- 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 Science (Conservation Biology) | 2018
Conservation Biology is the study of the Earth's biodiversity with the aim of being able to manage and protect species and ecosystems.
At UOW, this degree provides the knowledge and skills to understand and develop strategies to minimise the impact of humans on their environment. You will focus on biology, developing skills in evolutionary physiology, conservation biology and ecology of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
At the completion of the degree, students who have met the required academic standard may enrol in the Bachelor of Science (Honours), subject to approval of the Head of School. See separate entry for the Bachelor of Science (Honours).
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this major students 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 for conservation.
- Use their knowledge of the biology of organisms to develop appropriate management policies or research questions.
- Demonstrate skills in analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information.
- Demonstrate rudimentary research skills in investigating problems in conservation biology.
- Exercise critical thinking and independent problem solving in experimental design.
- Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to others in both written and spoken form.
- Apply knowledge and skills of conservation biology to solving current problems in either a professional context or in research.
Course Structure
To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Science (Conservation Biology), a candidate must successfully complete at least 144 credit points, from the table below.
| 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 |
| EESC105 | Introductory Geospatial Analysis | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| Plus ONE of the following two subjects: | |||
| Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105. | |||
| 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 |
| STAT252 | Statistics For the Natural Sciences | 6 | Spring |
| Plus 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 |
| Year 2 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL240 | Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL251 | Principles of Ecology | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A* | 6 | Autumn |
| *MATH151 must be completed by any student who has not completed NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent at Band 4 or higher. | |||
| Spring | |||
| BIOL241 | Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL252 | Evolution and Behaviour | 6 | Spring |
| EESC207 | Advanced Geospatial Analysis | 6 | Spring |
| Plus subjects from the following list to give a total of 48 credit points for Year 2: | |||
| EESC203 | Biogeography and Environmental Change | 6 | Autumn |
| MARE200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 6 | Autumn |
| EESC202 | Shaping Earth's Surface | 6 | Spring |
| PHIL256 | Environmental Philosophy: Animals, Nature and Ethics | 6 | Spring |
| Students wishing to specialise in Conservation Genetics should select subjects from the following list: | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL215 | Introductory Genetics | 6 | Spring |
| Year 3 | |||
| BIOL362 | Ecophysiology | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL361 | Conservation Biology | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL365 | Marine and Terrestrial Ecology | 6 | Spring |
| Plus 30 credit points of subjects from the following list: | |||
| EESC332 | Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironments | 6 | Autumn |
| STAT335 | Sample Surveys and Experimental Design | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL363 | Professional Skills in Ecology | 6 | Spring |
| MARE360 | Fisheries and Aquaculture | 6 | Spring |
| EESC331 | Changing Global Environments | 6 | Spring |
| LAW 381 | Law for Environmental Managers | 6 | Spring |
| Or other subjects as approved by the Course Coordinator | |||
Honours
See separate entry for the Bachelor of Science (Honours).
Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements
Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.
Other Information
For further information please email: smah-students@uow.edu.au