Biology

Please check the current students website (Find a unit of study) for up-to-date information on units of study including availability.

 
The Plant Science minor also articulates to the Biology major.

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session

BIOLOGY

Biology major

A major in Biology requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 6 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 6 credit points of 1000-level selective units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level experimental design units
(iv) 6 credit points of 2000-level taxonomy units
(v) 6 credit points of 2000-level breadth units
(vi) 6 credit points of 3000-level field units
(vii) 6 credit points of 3000-level selective units
(viii) 6 credit points of 3000-level interdisciplinary projects units

Biology minor

A minor in Biology requires 36 credit points from this table including:
(i) 6 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 6 credit points of 1000-level selective units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level experimental design units
(iv) 6 credit points of 2000-level taxonomy units
(v) 6 credit points of 2000-level breadth units
(vi) 6 credit points of 3000-selective units

Units of study

The units of study are listed below.

1000-level units of study

Core
BIOL1007
From Molecules to Ecosystems
6    A HSC Biology. Students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (offered in February)
N BIOL1907 or BIOL1997
Semester 2
BIOL1907
From Molecules to Ecosystems (Advanced)
6    A 85 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent
N BIOL1007 or BIOL1997

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 2
BIOL1997
From Molecules to Ecosystems (SSP)
6    A 90 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent
N BIOL1007 or BIOL1907

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 2
Selective
BIOL1006
Life and Evolution
6    A HSC Biology. Students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (offered in February)
N BIOL1001 or BIOL1911 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1906 or BIOL1996
Semester 1
BIOL1906
Life and Evolution (Advanced)
6    A 85 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent
N BIOL1001 or BIOL1911 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1006 or BIOL1996

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1
BIOL1996
Life and Evolution (SSP)
6    A 90 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent
N BIOL1001 or BIOL1911 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1006 or BIOL1906 or BIOL1993 or BIOL1998

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1
BIOL1008
Human Biology
6    A HSC Biology. Students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (offered in February)
N BIOL1003 or BIOL1903 or BIOL1993 or MEDS1001 or MEDS1901 or BIOL1908 or BIOL1998
Semester 1
BIOL1998
Human Biology (Special Studies Program)
6    A 90 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent
N BIOL1003 or BIOL1903 or BIOL1993 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1996 or MEDS1001 or MEDS1901 or BIOL1008 or BIOL1908

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1
BIOL1908
Human Biology (Advanced)
6    A 85 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent
N BIOL1003 or BIOL1903 or BIOL1993 or MEDS1001 or MEDS1901 or BIOL1008 or BIOL1998

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1
MEDS1001
Human Biology
6    N BIOL1003 or BIOL1903 or BIOL1993 or BIOL1008 or BIOL1908 or BIOL1998 or MEDS1901
Semester 1
MEDS coded units of study are only available to students in the Medical Science stream.

2000-level units of study

Experimental design
BIOL2022
Biology Experimental Design and Analysis
6    A BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
P BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX or ENVX1001 or ENVX1002 or DATA1X01 or MATH1XX5 or ENVI1003
N BIOL2922 or BIOL3006 or BIOL3906
Semester 2
Taxonomy
BIOL2030
Botany
6    A Knowledge of concepts and skills in BIOL1XX6
N BIOL2023 or BIOL2923 or PLNT2001 or PLNT2901 or PLNT2002 or PLNT2902 or PLNT2003 or PLNT2903 or BIOL2930
Semester 1
BIOL2930
Botany (Advanced)
6    A Knowledge of concepts and skills in BIOL1XX6
P Annual average mark of at least 70 in previous year
N BIOL2023 or BIOL2923 or AGEN2001 or PLNT2001 or PLNT2901 or PLNT2002 or PLNT2902 or PLNT2003 or PLNT2903 or AGEN2005 or BIOL2030
Semester 1
BIOL2021
Zoology
6    A BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
N BIOL2921 or BIOL2011 or BIOL2911 or BIOL2012 or BIOL2912
Semester 1
BIOL2921
Zoology (Advanced)
6    A BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
P Annual average mark of at least 70 in previous year
N BIOL2021 or BIOL2011 or BIOL2911 or BIOL2012 or BIOL2912
Semester 1
Breadth
ANAT2009
Comparative Primate Anatomy
6    P 6 credit points from BIOL1XXX OR MEDS1X01 OR PSYC1XXX OR ARCA1XXX


Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Semester 2
BIOL2021
Zoology
6    A BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
N BIOL2921 or BIOL2011 or BIOL2911 or BIOL2012 or BIOL2912
Semester 1
BIOL2921
Zoology (Advanced)
6    A BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
P Annual average mark of at least 70 in previous year
N BIOL2021 or BIOL2011 or BIOL2911 or BIOL2012 or BIOL2912
Semester 1
BIOL2024
Ecology and Conservation
6    A BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
N BIOL2924
Semester 2
BIOL2924
Ecology and Conservation (Advanced)
6    A BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
P An annual average mark of at least 70 in the previous year
N BIOL2024
Semester 2
BIOL2030
Botany
6    A Knowledge of concepts and skills in BIOL1XX6
N BIOL2023 or BIOL2923 or PLNT2001 or PLNT2901 or PLNT2002 or PLNT2902 or PLNT2003 or PLNT2903 or BIOL2930
Semester 1
BIOL2930
Botany (Advanced)
6    A Knowledge of concepts and skills in BIOL1XX6
P Annual average mark of at least 70 in previous year
N BIOL2023 or BIOL2923 or AGEN2001 or PLNT2001 or PLNT2901 or PLNT2002 or PLNT2902 or PLNT2003 or PLNT2903 or AGEN2005 or BIOL2030
Semester 1
BIOL2032
Australian Wildlife Biology
6    N ANSC2005
Semester 2
BIOL2029
Cell Biology
6    P BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1XX8 or MBLG1XXX or MEDS1X01
N BIOL2016 or BIOL2916 or BIOL2929
Semester 1
BIOL2929
Cell Biology (Advanced)
6    P A mark of at least 70 from (BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1XX8 or MBLG1XXX or MEDS1X01)
N BIOL2016 or BIOL2916 orBIOL2029
Semester 1
BIOL2033
Biology of Insects
6    N ENTO2001
Semester 2
BIOL2031
Plants and Environment
6    A Knowledge of concepts and skills in BIOL1XX6
N AGEN2005 or BIOL3043 or BIOL3943 or BIOL2931
Semester 2
GEGE2001
Genetics and Genomics
6    A Mendelian genetics; mechanisms of evolution; molecular and chromosomal bases of inheritance; and gene regulation and expression
N GENE2002 or MBLG2972 or GEGE2901 or MBLG2072
Semester 2
GEGE2901
Genetics and Genomics (Advanced)
6    A Mendelian genetics, mechanisms of evolution, molecular and chromosomal bases of inheritance, and gene regulation and expression
P Annual average mark of at least 70
N GENE2002 or MBLG2072 or GEGE2001 or MBLG2972
Semester 2
IMMU2011
Immunobiology
6    A CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903
P BIOL1XX7 or (BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3 or MEDS1X01) or BIOL1XX2 or MBLG1XX1
N IMMU2911


Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Semester 1
IMMU2911
Immunobiology (Advanced)
6    A CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903
P A mark of 70 or above in [BIOL1XX7 or (BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3 or MEDS1X01) or BIOL1XX2 or MBLG1XX1]
N IMMU2011


Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Semester 1
MICR2031
Microbiology
6    A Fundamental concepts of microorganisms, biomolecules and ecosystems; CHEM1XX1
N MICR2021 or MICR2921 or MICR2024 or MICR2931
Semester 1
MICR2931
Microbiology (Advanced)
6    A Fundamental concepts of microorganisms, biomolecules and ecosystems; CHEM1XX1
P A mark of 70 or above in (BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX)
N MICR2021 or MICR2921 or MICR2024 or MICR2031
Semester 1

3000-level units of study

Field
BIOL3007
Ecology
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002 or AVBS2XXX or ENSC2001)]
N BIOL3907
Semester 2
BIOL3907
Ecology (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002 or AVBS2XXX or ENSC2001)]
N BIOL3007
Semester 2
BIOL3008
Marine Field Ecology
6    P 12 credit points of BIOL2XXX or [6 credit points of BIOL2XXX and (AVBS2XXX or ENVX2001)]
N BIOL3908 or BIOL2028 or BIOL2928

Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance in the pre-requisite units of study. Academic performance in any senior BIOL units of study may also be considered.
Intensive July
BIOL3908
Marine Field Ecology (Advanced)

This unit of study is not available in 2022

6    P An average mark of 75 or above in 12 credit points of BIOL2XXX or [6 credit points of BIOL2XXX and (AVBS2XXX or ENVX2001)]
N BIOL3008 or BIOL2028 or BIOL2928

Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance in the pre-requisite units of study. Academic performance in any senior BIOL units of study may also be considered. Students must apply via the School of Life Environmental Sciences rather than directly through Sydney Student Unit of Study Selection. Information on how to apply will be on the SOLES Student Portal on Canvas: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/7931
Intensive July
BIOL3009
Terrestrial Field Ecology
6    A Basic ecological concepts of species and communities, and experimental design and analysis
P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3909 or BIOL2009 or BIOL2909

Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance in the pre-requisite units of study. Academic performance in any senior BIOL units of study may also be considered.
Intensive August
BIOL3010
Tropical Wildlife Biology

This unit of study is not available in 2022

6    P 12 credit points of Intermediate BIOL, or (6 credit points of Intermediate BIOL and (MBLG2072 or MBLG2972))
N BIOL3910 or BIOL2010 or BIOL2910


This unit runs in February. The enrolment is capped at 41, due to limited availability of accommodation. Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance in the pre-requisite units of study. Academic performance in any senior BIOL units of study may also be considered. Students must apply via the School of Life Environmental Sciences rather than directly through Sydney Student Unit of Study Selection. Information on how to apply will be on the SOLES Student Portal on Canvas: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/7931
Intensive February
BIOL3910
Tropical Wildlife Biology (Adv)

This unit of study is not available in 2022

6    P Distinction average in either- 12cp Intermediate BIOL or (6cp Intermediate BIOL and (MBLG2072 or MBLG2972))
N BIOL3010 or BIOL2010 or BIOL2910


This unit runs in February. Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance in the pre-requisite units of study. Academic performance in any senior BIOL units of study may also be considered. Students must apply via the School of Life Environmental Sciences rather than directly through Sydney Student Unit of Study Selection. Information on how to apply will be on the SOLES Student Portal on Canvas: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/7931
Intensive February
BIOL3016
Coral Reef Biology
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp from BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3916 or BIOL2020 or BIOL2920

Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit requires School permission to enrol; please see the School of Life and Environmental Sciences website for details on how to apply. Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance.
Intensive July
BIOL3916
Coral Reef Biology (Advanced)

This unit of study is not available in 2022

6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3016 or BIOL2020 or BIOL2920

Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit requires School permission to enrol; please see the School of Life and Environmental Sciences website for details on how to apply. Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance in the pre-requisite units of study. Academic performance in any Senior BIOL units of study may also be considered.
Intensive July
Major selective
BIOL3004
Terrestrial Plant Ecosystem Management
6    A Students should have a basic understanding of plant biology, plant ecology and/or plant physiology. Some background knowledge in mathematics and chemistry would be beneficial
P 6cp of BIOL2X23 or BIOL2X30 or AGEN2001 or GEOS2X21 or AGEN2005 or BIOL2X09
N ENSY3003 or ENSY3002
Semester 2
BIOL3005
Evolutionary Biology
6    A Students should be familiar with DNA and the genetic code, understand the principles of biological evolution, and have basic laboratory skills like pipetting. A knowledge of elementary statistics and probability is assumed
P (12cp of BIOL2XXX) or [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3044 or BIOL3025 or BIOL3925 or BIOL3944 or PLNT3003 or PLNT3903
Semester 1
BIOL3013
Marine Biology
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp from BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3913
Semester 2
BIOL3913
Marine Biology (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3013
Semester 2
BIOL3018
Gene Technology and Genomics
6    P (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002) and 6cp from (MBLG2X71 or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX or BIOL2XXX or MEDS2003)
N BIOL3918
Semester 1
BIOL3918
Gene Technology and Genomics (Adv)
6    P A mark of 75 or above in (GEGE2X01 or MBLG2X72 or GENE2002) and a mark of 75 or above in (MBLG2X71 or BIOL2XXX or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX or MEDS2003)
N BIOL3018
Semester 1
BIOL3026
Developmental Biology
6    P (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002) and 6cp from (MBLG2X71 or BIOL2XXX or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX)
N BIOL3926
Semester 1
BIOL3033
Insect and Human Interactions
6    P 6cp of BIOL2XXX or ENTO2001 or MEDS200X or ANAT2XXX or PHSI2XXX or BMED240X or MIMI2X02 or IMMU2101
N ENTO4003
Semester 2
BIOL3020
Applied Plant Function
6    A Knowledge of concepts and skills in BIOL1XX6
P BIOL2X23 or BIOL2X30 or BIOL2X31 or AGEN2001 or AGEN2005 or BIOL2X09
N BIOL3043 or BIOL3943 or AGEN2005 or PLNT3001 or PLNT3901 or PLNT3002 or PLNT3902 or ENSY3001
Semester 1
BIOL3926
Developmental Biology (Advanced)
6    P A mark of 75 or above in (GEGE2X01 or MBLG2X72 or GENE2002 or BIOL2X29 or BCMB2X02) and a mark of 75 or above in (MBLG2X71 or BIOL2XXX or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX or MEDS2003)
N BIOL3929 or BIOL3026
Semester 1
BIOL3034
Evolution of the Australian Biota

This unit of study is not available in 2022

6    P (12cp of BIOL2XXX) or [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3044 or BIOL3944 or BIOL3025 or BIOL3925 or PLNT3003 or PLNT3903
Semester 1
BIOL3045
Animal Ecological Physiology
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3945 or BIOL3011 or BIOL3911 or BIOL3012 or BIOL3912
Semester 1
BIOL3945
Animal Ecological Physiology (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3045 or BIOL3011 or BIOL3911 or BIOL3012 or BIOL3912
Semester 1
BIOL3046
Animal Behaviour
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp from BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3946 or BIOL3025 or BIOL3925
Semester 1
BIOL3946
Animal Behaviour (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3046 or BIOL3025 or BIOL3925

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1
Interdisciplinary Project
BIOL3888
Biology Interdisciplinary Project
6    P Completion of 72cp of units of study, including 12cp from (BIOL2XXX or IMMU2X11 or GEGE2X01 or MICR2X31)
Semester 2
SCPU3001
Science Interdisciplinary Project
6    P 96 credit points
Intensive February
Intensive July
Semester 1
Semester 2
Minor selective
BIOL3004
Terrestrial Plant Ecosystem Management
6    A Students should have a basic understanding of plant biology, plant ecology and/or plant physiology. Some background knowledge in mathematics and chemistry would be beneficial
P 6cp of BIOL2X23 or BIOL2X30 or AGEN2001 or GEOS2X21 or AGEN2005 or BIOL2X09
N ENSY3003 or ENSY3002
Semester 2
BIOL3007
Ecology
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002 or AVBS2XXX or ENSC2001)]
N BIOL3907
Semester 2
BIOL3907
Ecology (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002 or AVBS2XXX or ENSC2001)]
N BIOL3007
Semester 2
BIOL3013
Marine Biology
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp from BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3913
Semester 2
BIOL3913
Marine Biology (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3013
Semester 2
BIOL3018
Gene Technology and Genomics
6    P (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002) and 6cp from (MBLG2X71 or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX or BIOL2XXX or MEDS2003)
N BIOL3918
Semester 1
BIOL3918
Gene Technology and Genomics (Adv)
6    P A mark of 75 or above in (GEGE2X01 or MBLG2X72 or GENE2002) and a mark of 75 or above in (MBLG2X71 or BIOL2XXX or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX or MEDS2003)
N BIOL3018
Semester 1
BIOL3026
Developmental Biology
6    P (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002) and 6cp from (MBLG2X71 or BIOL2XXX or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX)
N BIOL3926
Semester 1
BIOL3926
Developmental Biology (Advanced)
6    P A mark of 75 or above in (GEGE2X01 or MBLG2X72 or GENE2002 or BIOL2X29 or BCMB2X02) and a mark of 75 or above in (MBLG2X71 or BIOL2XXX or BCMB2XXX or QBIO2001 or IMMU2XXX or MEDS2003)
N BIOL3929 or BIOL3026
Semester 1
BIOL3033
Insect and Human Interactions
6    P 6cp of BIOL2XXX or ENTO2001 or MEDS200X or ANAT2XXX or PHSI2XXX or BMED240X or MIMI2X02 or IMMU2101
N ENTO4003
Semester 2
BIOL3020
Applied Plant Function
6    A Knowledge of concepts and skills in BIOL1XX6
P BIOL2X23 or BIOL2X30 or BIOL2X31 or AGEN2001 or AGEN2005 or BIOL2X09
N BIOL3043 or BIOL3943 or AGEN2005 or PLNT3001 or PLNT3901 or PLNT3002 or PLNT3902 or ENSY3001
Semester 1
BIOL3045
Animal Ecological Physiology
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3945 or BIOL3011 or BIOL3911 or BIOL3012 or BIOL3912
Semester 1
BIOL3945
Animal Ecological Physiology (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3045 or BIOL3011 or BIOL3911 or BIOL3012 or BIOL3912
Semester 1
BIOL3046
Animal Behaviour
6    P [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp from BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3946 or BIOL3025 or BIOL3925
Semester 1
BIOL3946
Animal Behaviour (Advanced)
6    P An average mark of 75 or above in [12cp of BIOL2XXX] OR [6cp of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
N BIOL3046 or BIOL3025 or BIOL3925

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1