- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
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Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) (Biological Sciences) | 2018
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.
You will study the major principles, concepts and technologies of modern Biology, including types of organisms, their classification and lifestyles; ecology of populations and communities; evolutionary biology and the origin of species.
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.
Mid-year entry for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) (Biological Sciences) must be in consultation with the Head of the School. The minimum duration to complete the degree, if the program is commenced mid-year, is 4½ years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this major students will be able to:
- Integrate coherent and advanced knowledge of principles and concepts associated with biological sciences.
- Demonstrate technical and cognitive skills in reviewing, analysing and synthesising data, methodologies and other information to independently generate solutions to complex problems.
- Exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing and applying new understanding in biological sciences.
- Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt knowledge and skills that can be applied in research and/or scholarship associated with biological sciences.
- Independently plan, execute and communicate the findings of a project/piece of research in relation to an aspect of biological sciences.
- Apply knowledge of research principles and methods in experimental projects in biological sciences and through the authoring of scientific works.
Course Structure
To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) (Biological Sciences), a candidate must successfully complete at least 192 credit points as outlined 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 |
| 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 |
| Total for major at Year 1 | 30 | ||
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A* | 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. | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| STAT252 | Statistics For the Natural Sciences** | 6 | Spring |
| Plus 24 credit points of subjects from the following list: | |||
| 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 |
| **If not completed in Year 1 | |||
| Total for major at Year 2 | 30 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| All students majoring in Biological Sciences must take at least four 300-level subjects from the following lists. Recommended subject combinations are as follows: | |||
| Option 1: Choose Four of the following subjects: | |||
| BIOL343 | Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL340 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL362 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL341 | Immunity and Infection | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL342 | Biomedical Research Skills and Techniques | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM325 | Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules | 6 | Spring |
| Option 2: Choose Four of the following subjects: | |||
| BIOL362 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL361 | Conservation Biology | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL363 | Professional Skills in Ecology | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL365 | Marine and Terrestrial Biology | 6 | Spring |
| MARE360 | Fisheries and Aquaculture | 6 | Spring |
| Total for major at Year 3 | 24 | ||
| Students interested in studying subjects or combinations outside these options should discuss their choices with a Biological Sciences Course Advisor. | |||
| Year 4 | |||
| Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below. | |||
| BIOL401 | Biology Honours | 48 | |
| BIOL407 | Biology Honours (Part-Time) | 24 | |
| Total for major at Year 4 | 48 | ||
| Sub-total for major | 132 | ||
| Plus additional subjects chosen from the Science Schedule | 6 | ||
| Total for major | 138 | ||
| Plus elective subjects chosen from the Science or General Schedules | 54 | ||
| Degree Total | 192 | ||
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.
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