Found 238 study abroad units

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BVB101 Foundations of Biology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Biology is the study of living things. Cells are considered the basic structural unit of life, existing in diverse forms from simple single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. Using collaborative approaches in workshops and the laboratory you will investigate the diverse nature of cells and consider how they are built and powered and how they interact and reproduce and form whole organisms. You will use the concepts developed in this unit to discuss more complex questions such as “are viruses alive” and “can we synthesise life”'.

BVB103 Evolution and the Diversity of Life

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

The famous biologist, Theodosius Dobzhansky (1973) stated that "nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution". Studying evolution and biodiversity provides you with the fundamental basis for understanding biological patterns and processes from data sources spanning research from genomes to ecology and fossils. This unit provides an overview of the nature of inheritance, biological variation, natural & sexual selection and adaptation as well as the diversity of life that these processes have generated. The  unit aims to equip you to be able to (1) interpret any biological observation in an evolutionary framework in fields as diverse as conservation and medical genetics and (2) recognise and classify major groups of organisms. We will introduce some key elements of Australia’s largely unique flora and fauna.  As a foundational unit, knowledge and skills that you gain will be built upon in subsequent units in the biology and environmental science majors.

BVB201 Biological Processes

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

An understanding of processes which occur at the cellular level is fundamental to all aspects of biology. Using a combination of theoretical and laboratory-based approaches to enquiry you will explore the biochemical pathways and processes that facilitate biological function and the genetic mechanisms that control them.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB202 Experimental Design and Quantitative Methods

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

The skills to design, carry out, analyse and interpret experiments are fundamental for scientists. This is particularly important for students of biology and environmental science since environmental variability is an inherent element of the systems that they will need to understand. This unit builds on first year knowledge of the theory of science and the scientific method developed in first year. With field trips it provides real world experience in problem assessment, formulation of testable hypotheses, and experimental design. These critical skills are used and further developed in later units.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB203 Plant Biology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

This is a foundational plant biology unit addressing the core concepts of plant function, including structural, physiological and molecular aspects, from the cell to the whole plant. This subject will outline and teach the skills required for measuring and monitoring plant function and an appreciation of how they are influenced by the environment and applied by industry. It introduces the fundamentals of plant physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology in such a way to enable you to understand how plants grow, develop and interact with their environment, and will also be valuable for lifelong appreciation of the potential of agriculture and its contribution to industry and humanity.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB204 Ecology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Ecology is the study of the living and non-living factors that influence the distribution and abundance of organisms. It is a key discipline of biological and environmental science, and is central to managing and conserving species and ecosystems. This unit examines the fundamental concepts of ecology such as population ecology, interactions between trophic levels in food webs, attributes of ecosystems such as biodiversity and nutrient cycling; and develops the conceptual foundation for later subjects in the biological and environmental science majors and minors.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB205 Animal Biology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

An understanding of animal physiology and anatomy is fundamental to studying the way that animals grow, develop, reproduce and respond to their environments. This unit has a focus on vertebrate physiology but will include elements of invertebrate physiology. The unit builds on earlier studies of cells and genes, to explain how the animal functions as a whole, and how different animals have evolved diverse physiological systems to cope with different environments. Finally, the unit will consider the relationship between animals and humans, placing the topic in a broader societal context. This knowledge will be useful to biology educators and those who wish to pursue further animal studies or research in wildlife, domestic, or companion animals.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB212 Drug Action

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

Introduction to the classification of bioactive compounds according to the various physiological systems they influence, such as the cardiovascular system, nervous system and respiratory system. The principles of drug action will be discussed, including the concepts of drug specificity, potency and efficacy. These principles will facilitate a basic understanding of toxicology, the development drug tolerance, addiction and withdrawal. Taught in the context human and veterinary medicine, as well as the use of drugs in sport, as poisons, or as food or environmental contaminants, it complements 'Drug Discovery and Design' offered in the same semester. The way in which chemical compounds affect biological cells and systems is fundamental to the study of medicines and toxins. The pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and pesticide industries are major economic forces which offer significant employment opportunities in science.

BVB214 Vertebrate Life

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

Vertebrates are often the focus of conservation campaigns and environmental impact assessments. Thus, any graduate wishing to pursue a career that involves the biological or environmental sciences must have a deep knowledge of this charismatic group of animals, which includes our most recent ancestors and us. The aim of this unit is for you to gain a deeper understanding of vertebrate evolution, morphology, taxonomy, physiology and ecology through a series of lectures, practicals and field work. The unit will cover evolution of the major groups of vertebrates, considering the fossil record and plausible explanations for major changes such as ‘mass extinctions’. Taxonomy and systematics of the group will be introduced. Physiological systems will be described and consideration given to how they work and operate in an integrated manner. This mid-level unit will give you skills relevant to the biology major, wildlife ecology minor and environmental science major.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB221 Nature's Pharmacy

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Fundamental concepts and practical skills relevant to plant medicinal biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology. It introduces the general classes of medicinal compounds, their biosynthesis and function, their purification and analysis, and clinical applications. The unit introduces the pharmacology of specific biologically derived compounds, thereby building upon the knowledge of drug action developed in BVB212. It provides a deeper understanding of the broader technical, social, cultural, and legal challenges in the transition from discovery to application via focused evaluation of existing/emerging global health challenges. The ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, synthesise information, and write effectively is further developed in this unit. This unit develops a broad range of knowledge and practical skills of direct relevance to natural product chemistry, plant science, botany, and allied health.

BVB301 Animal Biology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

An understanding of animal physiology is fundamental to studying the way that animals grow, develop, reproduce and respond to their environments. This unit has a focus on vertebrate physiology, but will include elements of invertebrate physiology. The unit builds on earlier studies of cells and genes, to explain how the animal functions as a whole, and how different animals have evolved different senses and diverse physiological systems to cope with different environments. Finally, the unit will consider the relationship between animals and humans, placing the topic in a broader societal context. This knowledge will be useful to biology educators and those who wish to pursue further animal studies or research in wildlife, domestic, or companion animals.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB304 Integrative Biology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

This Capstone unit requires you to think critically about an important problem in biological sciences and to integrate the knowledge gained through earlier units to provide an effective solution. You will conduct a research project, applying your knowledge of quantitative techniques and experimental design, to answer a specific challenge. Through critical analysis and reflection on your work and that of your peers, you will gain a deeper understanding of the scientific method and will become confident in applying it. The unit will provide a foundation for future Honours studies, or higher degree research.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB305 Microbiology and the Environment

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

The biology, evolution and ecology of microorganisms underpin critical, complex and, sometimes, harmful processes in almost every environment on earth, from oceanic vents to the animal gut, in the roots of plants and the health of soil, and even in your shower head. These fundamental biological processes are a rich resource for cutting-edge research and applications in biotechnology, including the growing field of synthetic biology.You will conduct structured laboratory research and desktop analyses to explore, evaluate and communicate insights into core concepts in microbiology, their functional interactions in the environment, and their exploitation in agriculture, bioindustry and the built environment. Through this, you will build understanding and skills in project planning, technical communication, and experimental design, conduct, and analysis, to address real world applications and prepare you for a key area of post-graduate employment.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB306 Plant Biology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

This is a foundational plant biology unit addressing the core concepts of plant function, including structural, physiological and molecular aspects, from the cell to the whole plant. This subject will outline and teach the skills required for measuring and monitoring plant function and an appreciation of how they are influenced by the environment and applied by industry. It introduces the fundamentals of plant physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology in such a way to enable you to understand how plants grow, develop and interact with their environment, and will also be valuable for lifelong appreciation of the potential of agriculture and its contribution to industry and humanity.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB311 Conservation Biology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

The theory and practice of conservation biology is essential for maintaining viable populations of rare and threatened species and for maintaining essential ecosystem processes. In this unit, you will synthesise a diverse range of information including high quality scientific literature, apply field skills in biodiversity monitoring and prepare written reports that provide an incisive and decisive analysis of key conservation issues. Specific modules will train you to critically analyse the link, or lack of, between theory and application in current conservation management approaches. Scientific methods will be used to develop problem-recognition and problem-solving skills through fieldwork, data collection, analysis and reporting. This advanced unit is essential for anyone wanting to work in areas of wildlife management and conservation.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB313 Population Genetics and Molecular Ecology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Understanding the dispersal and movement of genes in populations is fundamental to the management of invasive species, the management of fisheries and wild resources and the conservation of rare species. This unit will provide the theoretical and practical training required for practicing ecologists to use genetic techniques in theoretical and applied settings. 

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB317 Principles of Genomics and Biotechnology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

This unit will introduce students to the basic principles, core concepts and processes that underpin the topics of genomics and biotechnology. The cutting-edge innovations arising from these rapidly emerging and evolving areas have, and will continue to, transform and shape the world we live in with global impacts in human health, agriculture and the environment. The unit will build on the basic cell and molecular biology skills acquired in BVB101 and further develop theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in the cellular and molecular processes and techniques that are used to manipulate and exploit organisms (microbes, animals and plants). Recent technological advances such as gene editing will also be covered in addition to important issues such as regulation and commercialisation of biotechnology process and products. The biotechnology industry is growing rapidly and graduate employment in this sector is expected to be in high demand.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB321 Invasion Ecology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Invasive species cause substantial and costly negative effects to native ecosystems and threaten food security. An understanding of the ecological processes by which they are introduced, establish and spread in new regions is essential for their control. Invasive species are now so widespread that they will be encountered in some way in a wide range of careers in ecology and environmental science. Similarly, while pest species are typically dealt with within agro-ecosystems, managing and reducing large populations in a sustainable manner requires science and sophistication, and often similar ecological principles to dealing with invasive species. Integrating and extending work introduced in earlier units, you will learn the skills and concepts that are necessary to understand, analyse and manage pests and invasive species, and the processes of biological invasion.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB328 Applications in Biotechnology

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

Biotechnology underpins the manufacture of a wide variety of products on which society depends. Such products include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, fuels, and foods. With the major advances in biotechnology and the ability to engineer biological systems in recent decades, biotechnology offers the generation of better products at lower cost with reduced environmental impacts. As such, both established companies and start-ups are making a major impact on the global stage to deliver products that we use every day. You will learn about a variety of biotechnology applications from both a technical and a business perspective. Your learning will be contextualised with local and international biotechnology company case studies and you will perform an entire biotechnology process during practical classes. At the end of the unit you will have a deep understanding of the biotechnology industry and the technologies that underpin it as well as an awareness of the opportunities it offers.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BVB330 Synthetic Genomics

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

The field of Synthetic Biology has emerged from decades of advances in DNA sequencing and editing technologies. Thanks to the increasing information available describing DNA sequence-function relationships, scientists can design and build new biological parts (like enzymes), new genetic programs (connecting multiple biological parts), and even new organisms.  These products of synthetic biology are used improve agricultural practices, reduce pollution, develop new therapeutics, and create new bio-based chemicals and materials. In this unit you will be introduced to bioinformatic tools for analysing DNA, and for designing new genetic circuits.  You will apply this knowledge to design, edit and implement genetic programs in vitro and in live organisms, and develop data analysis skills.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

BZB210 Biological Sciences

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Cells are the basic structural unit of life. They exist in diverse forms from simple single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. In this unit you will investigate the diverse nature of cells and consider how they are built and powered and how they interact and reproduce. You will extend these foundation concepts to examine more complex problems involving molecular biology, plant and animal biology, and ecology.

CAB201 Programming Principles

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

This unit builds on the gentle introduction to programming provided in IFB104, EGB103 or MZB126. In those units students learn how algorithms are constructed by combining the logical structures of sequence, selection and iteration. Students also learn how functions can be used to abstract and reuse sections of code. These concepts are reinforced in this unit and extended with additional applications of abstraction necessary to combat complexity when building larger systems. Object-oriented principles are introduced where the program is structured around classes of objects that are identified from the real-world providing a high-level architecture that is better able to stand the test of time as requirements evolve throughout the lifetime of the system. This unit provides the foundation for the other more advanced and specialized programming units.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB203 Discrete Structures

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

In trying to solve complex problems, a powerful approach is to transform the problem into a simpler model by abstracting away some of the less important details. Once in this more abstract form, powerful mathematical techniques (developed over centuries) can be brought to bear. For computing related problems, the most relevant mathematical concepts and techniques come from the field of discrete mathematics, and include arithmetic, logic, set theory, graph theory and functions. This unit demonstrates how these mathematical concepts and techniques can be used to model and solve real-world problems. The unit also supports subsequent units: CAB301 where algorithms involving graphs are introduced and CAB402 where the mathematical notion of a function provides the basis for alternative programming paradigms.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB210 User Experience Fundamentals

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

User experience (UX) means how a person feels when interacting with digital technology, like mobile applications, web services and games. This unit introduces user experience methods to study people’s needs in a real-world context, and to evaluate the usability and experience with technologies. This unit is important to inform the design and development of technologies that meet the needs of people who are going to use them and the context within which they will be used. A stronger understanding of user experience will provide students with an edge in the market place for jobs such as interaction designers, usability engineers, game designers, app developers, information architects, and user experience designers.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB222 Networks

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Building on your digital systems knowledge, you will be introduced to practical and theoretical knowledge on a wide range of modern networking topics to be able to design, implement and maintain network-based applications. You will participate in practical networking exercises to provide hands-on experience with network-based computing.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB230 Web Computing

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

The World Wide Web is the most important platform for software systems and an integral part of modern life. Many companies owe their existence to the web, through applications deployed over the Internet using web protocols. All IT professionals require a good understanding of the web and its architecture, especially software developers and those tasked with maintaining and implementing web-based software systems. This unit is a technical introduction to modern web computing. You will design and implement clean and responsive user interfaces, taking account of accessibility and internationalisation. We will provide an introduction to JavaScript and you will use it throughout the semester, gaining practical experience with HTML, CSS and frameworks such as React on the client side, and node.js, Express and the node ecosystem on the server side. You will explore security threats and their mitigation and gain practical experience deploying an internet facing web server using HTTPS.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB301 Algorithms and Complexity

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

This unit teaches you the fundamental principles used to assess the efficiency of software algorithms, allowing you to distinguish solutions that can process large amounts of data or perform complex calculations effectively from those that run unacceptably slowly or not at all. In this unit you will examine a range of different algorithms, review the principles used to predict their efficiency and perform empirical measurements of specific algorithms to confirm the theoretical predictions.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB302 Software Development

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

This unit teaches you how to work effectively in a team to develop large-scale software systems. It includes principles of teamwork, modern software development methodologies and tools that are needed when working in a team on a large project.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB310 Interaction and Experience Design

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 1 (February)

Unit synopsis

This is an advanced human-computer interaction unit focussed on the design and evaluation of emerging technologies for human use. Emerging technologies like robots, machine learning, and Internet of Things devices have the potential to disrupt how we work and live. Based on interaction design theories and methods, this unit focusses on how we design, prototype, and study how people experience such emerging technologies. Understanding how to design emerging technologies for human use will give students an edge in the market place for jobs as user experience professionals, IT developers, and interaction designers. The theories and methods introduced in this unit prepare students for a career in human-computer interaction research and development. This unit builds on design thinking skills from unit IFB103 and user experience research skills from unit CAB210 to design experiences with emerging technologies.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

CAB330 Data and Web Analytics

Unit information

School/discipline
School of Computer Science
Study level
Undergraduate units
Availability
Semester 2 (July)

Unit synopsis

Data analytics has become a popular way to support decision-making by turning an organization's large collection of data into useful knowledge about their customers and business processes. Data analytics has direct applications in several fields such as social networks, business processes, search-engines, e-commerce, digital libraries, bioinformatics and web information systems. This unit provide fundamental knowledge and skills of data analytics to help with data-driven decision making. You will learn the different types of data mining techniques to apply classification, clustering and association mining. You will learn how the processing can be applied to text and web usage data. This is an introductory unit and the knowledge and skills developed in this unit are relevant to all IT professionals. It builds on CAB220 - Fundamentals of Data Science which introduces the basic concepts of data manipulation.

Approval required

You can only enrol in this undergraduate unit if you meet the specified requirements and have significant background knowledge in the area of study. After you apply, we will assess the units and your background knowledge and let you know the outcome.

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