- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Bachelor of Conservation Biology
Bachelor of Conservation Biology Advanced
Testamur Title of Degree: |
Bachelor of Conservation Biology, |
Abbreviation: |
BConsBio, |
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. | |||
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 | |||
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 | |||
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