Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. |
| Campus | Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Cloud Campus | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 075365F Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | S369 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| 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
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Through Deakin’s Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science, you’ll explore the social and economic impact that human activity has on animals and their ecosystems, and investigate how animals respond and adapt to changes in the environment, including climate change. The course has a strong focus on Australian fauna and its unique importance in the global environment. Apply the latest research techniques to test hypotheses in real-world settings and develop evidence-based decision-making skills valued by industry.
You'll work with living subjects in the lab and field giving you a first-hand understanding of the form and function of animals and the underlying mechanisms that influence their ecology and evolution. You’ll also learn broadly about how animal’s respond to changing environments over time. Best of all, your journey will be supported by teaching staff who share your passion 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, along with our emphasis on critical thinking skills and written and oral presentation skills.
As you advance through the course, you’ll be exposed to many unique aspects of zoology including physiological and behavioural adaptations to environmental change, disease ecology, animal sensory neurobiology and behaviour, as well as 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.
As important as what you learn is how you'll learn it. Start preparing for your future career by undertaking a discipline-specific industry work placement and study animals, working alongside academic staff who aren’t just teachers, but researchers at the forefront of their respective fields.
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
Employers value Deakin graduates’ range of practical experience and evidence-based decision-making skills. You’ll be well-placed to explore opportunities in areas including:
- zoological research
- environmental monitoring and management
- wildlife biology
- private environmental consulting
- government quarantine.
Graduates typically take on roles such as:
- research assistants
- environmental managers
- 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, museum curator or even a university academic.
Participation requirements
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
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.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
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. |
Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Zoology and Animal 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’ll 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:
- 17 credit points of core (prescribed) units
- 7 credit points of electives (which can be taken from any area of the University, or can be used to specialise in another area)
- Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- No more than 10 credit points at level 1
- At least 6 level 3 units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Course structure
Core
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World ^ or one elective unit |
plus one elective unit (one credit point)
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)
^Note: Students must complete at least one Chemistry unit (SLE133 Chemistry in Our World or SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences). Students who have not completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent may choose to do SLE133 Chemistry in Our World in Trimester 1. Students who have completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent may choose to do SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences in Trimester 2.
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE204 | Animal Diversity |
| SLE251 | Research Methods and Data Analysis ^ |
| SLE238 | Marine Biology |
plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SLE205 | Vertebrate Structure and Function |
| SLE254 | Genetics and Genomics |
| SLE224 | Animal Behaviour |
plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Level 2 - Trimester 3
| SLE355 | Zoological Field Studies (Tri-3) |
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| SLE301 | Professional Practice ^ |
| SLE341 | Ecological and Conservation Genetics |
| SLE370 | Evolution |
| SLE397 | Sensory Neurobiology and Behaviour |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SLE354 | Disease Ecology and Epidemiology |
plus two elective units (two credit points)
^ Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point unit)
Electives
Select from the range of 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.
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. deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
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
Other learning experiences
To broaden your experience of the world, you will have an opportunity to participate in overseas placements and study tours as an elective option in your course.