final Project: The Final Project, which is the final phase of the Course Programme, is worth a total of 18 ECTS credits, in compliance with the requirements of a possible Eurobachelor in Marine Sciences. The Final Project is divided into three blocks, each worth 6 ECTS. Two of these blocks are practical, while the other is written. Within the two practical blocks, students may carry out a range of activities, including work at sea (practicum), data collection and analysis, bibliographical research, laboratory investigation, etc. Before evaluation their final projects, students must show academic certification verifying fluency in a foreign language to B1 level.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS AND ROUTES

Students may choose four optional subjects from either route and one subject not ascribed to either in order to complete the 30 optional credits. Another possibility is not to choose either route and simply take the assignments they consider of most interest.  8 subjects are offered in semester 7, of which students must choose 4, whilst in semester 8 students must choose one subject from among the 3 offered.   Work Experience may be undertaken by students during either of these two semesters. Subjects will be assigned to semesters 7 and 8 on an annual rotation basis.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

Students who study an undergraduate degree at the University of Alicante must confirm a minimum level of B1 in a foreign language (a B2 is recommended) in order to obtain the diploma.  

The required language level is in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

The language accreditation requirement can be obtained previously or at any time during university studies. However, the language requirement will be necessary in order to be able to assess the final year project.

The different forms of obtaining such language requirement can be consulted in the additional information in this section.  

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LANGUAGE TEACHING COMPETENCE CERTIFICATE

Students who want to have a career in non-university teaching when they finish their studies are recommended to obtain the teaching competence certificate (Valencian and/or foreign languages).

This certificate can be obtained by taking specific itineraries in your university studies or by taking the UA teaching competence course in Valencian, German, French and English.

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FINAL YEAR PROJECT (TFG)

All the official undergraduate degrees must be completed by preparing and defending a final year project, which must be done in the final phase of the studies and be aimed at the assessment of competences associated to the degree.

The final year project must be an original, independent and personal work. The elaboration of it may by individual or coordinated. Each student will prepare this project under the supervision of a tutor, allowing students to show the received training content in an integrated many, as well as the acquired competences associated to the undergraduate degree.

In order to register in the final year project, students must comply with the requirements established in the “Regulations for continuation studies for students registered in undergraduate degrees at the University of Alicante”. Among the requirements established to be able to register in the final year project, a minimum of 168 credits must be passed in undergraduate degrees with a total of 240 credits, and a minimum of 228 credits in undergraduate degrees with a total of 300 credits or more.

In order for the final year project to be assessed, a B1 level of a foreign language (B2 is recommended) must be confirmed.

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• Access routes
• Procedure for applying for admission
• Recommended applicant profile
• Number of places and pass marks

ACCESS ROUTES

Admission to this degree course is open to any applicant who meets one of the following entrance requirements:

1.     SPANISH BACCALAUREATE (LOMCE) UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Although students can access university by means of any Baccalaureate specialization, the recommended one is Sciences.

Admission scores for this degree can be improved by taking the specific modules of the University Entrance Exam (PAU) as indicated in the table below with their respective weightings.

TABLE 1

2.     PREVIOUS BACCALAUREATES WITH OR WITHOUT A PASS IN THE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Students who have completed their Baccalaureate under previous education systems and have passed the PAU will be able to use the mark obtained in their application.

However, students can take specific exam modules during the voluntary PAU exam period in order to improve their admission score as shown in table 1. They can also sit for the obligatory PAU exams, in which case they will have to take all the exams scheduled during this period.

3.     VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: Vocational educational qualifications such as senior technician, senior technician of plastic arts and design, or senior technician in sports is the preferred professional area although access to this degree may be through any professional field.

Admission scores can be improved by taking the PAU exam in up to 4 of the modules in table 1.

4.     STUDENTS FROM EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR OTHER STATES WITH WHICH SPAIN HAS AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT: Accreditation is required and issued by Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).

Students can sit for exams in subjects included in the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE), organised by the UNED, in order to improve their admission score up to 14 points as indicated in the weightings in Table 1.

5.     STUDENTS FROM FOREIGN EDUCATION SYSTEMS: Prior to applying for the validation of their foreign Baccalaureate, students may sit for up to 4 exams in subjects offered by the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE) organised by UNED (at least one subject from the core subjects).

The weightings indicated in table 1 will be applied to core and/or optional subjects.

6.     OTHER: University degrees and other similar qualifications. University entrance exam for students over 25 (preferential option: Sciences). Access on the basis of professional experience (applicants over 40 years of age). Access to applicants aged 45 years or more by means of an exam.

Weightings of the subjects of the specific phase of the Proof of Access to the University (PAU) in the previous years

High School Diploma Subjects

Academic Years 2010-11 2011-12

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0.2

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Academic Years   2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

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x

x

x

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x

x

x

Academic Year 2015-16 2016-17

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x

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PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR ADMISSION: PRE-ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION

• Anticipated number of places offered during the first pre-enrolment session: 50 

• In order to apply for a place, the procedure and pre-enrolment periods established each year must be observed. Information concerning the application procedure  (Pre-enrolment).

• Applicants admitted to a course must formally register within the timescale established annually in the enrolment calendar. Registration Information.

RECOMMENDED APPLICANT PROFILE

It is recommended that students who wish to study for a degree in Marine Sciences  have a basic scientific-technical and health sciences education, and should have studied, at least, the subjects Biology and Chemistry in their second year of the high school diploma course.  They should also have some knowledge of Earth Sciences, Mathematics II and Physics, in addition to showing awareness of environmental problems.

Among the qualities the future Biology student should possess, the following are of especial relevance:

• Capacity for work (perseverance, method and rigour).
• Capacity for reasoning and critical analysis.
• Scientific spirit.
• Capacity to obtain, interpret and apply knowledge.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Capacity for synthesis and abstraction.
• Recommended complementary education: English and user-level computing skills.

NUMBER OF PLACES AND PASS MARKS

• "Court notes" indicated correspond to the results of the first adjudication of June.
  
• The definitive notes can be inferior to the here collected.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES

Professions for which the degree qualifies its holder: Oceanographer, Marine Scientist.

These professional profiles have been drawn up from information obtained from graduates and employers, as well as from the professional experience of the project work group and the University community, as set down in the White Paper. On the basis of this information, along with further information obtained from the Official State Gazette (BOE), CSIC and documents from Associations of Marine Sciences Graduates, the Degree has been designed to be as broad-based as possible, having as its fundamental aims those of providing graduates with a basic and applied knowledge in Marine Sciences and preparing them for professional practice, based essentially on five professional profiles with their respective professional scopes which are representative of a Degree in Marine Sciences..

There are career opportunities for graduates in Marine Sciences in all sectors, from the primary sector to the industrial and service sectors, and including education and research. To meet the demand from businesses and institutions, the following profiles have been established:

- Professional profile: Graduates should possess the necessary training required by companies in the primary sector (fishing and aquaculture, oceanography), industry, services and the administration (preservation, environmental impact, biomarkers, coastal planning and management, etc.). In the field of business, graduates may work as oceanographers but also fulfil executive and management roles in Marine Sciences-related areas.

- Teaching and research: Some graduates find careers in teaching. Under the current system, graduates are required to complete their training with a Master’s Degree in Education in order to work as Secondary School Teachers. However, the Degree in Marine Sciences is designed to provide graduates with the necessary skills for this function. Moreover, research in certain scientific fields is becoming increasingly important, both in public centres (Universities, CSIC, OPIS, etc.) and in companies with research departments.

On this basis and in accordance with sources consulted, the following general aims have been established for the University of Alicante Degree in Marine Sciences:

Summary of professional profiles and skills of Graduates in Marine Sciences:

IMPLEMENTATION

Timescale for the implementation of the new Degree in Marine Sciences

* This refers to the course no longer being taught. However, students are entitled to sit two annual exams in the two years following the implementation of the new Degree course (grado) in the corresponding course.

CREDIT EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT PROGRAMME AND THE NEW DEGREE IN MARINE SCIENCES

Two routes for credit equivalence recognition have been established, both requiring application by the interested party and subject to approval by the Commission for Credit Recognition and Transfer and Assessment of Academic Records.

Individual equivalences by subject:

The above Table details credit equivalence for credits taken on the former Degree in Marine Sciences (Licenciatura)Grado) in Marine Sciences at the University of Alicante, and the new Degree (.

For students transferring from other centres, the Commission for Credit Recognition and Transfer and Assessment of Academic Records will consider the case, on the basis of the above Table of Credit Equivalence

Equivalence recognition by subject blocks:

1. Students who have successfully completed the first year of the Degree in Biology or Chemistry (Degree courses currently offered in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Alicante) will be considered as having passed the first year of the new Degree (Grado).  This in addition to the application of the credit equivalences listed in the above Table for subjects corresponding to the remaining academic years.
2. Any core, compulsory and optional subjects taken by students on the current Degree (Licenciatura) programme in Marine Sciences which do not have direct equivalence with subjects on the new Degree (Grado) course, will be given credit equivalence as Optional credits. 
   
3. Any other equivalence recognition requested will be considered by the Commission for Credit Recognition and Equivalence, in accordance with current legislation.

Correspondence between degree courses in the Faculty of Sciences at the UA:

As detailed in the report, the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Alicante has proposed five degree courses in the area of the Sciences (Biology, Marine Sciences, Geology, Chemistry and Mathematics) and one degree course in the area of Health Sciences (Optics and Optometry). In order to facilitate mobility between courses at the end of the first year, it has been agreed that recognition will be given to all credits obtained in their first year of study for students joining the Degree in Marine Sciences from other Science Faculty degree programmes, whether or not they are from the Sciences.

This may mean that in the second year of the Degree, some students lack a basic foundation, which could hinder the progress of their studies. In these cases, tutorial help will be offered to students in order to remedy this lack and provide guidance in certain fundamental areas.  

DEGREE IN MARINE STUDIES. SYLLABUS SUMMARY

Internal Quality Assurance System (SGIC) of the Title

• Structure of the Centre for Quality
  • Comission of Internal Quality Guarantee
  • Other Commissions  
• Handbook SGIC
• Procedures
  • Strategic (PE)
  • Key (PC)
  • Support (PA)
  • Measurement (PM)

• Management of the SGIC (Access to ASTUA)

Follow-up of the Title

• Self-reports UA
• External reports AVAP 
• Other reports
• Improvement Plans
• Progress and Learning Outcomes