Study the Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour)

Study Animal Behaviour at Flinders

Wild careers start here, understand animals to assess their welfare, survival and evolution.

Learn to appreciate the societal and ethical contexts of conservation biology, animal behaviour and animal welfare. This degree provides you with training in retrieving, analysing and evaluating information relevant to animal behaviour, and communicating this information to a variety of audiences.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

I am an
International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

Switch to International

I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

Switch to Domestic

Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

2024 selection rank

70.00

Guaranteed selection rank

75.00

TAFElink

Certificate IV or above

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

234211

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park

Online: No

Duration

3 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)
Deferrable: Yes

Annual indicative fee

2024: $10,700

How are these fees calculated?

Start dates

– March
– July

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Apply via SATAC

234211 (Bedford Park)

Why study Animal Behaviour at Flinders

Get hands-on experience with lab work, fieldtrips and camps where you can witness and analyse animal behaviour in the field from your first year
No background in science required, just an inquiring mind
Access unique topics in animal behaviour specifically developed for this degree
Learn from researchers working on local and international projects
Examine animal behaviour from many perspectives, including adaptation and evolution, ecology, biodiversity, physiology, growth and development, and genetic ancestry
Forms the basis for further study in areas such as behavioural ecology, conservation biology, education, medicine (human and veterinary), psychology and law

Your career

Graduates obtain knowledge and skills transferable to various workplaces including private and public global organisations.

Potential occupations include:

animal behaviour consultant/specialist
animal welfare officer or wildlife demonstrator
national park officer or ranger
avian/wildlife ecology research assistant
zookeeper.

Potential employers include:

universities
zoos
government departments
research centres
tourism companies
consultancy firms.

See all events

Events

“There have been a lot of standout moments over the last three years… when I did the South Africa marine elective, it was one month working with actual scientists, contributing to their research and learning lots of hands-on skills”.

Christine Barry
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Animal Behaviour)

What you will study

First year A typical first year may include:	core topics in the evolution of biological diversity, the molecular basis of life, introduction to animal behaviour, the nature of science, and biostatistics study of chemical structure and bonding or general chemistry a topic in chemistry for the life sciences a selection of elective topics.
Second year A typical second year may include:	core topics in experimental design and statistics for biology; genetics, evolution and biodiversity; ecology; animal diversity; the foundations of animal behaviour; and disease and immunology.
Third year A typical third year may include:	core topics in conservation biology and restoration ecology, marine and freshwater biology, plant and algal diversity, integrative physiology of animals and plants, research in animal behaviour, and conservation and ecological genetics a selection of elective topics.
Honours year A typical honours year may include:	a major animal behaviour research thesis allowing high-performing students to progress to a higher degree by research further development of professional skills, particularly those relevant to research and development.

View study program

Practical experience

The degree provides you with practical experience that prepares you for the workforce.

Monitor the behaviour of several species of animals in the Biology Discovery Centre.
Apply your knowledge in research projects and during field trips.
Experience the work of real-life fieldwork scientists working with wild animals.
Learn practical information, including urban planning for wildlife, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, conservation management, and nature-based tourism.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to take your studies overseas through internships and short-term study abroad programs, including:

overseas internships in collaboration with international organisations
a topic providing field experience in South Africa.

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published

ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds	ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	99.70	99.95
Median rank to receive an offer	79.85	83.78
Lowest rank to receive an offer	62.10	70.05

Student Profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024)	Number of students	Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	26	21%
Vocational education and training (VET) study	11	9%
Work and life experience	7	6%
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	46	37%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)	<5	<5
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)	30	24%
International Students	N/P	N/P
All students	126	100%

Add Innovation and Enterprise
to your degree

At Flinders University, we recognise that careers are evolving and the workplace of the future will look very different from today.

Whatever undergraduate course you are studying at Flinders, you can add innovation and enterprise electives to your degree to gain new, adaptable and transferrable skills that will equip you for the careers of tomorrow.

Learn More

Pursue multiple passions with a combined degree

Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)/
Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour)

By combining these degrees, you will better understand the evolutionary mechanisms that have led to human behaviours and psychology, while being able to discover the similarities between human and animal social organisation, strategy, and decision making. Unravel the principles underpinning animal behaviours and understand their importance in relation to survival and evolution. This combined degree meets the accreditation requirements of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and provides you with the necessary qualification to start a career related to animal behaviour or further develop your education through an honours degree.

Other combined degree options

Expand your career options by combining this degree with one of the following:

You can also combine this degree with any other bachelor degree within the College of Science and Engineering, subject to meeting entry requirements.

Search all combined degree options

Answer the call of the wild

Look at animal behaviour through a scientific lens and discover how and why they do the things they do.

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Apply via SATAC

234211 (Bedford Park)

Apply to transfer internally

Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.

Admission pathways

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous higher education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through adult entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

Find the entry path that’s right for you.

Explore our pathways

Choosing your preferences

When choosing your preferences through SATAC, other Flinders degrees you might want to include in your list are:

How to apply

Select your course.

Check entry requirements.

Check your eligibility for credit.

Apply online

Obtain certified documents.

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

English language pathways

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

Academic program pathways

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice.

Find out more

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour)

Study Animal Behaviour at Flinders

Fast facts