- 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 (Honours)
Testamur Title of Degree: | Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) |
Abbreviation: | BConsBio(Hons) |
UOW Course Code: | 1778 |
CRICOS Code: | 084861D |
Total Credit Points: | 192 |
Duration: | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Home Faculty: | Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health |
Intake Session(s): | Autumn |
Delivery Mode: | On campus (Face-to-face) |
Delivery Campus/UAC Code: | Wollongong / 757627 |
Additional Information: |
Overview
Conservation Biology at UOW is a practical degree aimed at producing graduates who have the knowledge and skills to understand and develop strategies to minimise the impact of humans on their environment and 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 providing 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 conservation biology researchers from the School of Biological Sciences at UOW.
In addition, graduates develop additional skills in conservation management to improve their capacity to contribute to conservation.
Entry Requirements
Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) will be able to:
- Exercise critical thinking and judgement in applying conservation concepts and knowledge of biological systems to inform the implementation and development of policies and directions for conservation.
- Apply detailed knowledge of the biology of organisms to develop and implement appropriate management strategies and research investigations.
- Demonstrate a high level of skill in analysing, interpreting and synthesising data and other information.
- Use a range of technical skills to solve problems in conservation biology
- Demonstrate sound research skills in investigating problems in conservation biology.
- Exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing and applying new understanding.
- Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt conservation biology knowledge and skills that can be applied to professional practice and research.
- Independently plan and execute a project/piece of research to an area of conservation biology.
Course Structure
Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.
Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.
Students must complete a minimum of 32 credit points of 300-level subjects.
Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in at least 24 credit points of 300-level core subjects which form part of a Science major.
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 (Honours) degree. Students with an average below 70% in 300-level subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) with the approval of the Conservation Biology Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Conservation Biology) degree.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year | |||
| AUTUMN | |||
| BIOL104 | Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A | 6 | Autumn |
| Please select one of the following 2 subjects: | |||
| Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% of more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101. All other students must select CHEM104. | |||
| CHEM101 | Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM104 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter | 6 | Autumn |
| SPRING | |||
| BIOL103 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| SCIE103 | Climate Change | 6 | Spring |
| Please select one of the following two subjects: | |||
| CHEM102 | Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM105 | Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures | 6 | Spring |
| 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 | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG122 | Human Geography II: Living in a Material World | 6 | Spring |
| STAT252 | Statistics For the Natural Sciences* | 6 | Spring |
| * Recommended to enable more research choices in 2nd Year. | |||
| Second Year | |||
| BIOL240 | Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL251 | Principles of Ecology | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC204 | Introductory Spatial Science | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| BIOL241 | Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL252 | Evolution and Behaviour | 6 | Spring |
| STAT252 | Statistics For the Natural Sciences** | 6 | Spring |
| ** If not completed in 1st Year. | |||
| Electives: Select from the following to total 48 cp at 2nd Year. | |||
| BIOL292 | Special Biology Studies | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| EESC203 | Biogeography and Environmental Change | 6 | Autumn |
| MARE200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC202 | Shaping Earth's Surface | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL232 | Science Research Internship# | 6 | Autumn, Spring, Summer |
| #SCIE392 is not available to students who have completed BIOL232 in 2nd Year. | |||
| Students wishing to specialise in Conservation Genetics should select: | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL215 | Introductory Genetics | 6 | Spring |
| Third Year | |||
| BIOL300 | Focus on Conservation | 8 | Autumn, Spring, Summer |
| BIOL332 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL351 | Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL355 | Marine and Terrestrial Ecology | 8 | Spring |
| Please select one of the following two subjects: | |||
| EESC305 | Remote Sensing of the Environment | 8 | Autumn |
| EESC304 | Geographic Information Science | 8 | Spring |
| Electives: Please select ONE elective. | |||
| BIOL392 | Advanced Biology | 8 | Autumn, Spring, Summer |
| SCIE392 | Science Research Internship B## | 8 | Annual, Autumn, Spring, Summer |
| ##SCIE392 is not available to students who have complete BIOL232. | |||
| EESC305 | Remote Sensing of the Environment | 8 | Autumn |
| STAT355 | Sample Surveys and Experimental Design (with Project) | 8 | Autumn |
| EESC304 | Geographic Information Science | 8 | Spring |
| LAW 380 | Law for Environmental Managers | 8 | Spring |
| MARE300 | Fisheries and Aquaculture | 8 | Spring |
| MARE357 | Advances in Molluscan Biology | 8 | Not Available in 2015 |
| or one other subject approved by the degree coordinator. | |||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below. | |||
| BIOL410 | Conservation Biology Project | 48 | Annual, Spring/Autumn |
| BIOL416 | Conservation Biology Project (Part-Time) | 24 | Annual, Spring/Autumn |
Honours
The Honours grade for the degree of Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) will be calculated in accordance with Method 1 defined in the General Course Rules Section 8.
Credit arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au