- 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) (Dean's Scholar)
Testamur Title of Degree: | Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) |
Abbreviation: | BConsBio(Hons)(Dean'sSchol) |
UOW Course Code: | 1779 |
CRICOS Code: | 084842G |
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 / 757628 |
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.
Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all of the same requirements as Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) candidates but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges. Students in this program have the opportunity to undertake individual research subjects and apply for paid research assistantships.
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) (Dean's Scholar) 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.
- Demonstrate broad and comprehensive research skills in investigating problems in conservation biology.
- Generate evidence-based logical solutions to conservation biology problems.
- Use a significant range of technical skills to solve 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, execute and present the findings of 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.
Progression Requirements
To maintain a place in the Dean’s Scholar program, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75% in the 200 and 300 level subjects completed. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Faculty 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 (Honours) or Bachelor of Science degree.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| 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% or 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 2 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 Year 2. | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| 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 Year 1. | |||
| Electives | |||
| Select from the following to total 48 cp at Year 2: | |||
| 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 | Annual, Autumn, Spring, Summer |
| Students wishing to specialise in Conservation Genetics should select: | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL215 | Introductory Genetics | 6 | Spring |
| Year 3 | |||
| Core | |||
| 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 |
| BIOL392 | Advanced Biology | 8 | Autumn, Spring, Summer |
| Select ONE of the following: | |||
| EESC305 | Remote Sensing of the Environment | 8 | Autumn |
| EESC304 | Geographic Information Science | 8 | Spring |
| Year 4 | |||
| 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) (Dean’s Scholar) 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