Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biodiversity and Conservation) - 4 years requires 4 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

Student guidance

Study planner
Program of study overview
Program of study notes

Program of study
144 Units

Year 136 Units
Year 236 Units
Year 336 Units
Year 436 Units
Honours Program36 Units

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
Assumed knowledge
English Language requirements

Aims

The course specialisation aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in biodiversity and conservation biology and allied areas, together with the ability to acquire extensive subject knowledge in the discipline. 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 the area of conservation biology
  • Retrieve and present information about biodiversity and conservation biology effectively, communicate clearly with a variety of audiences in written and spoken forms
  • Critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to biodiversity and conservation biology
  • Appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of studies in biodiversity and Conservation Biology and engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
  • Work cooperatively and productively within a team
  • Work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • Appreciate the societal and ethical contexts of conservation biology, of human impacts on biodiversity and the professional practice of biologists

The Honours Year provides students with advanced skills that are required for planning, funding and carrying out research projects in a specific area. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to: 

  • Understand and apply relevant scientific principles
  • Retrieve and present scientific information, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • Critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • Analyse and evaluate data, appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the science disciplines and engage positively with people and ideas beyond their own discipline area
  • Use information technology, work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • Appreciate the role of science in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises

The course specialisation provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further studies in biodiversity and conservation biology or another science or non-science related discipline, or for a career in this or a related field, or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course you will be able to:
1.
Understand and critically apply the theories, subject content, professional methodologies, ethical frameworks and research procedures relevant to studies of biodiversity and conservation biology
2.
Understand the nature and historical basis of current threats to biological diversity and to understand the nature of conservation actions that can be undertaken to mitigate these threats
3.
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 conducting experiments and statistically analysing data
4.
Undertake studies relating to biodiversity and conservation in both laboratory and field contexts
5.
Communicate and present information clearly and fluently in both written and spoken forms
6.
Appreciate the relationships between studies in biodiversity and conservation biology and other science and non-science disciplines, and appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of many studies in biodiversity and conservation biology
7.
Have the capacity to work and learn independently
8.
Contribute effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals
9.
Appreciate the need for continuing professional development
10.
Critically analyse the scientific literature and use this as a basis for planning research projects
11.
Understand how scientific research is funded
12.
Formulate hypothesises and design appropriate experiments to test them
13.
Use appropriate methods, techniques, equipment and instrumentation to ethically collect scientific data
14.
Use appropriate statistical methods to analyse scientific data
15.
Communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form

Student progression rules

Students achieving a GPA of at least 5 in their last 36 units of study after completing 103.5 units of study will be eligible to continue into fourth year of the course. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will be able to exit with Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity and Conservation) on completion of 108 units according to the first three years of study in the degree.

Associations

Course/Course specialisation association
Course/Exit award association
Honours - Embedded/Bachelor association