Course Information

Bachelor of Science (Marine and Freshwater Biology)

Effective from 01-JAN-2021 : Code G87

This course is designed to enable students to make a positive contribution to the management and understanding of marine and freshwater environments. The program focuses on both the theoretical and practical dimensions of aquatic environments.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Work Experience Option

Students have the opportunity to seek a semester long Work Integrated Learning placement with an industry partner relevant to the Marine and Freshwater Biology discipline.

Duty of care

Students, the WIL host organisation and the school's WIL Coordinator must complete a WIL documentation pack (which includes all required OSH and Risk Assessment documents) before the placement can commence.

Attendance requirements

Students are required to complete a placement which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study, or approximately 450 hours. Whilst attendance is negotiated with the WIL host organisation, typically students will be expected to attend 5 days a week for 12 weeks.

Prerequisites

Students are required to have successfully completed all core units (except SCI3150). Students must also have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 65 per cent or higher across their course, or have a WAM of 70 per cent or higher for the semester preceding their application. Successful applicants for the work placement must enrol in and complete the requirements for the unit Work Experience Project (in place of SCI3150 Science Project + 3 electives). It is the responsibility of the student to conserve appropriate elective credit leading into their final year and to check any course duration issues that may occur from undertaking WIL in the summer school enrolment period.

Application process

Students are required to apply in writing to the Work Integrated Learning Coordinator (the student's Course Coordinator can advise who is the responsible staff member) upon successful completion of 240 credit points of study. Students should seek the advice of their Course Coordinator and the WIL Coordinator as to the appropriateness of pursuing the work placement option within their course structure, and also as to their eligibility to be considered. The WIL placement will take place in the summer school enrolment period.

Enrolment process

Students require written permission from the Work Integrated Learning coordinator to enrol in CSI3345 for the summer school enrolment period. Students are also advised not to enrol in any additional units whilst undertaking their Work Integrated Learning placement.

Implications of failing

Failure to successfully complete CSI3345 Work Experience Project will necessitate completing SCI3150 Science Project + 3 electives in the semester(s) following the unsuccessful placement.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical marine and/or freshwater science situations.
  2. Think critically to analyse, interpret complex marine and/or freshwater science problems and devise strategies for their solution.
  3. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and design strategies to address marine or freshwater problems.
  4. Apply ecological and digital literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
  5. Communicate marine and freshwater science knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook on organismal diversity.
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values, including Indigenous cultural competence.
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional practice.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 3)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Cert IV;
  • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;
  • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or
  • Experience Based Entry Scheme.

English Language requirement (Band 3)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;
  • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;
  • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 3 Years
  • Part Time: 6 Years

Course Delivery

  • Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

A/Prof Mark Andrew LUND

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI1125Professional Science Essentials15
SCI1187Form and Function in Biology15
SCI1193Introduction to Environmental Science15
Select 1 unit from:
SCC1123 ^Chemistry for the Life Sciences15
SCC1111 ^General Chemistry15

Note: Students who have completed Chemistry ATAR or equivalent should enrol in SCC1111 General Chemistry, while those that have not completed Chemistry ATAR should enrol in SCC1123 Chemistry for the Life Sciences.

Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI1182Case Studies in Science15
SCI1183Origins and Evolution of Life15
SCI1185Ecology15
SCI1192Physical Environments15
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAT1114Introductory Statistics15
SCM2110Marine and Freshwater Processes15
SCM2201Soil and Land Processes15
Elective Unitx115
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI2111Marine and Fisheries Biology15
SCI2116Diversity of Life15
Elective Unitx 230

For students who are NOT undertaking a Work Integrated Learning Placement

Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI3210Marine and Coastal Ecosystems15
Elective Unitx 345
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCB3201Studies in Ecology15
SCI3150Science Project15
SCI3113Freshwater Ecosystems15
Elective Unitx 115

For students who ARE undertaking a Work Integrated Learning Placement

Year 3 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI3210Marine and Coastal Ecosystems15
Elective Unitx 115
Year 3 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCB3201Studies in Ecology15
SCI3113Freshwater Ecosystems15
Year 3 - Summer
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CSI3345Work Experience Project60
RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI2118Australian Biota15
SCI2371Sustainable Water15
ISS3101International Science Project15
SCI3114Ecophysiology15
SCI3206Environmental Investigation and Monitoring15
SCI3453Sustainable Natural Resource Management15
SCM2104Geographical Information Systems15
ACS2122Aboriginal Perspectives on the Environment15
MAT2110Applied Statistics15

^ Core Option


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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