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Scholarships offer Tassie students a taste of Maria Island marine biology

Up to four Tasmanian college students have the chance to get a free taste of life as an IMAS marine biologist on Maria Island thanks to a range of scholarships that are now open for applications.

As part of the University College Program, IMAS is offering four Tasmanian Year 11 and 12 students free enrolment to its six day course 'XAS101 A Practical Introduction to Temperate Marine Biology' during the April school holidays from Sunday 10 April until Friday 15 April.

The course includes 5-days on Maria Island and one day in the classroom, which usually costs $645, but will be free for some lucky Tasmanian students courtesy of IMAS, Redmap and a donation from Australian historian Sir Christopher Clark.

Tasmanian college students who wish to apply will need to demonstrate a keen interest in the marine environment, or socio-economic or geographic disadvantage.Maria Is course

Course coordinator Dr Scott Ling said the University College Program allows Year 11 and 12 students to study university level units alongside their TCE studies. 

Course Coordinator Scott Ling (right) with 2015 students Dawn Weller and Austin Myler. Photo: Peter Mathew.

"This is a great chance for students with an interest in science to live and breathe the life of a marine biologist for a whole week as they develop keen skills of observation and explore the marine environments of spectacular Maria Island," Dr Ling said.

"The course is designed to inspire, challenge and engage potential students.

"One of the great attractions of the course is the chance to get out of the classroom or laboratory and into the wild and ocean environs.

"The trip will allow students to apply marine biology theories, techniques and sampling methods during a practical field investigation of species diversity across a range of intertidal and sub-tidal habitats." 

Maria Is course 2015

XAS101 is offered HECS-free and successful completion can be used to contribute one unit (12.5%) to a University of Tasmania Marine Biology degree.

To receive a scholarship application pack visit the University of Tasmania website.

IMAS PhD candidate Simon Reeves (left) with 2015 students Matthew Rose and Dawn Weller. Photo: Peter Mathew.

Scholarship applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 2 March 2016. Enrolments for the course close at 5pm on Thursday 24 March.

A video about the Maria Island course can be viewed on YouTube.

Authorised by the Executive Director, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
28 October, 2022