Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Area of Study

A large proportion of the world's living resources are found in aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, rivers and oceans, that comprise the vast majority of the habitable space on Earth. Marine and freshwater biology is the study of the plant and animal life in these aquatic environments, to acquire a fundamental understanding of the diversity of living organisms that inhabit these systems, the organisms' structure and function and the interactions between them and the non-living components. Marine and freshwater biology also investigates the dynamics of marine and freshwater ecosystems, to understand the role of humans in disturbing and exploiting aquatic habitats. Such a knowledge base equips us to understand life processes in marine and freshwater environments and is relevant to many careers associated with managing these essential ecosystems. Examples of careers available to students who study marine and freshwater biology include agricultural research, biotechnology, ecological and environmental consulting, marine science, government departments (eg sustainability, primary industries and fisheries), university research and teaching. Studying marine and freshwater biology at Monash University begins with general biology at first year, where the basics of ecology, animal and plant biology are covered. It is followed in second year by studies of ecology and biodiversity as well as plant and animal diversity. In third year there is specific focus on marine biology and freshwater ecology, with a major emphasis on practical and field work. Other units on ecology and environmental management complement the development of a broader understanding of the role and importance of marine and freshwater biology in our world.

Objectives

On completion of the major sequence in marine and freshwater biology students will:

• understand the biological structure and ecological processes that characterise marine and freshwater environments including diversity, ecology and eco-physiology of marine and freshwater organism, dynamics of energy and nutrient fluxes and trophic interactions
• have practical skills in experimental methods relevant to marine and freshwater biology, which may include plant and animal identification, plant and animal physiology techniques, and ecological field methods including those that are pertinent to management issues associated with aquatic resource management
• be familiar with principles of experimental design and data collection and interpretation
• have developed, in the context of the discipline, the graduate attributes of effective communication, quantitative literacy, information and communication literacy, inquiry and critical thinking, and ethical, social and international understanding
• be fully prepared for further study, teaching, research and employment in one of these areas of biological sciences.

Level one

• BIO1011 Biology I
• BIO1022 Biology II
• BIO1042 Environmental biology

Level two

• BIO2011 Ecology and biodiversity
• BIO2181 Evolution of plant diversity
• BIO2231 Animal diversity

Level three

• BIO3011 Research methods in biology
• BIO3021 Marine biology
• BIO3082 Plant responses to the environment
• BIO3111 Ecological management
• BIO3122 Freshwater ecology

Major sequence in marine and freshwater biology (48 points)

• BIO1011 and one of BIO1022 or BIO1042
• BIO2011 and at least one of BIO2181 or BIO2231
• BIO3021 and BIO3122, and the remaining one or two units from BIO3011, BIO3082 or BIO3111

Requirements for honours in marine and freshwater biology

BIO3011, BIO3021, BIO3122 and a relevant 6 point level-three unit.

Additional information

Level one

Coordinator: Dr Gerry Rayner (School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science)

Students studying marine and freshwater 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 biological processes that living organisms undergo, as well as the environmental challenges and biological solutions that are fundamental to life. This knowledge enables a deeper understanding of the ecological processes and structure and function of plants and animals in aquatic systems that are encountered in later years of study.

Level two

Coordinator: Dr Richard Reina (School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science)

Students planning to complete a major sequence must complete BIO2011 which will introduce the principles of ecological relationships between living organisms. In addition, BIO2231 and/or BIO2181 must be completed in order to gain an understanding of the diversity of animals and plants in our world, many of which inhabit aquatic environments. All of these units have a focus on practical work to complement lecture material. Skills in these practical aspects are important for study of marine and freshwater biology at a more advanced level.

Level three

Coordinator: Dr Richard Reina (School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science)

The final year of the marine and freshwater biology area of study builds upon the knowledge gained in earlier levels and continues it in BIO3021 and BIO3122 both of which are required for the major. In these units students examine the marine and freshwater environments in greater detail, to understand the cycling of nutrients, ecological relationships, plant and animal biology, trophic structure and interspecific interactions in these aquatic systems. There is particular focus on fieldwork, with the practical component of both of these units involving project work to design experiments, collect and analyse data. This fieldwork includes tropical marine biology at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef, temperate marine biology at Queenscliff, Victoria and freshwater ecology in streams and rivers of central and eastern Victoria. One or two other level three units must be included in the major, chosen from BIO3011, BIO3082 and BIO3111.

Honours

In 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:

• 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science
• 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
• 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Full details regarding the course structure for honours in this area of study are outlined in course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science.

Single degrees

• 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science
• 0050 Bachelor of Science
• 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
• 1120 Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Double degrees

• 0530 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
• 3537 Bachelor of Arts (Global) and Bachelor of Science
• 3528 Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Science
• 1469 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
• 3517 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science
• 3711 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education
• 1633 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education
• 3278 Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and Bachelor of Science
• 4609 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and Bachelor of Science
• 3282 Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering and Bachelor of Science
• 0085 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering
• 0086 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws

Honours degrees

• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
• 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)