Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
The general aim of the courses offered by the School of Biological Sciences is to provide students, regardless of previous background, with a basic understanding of the major principles, concepts and technologies of modern Biology. A major in Biological Sciences can be taken in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, comparative physiology, terrestrial ecology, marine biology, evolutionary biology and environmental biology.
Major Study
First year (BIOL103, 104) is a general, self-contained introduction to Biology as well as essential background for future years. Students wishing to major in Biological Sciences must also take both first year Chemistry subjects. Students are required to take four 200-level Biological Sciences subjects selected from the seven available. Note prerequisites for third year subjects when selecting the combination of second year subjects. Students proceeding to a Biological Sciences major are strongly encouraged to take more than the minimum array of Biological Sciences subjects, especially at second year.
Second Majors
Second majors with other Academic Units are also available. In particular, students interested in Biochemistry may take a second major in Chemistry; students interested in Ecology should consider a second major in Physical Geography; and students interested in comparative physiology should consider subjects from the Health and Behavioural Sciences schedule.
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Subjects
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Session
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Credit Points
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100-Level
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BIOL103
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Molecules, Cells and Organisms
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Spring
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6
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BIOL104
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Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment
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Autumn
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6
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CHEM101
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Chemistry 1A: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry
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Autumn
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6
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CHEM102
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Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life
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Spring
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6
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Total for major at 100-level
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24
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MATH151
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General Mathematics 1A (if required)
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Autumn or Summer
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6
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Note: Students wishing to take MARE200 should note that either EESC102: Earth Environments and Resources or EESC112: Landscape Change and Climatology is required as a prerequisite in addition to BIOL104 and CHEM102.
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200-Level
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24 credit points from the following Biological Sciences subjects plus Statistics
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BIOL213
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Principles of Biochemistry
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Autumn
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6
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BIOL214
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The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism
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Spring
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6
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BIOL215
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Introductory Genetics
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Spring
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6
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BIOL240
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Functional Biology of Plants and Animals
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Autumn
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6
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BIOL241
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Biodiversity: Classification and Sampling
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Spring
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6
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BIOL251
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Principles of Ecology and Evolution
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Autumn
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6
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MARE200
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Introduction to Oceanography
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Autumn
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6
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STAT252
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Statistics for Natural Sciences
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Spring
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6
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Total for major at 200-level
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30
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Note: When selecting 200-level subjects students should note the pre-requisites required for the 300-level subjects they wish to take. For example, students wishing to take MARE300 should note that either BIOL351 or BIOL355 is required as a prerequisite in addition to STAT252.
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300-Level
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All students majoring in Biological Sciences must take at least three 300-level subjects from the following lists. Recommended subject combinations are as follows:
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Option 1: Choose any three subjects from the following five subjects:
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BIOL303
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Biotechnology: Applied Cell and Molecular Biology
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Autumn
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8
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BIOL320
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Molecular Cell Biology
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Autumn
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8
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BIOL321
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Infection and Immunity
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Spring
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8
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BIOL332
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Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology
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Autumn
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8
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CHEM320
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Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure
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Spring
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8
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Option 2: Choose any three subjects from the following four subjects:
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BIOL332
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Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology
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Autumn
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8
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BIOL351
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Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations
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Autumn
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8
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BIOL355
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Marine and Terrestrial Ecology
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Spring
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8
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MARE300
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Fisheries and Aquaculture
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Spring
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8
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Students interested in including subjects outside of these combinations should discuss their choices with an Academic Advisor.
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Total for major at 300-level
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24
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Sub-total for major
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78
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Plus additional subjects chosen from the Science Schedule
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12
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Total for major
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90
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Plus elective subjects chosen from the Science or General Schedules
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54
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Degree Total
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144
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Honours
Students may apply to enrol in an Honours degree, Bachelor of Science (Honours) (741), after the requirements of the pass degree have been fulfilled, normally at the prescribed academic standard. This standard is normally a credit average in a Biological Sciences major. Admission to Honours is by recommendation of the Head of School and approval of the Dean or Associate Dean.
Other Information
Notes on Biological Sciences major:
1. A fourth Biological Sciences 200-level subject may be waived for students taking a double major.
2. A Mathematics or Statistics subject acceptable to the School of Biological Sciences may be substituted for STAT252.
3. STAT252 may be waived for some programs combining 300-level Biological Sciences and another approved discipline.
Advanced Biology (BIOL392) is an 8-credit point project-based subject and Advanced Biology (BIOL391) is a 16-credit point project-based subject. These two subjects are available for high-achieving students wishing to complement their coursework with research projects. Entry into these subjects is by permission of the Coordinator and requires a distinction average or higher performance in subjects pertinent to the intended area of research, as approved by the Head of School.
Critical Issues in Research (BIOL394) is an 8-credit point seminar-based subject which provides an opportunity for high-performing students to engage in critical discussions of research topics being undertaken by academic staff in Biological Sciences. Students enrolling in this subject must have a distinction or higher average in Biological Sciences subjects and approval by the Head of School.
An elective subject, MARE357 - Advances in Molluscan Biology, is offered in Summer Session for students wishing to gain additional field experience.
The Degree Coordinator is Dr Mark Dowton - School of Biological Sciences, Room 35.108A, telephone (02) 4221 5653.
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