Undergraduate - Area of study Zoology

Minor in zoology (24 points)

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

* These units have additional level two pre-requisites that need to be taken in addition to the units listed.

Major 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

Requirements for honours in zoology

• BIO3011, BIO3052, BIO3132 and a relevant 6-point level-three unit listed above

Additional information

Level one

Coordinator: Dr Gerry Rayner

Students studying zoology 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, some fundamentals of ecology and the metabolic and homeostatic systems that enable them to survive. Examples are drawn from a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrae animals to illustrate and explain the principles of animal design and function.

Level two

Coordinator: Dr Dave Chapple

Students planning to complete a major sequence must complete BIO2231 and BIO2242 before proceeding to level three zoology. There is also the option to include BIO2022 in the major. Alternatively, completion of the level two zoology units can comprise a minor in the zoology area of study. Level two zoology builds upon first year to examine the diversity and evolutionary development of animals in more detail, and comprehensively investigates the distinguishing features of the different animal groups. There is further development of the themes of homeostasis through the physiological systems of circulation, excretion and respiration. Students also examine how animals move using locomotory structures in different environments, how they obtain and process nutrition and the variety of reproductive strategies they use. The teaching in the units available at level two is a combination of lectures and practical activities, including laboratory sessions examining live animals and prepared specimens of different kinds. Skills in animal identification and functional anatomy are also gained through hands-on practical activities.

Level three

Coordinator: Dr Dave Chapple

The final year of the zoology area of study builds upon the knowledge gained in earlier levels and continues it in BIO3052 and BIO3132. In these units we investigate animal communication, development of behaviour, behavioural ecology and the way in which vertebrate animals deal with the environmental challenges of living in the Australian habitat. These units combine lecture, practical and project work with some time spent in the field seeing animals in action. Both units are required for completion of the zoology major, along with one or two from a variety of other units offered by the school, including BIO3021, BIO3011, BIO3111 and BIO3122.

Note that recommended course streams for the major are available and you can view examples of degree structures that a student could take with zoology as their majorexamples of degree structures that a student could take with zoology as their major (http://monash.edu/science/about/schools/biological-sciences/units/zoology_streams.html).

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:

• S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)
• 0051 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• 2188 Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program) (Honours)

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