1999 Science Handbook - Biological sciences (Genetics, ecology and evolutionary biology)

Biological sciences (Genetics, ecology and evolutionary biology)

Ecology and evolutionary biology
- Discipline objectives
Genetics
- Discipline objectives
The discipline
First year
Second year
Third year
Fourth year
- BIO4000 Ecology and evolutionary biology honours
- GEN4000 Genetics honours

Ecology and evolutionary biology

Discipline objectives

Students with interests in plant and animal biology and ecology will at the completion of their studies understand:
the basic biology of plant and animal systems from the cell to the level of the whole organism and the basic metabolic processes that control them;
the relationships between structure and function of plants and animals at different levels of organisation;
the complexity of ecological interactions between organisms and their environment;
the diversity of plant and animal life in the context of evolutionary theory;
the nature of the plants and animals that characterise the Australian flora and fauna and the essential features of Australian ecosystems;
freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems through theoretical, practical and field studies.

Genetics has expanded considerably over the last few decades. The techniques of recombinant DNA manipulation have provided new procedures for the study of genes from all organisms. The study of genetics will provide students with:

an understanding of the nature of genetic variation in organisms ranging in scale from bacteria to humans;
an understanding of genetic theory and its implications in modern evolutionary problems;
the application of genetics to a wide range of biological and medical problems;
experience in using new genetic techniques as well as an understanding of the roles that genes play in the development and reproduction of organisms;
an understanding of how genetics has facilitated the development of genetic engineering problems in medicine, industry and agriculture.

The discipline

The Department of Biological Sciences offers subjects for students intending to major in botany, zoology or genetics and a variety of biological subjects for students enrolled in the BBiomedSci, BSc (Environmental) or BEnvSci. The subjects may be combined with subjects from other departments such as Chemistry, Microbiology, Physiology, Geography and Environmental Science, Biochemistry, Earth Sciences etc.
In the first year, students undertake subjects in biology, ie BIO1011 and BIO1022 or BIO1042. In the second year students have the choice of majors in botany, zoology, genetics and environmental biology. Students continuing into third year will enrol in the subjects GEN3011 and GEN3022 if majoring in genetics. If majoring in plant or animal sciences or environmental science, students will enrol in an appropriate combination selected from nine other subjects: BIO3011, BIO3021, BIO3041, BIO3081, BIO3052, BIO3072, BIO3092, BIO3112 or BIO3122. Students may undertake a fourth year of study for a BSc honours degree in a course combining studies of advanced topics with a research program under supervision.

First year

The Department of Biological Sciences offers three six-point first-year subjects: BIO1011 in first semester is followed by either BIO1022 or BIO1042 in second semester. The combination BIO1011 with BIO1022 is a general first-year Biology study. BIO1042 emphasises environmental aspects of biology. A complete twelve-point, two-semester sequence in Biology at first-year level is a prerequisite for the second-year subjects: BOT2041, BOT2032, GEN2011, GEN2022, ZOO2031, ZOO2042.

Second year

The Department of Biological Sciences offers second-year subjects covering genetics, botany, zoology, ecology, evolution and conservation biology. First-year students planning to take second-year subjects in subsequent years should take note of first-year prerequisites for second-year subjects, as indicated below.
Various combinations of second-year subjects are possible. Students are recommended to take one or more of the preferred combinations listed below that focus on different sub-disciplines of the biological sciences.
1 For students with a strong interest in genetics: GEN2011 (Genetic principles I - from chromosomes to populations) plus GEN2022 (Genetic principles II - fundamentals of genetic engineering).
2 For students with a strong interest in plant sciences (botany): BOT2032 + BOT2041 + BIO2011 + BIO2022.
3 For students with a strong interest in animal sciences (zoology): ZOO2031 + ZOO2042 + BIO2011 + BIO2022.
4 For students with a strong interest in environmental sciences: BIO2011 + BIO2031 + BIO2042 + one other BOT, BIO or ZOO subject.
Students enrolling in both botany and zoology streams should take BOT2041, BOT2032, ZOO2031, ZOO2042, BIO2011 and BIO2022.
Students enrolling in botany and environmental sciences should take BOT2041, BOT2032, BIO2011, BIO2022, BIO2031 and BIO2042.
Students enrolling in zoology and environmental sciences should take ZOO2031, ZOO2042, BIO2011, BIO2022, BIO2031 and BIO2042.
Students wishing to enrol in other combinations of subjects are strongly advised to discuss their proposed course plan with a subject coordinator.
Any student who intends to enrol in third-year subjects offered by the Department of Biological Sciences must have passed subjects, offered by the department, with a total value of at least sixteen points at second-year level. BSc(Env) students must have passed subjects with a total value of twelve points at second-year level. Details concerning specific prerequisites for third-year subjects are given in the third-year subject descriptions.

Third year

The Department of Biological Sciences offers two twelve-point third-year subjects in genetics, GEN3011 (Molecular, developmental applied genetics) and GEN3022 (Human and population genetics). The Department also offers nine six-point third-year subject comprising BIO3011 (Research methods in biology), BIO3021 (Marine biology), BIO3041 (Mammalian biology), BIO3052 (Animal behaviour), BIO3072 (Animal ecophysiology), BIO3081 (Plant responses to the environment), BIO3092 (Ecology and evolution of the Australian vegetation), BIO3112 (Ecological management of biological resources) and BIO3122 (Freshwater ecology).
As a general rule the prerequisite for each of these third-year subjects is for students to have obtained a minimum of at least sixteen points (twelve points for BSc(Env) students only) at second-year level from subjects offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. Students should please note, however, that some third-year subjects do have some specific second-year subjects as prerequisites. Details of these are given in the subject descriptions.
Please note that students wishing to proceed to BIO4000 (Honours in ecology and evolutionary biology) are expected to take BIO3011 (Research methods in biology).

Fourth year

BIO4000 Ecology and evolutionary biology honours

GEN4000 Genetics honours

Students with a good academic record and at least a credit in subjects worth twenty-four points at third-year level may apply to enrol in an honours year (BIO4000 or GEN4000). Students undertake supervised research, present research seminars, participate in discussion groups, and submit essays on advanced topics. Special studies may be included to meet the needs of individual students. Students in BIO4000 may commence the honours year at the beginning of either semester. Students in GEN4000 start at the beginning of first semester. Further information is available from the head of department and at meetings held with prospective students during second semester.