The Applied Oceans Sciences taught Masters Degree at UCT is a full-time 13-month programme commencing in mid-to-late January every year and comprising coursework (50%, 90 credits) and a short research project for the mini-dissertation (50%, 90 credits). 

AOS BIO5012W

Pre-requisites for admission:

  • 4 years Bachelor degree (with Capstone research project) or Honours degree.
  • Previous specialised knowledge of oceanography or marine biology is not essential.
  • Students from both the natural and social sciences/humanities (+hons) students are eligible, with a preference for students with a Science background and those who have demonstrated numerical skills.
  • An average of 65% in science subjects or >70% in other pertinent subjects
  • Non-science students are required to clearly indicate how they will compensate for knowledge gaps in science subjects and numerical skills in their motivational letter.

 

Course Conveners:

Prof Marcello Vichi (Department of Oceanography)

Dr Louise Gammage (Department of Biological Sciences)

The Coursework Component (50%)

[90 credits]

This takes place during the first half of the year (January to July-August), and comprises modules with dedicated assessments summarised further down the page:

  • Foundational modules – all students must complete this component
  • Specialised modules – students will select one of two streams (Operational Oceanography or Applied Marine Biology)
  • Interdisciplinary modules – students may select some courses as electives to complement the specific stream they chose.

 

Please take note that the specialised and interdisciplinary modules stipulated below are subject to change each year. 

Coursework Details

  • Introduction to Applied Ocean Sciences (15 credits, 5 lecturers)
    • Social-Ecological Systems (Dr Louise Gammage)
    • Ocean Governance (Ms Keshnee Pillay)
    • Physical Oceanography (Dr Moagabo Ragoasha)
    • Commercial Oceanography (Mr Sidney Bliski)
    • Ecological Oceanography (Dr Zanne Zeeman)
      • field trip: intertidal environment
  • Scientific computing and data management (10 credits, Prof Marcello Vichi)
    • Introduction to python through the online tool DataCamp.
  • STA5014Z Study design and Data Analysis for Scientists (15 credits, Lecturer from Statistical Sciences)
    • Introduction to R
      • Linear Regression: this is a technique for modelling the relationship between a continuous response and several explanatory variables.
      • Design and Analysis of Experiments
      • Generalized Linear Models: this is an extension of the linear regression model in which we model a binary or count response.
Closed
  • Introduction to South African fisheries (5 credits, Dr Zanne Zeeman)
  • Marine Conservation (10 credits, Assoc Prof Deena Pillay)
  • Introduction to Ecosystem-based Management (10 credits, Prof Lynne Shannon)
  • Sustainable Aquaculture (5 credits, Emer. Prof. John Bolton; Dr Marissa Brink-Hull) 
  • Marine Law (5 credits, Dr Zanne Zeeman) 
  • Marine Microbiology (5 credits, Dr Emma Rocke)
  • 1 elective from Interdisciplinary Modules or other stream
Closed
  • Operational oceanography (15 credits)
      • Introduction to marine services and products (Johnny Johannessen)
      • Introduction to ocean instrumentation (Prof Isabelle Ansorge)
      • Interdisciplinary sampling and autonomous devices (SOCCO-CSIR)
  • Atmospheric and marine biogeochemistry, with laboratory and field trip (15 credits, Assoc Prof Sarah Fawcett, Dr Katye Altieri)
  • Earth Observations (10 credits,Christo Wittle)
  • 1 elective from Interdisciplinary modules or other stream
Closed
  • Multivariate Analysis (10 credits, Dr Natasha Karenyi & Dr Lara Atkinson)
  • Marine Law (5 credits, Dr Denning Metuge)
  • Introduction to South African fisheries (5 credits, Dr Zanne Zeeman-du Toit)
  • Aquaculture (5 credits, Emer. Prof John Bolton, Marissa Brink-Hull)
  • Earth Observations (10 credits, Christo Wittle)
  • Introduction to Ecosystem-based Management (10 credits, Prof Lynne Shannon)
  • Introduction to Ocean Modelling (10 credits, Prof Marcello Vichi; Pre-requisites: physics and calculus)
  • 'Reading the Sea: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Coastal Studies' (10 credits, Dr Marieke Norton; this course will take place in the second semester 10-12 am on Mondays, venue in EGS, TBC).
  • Diving course (additional costs on students, no credits). See more details here.
Closed

Mini-dissertation component (50%)

[90 credits]

  • The dissertation is by definition smaller in scope than the so-called research Master (180 credits)
  • Students are encouraged to liaise with lecturers during the year according to their interests and performances. Topics may cover any aspect of applied ocean science, from the coastal to the open ocean environment, including socio-economical aspects and impacts on human activities
  • The course code depends on the department where the dissertation is hosted (SEA, BIO, EGS, but others are possible)
  • This takes place after the coursework (submission in February). Many students tend to register for a further 6 months.
  • Structure and format of minor-dissertation, refer to Science Faculty Postgraduate Resources - https://science.uct.ac.za/postgraduate-studies-current-
  • Refer to Science Faculty Research Examination Process - https://science.uct.ac.za/postgraduate-studies-current-postgraduate-students/examination
Note: UCT graduations will only take place in March and September.  The graduation date will be determined based on the date of submission (as a guideline students who submit by February 2026 should graduate by September 2026; those who submit between March and August 2026 will likely graduate in March 2027 (due to UCT regulations).