Semester 1

Semester 2

BIOL2001 Australia’s Terrestrial Environment
This course introduces you to the flora and fauna of the Australian continent. Through lectures and (non-compulsory) field trips to Fraser Island and Australia Zoo, you will examine a range of animals, including kangaroos, dingos, crocodiles, snakes, amphibians, birds and insects. You will also learn about Australian soil and vegetation types, along with those historical factors that have helped shape this continent’s distinctive terrestrial environment.

BIOL2001 Australia’s Terrestrial Environment
This course introduces you to the flora and fauna of the Australian continent. Through lectures and (non-compulsory) field trips to Fraser Island and Australia Zoo, you will examine a range of animals, including kangaroos, dingos, crocodiles, snakes, amphibians, birds and insects. You will also learn about Australian soil and vegetation types, along with those historical factors that have helped shape this continent’s distinctive terrestrial environment.

BIOL2006 Biostatistics & Experimental Design
Introduces students to the process of biological research in fields ranging from ecology to genetics.

Students will get hands-on experience including:

> generating ideas and hypotheses
> designing experiments
> analysing real data-sets
> critiquing published studies
> communicating results 

BIOL2201 Evolution
We are the way we are because of evolution – understand the issues of evolution and why we accept that evolution accounts for the diversity of life on earth. Learn how the principles of evolution and technology are combined and applied in fields such as agriculture and medicine.

Topics include:

> Evolving molecules as the agents of change
> Major patterns in the evolution of life – genomes to organisms
> Genetic variation, the raw material of evolution
> The role of chance in evolution
> Speciation and the origins of biodiversity
> Human evolution – history and current issues 

BIOL2010 Ecology
Provides students with a base knowledge of key ecological theory and approaches for doing ecology research and builds on ecology studied during first year. Theory and methodologies will be studied using a diversity of organisms and students will learn about experimental and modelling techniques.

Topics covered include:

> History and philosophies of ecology
> Interspecies interactions
> Population dynamics
> Palaeoecology
> Species-area relationships 

BIOL2202 Genetics
Genetics provides many of the core concepts that have transformed our understanding of all other fields of biology – from medicine and agriculture to ecology and environmental science.

This course will address this core discipline from a modern molecular perspective:

> The genetic code, mutation and genetic screens
> Gene regulation - both genetic and epigenetic
> Genetic mapping
> The relationship between genotype and phenotype
> Bioinformatics and genomics,
> Impact of genetics on society 

BIOL2015 Ecology Field Studies
Involves a five-day field trip to Fraser Island and will introduce students to many facets of the methodology and practice of ecology in a unique Australian environment.

Activities will include:

> plant and animal ecology
> behaviour of various organisms (small mammals, birds, crabs, frogs, lizards, marine, insect-plant interactions)
> techniques in estimating distribution and abundance of organisms
> species-species interactions in variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats 

BIOL2203 Plant Biology
You will discover a broad range of information ranging from plant biotechnology to plant ecophysiology & biodiversity. The important international contexts included in this course are global warming, sustainability, carbon sequestration and biofuels.

Topics include:

> introduction to plant biodiversity
> plant-derived energy, nutrients and sustainability
> plasticity of plant form and function
> reproduction
> symbioses and negative interactions with other organisms
> plant biotechnology 

MARS2014 Marine Science
Here is an exciting opportunity for students to study marine ecosystems, and the intricacies of environmental factors affecting them. The course is cross disciplinary, covering topics from oceanography to aquaculture which are complemented by relevant field-based study.

Topics that are covered include:

> Marine geology and oceanography of the ocean basins
> Coastal systems and the effects of waves & tides
> The physiochemical properties of marine systems
> Marine ecology, botany, zoology, and biological productivity in the oceans
> Ocean resources and human impacts 

BIOL2204 Zoology
Zoology examines the evolution and diversity of animal life, including invertebrates and vertebrates from marine, freshwater, terrestrial, tropical, temperate and polar environments. The course will cover the development, structure, physiology, and behaviour of animals from throughout the world, with a focus on Australian animals.

Topics include:

> Animal phylogenetics, evolutionary history and biogeography
> Reproduction and development
> Body support and locomotion
> Feeding and digestion
> Respiration and circulation
> Senses and behaviour 

BIOL2205  Insect Science
There are many unique aspects of insect biology that have produced the tremendous biodiversity of insects on the planet. The course will cover major groups of insects, their biology & life histories. The reason for the success of insects as a group of animals is explained in terms of their external & internal anatomy, physiology, behaviour, metamorphosis & ecology.

Topics include:

> Taking to land and air
> Sexual adventures
> Communities
> Global impact
> Identity and diversity