Honours Overview
- Description
As human pressures on our natural environment are at an all-time high, the need for experienced conservation biologists to attempt to reverse the declines in ecosystem functioning and health, and in species population sizes, is increasing. You will undertake rigorous scientific research related to the conservation of threatened flora, fauna or ecological communities. Research projects can vary from studying aspects of a rare species biology or ecology, to experiments investigating different threat mitigation strategies, or an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of different management techniques. You will develop your practical and theoretical skills in conservation-related research by conducting your own research project, and participating in units on conservation genetics, conservation planning, restoration ecology, and data analysis. Honours in Conservation Biology leads to many careers including (restoration) ecologist, conservation biologist, environmental impact assessor, DEC flora or fauna officer, government policy writer and consultant, consultant for mining companies, science journalist, laboratory technician or field research officer.
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) critically identify gaps in knowledge in the field of conservation biology; (2) design and implement a research project that fills an identified gap in knowledge; (3) critically analyse results and draw evidence-based conclusions; (4) manage and analyse research data sets using appropriate statistical tests; (5) present research outcomes orally and in the form of a scientific paper; and (6) convey specialist knowledge in the field of conservation biology.
- Entry requirements
The equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in the Level 3 units of the Conservation Biology major.
- Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year
- Courses
Honours in Conservation Biology can be taken as a specialisation in the following degrees:
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Units
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
Take all units (42 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | Unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | BIOL4446 | Honours in Biological Sciences Research Presentation Skills |
|
| S1, S2 | BIOL5442 | Honours in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 1 | |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5443 | Honours in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 2 | |
| S1, S2 | BIOL5444 | Honours in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 3 |
|
| S1, S2 | BIOL5445 | Honours in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 5 |
|
| S1, S2 | BIOL5447 | Honours in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 4 |
|
| S1, S2 | SCIE4402 | Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | Unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL4407 | Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management |
|
| NS | BIOL4408 | Marine Ecology |
|
| N/A | BIOL4410 | Environmental Genomics |
|
| S2 | BIOL5502 | Managing Threatened Species and Ecological Communities |
|
| S2 | BIOL5542 | Conservation Genetics | |
| S1 | ENVT4401 | Advanced Land Use and Management |
|
| N/A | ENVT4402 | Analysis for Environmental Management |
|
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
|
| NS | ENVT5310 | Biodiversity on Country |
|
| S1 | ENVT5512 | Ecosystem Biogeochemistry |
|