Help protect animals in their natural habitats
Work with animals and turn your love of nature into a meaningful career. In this program, you’ll study animals in their natural habitats to better understand how we can protect their future.
- 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.
Work with animals and turn your love of nature into a meaningful career. In this program, you’ll study animals in their natural habitats to better understand how we can protect their future.
You’ll complete fieldwork in Australia or overseas to learn about biodiversity, conservation, human-animal interactions, and the impacts of a changing environment.
In this program you will:
- Study a wide range of marine and terrestrial wildlife, including sharks, snakes, birds, turtles and whales.
- Learn how animals are impacted by humans and the environment.
- Work alongside leading researchers to gain expertise in animal conservation and management.
- Develop hands-on skills from your first year through fieldwork to North Stradbroke Island or Fraser Island.
- Have opportunities for overseas study or fieldwork.
Career opportunities
- Animal ecologist (in government agencies or private consulting)
- Wildlife or environmental researcher
- Park and wildlife ranger
- Environmental educator
- Environmental monitor
- Ecotourism guide
- Museum collector or curator
Graduates are eligible to become 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
COR109 Communication and Thought
ANM100 Animal Ecology Field Course
ANM102 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
ANM103 Animal Form, Function and Evolution
ANM104 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
LFS100 Cell Biology
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Developing and Graduate courses (10) 120 units
ANM201 Animal Ecophysiology
ANM203 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
ANM301 Animal Behaviour
ANM302 Global-Change Ecology
ENS213 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
ENS222 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS282 Coastal and Marine Ecology
ENS316 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
ENS317 Coastal Conservation Planning
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS330 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
ENS333 Special Field Studies Topic
SRP301 Special Research Project
WPL310 Workplace Learning I
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
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Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.