Undergraduate + Postgraduate

Bachelor of Biological Science and Master of Biological Science

Help preserve our ecosystems and protect the future of wildlife through conservation of our threatened animals and their environments. 
90
ATAR
4
Years Full Time

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$47,300.00
2025
$49,900.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Mathematics requirement

This major requires a certain level of Mathematics. If you do not meet this level, you may be able to take additional Mathematics units in your first year to satisfy this requirement.

WACE prerequisite: Mathematics Methods ATAR

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

This Combined Bachelor's and Master's (CBM) is a four-year accelerated program for those with an ATAR of 90 or above. Over the first three years you’ll have the option to complete an extended major in Wildlife Conservation or Biodiversity and Evolution, and some units from the Master of Biological Science. You can then choose to exit after three years with an Advanced Bachelor's Degree in Biological Science, or continue with the Master of Biological Science and be awarded a Bachelor of Biological Science and a Master of Biological Science at the end of the four years.
 

About the course

Gain an appreciation of how living organisms, ranging from microbes to megaflora and megafauna, grow, reproduce, adapt and evolve. You'll learn how species and ecological communities can be managed, conserved and restored, using techniques ranging from genetic analysis to data collection from whole populations and ecosystems, to big data synthesis science.
Bachelor of Biological Science and Master of Biological Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1
Level of study
  • Undergraduate + Postgraduate
Course Code
  • CM005
CRICOS code
  • 102861F
Bachelor of Biological Science and Master of Biological Science
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1
Level of study
  • Undergraduate + Postgraduate
Course Code
  • CM005
CRICOS code
  • 102861F
Full time/part time duration
  • 4 years full time or equivalent
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Biological Science

Why study this course?

  • Australia faces serious challenges to conserve its threatened fauna and needs skilled graduates to fill positions in state management agencies and an expanding number of conservation NGOs
  • Australia's fauna is megadiverse, and Western Australia is home to almost half our animal species
  • Our researchers tackle challenges in the laboratory and at field sites across the world, studying plants and animals in both natural and managed environments 
     
 

You'll learn to

  • Recognise threatened animal species and the functioning ecosystems they require for their survival   
  • Understand patterns of global biodiversity and the evolutionary history of biodiversity in Australia    
  • Appreciate the relationships between an animal's biology, ecology and physiology and its vulnerability to environmental change
  • Discuss major threats to biodiversity, their causes, and the management and research to mitigate them
  • Explain the role of different stakeholders in shaping conservation policy and decision making
  • Demonstrate the high-level analytical and communication skills necessary for impactful applied science
  • Gain advanced knowledge in the study of biological systems, using field, experimental laboratory and statistical methodologies
 

Course structure

In your first three years, you will complete your selected extended major in Wildlife Conservation or Biodiversity and Evolution, and a semester of postgraduate study. You will then complete your selected specialisation in the Master of Biological Science. Refer to the example study plan for more information.

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.

Ranked 1st in Australia and 32nd in the world for Biological Sciences (gras 2023)

Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis

Providing world-class microscopy and microanalysis facilities and expertise to publicly funded researchers and industry.

Facility

Shenton Park Field Station

Dedicated facility supporting plant and animal research

Facility