Environmental Biology and Ecology (Advanced)

Overview

Overview

Environmental biologists and ecologists study how organisms interact with each other and with their physical environments. Their knowledge is vital for managing the impacts of human activity on flora and fauna, including repairing habitat degradation and preserving biodiversity.

The field and analytical research undertaken by environmental scientists includes identifying and monitoring plants and animals, with the assistance of technologies such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and geographic information systems (GIS). This information then provides the basis for conservation and management plans that protect at-risk ecosystems and guide sustainable development.

This is an Advanced Science honours course, designed to prepare high-performing science students to become leaders in sustainable environmental management. As an Advanced Science student, you’ll benefit from immersive, year-long project experiences unique to the course and have the option to source for-credit industry internships.

You’ll also be part of a community of excellence comprising students from across STEM fields in Curtin’s 13 Advanced Science majors. Students work across disciplines, exchange ideas and enhance each other’s learning and networks. You’ll also benefit from engagement with research leaders, industry experts and specialised workshops in entrepreneurship, leadership and communication.

In the first part of the course, you’ll gain core of discipline knowledge through studies in botany, zoology, ecology, genetics and conservation biology, to understand how biological and ecological processes and environmental changes impact organisms.

You’ll develop environmental monitoring skills through field activities, alongside laboratory and computer-based skills. You'll also learn experimental design and statistics, and develop the critical-thinking and communication skills needed for environmental research.

In addition, this course gives you the flexibility to study specialisations that match your broader scientific interests – for example, in geoscience or chemistry.

You'll complete your studies with a capstone experience that provides hands-on experience in field or laboratory data collection and environmental problem-solving. Together with a work-integrated learning unit, these experiences will ensure that you can apply your expertise to real-world environmental issues as soon as you graduate.

What you'll learn

• Exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge and excellence in scientific research and application in environmental biology and ecology, recognising links to other disciplines. Contribute new knowledge to the environmental and ecological fields by designing appropriate investigations, including using field or laboratory techniques; accessing, synthesising, and critically evaluating knowledge from a range of sources; analysing and interpreting data; and constructing arguments and conclusions while recognising the limitations in the approaches used. GC1
• Be resilient and equipped to engage in self-driven, continuous and reflective discipline and professional lifelong learning and development, demonstrating acquired environmental biology, ecology and entrepreneurship skills in fostering innovation in biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, monitoring and conservation to creatively explore problems and drive positive change. GC2
• Effectively capacity build, communicate and promote the value of sharing ideas, knowledge, approaches and solutions around biology, biodiversity, evolution, adaptation, ecosystems and ecological management to a range of audiences (academia, industry, government and public), for a range of purposes using a variety of oral, textual, visual modes or other digital media.. GC3
• Demonstrate awareness of global citizenship, and capability to address complex global biological and ecological problems by applying practical and/or theoretical scientific techniques and clean technologies, recognising that scientific endeavours are required to comply with ethical and environmentally sustainable standards and to reduce inequalities. GC4
• Demonstrate an advanced and coherent understanding of the nature and relevance of animals, plants, biodiversity, sustainability, the social and cultural context of biological thought, ecosystems, and ecological practice, and the contribution of different knowledge systems, including Indigenous perspectives, especially around connection between humans and ecosystems and ecosystem management. GC5
• Demonstrate accountability, integrity and work responsibly and respectfully with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and ways of working in a range of applied settings, including laboratory and field contexts, both as an independent, self-directed scientist and collaboratively within multi-stakeholder partnerships, with cognisance of equity, equality and all appropriate regulatory and professional considerations within and adjacent to the biological, ecological and environmental sectors. GC6