University of the Sunshine Coast

Bachelor of Science (Biology)

For a major in Biology, students must successfully complete 8 courses:

1. Immunology - This course will advance your understanding of the complex and interesting world of your body's defence system. Immunology studies the body's defences against invading microorganisms, and the way in which these defences can break down and lead to disease. You will also discover that the immune system is impacted by physiological and environmental factors as well as aging, and the course links immunological theory to the broader populations and social context.
2. Plant Growth and Reproduction - Plants enable other life forms on the planet and drive all ecosystems. This course explores concepts of plant adaptations to the environment. You will learn about the mechanisms that enable plants to survive, grow, and reproduce in the harshest environments, and examine key processes and applications such as flowering, pollination, fruit production, germination, plant growth regulators, root function, soils and plant nutrition, photosynthesis and carbon sequestration, plant water relations, transpiration, carbon partitioning, nursery propagation, and plant tissue culture.
3. Human Physiology - Human Physiology covers the normal physiology of the human body. It includes topics on metabolism, digestion, osmoregulation, excretion, respiration, circulation, muscles, neurophysiology, sense organs, immunology, endocrinology, and reproduction. Emphasis in the course will be on normal structure and function of the human body, and the approach will be to develop an understanding of the integrative nature of physiological systems.
4. Molecular Biology - You will study the basic principles of molecular biology by discovering the interplay of molecules that underpin life and enable genetic engineering, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology fields. You will understand concepts relating to DNA structure, the genetic code, replication, and repair; and how RNA is transcribed, regulated, and functions within cells. You will also understand how proteins are translated, folded, and their myriad functions, and perform key molecular techniques including PCR, cloning, sequencing, and protein production.
5. Microbiology - This course introduces you to the world of microbiology, the basis of higher life forms. You learn the fundamental theory and laboratory skills needed to understand microbial isolation, growth, diversity, reproduction, physiology, metabolism, and identification. You also study the distribution of microorganisms in nature, their relationship to each other and to other living things as well as their beneficial and detrimental effects. Gain of ethics and laboratory skills is an essential component of the course as well as understanding the theory behind each experiment.
6. Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology - In this course, you learn the essential microbiological processes that play significant roles in the current and future global food and pharmaceutical industries. You learn how to implement relevant microbiological safety, preservation, and quality assurance strategies to prevent food spoilage and food-borne infections. Laboratory practicals are designed to complement your learning. The course also addresses ethical and professional issues related to both industries. Gain of laboratory skills is an essential component of the course as well as understanding the theory behind each experiment.
7. Genetics - Genetics is integral to biology because organisms are a product of both genetics and their environment. This central tenet is the basis of the course. You learn the foundations of how genes are transmitted and inherited (the rules of inheritance) and how these rules are modified. You apply this knowledge to analyse scenarios using techniques to understand the mode of inheritance and solve genetics problems. This course helps you to better understand areas as diverse as evolution, medical counselling and ethics, the biology of development, the dynamics of populations, and molecular biology.