Future Students

Life Sciences (Human & Behavioural) - foundation package

A foundation package in the human and behavioural sciences offers pairs of units in the following disciplines:

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Geography
• Human biology
• Human movement
• Linguistics
• Psychology

Level 1
Foundation package in the human & behavioural sciences:  Four pairs of units, including at least two of the following: human biology, human movement, psychology, anthropology, archaeology, geography, linguistics.  If only two or three of these pairs are selected, the remaining units can be chosen from other areas of science or even from non-science subjects (with approval).  A unit of maths may be required (see above).

Levels 2 and 3
At level 2 you will start to specialise in two of your possible majors (see list above) — or, perhaps, one from the list plus another arising from your level 1 elective.  At level 3 you will complete at least one major sequence.  You may make up the rest of your enrolment at level 3 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: combining psychology units with another major — or another degree, such as the Bachelor of Laws — will enrich your understanding for any career working with people; students planning further studies in psychology, however, will focus their entire level 3 enrolment in this area.  Combining archaeology with geography, linguistics or anthropology gives you two complementary points of view on human society and development.  Human biology has natural links both with the social sciences, such as anthropology, and the other biological sciences, such as physiology or pharmacology.  Students focusing on human movement & exercise science often take all their level 3 units in this field, which offers a range from neuromuscular biomechanics to management and marketing in sport and recreation.

The University of Western Australia also offers a number of specialised programs in the human and behavioural sciences:

• Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
• Bachelor of Science (Exercise & Health)
• Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience)
• Bachelor of Science (Anatomical Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Science Communication)

Career opportunities

The broad scope of the human and behavioural sciences is reflected in a correspondingly broad range of career opportunities.  In some, such as psychology or fitness training and exercise rehabilitation, your specialist program or major will be vital, and further formal study will be required.  In others, your generic skills in synthesising knowledge and research from different disciplines may be just as important, for instance in planning and implementing government programs, or providing expert advice in fields such as environmental or archaeological consultancies.  The cross-cultural understanding derived from anthropology, geography or linguistics will stand you in good stead in our multicultural society or overseas.