Future Students

Life Sciences (Biological) - foundation package

Knowledge and activity in these sciences have developed exponentially since the manufacture of powerful microscopes and in particular the cracking of the genetic code.  They underpin new developments in health and medicine and in agriculture, and combine with the environmental sciences in fields such as ecology and environmental management.  In addition, knowledge of the life sciences contributes to fields that range from national security (prevention of biological terrorism) to the production of new sunscreens using techniques borrowed from coral reefs.  Our century has indeed been called the century of the life sciences.

A foundation package in the biological sciences leads on to major sequences in any of the following:

• anatomy & human biology
• biochemistry
• biophysics
• botany
• genetics
• marine biology
• microbiology (or environmental microbiology)
• pathology
• pharmacology
• physiology (or cell physiology)
• zoology

It is possible to combine two of these, or to combine one with a non-biological major, e.g. genetics and mathematical statistics, pharmacology and chemistry.  Students entering combined courses with arts, commerce, economics or law often take a biological major.

Bachelor of Science Level 1
Foundation package in the biological sciences:  A pair of units of biology or human biology; a pair of units in chemistry (at introductory or post-TEE level); units in physics and/or mathematics and statistics.  You may take one or two additional units from the biological sciences, to improve your coverage of molecular biology, human, plant or animal biology; or your fourth pair of units can be from a contrasting area of science (e.g. the behavioural sciences) or even from outside science.  All your biological units, at this and higher levels, will include a significant element of practical, hands-on laboratory experience, often in state-of-the-art research techniques.

Levels 2 and 3
The foundation package leads on at level 2 to more specialised units focusing on the various different biological disciplines listed above.  At level 3 you will complete at least one major sequence.  You may make up the rest of your enrolment at this level with further specialised units in your major area, or with a second major, or with units from other areas that support your major.  To give just a few examples: a major in pharmacology combines well with chemistry, microbiology or genetics; marine biology has close links with zoology; level 3 units in anatomy & human biology range from cells and tissues to aspects of primate evolution and human behaviour. Note that level 3 units in some biological disciplines have restricted quotas, owing to limitations on laboratory space.

The University of Western Australia also offers a number of specialised programs in the biological sciences:

• Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Biophysical Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Genetics)
• Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience)
• Bachelor of Science (Anatomical Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology & Biotechnology)
• Bachelor of Science (Bioinformatics)

Other specialised programs that include biological sciences are the Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology), which offers a biological stream; and a suite of programs aimed at understanding and managing aspects of the natural environment and its plants and animals — the Bachelor of Science (Conservation Biology), the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and the Bachelor of Science (Marine Science).  Biological majors may be taken in further programs, such as the Bachelor of Science (Science Communication).  The Bachelor of Science (Exercise & Health Science) includes a strong element of human biology.

Career opportunities

Degrees in the biological sciences lead on naturally to hands-on research and development work in health and medicine, agriculture, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.  Equally you may put your biological knowledge to work on the administrative or marketing side of these broad and varied fields, or in many other areas such as environmental management, diagnostics, genetic counselling or patent evaluation.  Biological majors work well in combined courses such as science/law or science/commerce, or provide a springboard into further study in medicine, pharmacy or forensic science.