Bachelor of Animal Ecology

Hands-on experience starts in your first year with fieldwork to North Stradbroke Island and your local region. During the program, you'll work with leading researchers on field trips and in the laboratory, thus delivering work-ready graduates who are able to blend concepts gleaned from the global literature with personal experience of a diversity of regional habitats and fauna.

In your final year you can also further develop your research skills in a specialised area by undertaking a guided research project in Animal Ecology, working as an intern animal ecologist as part of your studies, or taking advantage of opportunities to travel abroad.

As an animal ecologist, your career paths include natural resource and environmental protection agencies, private environmental consultancies and research institutes. Many animal ecologists also pursue opportunities outside the science and health sectors in business, finance, education and sales.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities will be available across a range of areas both in Australia and internationally, including:

animal ecology specialists in private environmental consulting researchers, research assistants and managers in Government and non-governmental agencies; rangers and managers in wildlife management and conservation organisations; practitioners in environmental monitoring and management; collectors and curators in museums; environmental educators; specialist ecotourism guides; and researchers and lecturers at universities.

Graduates will be eligible to become members/associate members of:

• Ecological Society of Australia
• Environmental Institute of Australia
• Australian Mammal Society
• Australian Marine Science Association
• Society for Conservation Biology
• Australian Wildlife Management Society
• Australian Physiological Society

For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.

Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.

Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.

If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.

If English is not your first language, you also need to meet the minimum English language requirements for your chosen program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may like to enrol in one of our English Language Programs.