Marine biology facilities
Students studying marine biology at Plymouth have access to a wide range of specialist facilities
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
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.
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.
ROVs
Set sail from the Marine Station and utilise our Remotely Operated Vehicles for carrying out seabed surveys.
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
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.
Imaging
We have a wide range of imaging facilities including fluorescent microscopy, in vivo time lapsing and electron microscopy (Electron Microscopy lab, pictured).
Bioimaging
Benefit from our custom-built bio-imaging facility to understand how marine organisms develop under different environmental conditions.
5G interactive microscope laboratory
Explore the fundamentals of the planet’s structures and lifeforms, and how they have changed in line with adaptations in the climate.
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
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 Resource Centre
A flexible learning space supporting student study, practical and laboratory work
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.