Program Overview

Conservation Biology

Course Overview

Conservation biologists work to prevent the extinction of the world's plant and animal species. According to Conservation International, the South West of Australia is one of the world's 36 'biodiversity hot spots' making WA an ideal living laboratory for your studies. You'll focus on how to protect and restore biodiversity, particularly understanding and minimising human impacts on the natural world.

Course Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus), Albany (Regional campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: 16-25 hours per week
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-CONBI
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (Bsc), 4 years (BPhil[Hons])
• Honours Available: Yes
• Degrees course is available in: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core:
  • BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (6)
  • BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology (6)
  • SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis (6)
  • SCOM1101 Communicating Science (6)
• Bridging:
  • Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721 or SCIE1500. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and either MATH1721 or SCIE1500. Note: MATH1721 should be taken if also considering majors or minors that require it for progression to level 2 (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science):
    • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
    • MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)
    • SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists (6)

Level 2

• Core:
  • BIOL2261 Conservation Biology (6)
  • ENVT2221 Global Climate Change and Biodiversity (6)
  • ENVT2250 Ecology (6)
  • GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems (6)

Level 3

• Core:
  • ANIM3353 Wildlife Conservation and Management (6)
  • BIOL3360 Saving Endangered Species (6)
  • BIOL3364 Evolutionary Processes (6)
  • GEOG3303 Environmental Policy and Planning (6)

Admission Requirements

• Minimum entry requirements:
  • All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE): 9
  • Canadian High School (except Quebec): 68
  • French Baccalaureate: 10
  • Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750: 507
  • GCE A-Levels: 8
  • German Abitur: 3.6
  • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 14
  • Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE): 45
  • Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65: 75.5
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 24
  • Malaysian STPM: 10
  • Monash University Foundation Year: 254
  • NCUK Foundation Program: 8
  • Norwegian Vitnemål: 3.5
  • Singapore - Cambridge A Levels: 6.5
  • South African National Senior Certificate: 4
  • South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 324
  • Sweden Slutbetyg: 14.5
  • Trinity College Foundation: 280
  • Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): 14
  • University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program: 61
  • US College Board Advanced Placements: 7
  • US College Board SAT: 1130
  • Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP): 56
  • Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards: 75

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic Student Fees:
  • For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.
• International Student Fees:
  • Annual course fee: $46,300.00 (2025)
  • Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.
• Scholarships:
  • Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Careers and Further Study

• Career Pathways:
  • Conservation Biology graduates may have the opportunity to be employed by government agencies (e.g. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, CSIRO), botanic gardens and zoos, conservation-related industries (e.g. WWF, Greening Australia, WA Museum, Gondwana Link etc.), universities (teaching and research) and a variety of other organisations (e.g. mining industry, local government, private companies, community and natural resource management groups).
• Further Study:
  • As human pressures on our natural environment are at an all-time high, the need for experienced conservation biologists to attempt to reverse the declines in ecosystem functioning and health, and in species population sizes, is increasing. You will undertake rigorous scientific research related to the conservation of threatened flora, fauna or ecological communities. Research projects can vary from studying aspects of a rare species biology or ecology, to experiments investigating different threat mitigation strategies, or an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of different management techniques. You will develop your practical and theoretical skills in conservation-related research by conducting your own research project, and participating in units on conservation genetics, conservation planning, restoration ecology, and data analysis. Honours in Conservation Biology can lead to many careers including (restoration) ecologist, conservation biologist, environmental impact assessor, DEC flora or fauna officer, government policy writer and consultant, consultant for mining companies, science journalist, laboratory technician or field research officer.