The 2025 intake of the Applied Marine Science MSci at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), a partner of UHI, pictured with academic staff from SAMS, Ian Eisner of UHI Futures and Dr Jacqueline Nairn, University of St Andrews, who was on the course's external review panel.
Photo: Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).
Based in Oban, Scotland, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), has announced the launch of a new marine science undergraduate Masters that prepares students for careers in the blue economy.
The new Applied Marine Science MSci straddles SAMS's Marine Science BSc (Hons), but goes further, including extra employability skills training and a fifth year working with a programme partner in sectors such as aquaculture, marine technology, scientific diving, conservation and marine renewables.
However, what sets this new course from the Scottish Association for Marine Science apart is that it has been developed specifically to address the need for a more skilled workforce as the blue economy expands in Scotland and the wider UK, and it has done so with input from Scottish companies that will be the future employers.
This was highlighted by Iain Eisner of UHI Futures, the University of the Highlands and Islands' centre, which supports students in their careers and employability. "From the employer's point of view this is filling a gap in the sector," he said.
"The course content was designed with input from employers, which I think is a big plus point for the course," he continued. "It means the content is unique and focused on an attractive and growing sector that will have a lot of need for the skillset these students will possess."
"There's never been a more vital time to study marine science. Our oceans face urgent challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, and the unsustainable use of precious resources," said the Programme leader, Dr Arlene Ditchfield of SAMS.
"As society attempts to provide solutions to address our impact on the environment, various industries and sectors will require more graduates with the knowledge and skills to tackle these issues head-on," she continued.
Thus, as explained by its Program leader, this new course combines academic excellence with practical experience, ensuring that graduates bring a holistic and informed perspective to the world of work. Dr Ditchfield stated that the inaugural intake, consisting of 16 students, exceeded expectations, but shows the appetite for higher education courses that relate directly to the world of work.
As mentioned, the Applied Marine Science MSci has partnered with companies throughout Scotland, including SAMS Enterprise, the commercial arm of the Scottish Association for Marine Science, to allow students to match up with their preferred programme partner and build connections before their final year placement.
Steve Ham, Head of SAMS Enterprise, explained it this way: "In order to fully develop the emerging blue economy, creating new services and markets that operate in harmony with the marine environment, we will need scientific expertise."
"SAMS Enterprise is fully behind the aims and objectives of the course and I'm excited to see how these highly-skilled and informed graduates will benefit industry," added Ham, who also stated he was delighted that the Association were taking forward this unique MSci opportunity.
In addition to the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the University of the Highlands and Islands, another partner in this new marine science undergraduate Masters in Scotland is the community-led organization Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST).
Commenting on the course, its Executive Director, Aine Purcell-Milton, said they look forward to partnering on the new MSci Applied Marine Science programme and supporting academic study into real-world marine conservation and protection.
"The programme is set up to give students the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to make a real difference, at a time when our marine environment needs it most," she pointed out.
Likewise involved in the Masters is Scotland's Nature Agency, NatureScot. "We're excited to see how NatureScot can engage in the new SAMS Applied Marine Science MSci and shape opportunities to gain hands-on experience in looking after Scotland's amazing marine environment," said Dr Kelly James, benthic ecology and modelling adviser on the Marine Ecosystems Team at NatureScot.
Finally, Dr Martin Sayer, managing director of programme partner at Tritonia Scientific, a company specializing in underwater data, also offered the perspective of future employers.
"At Tritonia, we are committed to supporting the next generation of marine scientists and are excited to offer a placement opportunity to a SAMS MSci Applied Marine Science student," he said.
