Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours)

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.

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours), candidates must satisfactorily complete 192 credit points, as set out in the table below.

Note:

• 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 have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 300-level core subjects.
• 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% of 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, Summer 2020/2021
• *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 Autumn, 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
• SCIP211 Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences Research Internship 6 Annual, Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
• 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
• BIOL360 Applications in Conservation Biology 6 Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
• BIOL365 Marine and Terrestrial Ecology 6 Spring
• Plus 24 cp from the following list:
• SCIP310 Advanced Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences Project 6 Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
• EESC332 Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironments 6 Not available in 2020
• STAT335 Sample Surveys and Experimental Design 6 Autumn
• BIOL363 Professional Skills in Ecology 6 Not available in 2020
• MARE360 Fisheries and Aquaculture 6 Spring
• EESC331 Changing Global Environments 6 Spring
• LAW 381 Law for Environmental Managers 6 Spring
• Or other subjects approved by the degree coordinator.
• 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 Not available in 2020
• BIOL416 Conservation Biology Project (Part-Time) 24 Not available in 2020

Note: Students may be required to contribute to food, transport and accommodation costs associated with the provision of field trips that form part of the course of study.

Progression Requirements

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description 1 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. 2 Apply detailed knowledge of the biology of organisms to develop and implement appropriate management strategies and research investigations. 3 Demonstrate a high level of skill in analysing, interpreting and synthesising data and other information. 4 Use a range of technical skills to solve problems in conservation biology 5 Demonstrate sound research skills in investigating problems in conservation biology. 6 Exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing and applying new understanding. 7 Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to a variety of audiences. 8 Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt conservation biology knowledge and skills that can be applied to professional practice and research. 9 Independently plan and execute a project/piece of research to an area of conservation biology.