Zoology, Testamur Major (T029)

  • Western Sydney University Major Code: T029

Previous code:  MT3014.1

Available to students in other Western Sydney University programs?  No

A Zoology major provides you with the opportunity to study Australia’s unique animals and their habitats. Zoologists have a detailed understanding of the diversity of the animal kingdom and are equipped with scientific understanding of how animals function and interact with their environment: ranging from their ecology, behaviour and evolution, to the physiology and biochemistry of cells, tissues and major organ systems. Zoology underpins conservation and sustainability, including major contributions to current research in climate change and ecosystem management. On-campus animal facilities include those for reptiles, small marsupials and rodents, sheep and cattle, as well as over 1000ha of native, rural and aquatic habitats with an abundance of native wildlife. Zoologists graduate with practical laboratory and fieldwork skills that prepare them for a wide variety of vocations in this field. 

All students must complete 60 credit points of study at Level 3 to meet program requirements. 

NOTE: Students up to end of 2023 - Students will need to select at least 10 credit points of elective study at Level 3 to meet this requirement. 

NOTE: This major is available as an elective in Bachelor of Science 3754, and an elective major option in Bachelor of Medical Science 3755. See the related programs tab for more information.

Please note, the BSc Major Environmental Health T076, BSc Adv 3757, Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary) 3756 & BMedSc Adv 3758, do not have sufficient Flexible space to accommodate a second/elective Major.

Campus Mode Advice
Hawkesbury Campus Internal science@westernsydney.edu.au

Recommended Sequence 2023

All students must complete 60 credit points of study at Level 3 to meet program requirements. Students will need to select at least 10 credit points of elective study at Level 3 to meet this requirement.

Select the link for your program below to see details of the major

Bachelor of Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Science with a major in Zoology requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
BIOS 1001 Biodiversity 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
BIOS 2040 Invertebrate Zoology 10
Choose one of the following: 10
Quantitative Thinking  
Mathematics 1A  
Biometry  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 2008 Ecology 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3015 Field Project 1 10
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3017 Field Project 2 10
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary)

Qualification for the Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary) with a major in Zoology requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Zoology, given above.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
BIOS 1001 Biodiversity 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
BIOS 2040 Invertebrate Zoology 10
Choose one of 10
Quantitative Thinking  
Mathematics 1A  
Biometry  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 2008 Ecology 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3015 Field Project 1 10
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
Select two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3017 Field Project 2 10
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

In addition, all students must complete a mandatory 40 credit point minor in Education Studies. Students must choose one of:

Education Studies – Primary Teaching, Minor (0296)

Or

Education Studies - Secondary Teaching, Minor (0267)

Students must meet this requirement by choosing subjects from the selected Education Studies minor as electives within their Bachelor of Science program.

Bachelor of Advanced Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Advanced Science with a major in Zoology requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
BIOS 1001 Biodiversity 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
BIOS 2040 Invertebrate Zoology 10
Choose on of 10
Quantitative Thinking  
Mathematics 1A  
Biometry  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
NATS 2001 Advanced Science Project A 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 2008 Ecology 10
NATS 2002 Advanced Science Project B 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3015 Field Project 1 10
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3017 Field Project 2 10
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Diploma in Science/Bachelor of Science

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 250 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
Year 1: College Subjects  
Standard 3-term year  
Preparatory subject  
CHEM 0001 Chemistry (WSTC Prep) 10
Eight university-level subjects comprising  
BIOS 1014 Cell Biology (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1013 Essential Chemistry (WSTC) 10
NATS 1020 Scientific Literacy (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1009 Introductory Chemistry (WSTC) 10
BIOS 1003 Biodiversity (WSTC) 10
MATH 1027 Quantitative Thinking (WSTC) 10
NATS 1029 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (WSTC) 10
NATS 1030 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (WSTC) 10
 Credit Points90
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 2008 Ecology 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3015 Field Project 1 10
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3017 Field Project 2 10
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points250

Recommended Sequence 2024

All students must complete 60 credit points of study at Level 3 to meet program requirements. Students will need to select at least 10 credit points of elective study at Level 3 to meet this requirement.

Select the link for your program below to see details of the major

Bachelor of Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Science with a major in Zoology requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
BIOS 1001 Biodiversity 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
BIOS 2040 Invertebrate Zoology 10
Choose one of the following: 10
Quantitative Thinking  
Mathematics 1A  
Biometry  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 3039 Ecology 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points30
2H session
NATS 3056 Practicum 2 10
 Credit Points10
Spring session
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points30
 Total Credit Points240

Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary)

Qualification for the Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary) with a major in Zoology requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Zoology, given above.

In addition, all students must complete a mandatory 40 credit point minor in Education Studies. Students must choose one of:

Education Studies – Primary Teaching, Minor (0296)

Or

Education Studies - Secondary Teaching, Minor (0267)

Students must meet this requirement by choosing subjects from the selected Education Studies minor as electives within their Bachelor of Science program.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
BIOS 1001 Biodiversity 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
BIOS 2040 Invertebrate Zoology 10
Choose one of 10
Quantitative Thinking  
Mathematics 1A  
Biometry  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 3039 Ecology 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points30
2H session
NATS 3056 Practicum 2 10
 Credit Points10
Spring session
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points30
 Total Credit Points240

Bachelor of Advanced Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Advanced Science with a major in Zoology requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
BIOS 1001 Biodiversity 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
BIOS 2040 Invertebrate Zoology 10
Choose on of 10
Quantitative Thinking  
Mathematics 1A  
Biometry  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
NATS 2001 Advanced Science Project A 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 3039 Ecology 10
NATS 2002 Advanced Science Project B 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points30
2H session
NATS 3056 Practicum 2 10
 Credit Points10
Spring session
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points30
 Total Credit Points240

Diploma in Science/Bachelor of Science

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 250 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
Year 1: College Subjects  
Standard 3-term year  
Preparatory subject  
CHEM 0001 Chemistry (WSTC Prep) 10
Eight university-level subjects comprising  
BIOS 1014 Cell Biology (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1013 Essential Chemistry (WSTC) 10
NATS 1020 Scientific Literacy (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1009 Introductory Chemistry (WSTC) 10
BIOS 1003 Biodiversity (WSTC) 10
MATH 1027 Quantitative Thinking (WSTC) 10
NATS 1029 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (WSTC) 10
NATS 1030 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (WSTC) 10
 Credit Points90
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2042 Science Research Methods 10
BIOS 2041 Vertebrate Zoology 10
AGRI 1009 Wildlife Studies 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 3039 Ecology 10
BIOS 2006 Comparative Physiology 10
Choose one of 10
Complex Case Studies in Science  
Work Internship for Science Professionals  
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
BIOS 3026 Evolution and Genetics 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points30
2H session
NATS 3056 Practicum 2 10
 Credit Points10
Spring session
AGEN 3001 Animal Behaviour 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points30
 Total Credit Points250