Course overview
- Description
South-western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot. Up to 80 per cent of the region's plants and animal species are unique to the area, and many are under threat. This makes The University of Western Australia and its surrounds an ideal living laboratory for postgraduate studies in biological science. This flexible course develops students expertise in the diversity, evolution, ecology, function and reproduction of animals and plants and the ecosystems they occupy, plus provides the opportunity to apply industry-relevent skills and research toward conservation of biodiversity both locally and globally.
- Course title
- Master of Biological Science (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MBiolSc
- Course code
- 72520
- Course type
- Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- Biological Sciences
- CRICOS code
- 074948B
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Articulation
- The Master of Biological Science has the following exit awards: 72220 Graduate Certificate in Biological Science (24 points) (24 points), 72320 Graduate Diploma in Biological Science (48 points) (48 points)
- Credit points required
- 96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
- Maximum course duration
- 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Time limit
- 4 years
- Delivery mode
- Internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Dr Greg Skrzypek
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
Example Study Plans
- Master of Biological Science(ConBio) (72 points 1.5 Years) [xlsx]
- Master of Biological Science(ConBio) (96 points 2 Years) [xlsx]
- Master of Biological Science(Ecology) (72 points 1.5 Years) [xlsx]
- Master of Biological Science(Ecology) (96 points 2 Years) [xlsx]
- Master of Biological Science(Zoology) (72 points 1.5 Years) [xlsx]
- Master of Biological Science(Zoology) (96 points 2 Years) [xlsx]
See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
SP-ECOLG Ecology
SP-PLCBI Conservation Biology
SP-ZOOLY Zoology
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- N/A
- not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Students who have not completed cognate studies in their Bachelor degrees must complete up to four relevant conversion units (24 points).
Select two units:
SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (all students)
SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science (all students)
and two other units from the list below after consultation and approval from the course coordinator.
Conversion units need to be taken during the first or if not possible, the second semester of the study.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ANIM2207 | Animal Form and Function |
| lectures: 2–3 hours per week; labs/practical classes: 3–4 hours per week |
| S1 | ANIM2220 | Animal Diversity |
| lectures: 2 per week labs/practical classes: 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ANIM3353 | Wildlife Conservation and Management |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/workshops: 1 hour per week; labs: 3 hours per week; field work 1–2 evenings |
| S1 | ANIM3361 | Animal Ecology |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; practical classes: 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ANIM3363 | Environmental Physiology |
| lectures: 2 hours online per week; 1 hour Q&A tutorial per week, practical classes: 2-3 hours per week |
| S2 | ANIM3365 | Behavioural Ecology |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; discussion groups: 5 hours—1 hour per week (from week 1); assessment briefings: 2 x 2 hour sessions; oral presentations: 2 x 3 hours; statistics workshop: 1 hour |
| S1 | BIOL2261 | Conservation Biology |
| Lectures: 2 hours per week; Practical sessions: up to 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ENVT3363 | Ecological Processes |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; labs/discussion groups: equivalent to 2 hours per week |
| S1, S2 | GENE4002 | Integrated Topics in Genetics I | 6 x 2 hr workshops over the course of a semester. | |
| S2 | PLNT2201 | Plants in Action |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; practical work: 6 x 3-hour sessions. Lectures are delivered as a combination of online-only, live (and recorded) and live facilitation. |
| S1 | PLNT3301 | Plant Physiological Ecology |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: on modelling of ecophysiological processes and to prepare for the field trip; compulsory field trip: 4 days to Eneabba (charges: cost of food and accommodation is borne by the student) |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4401 | Data Use in Science |
| 24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4403 | Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science | Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester. |
Take all units (6 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | SCIE4402 | Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences |
| 5 days (1 day per fortnight). The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
Students in course by coursework and dissertation, take all units in this group (36 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | BIOL5552 | Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 1 |
| independent research and study plus regular meetings with supervisors |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5553 | Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 2 |
| independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5554 | Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 3 |
| independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5555 | Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 5 |
| independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5556 | Masters in Biological Sciences Research Presentation Skills |
| seminar and discussion group: weekly; workshops: oral science communication and communicating science to the public |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5557 | Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 4 |
| independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors |
Students in course by coursework only, take units to the value of (12 points).
Students must complete SCIE5004 and choose another 6 points from the remaining units.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | SCIE5004 | Professional Skills in Science |
| |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5005 | Science in Practice |
| 1x 2hr session per week contact by consultation as required |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| 100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
| NS, S1, S2 | SVLG5001 | McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship |
| Internship experience: approximately 100 hours; McCusker Centre attendance: approximately 8 hours |
Conservation Biology specialisation
Take all units from this group (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL5502 | Managing Threatened Species and Ecological Communities |
| One interactive seminar per week including student-led interviews with conservation practitioners, formal presentations, and training workshops. Fieldwork: Up to 15 hours in total, with flexibility in the timing of student-led fieldwork. |
| NS | ENVT5310 | Biodiversity on Country |
| approximately 60 hours—mix of online component (lectures, video footage, reading, quizzes) and field excursion |
| S1 | ENVT5513 | Decision Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation |
| 2 interactive sessions of 2 hours per week |
Students in course by coursework and dissertation, take units to the value of (12 points). Students in course by coursework only, take units to the value of (36 points).
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANIM4410 | Animal Identification |
| lectures (4 x 30 minute online lectures per week); practical classes (4 hours per week for 10 weeks) |
| S2 | ANIM5110 | Biology of Australian marsupials |
| |
| S2 | ANIM5502 | Evolutionary Ecology |
| 150 hours |
| S2 | BIOL5301 | Big Data, Modelling and Meta-analysis in Biology, Conservation and the Environment |
| (possibly) 10 half days of contact |
| S2 | BIOL5542 | Conservation Genetics | The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. | |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5592 | Biological Research Unit |
| Weekly supervision and self-directed learning |
| S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. |
| S1 | ENVT5509 | Global Ecological Challenges |
| lectures/presentation/discussions: 2 hours per week (13 sessions over 7 weeks) The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
| S1 | ENVT5512 | Ecosystem Biogeochemistry |
| one full day per week for six consecutive weeks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
| S2 | ENVT5517 | Ecological Rehabilitation | None | Lectures: 2 hours per week Workshops: up to 2 hours per week |
| S1 | ENVT5518 | The Sustainable Development Goals | Lectures: 2 hours per week for nine weeks; workshop/practical classes: 2 hours a week for nine weeks | |
| S2 | ENVT5576 | Aquatic Ecology |
| 1x2hr lecture 1x3hr laboratory/practical plus a field trip |
| N/A | PLNG5511 | Climate Change Policy and Planning | None | One day a week over six weeks. |
| NS | POLS5010 | NGOs, Governance and Development | None | seminars: 18 hours |
| S1, S2 | SCOM4402 | Synthesising Research Literature: Reviewing, Analysing, and Reporting |
| online workshop: 2 hours per week |
| S2 | SCOM5309 | Citizen Science | None | Lectures: 3 x 15 minute online lectures per week for 11 weeks Workshops: 12 x 2 hour workshops Self-directed learning (reading/online): 2 hours per week for 10 weeks |
Ecology specialisation
take all units from this group (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ENVT5509 | Global Ecological Challenges |
| lectures/presentation/discussions: 2 hours per week (13 sessions over 7 weeks) The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
| S1 | ENVT5512 | Ecosystem Biogeochemistry |
| one full day per week for six consecutive weeks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
| S2 | ENVT5576 | Aquatic Ecology |
| 1x2hr lecture 1x3hr laboratory/practical plus a field trip |
Students in course by coursework and dissertation, take units to the value of (12 points). Students in course by coursework only, take units to the value of (36 points).
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANIM4410 | Animal Identification |
| lectures (4 x 30 minute online lectures per week); practical classes (4 hours per week for 10 weeks) |
| S2 | ANIM5502 | Evolutionary Ecology |
| 150 hours |
| NS | BIOL4408 | Marine Ecology |
| This unit is block-taught during the summer semester and involves a field trip of five days plus travel time at a cost of up to 0 to the student, plus up to four days of lectures and planning (including occupational health and safety) and up to four days of analysis and presentation of results. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours, up to 100 of which are contact hours. |
| S2 | BIOL5301 | Big Data, Modelling and Meta-analysis in Biology, Conservation and the Environment |
| (possibly) 10 half days of contact |
| S2 | BIOL5502 | Managing Threatened Species and Ecological Communities |
| One interactive seminar per week including student-led interviews with conservation practitioners, formal presentations, and training workshops. Fieldwork: Up to 15 hours in total, with flexibility in the timing of student-led fieldwork. |
| S2 | BIOL5542 | Conservation Genetics | The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. | |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5592 | Biological Research Unit |
| Weekly supervision and self-directed learning |
| S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. |
| NS | ENVT5310 | Biodiversity on Country |
| approximately 60 hours—mix of online component (lectures, video footage, reading, quizzes) and field excursion |
| S2 | ENVT5517 | Ecological Rehabilitation | None | Lectures: 2 hours per week Workshops: up to 2 hours per week |
| N/A | GEOS5510 | Applied Palynology |
| workshops: 2 x 3–4 hours per week |
| S1, S2 | SCOM4402 | Synthesising Research Literature: Reviewing, Analysing, and Reporting |
| online workshop: 2 hours per week |
Zoology specialisation
take all units from this group (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANIM4410 | Animal Identification |
| lectures (4 x 30 minute online lectures per week); practical classes (4 hours per week for 10 weeks) |
| S2 | ANIM5110 | Biology of Australian marsupials |
| |
| S2 | ANIM5502 | Evolutionary Ecology |
| 150 hours |
Students in course by coursework and dissertation, take units to the value of (12 points). Students in course by coursework only, take units to the value of (36 points).
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL5301 | Big Data, Modelling and Meta-analysis in Biology, Conservation and the Environment |
| (possibly) 10 half days of contact |
| S2 | BIOL5502 | Managing Threatened Species and Ecological Communities |
| One interactive seminar per week including student-led interviews with conservation practitioners, formal presentations, and training workshops. Fieldwork: Up to 15 hours in total, with flexibility in the timing of student-led fieldwork. |
| S2 | BIOL5504 | Sex in the Sea |
| one day per week for six weeks |
| S2 | BIOL5542 | Conservation Genetics | The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. | |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5592 | Biological Research Unit |
| Weekly supervision and self-directed learning |
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. |
| NS | ENVT5310 | Biodiversity on Country |
| approximately 60 hours—mix of online component (lectures, video footage, reading, quizzes) and field excursion |
| S1 | ENVT5509 | Global Ecological Challenges |
| lectures/presentation/discussions: 2 hours per week (13 sessions over 7 weeks) The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
| S2 | ENVT5576 | Aquatic Ecology |
| 1x2hr lecture 1x3hr laboratory/practical plus a field trip |
| S1, S2 | SCOM4402 | Synthesising Research Literature: Reviewing, Analysing, and Reporting |
| online workshop: 2 hours per week |
| S2 | SCOM5309 | Citizen Science | None | Lectures: 3 x 15 minute online lectures per week for 11 weeks Workshops: 12 x 2 hour workshops Self-directed learning (reading/online): 2 hours per week for 10 weeks |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) met the prerequisite for the chosen specialisation
(2) For the Conservation Biology specialisation an applicant must have successfully completed prior studies at a tertiary level in biology (excluding human biology); or in a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(3) For the Ecology specialisation an applicant must have successfully completed prior studies at a tertiary level in
biology (excluding human biology); or in a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
(4) For the Zoology specialisation an applicant must have successfully completed prior studies at a tertiary level in animal science; or in a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:
- 72220 Graduate Certificate in Biological Science (24 points)
- 72320 Graduate Diploma in Biological Science (48 points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Biological Science course before completing it, but after completing 24 points excluding conversion units, with at least 12 points of core units, of which a minimum of 6 points must be degree core, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Biological Science.
(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Biological Science course before completing it, but after completing 48 points at Level 4 or Level 5, which includes the course core units, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Biological Science.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which includes conversion units to a value of 24 points, course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations :
- SP-ECOLG Ecology
- SP-PLCBI Conservation Biology
- SP-ZOOLY Zoology
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed Tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).
Additional rules
Research project
14. Students who request approval to undertake a research project as options in this course must—
(a) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in their UWA undergraduate major. These units must be relevant to the master's specialisation;
or
(b) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 4 and 5 units completed within the course; or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty.
(c) have a supervisor, approved by the School, who has reviewed their prior undergraduate study as appropriate background and is willing to support their immediate entry into a research project.