Overview

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad and Murdoch University are pleased to offer a 3-week marine science program studying one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Students begin their study in Perth, Australia's best kept secret, and then participate in a 10-day field camp at the Ningaloo Reef.  This reef system is just as spectacular as the Great Barrier Reef, but accessible right from the beach! 

The course covers three main areas:

1. The diversity and physical processes of Western Australia marine habitats, with a focus on coral reef environments
2. The biodiversity of reef organisms
3. Biological processes, with a focus on coral reef ecosystems.

Location

Western Australia is one of Australia’s best-kept secrets! The State is adored for its brilliant blue skies, warm sunny climate and white sandy beaches. 
 

Program Destinations

Perth

Perth, with a population of approx. 1.6 million and a climate similar to San Diego, CA, offers access to key locations in the Pacific Rim and areas along the Indian Ocean. Inland from Perth are the vineyards of the scenic Swan Valley. The adjacent city of Fremantle, known for hosting the America's Cup, offers yachting enthusiasts a chance to look at the boating and fishing museums and to sample seafood in one of the restored Edwardian buildings.

The Field-Based Experience

Ningaloo Marine Park, which includes Coral Bay, is located 1100km north of Perth. Coral Bay’s great appeal is its access to the 280km Ningaloo Reef which lies close to the shore and forms a natural lagoon which is ideal for people wishing to fish, snorkel, SCUBA dive, or explore the Reef.

Lying just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the waters are warm for most of the year and the beaches, like most of the beaches on the Western Australian coast, are white, undisturbed and beautifully clean.

Coral Bay lies midway along of the Ningaloo Marine Park which runs along the coast from Red Bluff (100km to the south) to Bundegi on North West Cape just north of Exmouth. It includes all the coastline of the Cape Range National Parks as well as Point Cloates.

The Marine Park was declared in 1987 and expanded in 2005, in an attempt to protect Western Australia's largest coral reef and to control public access to it. Ningaloo Reef was added to the World Heritage Register in 2011. It is a unique area because the Reef is so close to the shore and because it is here that the Australian continent is closest to the continental shelf. The dryness of the region means that there is little runoff and so the waters around the reef are crystal clear.

The reef boasts over 200 species of hard corals, 500 species of fish and 650 species of molluscs. In its own way it is as good as the Great Barrier Reef and it is much more accessible.
 

Academic Focus

Course Structure

Students will attend a series of 15 one hour lectures, two laboratory classes, one tutorial, and a 10-day intensive field camp.

Course Objectives 

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the physical processes that characterize the Western Australia marine environment
• Explain the key physiological and ecological processes that occur on coral reefs
• List the plants and animals that dominate the tropical marine environment of Western Australia
• Outline the ecological roles of key groups of organisms in the marine environment

Lecture Series* 

A series of 15 lectures will provide a physical and biogeographical background to Western Australia (WA) coral reefs, a run through of WA reef biodiversity and details of key biological and ecological processes of coral reefs. Additional non-assessed lectures on data analysis and the Ningaloo Marine Park and other special lectures will also be presented in Coral Bay. Laboratory classes and tutorials will address aspects of reef ecology and processes, including a mixture of biodiversity and techniques-based exercises.

The field trip will principally consist of project work, with students working in groups on a choice of topics; students will be expected to undertake two projects for a period of three days each.

Assessment will include a theory exam at Murdoch University and tutorial participation, while the fieldwork will be assessed by a report and group presentations after the field camp.
 

Laboratory/Tutorial Subjects*

• Lagoon/benthos
• Photosynthesis and respiration of marine organisms
• Intertidal communities
• Pelagic fauna, fish and megafauna
• Symbiotic relationships
• Macroalgae and seagrasses
• Plankton dynamics
• Coral community monitoring and analysis

Projects

Assessment

Credit

Program Highlights

• Visit the pristine Ningaloo Reef—just as spectacular as the Great Barrier Reef but accessible right from the beach
• Study and learn in Western Australia, a fabulous destination that is Australia’s best-kept secret
• Learn from faculty at Murdoch University, one of the leading marine and environmental science universities in the Southern Hemisphere
• Gain a deep understanding of coral reef ecology and marine science on Australia’s undiscovered “other” coast
• While on the 10-day excursion to the Ningaloo Reef, you will have a day's whale watching on a charter bus, snorkelling, a chance to swim with manta rays, and a two hour glass-bottomed boat cruise
• Study alongside Australian and fellow International students
  

Who Should Apply

Open to all undergraduate students, but is best suited to those who have taken at least two university-level courses of general biology and those interested in marine science.

Accommodations

Coral Bay: Marine Science on Australia's West Coast short term program will house students at a variety of different venues based on the location of the program.

Students will begin and end their program on the Murdoch University campus. During this time students will be housed at Murdoch Campus Village. Students will placed in shared accommodation (apartments/flats) with other Murdoch University students, these students may be studying other courses at Murdoch and may be from Australia or other countries. The flats have shared living areas and single bedrooms, shared bathroom facilities and each apartment is fully furnished with a fully equipped kitchen. Laundry facilities (coin operated) are also available in the village.

During the field trip portion of the program in Coral Bay (approximately 1000km north of Perth, Australia, north of the Tropic of Capricorn) students will stay at The Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp. Students will be housed in multi-share safari style tents, sharing with other students on the Coral Bay course. There will be shared bathroom facilities and a communal kitchen. Students are only just a short walk from the beach and will enjoy freshly catered foods during their time at The Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp. All linens will be provided for students for the entire 3 week course.

You can feel certain that your housing will be safe, secure, and clean, and that you will be satisfied with your short course program choice.
 

More About Murdoch University

Murdoch University has an outstanding reputation for Marine and Environmental Science, being the first university in Australia to offer environmental science as a program of study.

Since its inception, Murdoch has housed the UN Environmental Technology Centre, one of five in the entire world, and has become the home of the Center for Fish and Fisheries Research, and the Western Australian Marine Science Institute.

Murdoch University is set on a beautifully landscaped campus, which is located approximately 20 minutes by bus (nine miles) from Perth ’s city center and 10 minutes by bus (5 miles) from the popular cafe district of Fremantle.

Group Flights

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad works together with STA Travel's group ticket office to arrange group flights for all short course students. This ensures that students can travel as a cohesive group to the program destination. Airfare is not included in program fees and payment of airfare is the responsibility of the student, however AustraLearn seeks the lowest possible student rate before reserving seats for participants to purchase, while still maintaining the flexibility that allows students to explore the country or surrounding countries at the conclusion of their short term program.  

Flexible Return Date

Additionally, group flights have a flexible return date. Students may choose their own return date to allow for personal travel after the conclusion of the program. Many students choose to extend their time overseas and travel independently after the program's end. We can provide you with useful travel resources and advice, as well as refer you to travel opportunities that can be pre-booked.

Scholarships Available

Scholarships offered to GlobaLinks Learning Abroad students through Murdoch University

Murdoch University is sponsoring one $500 AUD scholarship for the 2011 program. A scholarship application will be available once accepted to the program.
 

To see additional Scholarship Opportunities please visit the Short Course Scholarship Resource page.

Photo Slideshow

Watch a slideshow of photos documenting the Coral Bay Marine Science program.  

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees are in U.S. dollars. Program fees include, tuition, official transcript, host university administrative fees, all domestic travel within Australia, accommodations, health insurance, ISIC Basic Card, meals on field trip, all lectures, 12 day field trip to Coral Bay, and excursions, which include a 1 day whale watching excursion, snorkelling, a chance to swim with manta rays, and a two hour glass-bottomed boat cruise. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa assistance, housing placements, personal advising, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services. **International airfare and meals on Murdoch University campus are not included, along with personal expenses and excursions.

Fee Advice

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: Australia or New Zealand Summer or January Programs Team BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants studying in Australia and New Zealand. Kimberly graduated with a BA in History from the University of Colorado-Boulder. While studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, Kimberly discovered a love for travel and international education. She has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia and Western Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.