It's not all frolicking with dolphins

Some 90 per cent of Ireland is undiscovered, undeveloped and underwater. This is the sea.

"It's the real final frontier, there's just so much to discover," says Geoffrey O'Sullivan, head of international co-operation and marine research funding at the Marine Institute.

"The marine environment is fascinating. There is an incredible diversity of life-forms, better than any extra-terrestrials."

It's not all Jacques Cousteau and frolicking with dolphins, however. "If you choose this job, you need to be flexible and adaptable - you could be out on a boat in miserable weather puking up over the side."

It's important, he says, to get early experience of going to sea, if you want to work at sea. "If you can't stomach it, there are lots of land-based jobs." International experience is also a factor, making marine science a good job for travelling. Marine scientists are variously employed by the Marine Institute and its agencies; by Bord Iscaigh Mhara in the fisheries area; by the EPA; by universities, as lecturers and PhD research fellows; and as aquacultural development consultant in private companies.

The Marine Institute employs 120 people. However, only a small number of these are marine scientists. The institute has recently recruited a lot of new staff; however, says O'Sulivan, permanent jobs are few and far between.

However, he says the work done by marine scientists is varied, interesting and always offering new opportunities.

"We're currently doing a lot of work with robotics and underwater video. We also use acoustic imaging to map the sea by determining its depth and texture and shape. These are all space technologies."

There is, he says, an increasing interest in wave energy. "Offshore wind parks are a very feasible clean-energy resource." Marine scientist are also employed in the traditional fossil-fuels sector, by oil and gas companies or by environmental agencies to make sure no damage is done to the sea bed. In the fisheries and aquaculture industries, they are needed for monitoring and testing, particularly for the salmon and shellfish markets.

O'Sullivan also predicts huge growth in marine tourism. "Scientists will be needed to research the sustainability of deap-sea diving and leisure fishing. They will also be involved in monitoring the safety of the materials and locations used for marine tourism."

Nutriceuticals (nutritional compounds created from marine materials, especially seaweed) is another growth area.

You need a primary degree plus practical experience or a postgraduate degree followed by a short term marine-based contract to get into marine science. However your primary degree could be in engineering or science followed by a marine postgrad. A denominated marine science degree is offered by NUI Galway. Mike Guiry, professor of botany at the marine science department, stresses that marine biology is not the same as marine science. "A marine scientist would want to have a thorough understanding of biotechnology, information technology, geophysics and chemistry." It is an inter-disciplinary science.

Prospective students, he says, should dispel the notion that they will be dealing solely with animals. "Our business is to train them as scientists."

There are no specific science subject requirements to get on to the course; however, Guiry says that those who have not taken physics or chemistry for the Leaving Certificate would find the first year of the course tough enough to get through. "It's important not ignore those harder subjects."

Guiry says that the jobs for marine biologists are limited in opportunity and scope. "Marine biologists are generally required at a fairly low level in fish farms or mussel farms."

The better positions, he says, go to people with higher degrees and he advises marine science graduates to consider a business or management postgrad.

So there's the choice - you can either boldly go where no man has gone before, or stay on dry land and farm some fish or analyse some algae.

It's up to you.