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 location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
085714G
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
3 years full-time
Semester tuition fee 2016
A$11,800
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$70,800
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.
  • * Enrolments at Fraser Coast commence from Semester 1, 2017, subject to final University approval.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013201
  • Fraser Coast * 019201
Refer to the program footnotes
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 17 Rank - 63
UniSC program code
SC320
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
On campus
Recommended prior study
English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences
Fee type 2016
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
24
Total units
288
Footnotes
  • * Enrolments at Fraser Coast commence from Semester 1, 2017, subject to final University approval.

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.

Membership

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

Program structure

Program Structure
Introductory courses (8)

COR109 Health Promotion Settings
ANM100 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
ANM102 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
ANM103 Public Health Project
ANM104 Communication and Thought
LFS100 Animal Ecology Field Course
SCI102 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
SCI110 How Animals Work: Form and Function

Advanced courses (12)

ANM201 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
ANM203 Cell Biology
ANM301 Biodiversity and Ecology
ANM302 Science Research Methods
ENS213 Animal Ecophysiology
ENS214 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
ENS222 Animal Behaviour
ENS282 Global-Change Ecology
ENS315 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
ENS316 Animal Habitats
ENS317 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
PLUS select 1 course from:
SRP301 Coastal and Marine Ecology
WPL310 Numerical Techniques in Ecology

Elective courses (4)

Select 4 elective courses (at least 2 courses must be at 200/300 coded) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Note: 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:

  • Complete  8 required introductory courses
  • Complete 12 required advanced courses
  • Complete 4 elective courses from any Faculty
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory courses including core courses
  • Complete a minimum of 14 advanced (200 and 300 coded)
Program notes
  • 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 including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan