Western Sydney University

Bachelor of Conservation Biology, Bachelor of Nutrition and Physiology; Bachelor of Zoology

The biological sciences are diverse, fascinating, rapidly changing, and essential to our understanding of living systems at scales ranging from molecular to the global.

A diverse and interesting array of biological research is carried out at the School - spanning from working at the molecular level to the analysis of the biological impact of climate change.

Conservation and Environmental Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry Biology

Science asks questions about how the natural world works. It does so in a systematic, rigorously creative way based on inquiry and evidence for ideas. This approach has led to our current understanding of nature as being (in large part) systematic and predictable, and has underpinned major advances in human welfare. A Bachelor of Science will prepare you to take part in this process of enquiry, by both contributing to it and by using scientific knowledge to solve current problems. Students will learn core concepts and skills necessary for scientific inquiry: investigating the natural world.

full time, part time

The biological sciences are diverse, fascinating, rapidly changing, and essential to our understanding of living systems at scales ranging from the molecular to the global. They play a vital role in our understanding of the environment, as well as animals, plants and micro-organisms, and are essential to a wide range of contemporary industries. A Bachelor of Science (Biological Science) offers a solid foundation in the basic sciences, including biology, microbiology, biochemistry and environmental science. You will be equipped to enter government, industry or research-based employment.

full time, part time

This is a three year program that produces scientists who have a good background in the biological and chemical sciences, coupled with specialised expertise in forensic science, including methods of forensic analysis, crime scene investigation, forensic photography, forensic investigation, crime and criminal justice and complex case. Students may opt to further specialise in forensic biology, chemistry or microbiology by selecting additional electives or studies in a related or unrelated discipline. Career opportunities include forensic scientists, crime scene investigators and other fields.

full time, part time

The degree enables development of a deep understanding of interactions between people and animals through studies of animal behaviour, animal health and welfare, animal nutrition, animal production, animal reproduction, human-animal interactions, vertebrate biodiversity, and wildlife science. Students have access to diverse on-campus animal facilities including reptiles, native mammals, horses, sheep, cattle and deer and off-campus animal professionals and organisations such as wildlife parks, zoos, farms and horse studs. There are a range of majors conservation biology, zoology and submajors.

full time, part time

A Bachelor of Science (Zoology) recognises the increased demand for scientific knowledge of how to conserve, protect and care for animals, including native wildlife, and companion and production animals. It will enable you to develop an in--depth scientific understanding of how animals function and interact with their environment; from their ecology and evolution; to physiology and biochemistry of tissues and major organs systems, as well as the structure and function of biomolecules and cells. The key learning research areas embodied in this degree are ecology, evolution, physiology, growth.

full time, part time

Marine environments play vital roles in providing food, water, recreation and other ecosystem services to human society, as well as providing habitat for important species that make up global biodiversity. This major will equip students with the background knowledge and training to work in marine environments, to learn skills in inquiry and problem solving, so that they can contribute beneficially to management and/or conservation of waterways and oceans and the biodiversity within them.

full time, part time

This course will equip students with knowledge and skills in fundamental biology and chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology to allow students to enter industrial or research-based employment in this area (biotech companies, pathology, quality assurance, university and hospital labs and scientific sales, government policy analysis). As this area has expanding knowledge and technologies, outcomes also include the ability to read, critique and evaluate emerging research with the view to becoming a life-long learner in the field. The outcomes of this major would support honours or masters.

full time, part time

General Biology gives students a broad training in biology, with the opportunity to select a program that ranges across the scale from macro- to micro- to molecular level processes. Completion of the major meets the requirements for secondary school biology teaching (post-graduate study is required to qualify as a teacher.

full time, part time

Microorganisms impact on all aspects of our lives. A microbiology major will equip students with the skills and knowledge of microbiology and molecular microbiology relevant to employment in research laboratories and industries including biotechnology companies, medical and environmental laboratories, food, wine and pharmaceutical companies, quality assurance and scientific sales. The major, which includes the study of bacteria, fungi, protists and viruses and their roles in medicine, industry and the environment, will also provide a foundation for research at Honours and postgraduate levels.

full time, part time

B. Medical Science (Medicinal Chemistry)

Western Sydney University chemistry teaching covers the areas of inorganic, organic, analytical, physical and medicinal chemistry. Teaching is accompanied by a laboratory program. The chemistry courses are accredited with RACI.

Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry

A Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) provides a strong background in the key topic areas of contemporary chemistry, including aspects of chemical theory in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, with a strong emphasis on practical laboratory skills, and applications in contemporary research, industry and the environment. A research project is available to students in the final year of the degree.

full time, part time

History & political thought is taught through the HPT major and the Humanities core unit Australia & the World which is taken by all students in the BA degree. Around half of our students are training to be teachers and the others enter a wide range of careers including the creative and heritage industries, journalism and public service. HPT offers a range of units in blended learning mode and through Summer school. The program is carefully monitored to ensure it prepares teaching students for the NSW High School Modern History teaching curriculum and accreditation by the NSW Board of Studies.

Historians at Western Sydney are concentrated into 5 research clusters covering Intellectual, Asian, European, Australian and Global/Environmental history. With strong records in publishing & national research grant competitions their activities have been supported by the university’s Research Infrastructure Funding (RIF) which has enabled a series of high profile international academic visitors, conferences, workshops & symposia. Members of the History RIF group work closely with university research groups & centres, notably the Inst for Culture and Society & Digital Humanities Res Group.

European History, Asian History, Australian History

The History and Political Thought major is distinctive, studentcentred, research-driven & worldclass. Students study Asian, Australian, European, Intellectual and Global History, contemporary international politics and the evolution of ideas about political organisation, gaining a deep understanding of historical events and processes across a range of cultures. There are opportunities to conduct independent original research projects in Australian or British history. A distinctive feature is its emphasis on the history of political thought and the political uses of history in the modern world.

full time, part time

The History and Political Thought major is distinctive, studentcentred, research-driven & worldclass. Students study Asian, Australian, European, Intellectual and Global History, contemporary international politics and the evolution of ideas about political organisation, gaining a deep understanding of historical events and processes across a range of cultures. There are opportunities to conduct independent original research projects in Australian or British history. A distinctive feature is its emphasis on the history of political thought and the political uses of history in the modern world.

full time, part time

The School services the Mathematics and Statistics units of all the programs at Western. An essential feature of School strategy for maintaining academic standards is achieving professional accreditation of all its programs. Priority has also been given to introducing blended learning in disciplines with significant staffing pressures, where the anticipated efficiency dividend offered by blended learning will be most useful in the short and medium term. The School maintains an extended External Advisory Network from which it forms the External Advisory Board for the specific disciplines.

The Research Centre in Mathematics (CRM) at the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics was established in 2012 to strengthen WSU's capacity in pure and applied mathematics. CRM has started a distinguished visitors program concentrated on two campuses, which includes regular seminars with leading national and international scholars and has sustained its publication performance. The Centre's research staff is a group of high achieving academics that are working in disciplines relevant to the Centre's research agenda. It covers a continuum from very applied to very theoretical research.

Algebra and applications, Analytical and statistical methods in control theory and biological systems, Data Science

This course provides students with a strong background in key analytical techniques that have contemporary applications such as the treatment and interpretation of data and the modelling of real-world problems such as global warming. Students will develop skills that allow them to model and solve real world problems using mathematical techniques and have the opportunity to specialise in mathematics, statistics or a combination of both. This will provide them with a wide range of career options in commercial and government institutions, which require highly skilled problem solvers.

full time, part time