Southern Cross University

Bachelor of Science (Biology)

The Bachelor of Science at Southern Cross University is a flexible degree that allows you to incorporate a wide range of subjects with career-focused science specializations. Focus on an area of professional practice by choosing a specialization in Earth and Environmental Systems, Marine Systems, Forestry Systems, or Regenerative Agriculture, or opt for a double specialization in Earth and Environmental and Marine Systems. These specializations are identified on your graduating testamur.

• Provides an introduction to the molecular evolution of life on earth.
• Covers cell structure and function, physio-chemical cellular responses, elementary genetics.
• Includes practical techniques required to demonstrate biological processes.
• Initiates the development of competence in scientific report writing.

• Examines the evolution and diversity of life on earth.
• Introduces the principles of species classification and naming.
• Considers the individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels of organization.
• Introduces aspects of human ecology and human impact on the environment.
• Field trips will introduce students to qualitative observation of ecosystems and quantitative analysis of organisms in their environment.

• Introduces ecological principles in the context of productive agricultural, forest, terrestrial, and marine systems.
• Examines important ecological and landscape processes of energy flow, nutrient and water cycles, and community dynamics.
• Encourages students to compare natural and managed ecosystems.

• Introduces the diversity of invertebrate taxa, diagnostic features, biological attributes, and roles in the environment.
• Practical skills include sampling, sorting, and identification of species for rapid biodiversity assessment.
• Students will prepare and display a properly annotated photographic or specimen reference collection.

• Develops key scientific principles underpinning plant function.
• Students will gain knowledge of metabolism, physiology, and structure of plants.
• Enhances understanding of regulation of growth and development and influence of environment on these processes.

• Introduces students to the principles of molecular genetics and aspects of population, evolutionary, and conservation genetics.
• Emphasizes understanding the key concepts underlying experimental molecular biology techniques and DNA manipulations.
• Topics include Mendelian genetics, chromosome structure, DNA replication, transcription, translation, gene expression, mutation, and DNA repair, molecular genetic analysis, complex genetic disease, DNA testing, biotechnology, and gene therapy.

• Introduces students to major issues in ecosystem health.
• Covers major types of pests and diseases, including notifiable disease in plants and animals, One Health and zoonoses.
• Explores methods for disease diagnosis, pathology, epidemiology, and biosecurity.
• Examines the interaction between stress, disease, and the environment.
• Discusses ecology and management and control strategies using case studies.

• Examines local and ocean climate systems and the impact of human alterations to the global climate.
• Explores the effects on individual organisms and ecosystems, and their capacity to acclimatize or adapt to these changes.
• Specifically examines changes in the ocean's carbon cycle, ocean acidification, and ocean warming.