Bachelor of Science in Ecology

More than ever, employers are searching for professionals with advanced STEM skills. With job growth expected in this area – including in areas that don’t even exist yet – there’s no better time to build the scientific skills you need to create a successful, interesting and satisfying career.La Trobe's Bachelor of Science offers you foundational skills in science and the freedom to delve into your passions. Whether it's protecting endangered animals, developing new ways to treat disease or fighting climate change, you'll be ready to pursue your dream journey in science by tailoring your degree with a mix of majors and minors. As you learn from leading academics and researchers, you'll take a deep dive into science – not only scientific concepts, but also how scientists think, work and share their findings. Build skills in problem-solving, communication and collaboration – all highly sought after by employers – then use these skills to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Explain the nature and methods of contemporary scientific practice, and the interrelationship between science and society. Apply broad knowledge of science across a range of fields, with in-depth understanding of at least one scientific discipline, to analyse and evaluate investigations into real world problems. Critically evaluate information from different sources to effectively communicate scientific reasoning and results to diverse audiences. Work and learn both independently and collaboratively, and demonstrate effective teamwork to complete tasks professionally. Employ academic and professional integrity and scientific rigour in the conduct, evaluation and reporting of scientific research and practice

We depend on the environment for food, fresh air and water, recreation, inspiration and wellbeing, but every day we see how humans are altering and affecting the environment. If you want to contribute to a more sustainable future, a major in ecology gives you the skills and knowledge to make a difference on some of the ‘big issues’ facing humanity. Ecology examines the factors that drive the distribution and abundance of organisms in the environment. It provides a knowledge base for understanding how the environment ‘works’, for appreciating the complexity and diversity of the species and communities which share our environment, and for how we can better manage land and water for a more sustainable future. Ecology offers opportunities to contribute to global environmental issues – such as climate change, protecting threatened species, enhancing urban design, and more sustainable use of forests, water and farmland. Throughout this major, you’ll discover the diversity of plants and animals in Australia and their extraordinary adaptations to Australian environments, make your own observations on plants and animals and the complex relationships between species, learn about current and emerging threats to flora and fauna and ways to protect and manage threatened species, learn to ‘read’ landscapes, and understand how human land uses, climate and disturbance processes shape the environment. Build valuable skills in collecting, reading and evaluating data, communicating scientific concepts, making judgements about environmental issues, identifying plants and animal species, observing animal behaviour, and evaluating human impacts on landscapes. Working with your peers, you’ll also learn to design investigations. This major includes opportunities to do field work, experience different ecosystems, and directly observe real-world issues and environmental management.

To enter our undergraduate programs, at a minimum youll need to have completed Australian Year 12 (or an accepted international equivalent) with a certain grade. You may also need to meet subject prerequisites.
IELTS Overall 6.0, no band less than 6.0
TOEFL Internet based (iBT): Overall score of 64 with 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank: 68.55
International Baccalaureate: 24