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.Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all of the same requirements as Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) candidates but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges.
Students in this program have the opportunity to undertake individual research subjects and apply for paid research assistantships.
To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), candidates must satisfactorily complete 192 credit points as set out in the table below.
Note:
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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.
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Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.
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Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 300-level core subjects
Year 1
Autumn
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
BIOL104
|
Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment
|
6
|
Autumn
|
|
BIOL105
|
Functional Biology of Animals and Plants
|
6
|
Autumn
|
|
EESC105
|
Introductory Geospatial Analysis
|
6
|
Autumn, Spring
|
Please select 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 CHEM101and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104and CHEM105.
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
CHEM101
|
Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry
|
6
|
Autumn
|
|
CHEM104
|
Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter
|
6
|
Autumn
|
Spring
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
BIOL103
|
Molecules, Cells and Organisms
|
6
|
Spring
|
|
SCIE103
|
Climate Change
|
6
|
Spring
|
|
STAT252
|
Statistics For the Natural Sciences
|
6
|
Spring
|
Please select ONE of the following two subjects:
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
CHEM102
|
Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life
|
6
|
Spring
|
|
CHEM105
|
Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures
|
6
|
Spring
|
Year 2
Autumn
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
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
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
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:
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
BIOL292
|
Special Biology Studies
|
6
|
Not available in 2020
|
|
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:
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
BIOL213
|
Principles of Biochemistry
|
6
|
Autumn
|
|
BIOL215
|
Introductory Genetics
|
6
|
Spring
|
Year 3
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
BIOL360
|
Applications in Conservation Biology
|
6
|
Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
|
|
BIOL362
|
Ecophysiology
|
6
|
Autumn
|
|
BIOL361
|
Conservation Biology
|
6
|
Autumn
|
|
BIOL365
|
Marine and Terrestrial Ecology
|
6
|
Spring
|
Plus 24 credit points of subjects from the following list:
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
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
|
Students wishing to specialise in Conservation Genetics, should select subjects from the following list:
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
BIOL343
|
Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research
|
6
|
Autumn
|
|
CHEM325
|
Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules
|
6
|
Spring
|
Or other subjects as approved by the Coordinator.
Year 4
Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below.
|
Subject Code
|
Subject Name
|
Credit Points
|
Session(s)
|
|
BIOL410
|
Conservation Biology Project
|
48
|
SMAH Annual
|
|
BIOL416
|
Conservation Biology Project (Part-Time)
|
24
|
SMAH Annual
|
To maintain a place in the Dean’s Scholar program, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75% in the 200 and 300 level subjects completed. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Faculty after the completion of 72 credit points. Students not meeting the minimum progression requirements will be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Honours) or Bachelor of Science degree.
Honours
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 Demonstrate broad and comprehensive research skills in investigating problems in conservation biology.
5 Generate evidence-based logical solutions to conservation biology problems.
6 Use a significant range of technical skills to solve problems in conservation biology.
7 Exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing and applying new understanding.
8 Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to a variety of audiences.
9 Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt conservation biology knowledge and skills that can be applied to professional practice and research.
10 Independently plan, execute and present the findings of a project/piece of research to an area of conservation biology.
