To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:
- Bachelor of Arts - Phasing out major – only available to students who commenced study in the BA prior to 2016
- Bachelor of Arts - Enhanced Program for High Achievers - Phasing out major – only available to students who commenced study in the BA prior to 2016
- Bachelor of Applied Geographical Information Systems - Phasing out major – only available to students who commenced study prior to 2017
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
- Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling), Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling), Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary/Special Education),Bachelor of Disability Studies
- Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7), Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Teaching (Primary R-7)
- Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Teaching (Secondary)
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 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