Bachelor of Animal Ecology | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Animal Ecology

Study animals to discover how they relate to each other and their environment.

Want to learn about how animals are impacted by the environment and human interaction and what we can do to protect their future? Develop your analytical and research skills to better understand how to conserve and manage animals. The program will build your knowledge of animal conservation, biodiversity and animal behaviour.

Study locations
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Moreton Bay
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
085714G
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
3 years
Annual tuition fee 2021
A$28,000
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$84,000
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • ^First- and second-year courses offered at USC Moreton Bay from Semester 1, 2021.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013201
  • Moreton Bay ^ 014271
Refer to the program footnotes
Minimum selection threshold
ATAR - 55.00 OP - - Rank - 55
UniSC program code
SC320
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
Blended Learning
Recommended prior study
English; Maths B or C; and one or more of the sciences
Fee type 2021
  • Commonwealth supported places
Total courses
24
Total units
288
Footnotes
  • ^First- and second-year courses offered at USC Moreton Bay from Semester 1, 2021.

Want to learn about how animals are impacted by the environment and human interaction and what we can do to protect their future? Develop your analytical and research skills to better understand how to conserve and manage animals. The program will build your knowledge of animal conservation, biodiversity and animal behaviour.

Hands-on experience starts in your first year with fieldwork to North Stradbroke Island and your local region. During the program, you'll work with leading researchers on field trips and in the laboratory, thus delivering work-ready graduates who are able to blend concepts gleaned from the global literature with personal experience of a diversity of regional habitats and fauna.

In your final year you can also further develop your research skills in a specialised area by undertaking a guided research project in Animal Ecology, working as an intern animal ecologist as part of your studies, or taking advantage of opportunities to travel abroad.

As an animal ecologist, your career paths include natural resource and environmental protection agencies, private environmental consultancies and research institutes. Many animal ecologists also pursue opportunities outside the science and health sectors in business, finance, education and sales.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities will be available across a range of areas both in Australia and internationally, including:

animal ecology specialists in private environmental consulting researchers, research assistants and managers in Government and non-governmental agencies; rangers and managers in wildlife management and conservation organisations; practitioners in environmental monitoring and management; collectors and curators in museums; environmental educators; specialist ecotourism guides; and researchers and lecturers at universities.

Graduates will be eligible to become members/associate members of:
  • Ecological Society of Australia
  • Environmental Institute of Australia
  • Australian Mammal Society
  • Australian Marine Science Association
  • Society for Conservation Biology
  • Australian Wildlife Management Society
  • Australian Physiological Society

Program structure

Introductory courses (8) 96 units

ANM100 Regional Infrastructure Planning
ANM102 Participation and Conflict Resolution
ANM103 Animal Ecology Field Course
ANM104 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
LFS100 Animal Form, Function and Evolution
SCI102 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
SCI110 Cell Biology
SCI113 Biodiversity and Ecology

Developing and Graduate courses (10) 120 units

ANM201 Science Research Methods
ANM203 Discovering Science
ENS213 Animal Ecophysiology
ENS222 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
ENS282 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
ANM301 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ANM302 Coastal and Marine Ecology
ENS316 Animal Behaviour
ENS317 Global-Change Ecology

PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS330 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
ENS333 Coastal Conservation Planning
SRP301 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
WPL310 Special Field Studies Topic

Elective courses (6) 72 units

Select 6 elective courses (72 units) from the undergraduate elective course options, at least 4 of which (48 units) must be developing and graduate level (200/300 coded).

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • Some courses may also include a compulsory field trip, requiring payment of an additional fee, and may be held outside of the regular teaching week, ie on weekends or during semester break
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.