This major explores the origins, interactions and future prospects for plant and animal life. It embraces:
- evolution of species diversity
- structural consequences of functional adaptation
- within- and between-species interactions
- survival and reproductive strategies
- species/environment interactions, and the impact of climate change
Designated courses provide a theoretical and practical grounding in genetics, evolution, ecology and physiology. With a thorough understanding of the basic principles in each field, and hands-on experience of experimental design and techniques used to develop and test hypotheses, students will be well placed to pursue a career in research and field-based studies in plant and animal sciences, or to make a professional contribution to the development of policy in the areas of conservation, environment, agriculture and fisheries.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the evolutionary processes and the major evolutionary innovations that have led to the diversity of extant plant and animal life.
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the structures and processes involved in the functioning of plants and animals.
- Describe the nature of interactions between and among plants and animals, and describe the important processes governing the dynamics of plant and animal communities.
- Explain how biology is an evidence-based discipline involving observation, experimentation and hypothesis testing and how it relates to other scientific disciplines.
- Develop and implement experimental strategies to investigate different biological and experimental systems and analyse and present results of these investigations.
- Critically assess biological information and apply it to theoretical, experimental and professional contexts.
- Employ their collaborative and independent educational experiences of laboratory, project and course work in other contexts.
- Clearly communicate biological processes and principles to both science literate and non-science literate audiences.
- Recognise how biology contributes to resolving ethical, social and environmental issues and the expectations this places on their professional practice.
Other Information
Which courses should you take in first year?
This major will require you to complete the following 1000-level courses:
- BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (prerequisite for most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
- BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology (prerequisite for most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
- BIOL1009 Biodiversity of Life - strongly recommended for this major
Optional 1000-level courses:
- There is an enrolment pathway through the major that does not require CHEM1101 or CHEM1201 but this will vary from course to course. Please check individual course prerequisites carefully as CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 provides students with maximum options for later year courses.
- Students intending to take the Genetics Specialisation will need to complete CHEM1101, students intending to take the Microbiology and Immunology Specialisation will also need to complete CHEM1101, CHEM1201 and BIOL2161
Additional advice:
- BIOL2202 is the recommended course from the Quantitative Skills list as it has been designed specifically for students to develop quantitative skills in biology. Note that some of the alternative courses listed have prerequisites, and it is your responsibility to choose courses for which you meet the requirements.
- For students taking BIOL3023, BIOL3208 or BIOL3209 as part of this major, the research project/topic must be in the field of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology.
- Students seeking to take BIOL3194 should note this course has an enrolment limit. Please refer to the "Other Information" in the course entry in P&C.
Courses in this major that will contribute towards satisfying the transdisciplinary problem-solving course requirements of your undergraduate degree:
- BIOL3178 Recovering Threatened Species and Ecosystems (6 units)
Academic or enrolment advice:
Students can seek further advice from the academic contact for this major (details above), or the College of Science Student Services Team (students.cos@anu.edu.au)
Back to the topRequirements
*Asterisked courses have 1000-level pre-requisites which must be selected in the first year of study and will contribute towards satisfying the 1000-level course requirements of the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours).
Please check individual courses for details however the courses listed below will cover most 1000-level requirements for 2000-3000- level courses listed in this major.
- BIOL1003 (prerequisite for most 2000-3000 level BIOL courses)
- BIOL1004 (prerequisite for most 2000-3000 level BIOL courses)
- BIOL1009 Diversity of Life (prerequisite for many 2000-3000 level BIOL courses listed in this major)
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
12 units from the completion of courses from the following list:
*BIOL2114 Evolution (6 units)
*BIOL2115 Comparative Physiology (6 units)
*BIOL2131 Ecology (6 units)
*BIOL2151 Genetics (6 units)
*BIOL2203 Field Studies in Functional Ecology (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a Quantitative Skills course from the following list:
*BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)
*BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)
6 units from the completion a course from the following list:
BIOL3191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)
BIOL3194 Biological Sciences in the Workplace (6 units)
24 units from the completion of 3000- level courses from the following lists, of which a maximum of 12 units can come from special topics/research project courses (BIOL3023, BIOL3208 or BIOL3209) in which the project/topic must be in the field of evolution, ecology & organismal biology:
BIOL3109 Developmental Biology (6 units)
BIOL3125 Plants and Global Climate Change (6 units)
BIOL3130 Quantitative Ecology (6 units)
BIOL3131 Behavioural Ecology (6 units)
*BIOL3132 Field Studies in Behavioural Ecology (6 units)
BIOL3178 Recovering Threatened Species and Ecosystems (6 units)
BIOL3023 Special Topics in Biology (6 units)
BIOL3206 Evolution of Biodiversity (6 units)
BIOL3208 Biology Research Project (6 units)
BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12 units)
BIOL3210 Appreciating Parasites: from Molecules to Ecosystems (6 units)
*BIOL3213 Australian Wildlife (6 units)
BIOL3303 Advanced Field Studies in Functional Ecology (6 units)