Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity and Conservation)

Entry Requirements

Flinders University recognises international secondary schooling for direct entry to undergraduate programs.

English language requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 6.0 Overall with 6.0 Speaking, 6.0 Writing;
• TOEFL iBT: 72 Overall with 18 Speaking, 21 Writing;
• Pearson PTE Academic: 50 Overall with 50 Speaking, 50 Writing;
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: 169 Overall with 169 Writing, 169 Speaking;
• Occupational English Test (OET): 300 Speaking, 300 Writing; Duolingo (Up to and including Semester 2, 2024): Overall 95-100

Course Details

Develop the knowledge and skills to analyse and interpret the impacts of key environmental drivers such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, changing climates, altered fire regimes and invasive species. The degree also teaches principles of reserve design, habitat restoration and other means of conserving species affected by human impacts.

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:

• core topics in biodiversity and conservation, evolution of biological diversity, and the molecular basis of life
• elective topics in areas such as animal behaviour
• a choice of topics in chemistry, earth sciences or computing from core topics.

Second year

A typical second year may include:

• core topics in genetics, evolution and biodiversity, ecology, animal diversity, geographical information systems, and experimental design and statistics
• a range of elective topics.

Third year

A typical third year may include:

• core topics in conservation biology and restoration ecology, plant and algal diversity, vertebrate palaeontology, marine and freshwater biology, integrative physiology of animals and plants, human impacts and biodiversity, and ecological genetics
• a selection of elective topics.

Honours year

A typical honours year may include:

• additional hands-on research skills and knowledge
• further scientific research in a science-related field
• specialised topics and an individually supervised research project in an area that interests you.

Your career

The world has never been more attuned to environmental issues or the need to train and employ specialists who can help us reduce our impact and plan wisely for the future. Conservation has moved into the mainstream debate and biodiversity is high on the global agenda for governments, organisations and individuals.

Potential occupations include:

• biodiversity conservation officer
• biodiversity project officer
• conservation programs assistant
• graduate ecologist
• national park officer.

Potential employers include:

• national parks
• museums
• education bodies
• research and development authorities
• mine site rehabilitation bodies
• environmental monitoring departments