Zoology Major: Recommended Streams 2021 - 2026

Examples of degree structures that a student could take with Zoology as their major

Below are presented four example suggested Unit combinations (‘streams’) that students with different interests might pursue:

1. General Zoology,  2. Zoology with Ecology focus,  3. Zoology with Genetics focus

  • Bold = core unit for major 
  • Standard text underlined = suggested unit for stream
  • Italics = optional unit for stream

1. General Zoology Stream

The General Zoology stream gives a solid grounding in the principles of zoology while allowing for flexibility in taking other Biology, Genetics or Science units.

Year Semester 1 Semester 2
1BIO1011: Blueprints for Life

Choice of 3 other Level 1 units

BIO1022: Life on Earth
or
BIO1042: Life in the Environment

Choice of 3 other Level 1 units

2BIO2231: Animal Diversity

Choice of 3 other Level 2 units

BIO2242: Animal Structure and Function

BIO2010: Data Science for Biologists

Choice of 2 other Level 2 units

3

BIO3021: Marine Biology

Three units chosen from:

BIO3990: Biology in Action Research Project*
other Level 3 units

BIO3052: Animal Behaviour

BIO3132: Biology of Australian Vertebrates

BIO3990: Biology in Action Research Project#

Choice of 1 other Level 3 unit

* BIO3990 has a minimum academic performance prerequisite and can be taken in either semester

2.  Zoology with Ecology focus

The ecology of an animal is intimately connected to its biology. This stream recommends Ecology units that complement the core Zoology units to give a broader ecological view of animal biology and the way that animals interact with each other and their environment.

Year Semester 1 Semester 2
1BIO1011: Blueprints for Life

Choice of 3 other Level 1 units

BIO1022: Life on Earth
or
BIO1042: Life in the Environment

Choice of 3 other Level 1 units

2BIO2231: Animal Diversity

BIO2011: Ecology & Biodiversity

Choice of 2 other Level 2 unit

BIO2242: Animal Structure and Function>

BIO2010: Data Science for Biologists

BIO2040: Conservation Biology

Choice of 1 other Level 2 unit

3

BIO3021: Marine Biology

BIO3020: Evolutionary Ecology

BIO3111: Applied Ecology

and two units chosen from :
BIO3990: Biology in Action Research Project*
other Level 3 units

BIO3052: Animal Behaviour

BIO3132: Biology of Australian Vertebrates

BIO3100: Advanced Methods in Field Ecology

BIO3990: Biology in Action Research Project* or
Choice of 1 other Level 3 unit

* BIO3990 has a minimum academic performance prerequisite and can be taken in either semester

3. Zoology with Genetics focus

The fundamental structure, function and behaviour of animals is determined by their genetics. The Zoology with Genetics focus stream specifies units that would suit students wishing to understand the molecular basis of animal life.

Year Semester 1 Semester 2
1BIO1011: Blueprints for Life

Choice of 3 other Level 1 units

BIO1022: Life on Earth

Choice of 3 other Level 1 units

2BIO2231: Animal Diversity

GEN2041: Foundations of Genetics

Choice of 2 other Level 2 unit
BIO2242: Animal Structure and Function

BIO2010: Data Science for Biologists

GEN2052: Genomics and Population Genetics

Choice of 1 other Level 2 unit
3

BIO3021: Marine Biology

GEN3040: Genomics and its Applications

and two of:

BIO/GEN3990: Biology/Genetics in Action Research Project* 

GEN3030: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Genetics

Choice of other Level 3 units

BIO3052: Animal Behaviour

BIO3132: Biology of Australian Vertebrates

GEN3062: Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics

One of:
BIO/GEN3990: Biology/Genetics in Action Research Project*

Choice of other Level 3 units

* BIO/GEN3990 has a minimum academic performance prerequisite and can be taken in either semester