About Biological Sciences (BSc)

Biology is the study of the natural world around us, everything from how large ecosystems function right through to how the enzymes and proteins in your body interact. Our Biological Sciences degree aims to produce biologists with a range of training and experience across a broad area of biology. With our integrated approach you are taught the major themes of biology by examining the common features and differences in the biochemistry, genetics, physiology, ecology and behaviour of micro-organisms, plants and animals.

After the first year of solid grounding in biology, mathematics and physical sciences you’ll move on to animal and plant diversity, microbiology, ecology, genetics, biochemistry and evolutionary biology. Of course around this core knowledge you’ll be able to specialise as you discover those areas that really fascinate you. With the potential for double or even triple majors you’ll find this degree the perfect launching pad for a career in everything from Molecular Biology right through to Conservation and Wildlife Biology; in other words, everything from new medical treatments to saving the whale sharks.

What can I do with my Biological Sciences degree?

Graduates in Biological Sciences from Murdoch have gained employment in an unbelievably wide range of areas. You could aim to work for the Department of Environment and Conservation, Agriculture WA, or develop a career in food processing companies, mining companies or museums. You might join medical research teams in hospitals, become a biology teacher in secondary schools or move into the lucrative world of professional consulting.

The following are just some professions you could consider:

• Aquatic Biologist;

• Biochemist;

• Biological Scientist;

• Biophysicist;

• Marine Environmental Ecologist/ Environmental Chemist;

• Environmental Scientist;

• Environmental Ecologist;

• Medical Researcher.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for admission to a wide range of professional societies.

• Download the flyer for this course.

How to apply

Our entry requirements tool will help you find the most appropriate and quickest pathways to admission. The tool will take you through a couple of steps to help identify the best pathways for you based on your situation. Once you have chosen the most suitable pathway you will also be provided you with information on how to apply based on the criteria you are using for admission.

Domestic student applications:

If you would like to apply for this course you can now:

• Apply online
• Apply through TISC
• Download an application form

International student applications:

If you would like to apply for this course you can now:

• Apply online
• Download an application form

Course Details

Length of course	3 years full-time internal study or part-time equivalent. Please note that international students can only study full-time
International fee information	$19,500 indicative annual fee
Location	South Street Campus
Murdoch course code	B1031
TISC code	MUNAC
TER cut- off for 2008	70.30 or country equivalent
STAT score	>145
Information on course units	Link to handbook entry

Recommended TEE subjects:

The following recommended subjects will provide you with a useful background of furthering your study: Maths and Chemistry.
We don’t have prerequisite subjects for any of our courses as we are a strong promoter of a well rounded education. However, remember that you will also need to demonstrate competence in English, normally through passing either English or English Literature or by getting a sufficiently high score in ESL.

Course Structure

Year 1

Foundation Unit

All new first year students take a Foundation Unit. These are designed so you have some idea what’s going on, because, let’s face it, you may never have been to uni before!

Core Units

You must take these units for a particular major to gain a specialisation in this area. 

• Cell Biology 
• Environmental Biology 
• Statistical Data Analysis and Databases 
• Chemistry for Biological Sciences (Students without a satisfactory level of Chemistry, as determined by the University, are required to enrol in Introduction to Chemistry as a prerequisite for Cell Biology and Chemistry for Biological Sciences.)

General Electives

You must take these units to have enough units to graduate. General Electives give you the flexibility to learn from a variety of different areas. Select three units offered by the university, subject to individual unit prerequisites.

• Download our flyer for further details on the course structure

Suggested Double Majors

To take a double major, students simply take the core units from another major in place of their general elective units. Further details on double majors are available in the Prospectus.

Some recommended double majors are:

• Molecular Biology;
• Conservation & Wildlife Biology;
• Environmental Science;
• Marine Science

What are my Career Options?

The preservation of Australia’s natural environment has always been the mainstay of the Australian psyche. With the increasing impact humans have on the normal functioning of earth’s ecosystems, there is an increasing need for graduates with training and expertise in the management of ecosystems and conservation of wildlife. Therefore, as a Murdoch graduate in Biological Sciences, Conservation & Wildlife Biology or both, your employment outlook is excellent, especially if you combine either of these degrees with other disciplines. Depending on which skill combinations or specialisations you have, your Murdoch degree may lead you towards work and study opportunities in a number of areas. The following are some professions to consider, including extra majors and minors that will improve your prospects of achieving them.

Professions	What they do	Suggested double majors
Urban and Regional Planner	Planners promote the best use of a community’s land and resources for residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational purposes. Planners may be involved in various other activities, including making decisions relating to establishing alternative public transportation systems, developing resources, and protecting ecologically sensitive regions. Urban and Regional Planners address issues such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and the effects of growth and change on a community. They may formulate plans relating to the construction of new school buildings, public housing, or other kinds of infrastructure. Some Planners are involved in environmental issues ranging from pollution control to wetland preservation, forest conservation, and the location of new landfills. Planners also may be involved in drafting legislation on environmental, social, and economic issues, such as sheltering the homeless, planning a new park, or meeting the demand for new correctional facilities.	Tourism Environmental Science Ecotourism Environmental Restoration Sustainable Development
Biophysicist	Biophysicists apply the laws of physics to biology. A Biophysicist may develop and apply models and experimental techniques derived from physics (e.g. electromagnetism and quantum mechanics) to systems such as tissues or organs to benefit neuroscience or cardiology or muscle function.	Physics Biotechnology Mathematics and Statistics Molecular Biology
Ecological Modeller / Environmental Ecologist	Ecological Modellers study ecosystems, the control of environmental pollution, and the management of resources. These Environmental Scientists may use mathematical modelling, systems analysis, thermodynamics, and computer techniques. Environmental Ecologists study the relationships between organisms and their environments and the effects of influences such as population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and altitude. Utilizing their knowledge of various scientific disciplines, they may collect, study, and report data on air, food, soil, and water. Environmental Engineers develop plans to rehabilitate land, water and air affected by pollutants, logging, mining, farming, land degradation, grazing, land clearing, industrial and other activities that impact on the environment. They research questions like the disappearance of native animals and effluent in waterways, and negotiate with companies, industry, business and the public on such matters as they arise.	Environmental Science Sustainable Development
Biological Scientist	Biological Scientists who work in applied research or product development use knowledge provided by basic research to develop new drugs, treatments, and medical diagnostic tests; increase crop yields; and protect and clean up the environment by developing new biofuels. Applied researchers usually have less autonomy than basic researchers to choose the emphasis of their research, relying instead on market-driven directions based on their firms products and goals. They must understand the potential cost of their work and its impact on business, because they may be required to describe their research plans or results to non-scientists who are in a position to veto or approve their ideas. Scientists often work in teams, interacting with engineers, scientists of other disciplines, business managers, and technicians. Some Biological Scientists also work with customers or suppliers and manage budgets. Today, many Biological Scientists (Biotechnologists) are involved in biotechnology. Research using biotechnology techniques, such as recombining DNA, has led to the production of important substances, including human insulin and growth hormone. Molecular Biologists work on the Human Genome Project to isolate genes and determine their function. This work continues to lead to the discovery of the genes associated with specific diseases and inherited traits, such as certain types of cancer or obesity. These advances in biotechnology have created research opportunities in almost all areas of biology, with commercial applications in the food industry, agriculture, and environmental remediation, and in other emerging areas such as DNA fingerprinting.	Biotechnology Molecular Biology Biomedical Science Nanoscience Forensic Biology and Toxicology

• See our careers sheet for a full list of career options for this study area.