At the University of New South Wales, Marine Science encompasses one or more of the subjects of geology, geophysics, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, physical oceanography, food technology and engineering. A marine scientist usually specializes in at least one of these subjects and would need to have at least an appreciation of several others. Geologists and geophysicists study energy, mineral resources and the planet's history from the structure of sediments and the sea floor.
Geophysicists are also concerned with understanding the dynamics of the solid earth.
Physical oceanographers and mathematicians study currents, waves and other physical motions of the sea with mathematical and computer models and a variety of instruments, while coastal engineers aim at understanding how these physical motions affect nearshore regions. Marine chemists research the chemical components of sea water and of marine and estuarine sediments and are concerned with concentrations of pollutants, absorbed gases and biological nutrients. They are also concerned with the rates and mechanisms of transfer of elements in a marine environment. Biologists are concerned with identifying marine organisms of all types and studying their lifecycles and ecology. Many modern research programs are multidisciplinary in nature and aim at understanding the interrelationship between the ecosystem and the environment.