- 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 (Biological Sciences)
The science of biology is the study of living things from organic molecules to cells, individual organisms, populations and communities. Field and laboratory studies are built into appropriate subjects at all levels and take advantage of the superb local marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments on the South Coast and inland regions.
A major in Biological Sciences can be taken in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, comparative physiology, terrestrial ecology, marine biology, evolutional biology and environmental biology.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge in the principles and concepts associated with biological sciences.
- Analyse and synthesise data, methodologies and other information.
- Demonstrate how knowledge and skills in biological sciences can be applied in experimental projects and through the authoring of scientific works.
- Demonstrate skills in experimental design and performance.
- Exercise critical thinking and independent problem solving.
- Communicate clearly and coherently knowledge and ideas to others.
- Analyse recent international developments in broad fields of the sciences and an appreciation of global concepts and perspectives.
Course Structure
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100-Level | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL104 | Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| Select ONE of the following 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 |
| Select ONE of the following subjects: | |||
| CHEM102 | Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM105 | Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures | 6 | Spring |
| Total for major at 100-level | 30 | ||
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A (if required)* | 6 | Autumn |
| * Students should consider enrolling in STAT252 in Spring Session of First Year if MATH151 is not required. | |||
| Note: Students wishing to take MARE200 should note that either EESC102: Earth Environments and Resources OR EESC103: Landscape Change and Climatology is required as a prerequisite in addition to BIOL104 and CHEM102 or CHEM105. | |||
| 200-Level | |||
| 24 credit points from the following Biological Sciences subjects plus Statistics | |||
| Note: When selecting 200-level subjects students should note the pre-requisites required for the 300-level subjects they wish to take. | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL240 | Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL251 | Principles of Ecology | 6 | Autumn |
| MARE200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL214 | The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL215 | Introductory Genetics | 6 | 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 First Year | |||
| Total for major at 200-level | 30 | ||
| 300-Level | |||
| All students majoring in Biological Sciences must take at least three 300-level subjects from the following lists. Recommended subject combinations are as follows: | |||
| Option 1: Choose any three subjects from the following five subjects: | |||
| BIOL303 | Biotechnology: Applied Cell and Molecular Biology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL320 | Molecular Cell Biology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL332 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL321 | Infection and Immunity | 8 | Spring |
| CHEM320 | Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure | 8 | Spring |
| Option 2: Choose any three subjects from the following four subjects: | |||
| BIOL332 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL351 | Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL355 | Marine and Terrestrial Ecology | 8 | Spring |
| MARE300 | Fisheries and Aquaculture | 8 | Spring |
| Students interested in including subjects outside of these combinations should discuss their choices with an Academic Advisor. | |||
| Total for major at 300-level | 24 | ||
| Sub-total for major | 84 | ||
| Plus additional subjects chosen from the Science Schedule | 6 | ||
| Total for major | 90 | ||
| Plus elective subjects chosen from the Science or General Schedules | 54 | ||
| Degree Total | 144 | ||
^ A Mathematics or Statistics subject acceptable to the School may be substituted for STAT252.
Advanced Biology (BIOL392) is an 8 credit point project-based subject and Advanced Biology (BIOL391) is a 16 credit point project-based subject. These two subjects are available for high-achieving students wishing to complement their coursework with research projects. Entry into these subjects is by permission of the Coordinator and requires a distinction average or higher performance in subjects pertinent to the intended area of research, as approved by the Head of School.
Honours
See separate entry for the Bachelor of Science (Honours).
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