Overview

Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environments, which is central to understanding the diversity and organisation of life at the main recognised levels (genes, species and ecosystems). Conservation biology seeks to understand human impacts on these natural patterns and processes, and to devise practical means to … For more content click the Read More button below. You will engage with the key principles of the discipline, underpinning the exploration of the broad range of fascinating and practically important biological questions that can be addressed by the study of biodiversity. Because lecturing staff are also high quality researchers and teaching occurs in advanced laboratory and field settings, the curriculum is able to address the latest methodologies, technologies and analyses. You will be equipped with intellectual, practical and communication skills to gain employment in diverse situations. You may come to engage in research for universities and organisations such as the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial and Research Organisation (CSIRO), or to continue onto more specialised postgraduate studies. You may gain employment developing conservation policy for government environment agencies, in environmental consultancy, work for non-government organisations active in wildlife and habitat management, or helping mining and engineering companies to limit their environmental footprint. You may find your calling in science communication and other forms of outreach. Availability Ecology and conservation biology is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a major, extended major or minor.

Requirements for progressing to honours and other further studies

You must meet the entry requirements for S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours), M5021 Graduate Diploma of Health and Science Research or meet the progression requirements to the fourth year of S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours).

You must also complete prerequisite study as per the intended discipline. Refer to the honours prerequisites table.

Learning outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of your course, and successfully completing this area of study, you will be able to:

1.

Explain the principles underlying ecological and evolutionary interactions between organisms and their environment

2.

Describe the application of those principles to conservation management, complemented by an appreciation of the role and relevance of ecology in society, in particular in connection with the significant role of biodiversity in sustaining life on our planet

3.

Demonstrate problem-solving by applying analytical and practical ecological skills in diverse environments, encompassing working with plants and animals, designing and implementing laboratory and field methods for their study, and conducting analyses concerned with testing ideas at ecological levels from genes to species to ecosystems

Requirements
72 credit points

Level 1 science sequence12 credit points

Contacts

Coordinator(s)

Professor Paul Sunnucks