Marlborough Boys’ College Marlborough Boys’ College

NCEA L2 Sustainable Marine Science

SMS2
Course Description Recommended Prior Learning

An interest in marine species, the outdoors and the marine ecosystem is recommended.

A course aimed at developing an understanding of the biology of selected marine species with a focus on aquaculture and the factors which influence sustainable marine farming.

  • Fish species and their identification 
  • Use of microscopes
  • Oyster Biology and Farming 
  • Mussel Biology and Farming
  • Patterns in seafood communities



Skills that are useful across the Biological Sciences will be practiced including dissection of marine species, microscope use, measuring the size of populations of marine species. This course is particularly significant for students who would like a careers in aquaculture, fisheries compliance or the fishing industry. 

Course Overview

Term 1
Mussel Biology - Mussel life cycle, habitat and distribution, feeding method, diet, reproductive cycle and disease.
Mussel farming - sites of mussel farming, practices and farm designs, sustainability.

Term 2
Biological patterns - how to assess the distribution of marine species in their ecosystem with field trips to practice skills.
Seafood species - types of seafood species, how to identify them and naming systems in Biology.

Term 3
Oyster Biology- Oyster life cycle, habitat and distribution, feeding method, diet, reproductive cycle and disease.
Oyster farming - sites of oyster farming, practices and farm designs, sustainability.

Term 4
Oyster farming - sites of oyster farming, practices and farm designs, sustainability.

Learning Areas:

Year 12 (NCEA Level 2), Science - Pūtaiao


Pathway

NCEA L3 Sustainable Marine Science

Career Pathways

Zoologist, Aquaculture Farmer, Marine Biologist, Insurance Loss Adjuster, Automotive Electrician, Boat Builder, Naval Architect, Cabinet Maker, Fishing Skipper, Ship's Officer, Insurance Claims Officer, Diver, Industrial Designer, Geologist, Environmental Scientist, Welder, Ranger, Marine Engineer, Geophysicist, Insurance Adviser, Ship's Master, Refrigeration/Air-conditioning Technician