Marine biology facilities

Students studying marine biology at Plymouth have access to a wide range of specialist facilities
Falcon
The University has a wide range of equipment and technology to guide your studies in the right direction.  
Discover the wealth of facilities you'll have access to when you study at Plymouth.

Teaching takes advantage of the South Devon coast as well as some of Europe’s best marine facilities – so you’ll have the opportunity to not just experience marine biology but to practice it at the highest levels in both the laboratory and out in the field.

William Ashworth, BSc (Hons) Marine Biology graduate
 

Marine station Marine Station
 Situated on the shores of Plymouth Sound as part of our ‘Waterfront Campus’, the facility offers labs and classrooms extending out into the natural environment.

Falcon spirit Access to a fully-equipped fleet of boats
 We have a 14m catamaran which is used, along with smaller boats, for group practicals and individual project work spanning collection of seabed and water samples and acquisition of hydrographic survey and oceanographic datasets.

Research vessel Falcon Spirit. ROV ROVs
 Set sail from the Marine Station and utilise our Remotely Operated Vehicles for carrying out seabed surveys.

2 divers in the sea with flag and boat Diving
 We are unique in offering our students the opportunity to gain the HSE SCUBA certification alongside their degree. Some of our past students have become commercial divers and have dived at the National Marine Aquarium during their studies

Marine Biology students in the Davy Labs Behavioural facilities
 Use our custom-built labs and equipment to understand animal personality. Investigate how marine animals avoid predators, optimise foraging, or engage in contest.

University of Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre Imaging
 We have a wide range of imaging facilities including fluorescent microscopy, in vivo time lapsing and electron microscopy (Electron Microscopy lab, pictured).

Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre (MBERC) conducts research across a wide range of subject areas within the realms of marine biology, conservation, ecophysiology and ecology; these include studies across terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Bioimaging
 Benefit from our custom-built bio-imaging facility to understand how marine organisms develop under different environmental conditions.

Marine Biology students in the Davy Labs Mesocosms
 In our mesocosms facility you can create a range of environmental conditions predicted for the future under current climate change scenarios.

Marine Biology students in the Davy Labs Mesocosms
 With our wide range of physiological equipment, you can investigate how marine organisms work and how they respond to predicted changes in global environmental drivers.

Molecular facilities Molecular facilities
 Become a modern marine biologist using our state-of-the-art molecular facilities to study the genetics of natural populations, or investigate the molecular mechanisms that allow organisms to respond to their environment.

LABplus facility  LABplus Resource Centre
 A flexible learning space supporting student study, practical and laboratory work

Marine Biology students in the Davy Labs Specialist computing and software
 In our computing facilities and labs, you will be able to use specialist software to map the sea bed or model larval dispersal.