Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Area of Study

Zoology is the study of animals - their diversity and structure, and how they function. It involves the study of animals living on land, in the sea and in freshwater environments, from the scale of genes and molecules to ecology.

Objectives

On completion of the sequence in zoology students will:

• have developed an understanding of animal diversity and the evolutionary development of the major animal groups, the morphology of animals and how morphology is related to animal function and ecology, how genetic and environmental effects underlie variation in animal behaviour and how foraging, social and reproductive behaviour of animals promotes their survival and gene replication in the environments in which they have evolved, and how the diversity and biology of Australian animals is influenced by the history, biogeography and ecology of the region
• have developed practical skills in experimental methods relevant to the zoological sciences, including animal identification, animal physiology techniques, morphological techniques and quantitative field methods
• be familiar with principles of experimental design and data collection and interpretation
• have developed skills in critical and independent thinking, synthesis of literature, and written and oral communication
• be fully prepared for further study, teaching, research, and employment in zoology.

Minor sequence in zoology (24 points)

• BIO1011 and one of BIO1022 or BIO1042
• two of BIO2231, BIO2242, BIO3052 or BIO3132

Major sequence in zoology (48 points)

• BIO1011 and one of BIO1022 or BIO1042
• BIO2231 and BIO2242
• BIO3052, BIO3132, and either 12 points of BIO or GEN units at level three, or BIO2022 and one BIO or GEN unit at level three

A list of related units are provided in the biological sciences entry in this section of the Handbook.

Honours

The unit BIO3011 is a prerequisite for admission to honours.

Full details regarding entrance requirements and course structure for honours is described in the course entry in this Handbook for course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science.