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All areas of study information should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook. The units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Science component of any bachelors double degrees.
DescriptionGlobally, loss of biodiversity and the associated ecosystem services is reaching crisis levels. Ecology is the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment, the understanding of which is of both fundamental and applied interest. The major sequence in ecology and conservation biology equips students with knowledge of core ecological principles at levels from individuals to ecosystems. Strong emphasis is placed on applying those principles to real-life management issues, particularly in the conservation field. The key goals are to describe and explain pattern and process in the natural world, understand human impacts and devise practical means to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem function. ObjectivesOn completion of the major sequence in ecology and conservation biology students will:
UnitsLevel oneLevel two
Level three
Sequence requirementsMinor sequence in ecology and conservation biology (24 points)Major sequence in ecology and conservation biology (48 points)
Additional informationLevel oneCoordinator: Dr Gerry Rayner/Dr Ross Thompson Students studying ecology and conservation biology in their first year will take BIO1011 plus BIO1022 and/or BIO1042. The focus in first year is to provide the basic knowledge on the structure and evolution of animals, their cellular and molecular composition and the fundamentals of patterns and processes in ecological systems. Examples are drawn from a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrae animals to illustrate and explain the participants in ecological communities and their interactions with the environment. Level twoCoordinator: Dr Ross Thompson Students planning to complete a major sequence must complete BIO2011 and BIO2040 before proceeding to level three ecology and conservation biology. There is also the option to include BIO2022 in the major, which provides an understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes which have generated biodiversity through time. Alternatively, completion of the level two zoology units can comprise a minor in the ecology and conservation biology area of study. Level two ecology and conservation biology builds upon first year to examine patterns of biodiversity and the processes that underpin that biodiversity, in addition to ecosystem processes that occur in natural food webs. A strong emphasis is placed on developing the core understanding of plant and animal taxa that make up biodiversity, and the ecological generalities that underpin their occurrence and interactions. Conservation biology emphasises the application of ecological principles and modern genetic approaches to manage species of conservation influence, drawing heavily on examples from Australia and overseas. The teaching in the units available at level two is a combination of lectures and practical activities, including field exercises and laboratory sessions examining live animals and prepared specimens of different kinds. Skills in taxonomic identification are also gained through hands-on practical activities. Level threeCoordinator: Dr Ross Thompson The final year of the ecology and conservation biology area of study builds upon the knowledge gained in earlier levels. BIO3011 emphasises the practical skills needed to effectively study ecological systems, and is complemented by practical examples in BIO3111. Both core units draw heavily on real examples from conservation and emphasise how the ecological principles taught in second year can be applied to addressing issues of conservation concern. These units combine lecture, practical and project work with time spent in the field directly assessing patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Both units are required for completion of the ecology and conservation biology major, along with one or two from a variety of other units offered by the school. These units provide an opportunity for students to pursue particular sub-disciplines including conservation and ecological genetics (GEN3062), plant physiology and ecology (BIO3082 Plant responses to the environment and/or BIO3091 Ecology of Australian vegetation), freshwater ecology (BIO3122), marine biology (BIO3021), tropical terrestrial ecology (BIO3820) and animal behaviour (BIO3052). HonoursIn addition to the requirements listed above, students must meet the entry requirements for the Science honours program relevant to their course of enrolment. See the entries for:
Full details regarding the course structure for honours in this area of study are outlined in course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science. Relevant CoursesSingle degrees
Double degrees
Honours degrees
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