Conservation Biology major
Human activity and population growth are increasing the pressure on natural ecosystems and many biologists believe we are currently experiencing the sixth global mass extinction. Conservation biologists work to prevent the extinction of the world's plant and animal species. According to Conservation International, the South West of Western Australia is one of the world's 25 'biodiversity hotspots' making WA an ideal living laboratory for your studies. If you are interested in field work and want to help mitigate this trend by actively participating in the management and research of threatened species and communities, and understanding the principles and policies behind their recovery, then Conversation Biology is the major for you.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand global biodiversity and its distribution, the evolutionary history of biodiversity in Australia, and particular species and communities that are highly threatened; (2) appreciate the crucial relationship between species biology and ecology and vulnerability to environmental change; (3) discuss major threats to biodiversity, their causes, and management and research mitigating them; (4) explain the role of different stakeholders in shaping policy and decision-making; (5) demonstrate the necessary analytical and communication skills to participate in modern conservation research; and (6) apply relevant employability skills for conservation biology.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
Mathematics Methods ATAR or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics units.
Conservation Biology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Conservation Biology is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- four Level 1 units
- four Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Level 1
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology | |
| S2 | BIOL1131 | Plant and Animal Biology | |
| S1, S2 | SCIE1104 | Science, Society and Data Analysis | |
| S1 | SCOM1101 | Communicating Science |
|
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods |
|
Level 2
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BIOL2261 | Conservation Biology | |
| S2 | ENVT2221 | Global Climate Change and Biodiversity | |
| S1 | ENVT2250 | Ecology | |
| S1, S2 | GEOG2201 | Geographic Information Systems |
|
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ANIM3353 | Wildlife Conservation and Management | |
| S1 | ANIM3362 | Evolutionary Processes |
|
| NS | BIOL3360 | Saving Endangered Species | |
| S2 | GEOG3303 | Environmental Policy and Planning |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Conservation Biology degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.
- Example 1:
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-CONBI
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Conservation Biology degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science course.
- Perth
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-CONBI-Generic-1
- Albany
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-CONBI-Generic-2
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .