Zoology is available as a minor, major and extended major.

Program requirements

The program requirements (course list and program rules (PDF, 146KB)) set out the courses and rules you must follow to successfully complete this program.

You must also comply with UQ’s University Policies and Procedures.

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

What do the different requirements mean?

  • Core - all students must complete this course
  • Prerequisite for major - a course required for progression in this major
  • Major compulsory - a course required for this major
  • Major elective - required for the major, chosen from specific selection of courses
  • Recommended - a course which complements the major, but can be substituted for an elective

Students commencing in Semester 2

The study planners provided outline the order of courses to be completed from semester 1 to semester 2. The planners identify semester offerings and in many instances, will be the same for students commencing the program from semester 2. You should check the course offerings to ensure that you are completing the courses in a way that ensures your progression in the program.

If the course sequencing in the planner does not work for you, please contact the School or book an appointment with an academic advisor to obtain individual advice.

Year 1

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
BSc core courses - complete 4 units

SCIE10001   Theory & Practice in Science

STAT12011 Analysis of Scientific Data OR 

STAT1301 Advanced Analysis of Scientific Data ]

Prerequisite courses for major - complete 4 units
BIOL10202  Genes, Cells & Evolution BIOL1040  Cells to Organisms
Compulsory course for major - complete 2 units
BIOL1030 Global Challenges in Biology Refer to Semester 1 for compulsory course for major.
Elective courses - choose 6 units

2 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

4 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 
  2. Course offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Year 2

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
Compulsory courses for major - complete 4 units
BIOL2006 Biostatistics & Experimental Design BIOL2204 Zoology
Elective course for major - choose 2 units
BIOL2010 Ecology  BIOL2201 Evolution 
Elective courses - choose 10 units

Program elective or general elective1

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Program elective or general elective1

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. Number of electives in each semester is dependent on course selection for Level 2 elective course for major. Students must complete 8 units per semester. 

Year 3

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
Elective courses for major - choose 8 units
BIOL3016 Outback Ecology Field Studies BIOL3205 Physiological & Integrative Zoology
BIOL3207 Animal Behaviour BIOL32321 Insect Identification & Taxonomy
BIOL3209 Biodiversity & Systematics BIOL3320 Vertebrate Diversity & Evolution
BIOL3211 Ecology & Evolution of Marine Invertebrates Research Project2
BIOL3370 Animal-Plant Interactions  
Elective courses - choose 8 units

Program elective or general elective5

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Program elective or general elective5

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. BIOL3232 offered in Summer Semester only. 
  2. Students can complete maximum 2 units towards major from Research Project courses: SCIE32403 or SCIE32414
  3. Course offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2. 
  4. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 
  5. Number of electives in each semester is dependent on course selection for Level 3 elective courses major. Students must complete 8 units per semester.