About

Science graduates are required to have a plethora of skills to enter the job market ‘work-ready’. At the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences we mould our students to be adept for all career aspirations such as environmental NGOs, Government and policy roles, and academic research i.e. PhD. We teach you to be future leaders and, therefore, requires professionals with the knowledge and understanding who are able to think critically and act decisively.
At the University of Gibraltar, you will learn from expert academic staff who are actively engaged in professional practice as well as hear from guest local and international speakers with a wealth of international experience along with first-hand knowledge of science practices that enriches the learning experience.
The School of Marine and Environmental Sciences programme aligns with the highest UK quality standards and the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority audits all university programmes on an annual basis.
Our smaller class sizes (< 30) allow for a more personal approach to teaching and mentoring and provide students the framework to grow in confidence and ability. With proven results, we have alumni who have embarked on PhDs, work for NGOs and governmental departments.
See our programmes

Research-Based Teaching and Research-Led Learning

The primary goal of our programme is to launch competent, multidisciplinary graduates to embark as scientists, managers, consultants in a variety of roles within NGOs, governmental departments and academia. Research-based teaching is at the heart of our teaching ethos where focus is placed on students undertaking enquiry-based learning.
Research-led learning is the focus of our research projects where once students are taught how to successfully embark on a research project, they tackle ‘real-world’ problems; see research projects below.

Our Programmes

  • Postgraduate
    MSc

    Master in Marine Science & Climate Change

    Designed and delivered by expert academics and scientists, this full or part-time interdisciplinary programme blends theoretical study with practical, field-based work. You will cover specialist subject areas and gain the skills required to tackle the complex issues associated with the sustainable development of marine ecosystems.[...]

    1 Year

    No Placement option

    Full Time

    View Course
  • Postgraduate
    MSc

    Master in Environmental Science & Climate Change

    Green skills are essential for the transition towards a Green Economy. Designed and delivered by expert academics and scientists and in conjunction with local stakeholders, this full-time interdisciplinary programme blends theoretical study with practical, field-based work.[...]

    1 Year

    Yes Placement option

    Full Time

    View Course

Our people

All our staff are established scientists and practitioners, that have contributed to work for Gibraltar and UK Government, Australian Regional and National Governments, UK Research Council funded projects (e.g. NERC), partnerships with other Universities, consultancy and with a large variety of stakeholders.
Dr Awantha Dissanayake
Head of School (Marine & Environmental Sciences)
Dr Darren Fa
Senior Lecturer
Dr Jaime Davies
Senior Lecturer
Dr Sarah Alvarez
Senior Lecturer
Bethany Gadd
Associate Lecturer
Dr Ashton Berry
Research Associate (Based in Australia)
Natalie Muirhead-Davies
Graduate Teaching & Research Associate (GRTA)
Samantha Slisarenko
Graduate Teaching & Research Associate (GRTA)
Keith Madiera
GIS Specialist (PhD Researcher)

Collaborators

See below for a list of previous collaborators:
  • Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany.
  • Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
  • Cefas – Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, UK.
  • Department of Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Heritage (DESCCH), Gibraltar.
  • Gibraltar Sub Aqua Association.
  • Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab, Cyprus.
  • MMRIC, Spain.
  • >Marine Conservation Institute, USA
  • Dive Charters, Gibraltar
  • Dolphin Adventure, Gibraltar
  • All Out Africa, Mozambique
  • National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS), UK.
  • Ramboll, Gibraltar.
  • Sovereign Base Area Authority (SBAA).
  • Universidad de Alicante, Spain.
  • University of Plymouth, UK.
  • University of Malta
  • FIRMM, Spain
  • ScubaPoint, Tenerife
  • Los Gigantes Diving Centre, Tenerife

Independent Research Projects

Students are taught how to think critically and collate, synthesise information and plan research projects carefully, thereby, enabling training to become de facto scientists and project managers.
Find out more about research conducted from previous student projects.
  • "The Use of Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) to Assess the influence of habitat complexity and Anthropogenic Activity on the abundance and Behaviour in Coastal Fish (Labridae & Sparidae): Implications for Marine Management."

    Michael Simmons

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • "Microplastic survey of abundance and characterisation across the shores of Gibraltar: A marine management issue."

    Bethany Wilkinson

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • "PROJECT MIS: Investigating the presence of non-native species in Mid Harbour Small Boats Marina, assessing recreational vessels as vectors, and exploring stakeholder engagement in implications for marine management."

    Amy Swift

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • "Form follows function?: The influence of algal architecture on epifaunal assemblages in the invasive algae Rugulopteryx okamurae in Gibraltar."

    Lilli Marie Blume

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Michael Simmons

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Bethany Wilkinson

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Amy Swift

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Lilli Marie Blume

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • "The zooplankton community in the Bay of Gibraltar under tidal influences and recommendations for future monitoring studies."

    Julian Koplin

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • "Community structure and its role within ecosystem artificial reef The Ark."

    Lucinda Rosheuvel

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • "Methodological framework to assess the health status of gorgonian species."

    Lívia Lang

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • "The concept of Green Port as a driver of positive change for both local and international level and possible implementation in Gibraltar."

    Riccardo Fornasari

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Julian Koplin

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Lucinda Rosheuvel

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Lívia Lang

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

  • Riccardo Fornasari

    MSc in Marine Science & Climate Change

Research Themes and Dissertations

Master in Marine Science & Climate Change

Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUVs)
Climate Change Adaption
Deep Sea Habitats
Digital Imagery & Environmental Surveys
Environmental Monitoring
Habitat Complexity & Community Ecology
Invasive Species
Marine Conservation
Marine Fisheries
Marine Mammals & Crustaceans
Marine Policy
Marine Social Science
Underwater Noise

Research Themes and Dissertations

Master in Environmental Science & Climate Change

Urban Bird Biodiversity
Nature-based Solutions – Nest boxes
Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Terrestrial Ecosystems in Gibraltar
Developing a Habitat Management Plan for the Barbary Macaque in Gibraltar
Assessing the Impacts of Invasive Plant Species on Native Plant Communities in Gibraltar
Developing a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Gibraltar’s Nature Reserves
Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Tourism in Gibraltar

Scientific Posters

Contact the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences for more information

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