Why Bachelor of Science?
Wild animals and plants are integral to our planet: seadragons gliding through kelp forests, bees pollinating wild flowers. Unfortunately, many species are vanishing – and more will disappear during our lifetime. But you can help change that.
Conservationists observe, preserve and restore life. They are adventurous and passionate, fascinated by the natural world and ready to provide solutions for its protection. They tackle urgent global challenges, safeguarding species and rebuilding ecosystems for future generations.
As more governments and organisations commit to sustainability, the demand for skilled conservationists is rising. Are you ready to build a sustainable career, connect with nature, and make a real difference?
Overview
Our Bachelor of Science majoring in Marine and Wildlife Conservation gives you the expertise needed to protect precious ecosystems and vulnerable animals.
Through hands-on practical experiences within Adelaide’s unique natural environments – from grassy woodlands to rocky reefs and oyster reefs – you’ll develop a deep understanding of marine and wildlife environments. Delving into both biological and physical sciences, you’ll explore why ecosystems fail and how to repair them. You'll build data analysis skills and debate the ethical complexities of the field.
When you graduate, you’ll have skills in decision making that direct conservation efforts to make an impact. Doors will open to adventure-filled careers – from conservation operations, communications, species conservation, environmental consulting, socio-ecological assessments, and ecotourism to catchment management and community education.
Key features
Undertake fieldwork in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. - Contribute to ongoing conservation projects.
- Reflect on the ethical and legal constraints of the field.
- Advise on people-centred conservation and environmental policy.
- Build valuable links with conservation groups.
- Access purpose-built laboratories with industry-standard technology.
What you'll learn
Get ready to journey through the vast, wondrous worlds of marine and wildlife ecosystems. We’ll help you understand life in natural settings through a broad curriculum that spans biological sciences – like zoology, botany and ecology – and physical sciences, including chemistry, geography, and oceanography.
You’ll learn how to identify and handle different plants and animals, including native Australian species. You’ll monitor wildlife populations and measure the health of complex ecosystems. You’ll build skills in scientific research and data analysis. This will set you up to conduct field studies, interpret ecological data, and assess conservation outcomes.
The degree addresses major threats to biodiversity, such as habitat destruction, climate change, pollution and invasive species. You’ll explore conservation strategies, from habitat restoration to species reintroduction – and even develop some of your own. You’ll learn of some of the newest advances in conservation technology, like playing underwater music to restore an extinct ecosystem of oyster reefs, or fly drones to discover and map lost habitats. Sharpen your communication, learning how to debate effectively and advocate for environmental protection.
You’ll take courses in:
- Marine and wildlife conservation
- Identification in wildlife conservation
- Concepts in ecology
- Ecological issues
- Marine ecology
- Conservation biology
- Zoology
- Botany
- Animal and plant identification and monitoring.
You can also choose electives from across the University in areas like Business, Languages, and Health, to tailor your studies to your interests.
Majors
The Bachelor of Science is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for Core Courses, and
- Either:
- 30 to 96 units for one Major from Majors, or
- 48 units from Discipline courses, 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
Linear Algebra
|
Course code
MATHX104
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Differential Equations
|
Course code
MATHX202
|
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 exactly 66 units from 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
|
Course code
BIOL1032
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Zoology
|
Course code
BIOL2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Marine and Wildlife Conservation
|
Course code
BIOL2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Botany
|
Course code
BIOL2023
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Plant Identification
|
Course code
BIOL2049
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Animal Identification in Wildlife Conservation
|
Course code
BIOL2050
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Principles of Ecology
|
Course code
BIOL2051
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Research Methods: Ecology, Marine and Wildlife
|
Course code
BIOL3013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Marine Ecology
|
Course code
BIOL3032
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Conservation Biology
|
Course code
BIOL3037
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Concepts in Ecology
|
Course code
BIOL3038
|
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 ANACBSCIE - Analytical Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ANIBBSCIE - Animal Behaviour then complete ANIM3900 - Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
If studying ANISBSCIE - Animal Science then complete ANIM3901 - Professional Skills in Animal Science (UoA)
If studying BIOCBSCIE - Biochemistry then complete BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying BIOTBSCIE - Biotechnology then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying CHEYBSCIE - Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying COMPBSCIE - Computational Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics
If studying ECOLBSCIE - Ecology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ENVGBSCIE - Environmental and Geospatial Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ENVSBSCIE - Environmental Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOLBSCIE - Evolutionary Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOPBSCIE - Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology then complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studying EXPEBSCIE - Experimental Physics then complete PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying FOODBSCIE - Food Science and Technology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying GENEBSCIE - Genetics then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 or BIOL3900 - Genetics Practical 3Aor BIOL3901 - Genetics Practical 3B and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying GEOLBSCIE - Geology then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studying GEOEBSCIE - Geology and Earth Resources then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studying GEOPBSCIE - Geology and Palaeontology then complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studying GEOYBSCIE - Geophysics then complete EART3004 - Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation and may also complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying MARWBSCIE - Marine and Wildlife Conservation then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying MEDBBSCIE - Medicinal and Biological Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying MICRBSCIE - 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 studying NUCCBSCIE - Nuclear Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingNUCRBSCIE - Nuclear and Radiation Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying PHYGBSCIE - Physics and Geophysics then complete PHYS3004 - Optics and Photonics 3 or PHYSX300 - Computational Physics
If studying PLABBSCIE - Plant Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying PACHBSCIE - Pure and Applied Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying SOILBSCIE - Soil Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying SPACBSCIE - Space Science and Astrophysics then complete PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying THEOBSCIE - Theoretical Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
Career outcomes
With so many ecosystems and species under threat, the career possibilities in marine and wildlife conservation are limitless. You could work in a marine park or wildlife reserve, tracking green turtles or Tasmanian devils. You might rescue penguins from oil pollution. Perhaps you’ll be the next ‘Crocodile Hunter’, inspiring awareness around the world with your passion for animals and the environment.
You could also become a:
- Wildlife conservationist
- Marine biologist
- Park ranger
- Zoologist
- Botanist
- Restoration ecologist
- Conservation policy analyst
- Ecotourism operator.
- Science communicator.
Industry trends
In the future, conservation will see the increased integration of technology, such as drones, and artificial intelligence. More and more, these will be used for data collection and analysis. Satellite imagery and remote sensing technology will help monitor habitat loss, deforestation and biodiversity changes from space. In response to this evolution, our science degrees build broad tech literacy and offer specialised electives in machine learning and geospatial technologies. You’ll graduate ready to embrace emerging career opportunities and thrive in tech-driven roles.
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.
