IGCSE Marine Science Topics by Exam Board: Full List

Studying IGCSE Marine Science but not sure exactly what topics you need to revise? You're not the only one. Marine Science is a less commonly taught subject, which means finding clear, organised revision resources can be challenging.

It's frustrating when you're unsure whether you've covered everything that might appear in your exam. With so many interconnected topics from ocean currents to marine ecosystems to human impacts it's easy to miss key areas if you don't have a clear roadmap.

This guide provides the complete, up-to-date topic list for IGCSE Marine Science, organised into student-friendly categories. You'll know exactly what's examinable, how topics are assessed, and how to structure your revision effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Cambridge International is currently the only major exam board offering IGCSE Marine Science (0697)

• The syllabus (opens in a new tab) is divided into six main topic areas covering Earth's oceans, sea water, marine organisms, nutrients, ecology, and human influences

• Assessment includes two papers: Paper 1 (Theory and Data Handling) and Paper 2 (Theory and Practical Skills), each worth 50% and lasting 1 hour 45 minutes

• Both theoretical knowledge and practical investigation skills are assessed across all topics

Why Topic Lists Matter for IGCSE Marine Science

Marine Science is an interdisciplinary subject drawing from biology, chemistry, geography, and environmental science. This breadth means it's easy to miss key areas if you don't follow the official syllabus closely.

Unlike more established IGCSE subjects, Marine Science has fewer revision resources available online. Having a clear, exam-board-specific topic list ensures you're revising the right content and not wasting time on irrelevant material.

Cambridge IGCSE Marine Science stimulates learners' interest in the marine world and enhances their understanding of its relevance to society. The course builds knowledge of scientific concepts, helps you understand the intricate marine environment, and develops practical skills essential for scientific study.

Cambridge IGCSE Marine Science (0697)

Cambridge International (opens in a new tab) is currently the only major exam board offering Marine Science at IGCSE level. 

Here's the complete breakdown of topics from the current Cambridge specification:

1. The Earth and Its Oceans

This topic covers the structure of Earth and how oceans formed and function:

• Earth's structure (core, mantle, crust)

• Plate tectonics and continental drift

• Formation of ocean basins

• Earthquakes and tsunamis

• Distribution of world oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic)

• Ocean geomorphology (mid-ocean ridges, trenches, seamounts, continental shelves)

• Tides and their causes

• Ocean currents and circulation patterns

2. Sea Water

Understanding the properties and composition of sea water:

• Chemical composition of sea water

• Salinity and factors affecting it (evaporation, precipitation, run-off)

• Temperature variations in oceans

• Density of sea water and factors affecting density

• Pressure in oceans with depth

• pH of sea water

• Dissolved gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide)

• Properties of water molecules and hydrogen bonding

• Water as a solvent

3. Marine Organisms

The diversity and characteristics of marine life:

• Classification of marine organisms

• Adaptations of marine organisms to their environment

• Plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton)

• Nekton (fish, marine mammals, cephalopods)

• Benthos (organisms living on or in the seabed)

• Marine plants and algae

• Coral reefs and coral organisms

• Microorganisms in the ocean

• Life in different ocean zones (epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, benthic)

4. Nutrients and Energy

How energy and nutrients move through marine ecosystems:

• Photosynthesis in marine environments

• Food chains and food webs

• Energy transfer through trophic levels

• Nutrient cycles (nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon)

• Primary productivity in oceans

• Upwelling and its importance

• Limiting factors for marine life

5. Marine Ecology

Interactions within marine ecosystems:

• Marine habitats and ecosystems (coral reefs, mangroves, estuaries, rocky shores, sandy beaches, deep sea)

• Biodiversity in marine environments

• Ecological relationships (predation, competition, symbiosis, parasitism)

• Population dynamics

• Succession in marine ecosystems

• Conservation of marine environments

• Threats to marine biodiversity

6. Human influences on the marine environment

How humans affect and use the ocean:

• Overfishing and sustainable fishing practices

• Marine pollution (plastic, oil, chemical, noise)

• Climate change impacts on oceans (warming, acidification, sea level rise)

• Eutrophication and algal blooms

• Coastal development and habitat destruction

• Marine protected areas and conservation strategies

• Sustainable use of marine resources

• Renewable energy from oceans (wave, tidal, wind)

• Aquaculture and mariculture

• Human influences on the marine environment

Assessment Structure

IGCSE Marine Science consists of two examination papers, each lasting 1 hour 45 minutes:

Paper 1: Theory and Data Handling (50%, 80 marks)

• Short-answer questions testing knowledge and understanding

• Structured questions requiring extended responses

• Data analysis and interpretation questions

• Graphs, tables, and diagrams to analyse

• Calculations related to marine science concepts

Paper 2: Theory and Practical Skills (50%, 80 marks)

• Short-answer and structured questions

• Questions based on practical investigation methods

• Analysis of experimental procedures

• Evaluation of data from practical work

• Application of practical skills to unfamiliar scenarios

Both papers assess theoretical knowledge alongside your ability to apply concepts, analyse data, and evaluate scientific information. Paper 2 specifically tests practical investigation skills even though it's a written exam.

How to Use This Topic List in Your IGCSE Marine Science Revision

Now you have the complete topic list, here's how to revise effectively.

Use it as a revision checklist. Print or copy the topic list and tick off each subtopic as you review it. This ensures comprehensive coverage and shows your progress.

Identify practical vs theoretical content. Topics like "tides and their causes" and "nutrient cycles" have both theoretical concepts and practical investigation components. Make sure you understand both the science and how to investigate it.

Match topics to past paper questions. Work through Save My Exams IGCSE Marine Science past papers which are aligned to the Cambridge Syllabus. This helps you prioritise revision time.

Connect related topics. Marine Science is integrated—topics connect across different sections. For example, understanding salinity (Topic 2) helps you understand marine organism adaptations (Topic 3) and ocean circulation (Topic 1).

Focus on data handling skills. Paper 1 specifically tests data analysis, so practice interpreting graphs, tables, and experimental results. 

Review practical methods. Even though Paper 2 is written, it tests practical skills. Understand how to design investigations, control variables, collect accurate data, and evaluate experimental procedures.

Use specification language. The topic headings above use official syllabus language. When revising, use these precise terms rather than vague descriptions—this helps in exam answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge the only board that offers IGCSE Marine Science?

Yes, Cambridge International is currently the only major exam board offering Marine Science at IGCSE level. The qualification (0697) was first examined in Summer 2024. If you're studying IGCSE Marine Science, you're following the Cambridge specification.

Which topics are more likely to come up in the exam?

All six topic areas are equally important and can appear across both papers. However, certain concepts appear frequently because they're fundamental: ocean properties (salinity, temperature, density), marine ecosystems (food webs, adaptations), and human impacts (pollution, overfishing, climate change). Past papers show that data analysis questions often use real marine scenarios involving temperature, salinity, or population studies.

Do I need to know practical methods for the exam?

Yes. Paper 2 specifically tests practical skills including experimental design, data collection methods, safety procedures, and evaluation of investigations. 

You should understand how to investigate topics like "effect of salinity on density" or "particle profile of shore sediments." While you won't physically perform practicals in the exam, you must demonstrate understanding of practical investigation techniques.

Final Thoughts

Having a complete, exam-board-specific topic list transforms your Marine Science revision from overwhelming to manageable. You now know exactly what to revise and can approach your preparation systematically.

Use this list as your revision roadmap. Work through each topic methodically, ensuring you understand both theoretical concepts and practical investigation skills. Connect related topics to build a comprehensive understanding of how marine systems interact.

Remember that Marine Science is interdisciplinary—concepts from chemistry, biology, and geography all connect in the marine environment. Understanding these connections helps you apply knowledge to unfamiliar exam scenarios.

With focused revision using the official syllabus structure, you'll approach your exams with confidence.

The ocean covers over 70% of our planet—understanding it is both fascinating and essential. Your IGCSE Marine Science studies provide foundations for future scientific study and environmental responsibility. Revise thoroughly, stay curious, and you'll succeed.

References

1. Cambridge IGCSE Marine Science (0697) - Cambridge International (opens in a new tab)

2. Cambridge IGCSE 0697 Marine Science syllabus for examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (opens in a new tab)

3. Save My Exams - IGCSE Marine Science