Molecular Life Sciences major
This double major has been specifically designed to give an understanding of biological function at the molecular level and how this knowledge integrates into understanding how individual cells and entire organisms function. Emphasis is placed on developing and practicing the laboratory skills and technologies of cutting-edge molecular life sciences. Both theoretical and practical information is presented in the contexts of health sciences and agriculture. Critical thinking; developing and testing hypotheses; and analysing data, including big data, are integrated throughout the degree. Completion of this double major opens the possibility of a Master in Biotechnology with a choice of specialisations in AQUAtech, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology, Genetics and Genomics, or Synthetic Biology. This degree will also serve as an excellent stepping stone into careers in synthetic biology, bioscience, medicine and allied health fields, industry, as well as post-graduate studies in multiple bioscience disciplines.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate an understanding of the current theoretical basis of the molecular life sciences in animals, plants and microorganisms; (2) demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of cellular environments, including biological systems and soils; (3) modify experimental protocols; (4) critically analyse and interpret experimental results; (5) apply techniques and technologies to solve problems in the molecular life sciences; (6) effectively communicate in the context of the molecular life sciences in both written and oral forms; and (7) apply relevant employability skills for molecular life sciences.
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. 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. If you are completing this major in a Combined Bachelor's masters Course, you have elected to pursue a highly specialised and in-depth program of study in your chosen field. While you are encouraged to use the free elective units available in your course to study in other disciplines offered at UWA, your formal requirement to broaden your course will be met through the Honours and Postgraduate units which form an integral part of your course.
Prerequisites
ATAR Mathematics Methods or equivalent or higher and ATAR Chemistry or equivalent or higher.
Molecular Life Sciences can only 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
Molecular Life Sciences is a degree-specific double major comprising:
- six Level 1 units
- five Level 2 units
- seven Level 3 units
Key to availability of units: |
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S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Take all units (36 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology | |
S1, S2 | CHEM1001 | Chemistry—Properties and Energetics |
|
S2 | CHEM1004 | Biological Chemistry |
|
S1, S2 | CITS1401 | Computational Thinking with Python |
|
S2 | SCIE1106 | Molecular Biology of the Cell |
|
S1, S2 | STAT1400 | Statistics for Science |
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students without Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher take MATH1721. Students without Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher take MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students without Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher take CHEM1003.
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods |
|
Level 2
Take all units (30 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | BIOC2001 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell | |
S2 | BIOC2002 | Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function |
|
S1 | ENVT2236 | Soil Science |
|
S2 | GENE2230 | Molecular Genetics I | |
S2 | PLNT2201 | Plants in Action |
Level 3
Take all units (42 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | BIOC3001 | Molecular Biology |
|
S1 | BIOC3002 | Structural and Functional Biochemistry | |
S2 | BIOC3003 | Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function |
|
S2 | BIOC3005 | Cellular Biochemistry |
|
S2 | BIOL3305 | Fisheries Science: Foundation and Application |
|
S2 | GENE3350 | Evolution and Development |
|
S1 | GENE3370 | Genomics |
|
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 allow you to choose a double 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.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .