Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Online	No
Length	3 years full-time
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$42,400 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Level	Undergraduate
CRICOS code	075365F Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
VTAC codes	1400315483 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
Deakin course code	S369
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Through Deakin’s Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science, you will explore the social and economic impacts of human activity on animals and their ecosystems. You will investigate how animals respond and adapt to changes in climate and the environment, and apply the latest research techniques to test hypotheses in real-world settings. Along the way, you will develop evidence-based decision-making skills that are highly valued by industry.

You will work with live animals in the lab and field, gaining first-hand insight into animal form and function, as well as the underlying mechanisms that influence their ecology and evolution. The course has a strong focus on Australian fauna and its unique importance in the world. Best of all, your learning will be supported by passionate teaching staff who share your love for animals.

Interested in a career that cares for the future of our furry and feathered friends?

If you’re fascinated by the way animals behave, adapt, evolve and survive, you’re not alone. Animal enthusiasts choose Deakin to turn their passion into a rewarding career because of our research-informed teaching and practical approach to learning. This hands-on approach ensures you will develop the technical and practical expertise required to thrive in your career, as well as the communication, teamwork and critical-thinking skills to equip you for future roles in the field.

As you advance through the course, you will be exposed to many different aspects of zoology. These include physiological and behavioural adaptations to environmental change, disease ecology, animal sensory neurobiology and behaviour, field studies, and ecological and conservation genetics. The wide range of core units will broaden your skill set, expanding your career options across the growing zoology and animal science field.

How you will learn is as important as what you will learn. Study animals while working alongside academic staff who aren’t just teachers, but researchers at the forefront of their respective fields. You’ll also undertake a discipline-specific industry work placement, allowing you to gain valuable experience and start preparing for your future career while you study.

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Career opportunities

Employers value Deakin graduates for their range of practical experience and evidence-based decision-making skills. You will be well-placed to explore opportunities in areas including:

zoological research
environmental monitoring and management
wildlife biology
private environmental consulting
government biosecurity and quarantine.

Graduates typically take on roles such as:

research assistants
environmental managers
field officers
pest management officers
collection managers of aquaria and zoological gardens
primary and secondary teachers (with relevant teaching qualifications).

Further postgraduate studies, including research training either in Australia or overseas, can also lead to becoming a research scientist in a specific field, a museum curator, or even a university academic.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply a broad and coherent knowledge of chemistry, zoology and their environment to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of scientific concepts and methods in the study of zoology and animal science. Apply technical knowledge and skills and use them in a range of activities, in a professional setting; this application of technical knowledge and skills being characterised by demonstrable in-depth knowledge of scientific methods and tools; and demonstrable proficiency in the utilisation of scientific facts, principles and practices. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge, autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility to investigate, test, analyse, and evaluate scientific data and to argue about characteristics and aspects of scientific theories in the advancement of zoology and animal science.
Communication	Use oral, written, graphical and interpersonal communication skills to accommodate, encourage, and answer audience questions in a professional manner. Present details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions using appropriate scientific language and conventions to share and disseminate information and knowledge in a clear and coherent manner.
Digital literacy	Apply well-developed scientific information literacy skills to independently locate, interpret, evaluate the merits of, and synthesise information in a digital world using an advanced working knowledge of relevant bibliographic software applications. Reflect on, create and ethically share knowledge and information to a variety of audiences to demonstrate the ability to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts.
Critical thinking	Locate and evaluate scientific information from multiple sources and use scientific methods and frameworks to structure and plan observations, experimentation or fieldwork investigations. Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement to analyse, synthesise and generate an integrated knowledge, formulate hypotheses and test them against evidence-based scientific concepts and principles in the field of zoology and animal science.
Problem solving	Use initiative and creativity in planning, identifying and using multiple approaches to recognise, clarify, construct and solutions to real world (authentic) problems in zoology and animal science. Advocate scientific methodologies, hypotheses, laws, facts and principles to create solutions to authentic real world problems in zoology and animal science taking into account relevant contextual factors.
Self-management	Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing professional science contexts to develop autonomy as learners and evaluate own performance. Work autonomously, responsibly, ethically and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices.
Teamwork	Work independently and collaboratively as a team to contribute towards achieving team goals and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts.
Global citizenship	Apply scientific knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability in collaboration with others to articulate the place and importance of zoology and animal science in the local and global context.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science, you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
18 credit points of core units
6 credit points - one of:
- 1 minor (4 credit points) and 2 credit points of open elective units
- 6 credit points of open elective units
a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Minors

Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.

Course structure

Core units

Level 1 - Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

STP010

Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SLE010

Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

SLE117

Foundations of Zoology

SLE111

Cells and Genes

SLE103

Ecology and the Environment

SLE133

Chemistry in Our World or one elective unit*

*Students must complete at least one Chemistry unit -SLE133 Chemistry in Our World OR SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences. An elective may be taken in the alternative Trimester.

Level 1 - Trimester 2

SLE132

Biology: Form and Function

SLE123

Physics for the Life Sciences

SLE155

Chemistry for the Professional Sciences ^ or one elective unit*^

plus one elective unit (one credit point)

^Assumed knowledge: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent).

*Students must complete at least one Chemistry unit -SLE133 Chemistry in Our World OR SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences. An open elective may be taken in the alternative trimester.

Level 2 - Trimester 1

SLE204

Animal Diversity

SLE251

Research Methods and Data Analysis ^

SLE238

Marine Biology

plus one open elective unit (one credit point)

Level 2 - Trimester 2

SLE205

Vertebrate Structure and Function

SLE254

Genetics and Genomics

SLE224

Animal Behaviour

plus one open elective unit (one credit point)

Level 3 - Trimester 1

SLE301

Professional Practice ^

SLE341

Ecological and Conservation Genetics

SLE370

Evolution

SLE397

Sensory Ecology

Level 3 - Trimester 2

SLE354

Disease Ecology and Epidemiology

SLE355

Zoological and Wildlife Field Studies

plus two open elective units (two credit points)

^ Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point unit)

Electives

Select from the range of open elective units offered across many courses, including, in some cases, the option to choose elective units from a completely different field (subject to meeting unit requirements).

It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.

Academic requirements

Academic requirements - Higher education study

If you’re currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

Year 12 prerequisite subjects

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL

ATAR

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent

Academic requirements - Higher education study

If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)

Academic requirements - VET study

If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline

Academic requirements - Work and life experience

If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and have not undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.

Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.

Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Articulated courses

Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) (S494)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (S400)

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

This course includes a compulsory professional practice unit that requires you to undertake at least 80 hours of work experience in a course-related host organisation. Explore the SEBE WIL program.

Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Selection adjustment

Subject adjustment

A study score of 30 in any English, any Mathematics or any Science equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points.

Access and equity

Equity schemes and scholarships, formerly known as Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS), enable Deakin to consider any disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and how these have impacted your studies. Equity schemes help us identify whether you are from an under-represented group when making selection decisions for certain courses. It's important to note that participation in an equity scheme does not exempt you from meeting the standard course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin's equity schemes and scholarships.