Bachelor of Biological Science

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2024 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Biological Science
Deakin course code	S321
Faculty	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
Campus	For students who commenced prior to 2019
CRICOS course code	001841F Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
The final intake to this course version was in 2018. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the Handbook archive.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Study life in all its forms, from microbes to plants and animals while learning about animal and plant biology, microbiology, genetics, molecular cell biology, biogeography and evolution. This course provides you with the knowledge and skills to tackle the biological challenges of the 21st century, mainly around the environment and climate change, with a focus on experimental design and the Australian biota, and is perfect for people who are passionate about flora and fauna both big and small.

This course qualifies you to become a well-rounded, modern biologist with a knowledge of microbes, plants and animals, and the interactions these have with one another and their environments.

This course provides you with opportunities to gain real-life experience in your chosen profession and to study overseas. The Industry-Based Learning placement will allow you to apply knowledge gained in your course, experience workplace culture and practices, explore career options, and develop a professional network before you graduate.

Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, 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.

Career opportunities

You will have the opportunity to be employed in a wide range of areas including primary industries, wildlife biology, the general health and medical industry (hospital scientists, analytical and diagnostic laboratory scientists and research scientists), animal health, quarantine services, environmental consulting, museums, herbaria and the emerging biotechnology industries.

Participation requirements

You are required to complete units in Trimester 3.

Elective units may be selected that may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply a broad and coherent knowledge of the scientific disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and the environment within Biological Sciences to demonstrate a deep understanding of the nature of biology and it’s place and importance in the society. Demonstrate technical knowledge and skills in biological science to test scientific theories and apply them to a range of activities in a professional and/or academic setting. Use hypotheses, laws, facts and theories to investigate, test, analyse, and evaluate scientific data and demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility to argue about characteristics and aspects of scientific theory in the advancement of biological science.
Communication	Demonstrate listening skills and the ability to use a range of communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer audience questions. Articulate the boundaries or limits of scientific information, experimental or field data, discuss error, probability, uncertainty, conclusions and arguments. Judge how well to present essential details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts.
Digital literacy	Apply well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise, create and disseminate biological science literature, information, data and results in a digital world.
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 biological concepts and principles.
Problem solving	Use initiative and creativity in planning, identifying and using multiple approaches to recognise, clarify, construct and solve problems taking into account relevant contextual factors. Advocate scientific methodologies, hypotheses, laws, facts and principles to create solutions to authentic real world problems in biological science.
Self-management	Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing professional biological science contexts to develop autonomy as learners and evaluate own performance. Work autonomously, responsibly 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 biology in the local and global community.

Approved by Faculty Board 7 June 2018

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Biological Science, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you will need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:

19 core units
5 elective units
Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Completion of STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
level 1 - up to 10 credit points
levels 2 and 3 - at least 14 credit points over both levels
level 3 - at least 6 credit points

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

Work experience

The 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.

Other course information

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central