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Major - Biological Sciences

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:

A student may complete a major sequence of 36 units in Biological Sciences by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) and two Year 3 topics (9 units) plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

A student may complete a minor sequence of 22.5 units in Biological Sciences  by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) plus and additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2  or Year 3 Topics listed in the program of study below.

A minor in Biological Sciences is not available to students who commenced the Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7), Bachelor of Arts from 1 January 2019.

A student may complete an extended major sequence in Biological Sciences by completing the prescribed major topics (36 units), plus an additional two topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed below.

An extended major in Biological Sciences is not available to students enrolled in the double Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Course aims

The aim of this major is to provide students with a broad-based foundation in biological science together with the ability to acquire more extensive knowledge in a variety of biology sub-disciplines. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

  • understand and apply relevant scientific principles in a biological sciences context
  • retrieve and present scientific information about biology, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to biology and solve problems
  • appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of biology and engage positively with people and ideas within these disciplines and beyond
  • work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • appreciate the role of biology in society, and the ethical issues that may arise from the science
  • work effectively and productively within a team.

The major provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in biology or another science or non-science related discipline or for a career in biology related fields or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of this major are expected to:

  • know and critically apply theories, subject content, professional methodologies, ethical frameworks and research procedures relevant to biological sciences
  • understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge relating to biology was developed
  • be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
  • design and carry out experiments using appropriate techniques and protocols
  • be able to communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • appreciate that biology is multidisciplinary and has connections to other science and non-science disciplines
  • work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
  • interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals.

Program of study

The following is the program of study for a 36 unit major sequence in Biological Sciences within a Bachelor of Arts and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the BA.

Major - Biological Sciences

Core - Year 1 topics

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)

plus one of

 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)* 
 BIOL1112  Biology and Society  (4.5 units)*

*BIOL1102 enables a greater choice of topics in year 2 or year 3

Option - Year 2 topics

Select 9 units from the year 2 topics listed below

 BIOL2701  Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2702  Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2711  Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2712  Animal Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2721  Foundations of Animal Behaviour  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2722  Disease and Immunology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2731  Aquaculture Nutrition and Water Quality  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2732  Aquaculture Systems and Technology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2742  Marine Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2761  Virology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2771  Biochemistry  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2772  Molecular Biology  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

Select 9 units from the year 3 topics listed below

 BIOL3701  Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3702  Marine and Freshwater Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3703  Vertebrate Palaeontology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3711  Plant and Algal Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3712  Integrative Physiology of Animals and Plants  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3721  Research in Animal Behaviour  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3722  Conservation and Ecological Genetics  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3731  Aquaculture Reproduction  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3732  Aquaculture Health and Product Quality  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3751  Marine Mammals, Birds and Reptiles  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3752  Fisheries Biology, Science and Management  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3761  Foundations in Microbiology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3762  Protein to Proteome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3771  DNA to Genome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3772  Integrating Molecular Biosciences  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3782  Advanced Microbiology: Microbial Ecology and Infectious Disease  (4.5 units)

plus an additional 9 units from the year 2 or 3 topics listed above.

Some year 2 and 3 topics have specific topic prerequisites.  Students will need to be aware of this when planning their programs.

Note: Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary), Bachelor of Health Sciences students undertake an 18 unit teaching minor consisting of: 9 units of Year 1 topics plus 9 units of Year 2 or Year 3 topics (where the entry requirements are met).

Note: The following is the program of study for a 36 unit major sequence in Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the degree in which you are enrolled.

Core - Year 1 topics

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)

 Recommended elective topic

 BIOL1711  Introduction to Animal Behaviour  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 2 topics

Select 13.5 units from the following:

 BIOL2701  Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2702  Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2711  Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2712  Animal Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2721  Foundations of Animal Behaviour  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2722  Disease and Immunology  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

Select 13.5 units from the following:

 BIOL3701  Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3703  Vertebrate Palaeontology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3712  Integrative Physiology of Animals and Plants  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3721  Research in Animal Behaviour*  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3722  Conservation and Ecological Genetics*  (4.5 units)

*require BIOL2702 and BIOL2711 as prerequisites

Honours

Refer to Honours - Biological Sciences

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Last Updated: 01 Nov 2019

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