Marine science explores areas of oceanography, ecology, geology and more. It seeks to understand all aspects of the marine environment and how they interact with one another. At UNSW, honours projects in Marine Science research the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and the habitats of marine life. View our current projects and connect with an honours project supervisor to learn how you can get involved.
How is climate change & tropicalisation of reefs impact biodiversity
Our lab is investigating the ecosystem-wide effects of tropicalisation in Eastern Australian reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef. Supervisors: A/Prof. Adriana Vergés | Aaron Eger
Investigating blue swimmer crab fisheries in Botany Bay & Lake Illawarra
This is part of a Fisheries R&D Corporation (FRDC) project investigating the portunid crab fisheries in NSW. Supervisor: Prof. Iain Suthers
Temporal dynamics of coral microbiome following thermal stress
The project aims to determine the seasonal changes in the coral microbiome and the influence of thermal stress events on microbial community structure. Supervisor: A/Prof. Tracy Ainsworth
Restoring oyster reefs to restore estuaries
Examine remnant oyster reefs in NSW to inform restoration strategies. Supervisor: A/Prof. Paul Gribben
How do plant sediment-feedbacks influence marine plants?
Investigate how sediment microbes influence seagrass resistance to increasing temperatures and nutrient additions. Supervisor: A/Prof. Paul Gribben
The evolution of colourful ornamentation in land-dwelling fishes
Uncover how the transition to land by fish (yes, fish!) has opened the door to the evolution of elaborate ornamentation for reproduction. Supervisor: A/Prof. Terry Ord
In Bygone Dives
This Honours project will explore the use of photographs taken by recreational scuba divers as a potential data source for environmental monitoring and conservation in marine systems. Supervisors: Christopher Roberts (PhD candidate), A/Prof Adriana Vergés and Prof Alistair Poore
Probiotics for the ocean
This project aims to investigate how bacteria can improve the growth, health and environmental adaptation of marine seaweeds (macroalgae). Supervisor: A/Prof. Suhelen Egan
Understanding disease in seaweeds
We use observational and molecular methods to investigate the interplay between bacterial virulence and environmental factors, such as temperature, light and nutrients, and natural bacterial inhibitors to understand the development and impact of disease on seaweeds. Supervisor: A/Prof. Suhelen Egan
Predicting bluebottles on Sydney beaches
Many Australians have had a painful bluebottle sting when swimming at the beach, yet little is known about the oceanographic conditions that bring bluebottles to our shores. Supervisors: Prof Alistair Poore (BEES), Dr Amandine Schaeffer (School of Mathematics and Statistics), Dr Jaz Lawes (Surf Life Saving Australia)
How eco-engineering mitigate impacts on biodiversity
To investigate how eco-engineering interventions, such as Living Seawalls, can mitigate impacts on population of key species. Supervisor(s): Mariana Mayer-Pinto
How eco-engineering affect species interactions?
To investigate how eco-engineering interventions, such as the Living Seawalls, can mitigate the biodiversity impacts of seawalls, through changes in species interactions. Supervisor(s): Mariana Mayer-Pinto
Foreshore stabilisation and consequences to fish assemblages
This project will assess how different shoreline management interventions (i.e., cobblers, seawalls and none) influence the fish assemblages on nearby seagrass beds. Supervisor: Dr Mariana Mayer-Pinto