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Study bachelor degree online with Macquarie University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

In an era where the influence of science has reached new heights, we invite you to embark on an educational journey with our Bachelor of Science (OUA), a dynamic and comprehensive degree that empowers you to shape your scientific destiny. Serving as your gateway to understanding and navigating the complexities of today&#39;s scientific landscape, this course allows you to explore the myriad possibilities within the sciences, charting a course tailored to your career aspirations. You will immerse yourself in an in-depth study of biology, acquiring the knowledge and skills essential for making a meaningful impact on the world today and tomorrow.Complementing this specialised focus, our course places a premium on foundational units designed to enhance transferable skills highly sought after by employers. In a rapidly evolving global scenario, where science plays a pivotal role in addressing pressing issues, this degree prepares you for both scientific excellence and the practical challenges of working in the field. You will delve into core units that intricately weave Indigenous knowledge and sustainability considerations, providing a holistic perspective that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of scientific exploration.  As a scientist in today&#39;s world, quantitative and qualitative skills are non-negotiable. Our curriculum ensures mastery in understanding, analysing, and communicating complex data. But this foundational stream isn&#39;t just theoretical: it integrates real-world learning activities that culminate in a unit where you engage in work-integrated learning activities in collaboration with industry organisations, gaining practical experience that sets you apart in the competitive scientific landscape.The Bachelor of Science (OUA) is a transformative experience. By seamlessly blending specialised discipline education with a broader skill set, this course provides a world-class science education. Step into the future of science, where innovation meets education, and be prepared to actively shape the world of science. Please note: Some subjects in this degree require you to attend laboratory sessions in Sydney.

Benefit from the guidance of teachers whose research findings are known on a global scale. Use this research to conduct case studies. Take a hands-on approach with a lab component. Specialise in biology, including genetics, genes and life processes.

Bachelor of Science

Introduction to Human Physiology

Human Biology

Human Structure and Function

Biological Basis of Behaviour

Biological and Learning Psychology

A Primer of Marine and Antarctic Science

The Human Journey: Archaeology and Evolution

Neurospeak Online

Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia

Foundations of Human Biology 1

The fascinating world of plants consists of incredible diversity in species and vital ecosystem functions that enable our planet to function. Through a combination of lectures, laboratory sessions, and fieldwork, this unit explores the classification, diversification, evolution, and adaptations of plants across different habitats and ecosystems. By delving into plant anatomy, physiology, and reproductive strategies, students will gain a deep understanding of how plants acquire and utilise resources, interact with their environment, and contribute to ecosystem functioning. This unit provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between plants in various ecosystems, and their impact on nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes. Skills gained in plant experimentation can be applied to careers in microbiology, ecology, environmental science, and biotechnology.

Plants

This unit offers a comprehensive exploration of the vast range of animal diversity. Students will examine the evolutionary history, evolutionary relationships, and ecological adaptations of animals across aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Topics covered include animal anatomy, physiology, and behaviour. Students will gain a deep understanding of how animals interact with their environment and take on roles in ecosystems. Through hands-on experience with animals and with data analysis, students will develop critical thinking and observational skills while deepening their understanding of animal evolution and ecology.

Animals

This subject explores the biological diversity of plants and animals. Relationships between structure and function are emphasised. The unit also discusses how organisms have adapted to specific environments. There is a strong emphasis on evolutionary processes and how these have generated biological diversity. A comparative approach is taken, with adaptation discussed in the context of evolutionary trees and the fossil record. The unit is suitable for students interested in organismal biology, science education, and research.

Diversity of Life

This unit introduces students to the essential concepts in current biology. BIOX1310 forms the first step for students pursuing a career in the biological sciences, and provides a basis for students in other disciplines who wish to maintain an interest in this dynamic field. The theme of this unit is evolution. The first part of the unit is concerned with the origin of life and discusses current theories on how life may have arisen on a previously lifeless planet. We discuss evolutionary theory in detail, including some of the genetic principles that underlie evolution. In the second part we introduce the major groups of organisms, examining their diversity and how they function. In the final part we discuss the ecological interactions between organisms from the small scale to global patterns. Throughout the unit, these core concepts are illustrated with examples from current research. BIOX1310 is designed as a companion unit to BIOX1110 in Session 2 and requires attendance at an on-campus session.

Organisms to Ecosystems

This subject deals with the nuts and bolts of life on earth. Throughout the subject there is a single unifying theme – that all of the processes that give rise to life are derived from DNA. We show students that DNA controls life by acting as a blueprint for the construction of proteins, and that those proteins build cells which act as the basic structural and functional units of all life. To demonstrate these processes to students, we start by talking about the structure and function of DNA to show how it can act as a simple code for the construction of proteins. Students are then shown how proteins are constructed from the DNA code, and how those proteins can be used to build and maintain cells. Having established these basic principles, the subject then goes on to explain how cells construct multicellular organisms during development, and how the proper functioning of those organisms is maintained by regulating cellular activity. We also demonstrate that the DNA code is essentially immortal because it can be copied from generation to generation, from cell to cell. This subject requires attendance at on-campus sessions.

Genes to Organisms

Ongoing advances in molecular technology, statistics and bioinformatics have revolutionized our ability to gather and apply genetic information. This unit deals with the distribution of genetic variation among individuals, populations and species, and the relevance of such variation to evolutionary processes. Specific topics include selection and adaptive potential; mutation; inbreeding; population divergence; speciation; effective population size and extinction risk. Approaches to the study of genetic variation are explored at levels ranging from pedigree analysis to molecular genomics. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of evolutionary genetics to the conservation, management and restoration of wild populations.

Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics

Genetics occupies a central role in modern sciences, with profound implications for basic and applied research in biology, medicine and agriculture, as well as for a number of philosophical issues in human affairs. This unit offers a balanced approach to teach introductory principles of genetics. It combines sections on classical, molecular and population genetics presented in an integrative way. The practical sessions offer students the possibility of learning essential techniques and skills in modern molecular genetics.

Genetics

Evolution is a dynamic process that has occurred over many millions of years (deep evolution) and continues to this day (contemporary evolution) shaping all aspects of vertebrate biology. This unit considers the major events in vertebrate evolution: invertebrate chordate to vertebrate; jawless to jawed; water to land; ectothermy to endothermy; and land to air. The newly emerging synthesis of evolutionary and developmental biology is having considerable impact on current vertebrate evolutionary theory, as are molecular techniques for constructing phylogenies. These topics are discussed in relation to deep and contemporary evolution of vertebrate groups. Lecture topics also discuss the main traits associated with each group of vertebrates including anatomy, physiology, brains and behaviour. The practical work reinforces the lectures by focussing on the comparative anatomy, morphology and behaviour of representative vertebrate groups.

Vertebrate Biology and Behaviour

This unit will cover the fundamentals of emergence of disease in the context of global change. Beginning with an overview of the biology and ecology of different pathogens and progressing to their epidemiology, rapid evolution, and application of modern diagnostics for their detection, diagnosis and source tracking. Past and present epidemics and case studies will be used to investigate host-switching, evolution, adaptation, virulence and transmission theory. Approaches to investigating and managing emerging Infectious disease such as One Health and Planetary Health will also be explored in this unit.

Ecology and Evolution of Emerging Infectious Diseases

This unit deals with the molecular, cellular and population basis of the genetics of human beings in relation to disease and evolutionary medicine. Topics include: genetics, genomics, disease gene discovery, evolutionary medicine and the social and ethical implications of studies in human genetics. Emphasis is placed upon the enormous impact which recent molecular advances have had upon the subject, as well as techniques of genetic analysis. Comparisons with the genetics of other vertebrates are made wherever appropriate.

Human Genetics and Evolutionary Medicine

Macquarie University Bachelor Degree Biology Courses & Degrees | Open Universities Australia

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