Tropical Marine Biology in Australia

About Murdoch University

• Established in 1973, Murdoch University is ranked in the top 90 universities in the world under 50 years of age according to QS World University Rankings rankings.
• Murdoch’s main South Street campus is set amongst a beautiful bush environment and covers nearly 600 acres, it is one of the largest campuses in Australia, yet is only a short train ride to the city and a quick bus ride to Perth’s incredible beaches.
• Murdoch University is located in the suburb of Murdoch, just ten miles southwest of Perth’s Central Business District and five miles from the eclectic seaside city of Fremantle, where students enjoy numerous cafés, microbreweries, boutiques and weekend markets.
• Murdoch’s modern campus has a strong community feel, while providing state-of-the-art facilities. The natural bushland setting provides peaceful courtyards that separate the buildings and are beautifully landscaped with native Australian trees and shrubs.

CRICOS Provider Code: 00125J

Location

Murdoch University is a traditional campus, located in the suburb of Murdoch, just ten miles southwest of Perth’s Central Business District. Visit the google map link below to see the campus location.

Academics

You’ll start with a series of lectures and educational videos to get a physical and biogeographical background to Western Australian coral reefs, an introduction to WA reef biodiversity and details of key biological and ecological processes of coral reefs.

On the field trip, you’ll work as part of a group on a choice of topics. You will need to complete two projects over a period of three days each. To expand your Ningaloo Reef experience, you’ll join a wildlife interaction cruise complete with snorkelling activities on the reef.

There’s also time to spend at your leisure, where you can enjoy a range of tourism activities in Coral Bay.

You will also attend non-assessed lectures on data analysis and the Ningaloo Marine Park and other special lectures. Your laboratory classes and tutorials will address aspects of reef ecology and processes, including a mixture of biodiversity and techniques-based exercises.

You will be assessed by a range of methods, including a theory exam at Murdoch University and tutorial participation, while your fieldwork will be assessed by a report and group presentations after the field camp.

Please download the syllabus below:

• Tropical Marine Biology course

ENJOY FLEXIBILITY WITH TEAN FLEX

We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your TEAN program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, TEAN Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your TEAN Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.

Eligibility

• 2.5 GPA
• Must have completed at least two classes of animal or plant biology, with a focus on ecology

Activities / Immersion

As part of this course, you’ll visit the Ningaloo Marine Park. Located 1100km north of Perth, the marine park runs almost 300km along the coast of the Cape Range National Park:

Lying just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the waters are warm for most of the year and the beaches, like most in WA, are white, undisturbed and beautifully clean. Coral Bay lies midway along the Ningaloo Marine Park, with easy access to the reef, and close to the shore forming a natural lagoon.

You can snorkel, scuba dive or explore the reef by tour. You’ll have the chance to explore more than 200 species of hard corals, 500 species of fish, 650 species of mollusks, plus turtles and manta rays. The area is also a part of the migration route of the famous Whale Sharks.

Ningaloo is as spectacular as the Great Barrier Reef, but is much more accessible. The iconic status of Ningaloo Reef was recognized internationally when it was added to the World Heritage Register in 2011.

Summer 2024

summer 2024

• Tuition and program fees: $8,350

What’s Included

• Airport pick up
• 15 nights accommodation at fully serviced apartment on campus at Murdoch University Student Village while in Perth
• Transfer to Coral Bay on an overnight bus coach
• 10-day field trip to Coral Bay
• Accommodation during field camp
• All food while away in Coral Bay
• Glass bottom boat tour while in Coral Bay
• Charter boat wildlife cruise
• Whale watching cruise (subject to conditions)
• Snorkeling trip and snorkeling equipment (if required).
• Overseas health insurance, plus evacuation and repatriation insurance
• Access to competitive airfares and pre-arranged flight itineraries 
• Extensive pre-departure counseling and information packets
• Official academic transcripts from host institution
• Credit approval and transfer assistance
• Help with student visa preparation
• Financial aid transfer planning

What’s Not Included

• International airfare ($1,800)
• Domestic airfare in US ($500)
• Tourist visa ($20)
• Books ($50)
• Meals during the program ($650)
• Airport transfer at the end of the program ($50)
• Travel insurance ($150)
• Travel and personal expenses ($300-$500)

*Numbers are estimated based on previous student experience and budget. Actual amounts will vary depending on student.

PASSPORT

Students must submit a current passport valid for at least 6 months after the program end date for acceptance.

If you do not currently hold a valid passport, please apply for one immediately as processing times can be very lengthy.

VISA

All students participating in a short-term program in Australia (except for Australian passport-holders) are required to obtain an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) prior to departing for Australia.

Students will apply for the ETA after receiving instructions from their Program Manager, approximately 1-2 months prior to departure. The application is done entirely online, and visas are typically granted within 2 days of applying. The cost is AUD$20.