Faculty of Science
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Bachelor of Conservation Biology

Bachelor of Conservation Biology Advanced

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Conservation Biology,
Bachelor of Conservation Biology Advanced

Abbreviation:

BConsBio,
BConsBioAdv

Home Faculty:

Science

Duration:

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Total Credit Points:

192

Delivery Mode:

On campus (Face-to-face)

Starting Session(s):

Autumn

Location:

Wollongong

UOW Course Code:

327, 328

UAC Code:

757627, 757628

CRICOS Code:

075254B , 075255A

Overview

Conservation Biology at UOW is a practical degree aimed at producing graduates who (i) have the knowledge and skills to understand and develop strategies to minimise the impact of humans on their environment; and (ii) are capable of undertaking postgraduate research to become accomplished conservation biologists.

Studies in Biology combined with subjects in chemistry and earth and environmental sciences in first year lead to second-year studies that provide students with an understanding of how organisms function, plant and animal ecology, and landscape science. Third-year subjects focus on research training and experience in conservation biology and ecology. These should provide students with significant breadth in their research experience in preparation for the Honours year.

A significant component involves experience in how research skills are incorporated into policy and management of biodiversity through contact with practising conservation biologists in both government and non-government agencies. Training in research methodology is carried out with researchers from the Institute for Conservation Biology and Environmental Management located at UOW. In addition, graduates develop additional skills in conservation management to improve their capacity to contribute to conservation.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor of Conservation Biology (327)

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 85 (or equivalent). The ATAR is reviewed each year.

Bachelor of Conservation Biology Advanced (328)

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 95 (or equivalent). The ATAR is reviewed each year.

Assumed Knowledge

Four units of Science (including Biology or Chemistry) or four units comprising Science and Mathematics. Students who have not completed Biology and/or Chemistry at the HSC are strongly recommended to enrol in bridging courses offered in February each year.

Faculty of Science Mathematics Requirement

Students without at least HSC Mathematics Band 4 (or equivalent) are required to take a Mathematics subject (usually MATH151) in the first year.

Course Requirements

Bachelor of Conservation Biology (327)

This is a prescribed program of study comprising core and optional subjects as set out below.

Progression Requirements

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (normally a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% or greater in 300-level subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Conservation Biology degree. Students with an average below 65% in 300-level subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Conservation Biology with the approval of the Conservation Biology Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Conservation Biology degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Conservation Biology) degree.

Bachelor of Conservation Biology Advanced (328)

Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all of the same requirements as Bachelor of Conservation Biology candidates but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges. Advanced students have the opportunity to undertake individual research subjects and apply for paid research assistantships.

Progression Requirements

To maintain a place in an Advanced degree, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75%. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Associate Dean after the completion of 72 credit points. Students not meeting the minimum progression requirements will be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Conservation Biology or Bachelor of Science degree.

For further information refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Science Advanced (741A) and consult the Degree Coordinator.

SCIE000 Science Risk Management

All students are required to complete SCIE000 Science Risk Management in their first session of candidature. SCIE000 is a 0 cp eLearning subject providing an introduction to occupational health and safety for all students studying science subjects. Completing the eLearning modules should take approximately 1 hour.

Course Program

Subjects

Session

Credit Points

First Year

SCIE000

Science Risk Management

Autumn

0

BIOL104

Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment

Autumn

6

BIOL105

Functional Biology of Animals and Plants

Autumn

6

CHEM101

Chemistry 1A:Introductory Physical and General Chemistry

Autumn

6

MATH151

General Mathematics 1A (if required)

Autumn

6

BIOL103

Molecules, Cells and Organisms

Spring

6

CHEM102

Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life

Spring

6

SCIE103

Climate Change

Spring

6

Recommended Electives: Select one or two to total 48 cp at 1st Year.
Note: EESC103 Landscape Change and Climatology is a pre-requisite for MARE200.

EESC103

Landscape Change and Climatology

Autumn

6

EESC104

The Human Environment: Problems and Change

Spring

6

STAT252

Statistics for the Natural Sciences*

Spring

6

 

* Recommended to enable more research choices in 2nd Year

 

Second Year

BIOL240

Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms

Autumn

6

BIOL251

Principles of Ecology

Autumn

6

EESC204

Introductory Spatial Science

Autumn or Spring

6

BIOL241

Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms

Spring

6

BIOL252

Evolution and Behaviour

Spring

6

STAT252

Statistics for the Natural Sciences*

Spring

6

 

* If not completed in 1st Year

 

Electives
Select from the following to total 48 cp at 2nd Year

BIOL292

Special Biology Studies

Autumn or Spring

6

EESC203

Biogeography and Environmental Change

Autumn

6

MARE200

Introduction to Oceanography

Autumn

6

EESC202

Soils, Landscapes and Hydrology

Spring

6

SCIE292

Science Research Internship*

Autumn, Spring or Summer

6

 

*SCI392 is not available to students who have completed SCIE292 in 2nd Year

Students wishing to specialise in Conservation Genetics should select

BIOL213

Principles of Biochemistry

Autumn

6

BIOL215

Introductory Genetics

Spring

6

Third Year

Core

BIOL300

Focus on Conservation

Autumn, Spring or Summer

8

BIOL332

Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology

Autumn

8

BIOL351

Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations

Autumn

8

EESC305

Remote Sensing of the Environment

Autumn

8

or

     

EESC304

Geographic Information Science

Spring

8

BIOL355

Marine and Terrestrial Ecology

Spring

8

Electives
Select ONE elective

BIOL392

Advanced Biology

Autumn, Spring or Summer

8

SCIE392

Science Research Internship*

Autumn, Spring or Summer

8

 

*SCI392 is not available to students who have completed SCIE292

EESC305

Remote Sensing of the Environment

Autumn

8

STAT355

Sample Surveys and Experimental Design (with Project)

Autumn

8

EESC304

Geographic Information Science

Spring

8

LAW 380

Law for Environmental Managers

Spring

8

MARE300

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Spring

8

MARE357

Advances in Molluscan Biology

Not offered in 2012

8

or one other subject approved by the degree coordinator

Fourth Year

BIOL411

Conservation Biology Project

Annual

36

BIOL412

Conservation Biology Honours: Project Design and Planning

Autumn

12

Honours

The degrees of Bachelor of Conservation Biology Honours and Bachelor of Conservation Biology Advanced Honours are awarded for performance in third and fourth year subjects, based on a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) formula.

Professional Recognition

Graduates may qualify to apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Biology.

Contact Information

The Degree Coordinator is Professor Kristine French - School of Biological Sciences, telephone + 61 2 4221 3655, email: kris@uow.edu.au