Courses Handbook 2006 - [Archived]

303770 v.3 Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology)


BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 043254M
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 3 Years

Introduction

This course emphasises environmental biology, with the opportunity for students to take specialist Biodiversity, Restoration or Aquatic streams. It has a strong practical emphasis, with students often being able to undertake work with members of the outside community, thus establishing a strong bridge between the University and potential employers. The first year involves a grounding in various aspects of science, communications and technology that will be of value throughout the remainder of the course. In second year students may choose to undertake the broad environmental biology course, or they may choose one of the specialist streams. There is a requirement to participate in field trips for many of the course units. This gives students ample opportunity to observe organisms in their normal habitats, with the greater depth of understanding that this brings.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

At least one TEE science subject and one TEE mathematics subject.

Specific Requirements

STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

The course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study.

Course Organisation

In the first year of the course students are required to take Frontiers of Science 101, Science Communications 101, a mathematics unit and a statistics unit. Students also take one Science Foundation Studies unit in each semester of year one. The Science Foundation Studies units are to be chosen from disciplines other than their major field (eg Environmental Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Sciences or Resource Science, as per the prescribed list). The remainder of the first year is made up of three major studies units. In each of years two and three of the course students do six major studies units and two minor studies units. The major studies provide students with depth in the discipline and professional accreditation in chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics. The minor studies are chosen from a different discipline to the major. The final year includes a 50 credit project in the major. Some of the projects are jointly supervised by Curtin staff and industrial biologists. Work experience programs are also organised and provide periods of at least four weeks continuous industrial employment for final year undergraduate students.

Career Opportunities

Several Commonwealth and State Government departments provide employment opportunities for biologists. There is also a growing awareness of the usefulness of biologists in private industry. This course provides a valuable background for those wishing to embark on a career with any of these organisations. Those already employed in industry will also find the course useful, although the needs of such people may be better satisfied by honours, postgraduate diploma, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy courses offered by the Department. Opportunities exist for those wishing to embark on careers as general and human biology teachers in high schools and colleges in Western Australia. This course has been designed to provide training for such people. Practising biology teachers with basic qualifications who wish to further their knowledge may find the master degree courses in biology and natural resources particularly useful.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials. Some units within this course may have a field component, for which costs may be incurred.

Course Structure

Hrs/Wk

Credit

Year 1 Semester 1
10009 v.3   Chemistry 127 6.0 25.0
10926 v.5   Mathematics 103 5.0 25.0
  OR  
305639 v.1   Mathematics 135 4.0 25.0
1754 v.6   Cell Biology 101 5.0 25.0
1756 v.7   Plant Biology 101 5.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 1 Semester 2
1633 v.4   Scientific Photography 101 3.0 12.5
  OR  
10102 v.3   Geology 106 - Environmental Geoscience 2.5 12.5
1762 v.4   Animal Biology 102 5.0 25.0
1764 v.7   Environmental Awareness 102 5.0 25.0
307554 v.1   Science Communications 101 2.0 12.5
8686 v.5   Chemistry 128 6.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 2
302511 v.2   Environmental Stream   400.0
  OR  
302039 v.2   Biodiversity Stream   400.0
  OR  
302043 v.2   Restoration Stream   400.0
  OR  
302049 v.2   Aquatic Stream   400.0
  400.0
 

Availability

Year Location   All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2006 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2006 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.



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