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Monash University

Biological sciences - Faculty of Science

Contact: Associate Professor Jenny Read (School of Biological Sciences)

The discipline

Biology is the study of life processes and living organisms. It is concerned with microbes, plants and animals, and their structure, function, development, evolution and ecology.

The School of Biological Sciences offers students a choice of units leading to a double major (72 points), a major (48 points), or a minor sequence (24 points) in the following sub-disciplines: biology, biotechnology, ecology, environmental and conservation biology, genetics, marine and freshwater biology, molecular biology, plant sciences, and zoology. Many of the units are suitable for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science or Bachelor of Environmental Science, and many units may be sensibly combined with units from other fields of study such as chemistry, microbiology, physiology, geography and environmental science, biochemistry or geosciences, to provide valuable training for particular career paths.

Students may undertake a fourth year of study for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in a course combining studies of advanced topics with a research program under supervision.

Units offered

Level one

Level two

  • BIO2011 Ecology
  • BIO2022 Evolution and systematics
  • BIO2031 Biodiversity and bioresources
  • BIO2042 Conservation biology
  • BIO2181 Evolution of plant diversity
  • BIO2231 Animal diversity
  • BIO2242 Animal structure and function
  • BIO2282 Plant form and function
  • GEN2041 Foundations of genetics
  • GEN2052 Human and population genetics
  • MOL2011 Molecular biology: genes and their expression
  • MOL2022 Molecular biology: gene technology and its application

Level three

  • BIO3011 Research methods in biology
  • BIO3021 Marine biology
  • BIO3052 Animal behaviour
  • BIO3082 Plant responses to the environment
  • BIO3091 Ecology and evolution of the Australian vegetation
  • BIO3111 Ecological management of biological resources
  • BIO3122 Freshwater ecology
  • BIO3132 Biology of Australian vertebrates
  • BIO3990 Biology in action research project
  • BTH3611 Plant and cellular biotechnology
  • GEN3030 Genetics of development
  • GEN3040 Genomics and molecular genetics
  • GEN3051 Medical genetics and forensic biology
  • GEN3062 Conservation and ecological genetics
  • GEN3990 Genetics in action research project
  • SCM3022 Tropical terrestrial biology

Sequence requirements

Minor sequence in biology (24 points)

Major sequence in biology (48 points)

  • BIO1011, and either BIO1022 or BIO1042
  • at least 12 points of BIO, GEN or MOL units at level two
  • at least 18 points of BIO or GEN units at level three, BTH3611 or SCM3022
  • any remaining points to be made up from BIO or GEN units at level two or three

The unit BIO3011 Research methods in biology is a prerequisite for admission to honours.

Minor and major sequences are also offered in the sub-disciplines of biotechnology, ecology, environmental and conservation biology, genetics, marine and freshwater biology, molecular biology, plant sciences and zoology. For details and contacts regarding these sub-disciplines refer to the entry for each area of study in this section of the handbook.

Recommendations

Level one

The School of Biological Sciences offers three 6-point units at level one: BIO1011 in first semester is followed by either BIO1022 or BIO1042 in second semester. BIO1022 emphasises genetics, microbiology and animal biology, while BIO1042 emphasises environmental aspects of biology. A 12-point sequence in biology at level one is a prerequisite for the level-two units BIO2022, BIO2181, BIO2231, BIO2242, GEN2041 and GEN2052.

First-year students planning to take biological science units in subsequent years should take note of the level-one prerequisites for units at level two.

Level two

Various combinations of level-two units are possible. Students are recommended to take one or more of the preferred combinations listed as sub-disciplines above. Students wishing to enrol in other combinations of units are strongly advised to discuss their proposed course plan with a sequence coordinator.

Level three

Any student who intends to enrol in level-three units offered by the School of Biological Sciences should have completed a total value of at least 12 points of level-two units offered by the school. Students should note, however, that some level-three units do have some specific level-two units as prerequisites. Details of these are given in the unit descriptions.

Students wishing to proceed to honours in biology must complete BIO3011.

Honours

Students with a good academic record and at least a distinction average in units worth 24 points at level three may apply to enrol in an honours year in either biology or genetics. Students undertake supervised research, present a research seminar, and submit an essay on advanced topics. Special studies may be included to meet the needs of individual students. Students in biology may commence the honours year at the beginning of either semester. Students in genetics start at the beginning of first semester. Further information is available from the head of school and at meetings held with prospective students during second semester.