Honours course

Honours in Conservation Biology

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

Honours sequence

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.

Take all units from this group (42 points). Students commencing in semester 2 2021 must not take BIOL4441 Honours in Biological Science Research Development. BIOL4441 should be replaced with a level 4 or 5 option unit.

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points: