Why Bachelor of Science (Honours)?
Investigate the complexity of life on Earth and accelerate your scientific career
Evolutionary biologists study the complexity of life on Earth. They unravel nature’s hidden mysteries to discover how life on our planet began and has evolved over billions of years.
Understanding our shared past holds the key to addressing our present-day challenges – making evolutionary biologists crucial in tackling issues that affect us all. From climate change and food security to curbing the spread of infectious diseases.
Our Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Evolutionary Biology is a four-year degree designed to deepen your scientific knowledge and research skills. It provides a strong foundation for further study and accelerated career advancement – whether you aspire to work in industry or academia.
Overview
Interested in tackling urgent global challenges, including food security, biodiversity conservation and sustainable living? See yourself working in exciting fields like biomedicine, forensic science or environmental management?
Our Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Evolutionary Biology may be the perfect fit for you.
The first three years of this degree mirror those of our Bachelor of Science majoring in Evolutionary Biology. This four-year honours degree has been designed for those wishing to deepen their knowledge further by undertaking a major research or professional project.
Alongside completing specialised courses specific to your Evolutionary Biology major, this degree allows you to collaborate with our world-leading academic staff on real-world projects, develop high-level research skills and graduate with an advanced qualification that’s highly valued by employers.
Additionally, our Bachelor of Science (Honours) provides a pathway for entry into a research degree at either a Masters or Doctoral (PhD) level, through the supported development of an honours thesis in your final year.
Key features
Explore the evolution of plants and animals around the world.- Learn to tell fact from fiction in evolutionary theory.
- Gain advanced practical experience through hands-on projects and fieldwork.
- Work in purpose-built laboratories with industry-standard equipment.
- Tackle real-world challenges in evolutionary biology.
- Complete a major research or professional project.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Evolutionary Biology will equip you with a deep understanding of evolution. You’ll investigate both micro- and macro-evolutionary phenomena – ranging from the smallest genetic mutations to the distribution of species across the globe.
By critically examining evolutionary concepts, you’ll develop the skills to tackle modern challenges in human, animal, plant, fungal and microbial biology. You’ll also develop vital skills for the future, including expertise in taxonomy, genomic analysis and population genetics.
Common core courses will broaden your scientific understanding and are enriched by Aboriginal perspectives and knowledge. The degree features a flexible hybrid format, combining on-campus and online learning. In your final year, you’ll complete an 80-hour industry placement or project, gaining hands-on experience and valuable professional skills.
You’ll take courses covering both theoretical and practical topics, including:
- Botany
- Zoology
- Biology (of molecules, genes, cells, and organisms)
- Evolutionary biology
- Animal and plant identification and monitoring
- Molecular methods in ecology and evolution.
In your final year, you’ll take advanced courses designed to help you develop your research skills. You’ll then have the opportunity to apply these skills through completion of an evolutionary biology honours project. Under the guidance and support of our world-class research staff, you’ll design, undertake and present a project focused on a topic that interests you and is relevant to the field.
This degree provides a pathway for entry into a research degree at either a Masters or Doctoral (PhD) level.
Majors
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Animal Behaviour
- Animal Science
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computational Physics
- Ecology
- Environmental and Geospatial Science
- Environmental Science
- Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology
- Experimental Physics
- Food Science and Technology
- Genetics
- Geology
- Geology and Earth Resources
- Geology and Palaeontology
- Geophysics
- Marine and Wildlife Conservation
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Nuclear and Radiation Physics
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Physics and Geophysics
- Plant Biology
- Pure and Applied Chemistry
- Soil Science
- Space Science and Astrophysics
- Theoretical Physics.
What courses you'll study
Complete 192 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for Core courses, and
- 84 to 144 units for Majors, and
- At least 6 units from Work integrated learning, and
- 0 to 48 units for Electives
Complete 42 to 54 units comprising:
- 6 to 12 units for all Program core, and
- 12 to 18 units from Common Core, and
- 6 to 30 units from Core Selective
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Science of People, Society and the Future Planet
|
Course code
SCIE1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Skills for Scientists
|
Course code
STAT1000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1A: Molecules, Genes and Cells
|
Course code
BIOL1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1B: Evolution and Diversity of Organisms
|
Course code
BIOL1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Chemistry
|
Course code
CHEM1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1A
|
Course code
CHEM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1B
|
Course code
CHEM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Planet Earth
|
Course code
EART1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Earth, Climate and Life Systems
|
Course code
EART1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 1
|
Course code
MATH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 2
|
Course code
MATH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Physics
|
Course code
PHYS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1A
|
Course code
PHYS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1B
|
Course code
PHYS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Differential Equations
|
Course code
MATHX202
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Linear Algebra
|
Course code
MATHX104
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Program core - Students in the following Majors will not enrol in STAT1000 Data Skills for Scientists:
Computational Physics, Experimental Physics, Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Physics and Geophysics, Space Science and Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics
Complete 66 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1B: Evolution and Diversity of Organisms
|
Course code
BIOL1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ecological Issues 1
|
Course code
BIOL1032
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Zoology 2
|
Course code
BIOL2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Evolutionary Biology 2
|
Course code
BIOL2022
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Botany 2
|
Course code
BIOL2023
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Plant Identification 2
|
Course code
BIOL2049
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Animal Identification in Wildlife Conservation 2
|
Course code
BIOL2050
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular Methods in Ecology and Evolution
|
Course code
BIOL3033
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Evolutionary Biology 3 Theory
|
Course code
BIOL3035
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Evolutionary Biology 3 Practical
|
Course code
BIOL3036
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Scientific Data: Analysis and Visualisation
|
Course code
SCIE2000
|
Units
6
|
Complete at least 6 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills in Animal Science
|
Course code
ANIM3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
|
Course code
ANIM3900
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2
|
Course code
BIOL2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3A
|
Course code
BIOL3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Palaeontology 3
|
Course code
EART3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Geoscience Program 3
|
Course code
EART3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Optics and Photonics 3
|
Course code
PHYS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Computational Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Project
|
Course code
SCIE3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3B
|
Course code
BIOL2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation
|
Course code
EART3004
|
Units
6
|
Notes
If studying ANACHSCIE - Analytical Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ANIBHSCIE - Animal Behaviour then complete ANIM3900 - Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
If studying BIOCHSCIE - Biochemistry then complete BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying CHEYHSCIE - Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ECOLHSCIE - Ecology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ENVGHSCIE - Environmental and Geospatial Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingENVSHSCIE - Environmental Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOLHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOPHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology the complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studying EXPEHSCIE - Experimental Physics then completePHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying FOODHSCIE - Food Science and Technology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying GENEHSCIE - Genetics then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 or BIOL3901 - Genetics Practical 3B or BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studyingGEOLHSCIE - Geology then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOEHSCIE - Geology and Earth Resources then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOPHSCIE - Geology and Palaeontology then complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studyingGEOYHSCIE - Geophysics then complete EART3004 - Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation and may also complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMARWHSCIE - Marine and Wildlife Conservation then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMEDBHSCIE - Medicinal and Biological Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMICRHSCIE - Microbiology and Immunology then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3 and BIOL3012 - Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
If studyingNUCCHSCIE - Nuclear Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingNUCRHSCIE - Nuclear and Radiation Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingPHYGHSCIE - Physics and Geophysics then complete PHYS3004 - Optics and Photonics 3 or PHYSX300 - Computational Physics
If studyingPLABHSCIE - Plant Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingPACHHSCIE - Pure and Applied Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSOILHSCIE - Soil Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSPACHSCIE - Space Science and Astrophysics then complete PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingTHEOHSCIE - Theoretical Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Biological Sciences
|
Course code
BIOL4001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Honours Biological Sciences Project
|
Course code
BIOL4002
|
Units
36
|
Career outcomes
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Evolutionary Biology, you’ll graduate prepared for a diverse range of career opportunities. Your scientific knowledge, approach to problem-solving and the advanced research skills developed during your honours year will give you a highly competitive skillset – making you an ideal candidate for positions in both traditional scientific fields and emerging interdisciplinary areas.
You might become a molecular evolutionist, focusing on helping unravel the genetic secrets of viruses. Perhaps you’ll take up a role in a museum, assisting with the curation of fossil or insect exhibits. You could even apply your expertise as a conservation geneticist, designing strategies to manage and restore species on the brink of extinction.
You could also be a:
- Genetic counsellor
- Climate adaptation strategist
- Forensic DNA analyst
- Biomedical research scientist
- Environmental consultant
- Evolutionary ecologist
- Paleogeneticist
- Public health adviser
- Zoologist
- Botanist
- Science communicator.
Industry trends
Recent breakthroughs in DNA sequencing and computational biology have resulted in a vast increase in available genetic data. Evolutionary biologists with the ability to interpret this information are essential for uncovering patterns of genetic diversity, adaptation, and the evolutionary connections among species.
With ongoing climate change, there is a growing demand for experts who can devise effective strategies to preserve and safeguard ecosystems. Our degree equips you with the knowledge and skills required to tackle these pressing issues and play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the field.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
