- 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 course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
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.
Course Structure
| 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 |
| 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 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 |
| 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 |
| 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: Earth's Dynamic Surface is required as a prerequisite in addition to BIOL104 and CHEM102 or CHEM105. | |||
| Total for major at 100-level | 30 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| 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 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| All students majoring in Biological Sciences must take at least four subjects from the following lists. Recommended subject combinations are as follows: | |||
| Option 1: Four of the following subjects: | |||
| BIOL343 | Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018. |
| BIOL340 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018. |
| BIOL362 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018. |
| BIOL341 | Immunity and Infection | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018. |
| CHEM325 | Bioinformatics: Genome, Genes and Biomolecules | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018. |
| Option 2: All of the following subjects: | |||
| BIOL362 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018. |
| BIOL361 | Conservation Biology: Marine and Terrestrial Populations | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018. |
| BIOL365 | Marine and Terrestrial Ecology | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018. |
| MARE360 | Fisheries and Aquaculture | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018. |
| Students interested in studying subjects or combinations outside these options should discuss their choices with a Biological Sciences Course 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.
Special Biology Studies (BIOL292) and Advanced Biology (BIOL364) are 6 credit point project-based subjects and Advanced Biology (BIOL366) is a 12 credit point project-based subject. These subjects are available for high-achieving students wishing to complement their coursework with research projects. Please note, BIOL292 is only available to students in the Dean’s Scholar program. Entry into these subjects requires approval from the Head of School, Biological Sciences.
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