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Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Animal Behaviour)

Study Animal Behavior at Flinders

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.
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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

80.00

Guaranteed selection rank

85.00

TAFElink

Diploma or above

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

234361

Delivery mode
In person:
  • – Bedford Park
Online: No
Duration

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

Annual indicative fee
  • 2024: $10,500
How are these fees calculated?
Start dates
  • – March
  • – July

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Student and ATAR profile

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Why study Animal Behaviour at Flinders

  • 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.

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

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 99.85 99.95
Median rank to receive an offer 88.20 92.78
Lowest rank to receive an offer 71.15 81.75

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) 8 21%
Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5
Work and life experience 0 0
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) 20 53%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) 7 18%
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) <5 <5
International Students 0 0
All students 38 100%

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

Expand your career options by combining this degree with any other bachelor degree within the College of Science and Engineering, subject to meeting entry requirements.

Search all combined degree options

How to apply

1

Choose your preferred course.

 

2

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

 

3

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

 

4

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

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

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

How to apply

1

Select your course.

 

2

Check entry requirements.

 

3

Check your eligibility for credit.

 

5

Obtain certified documents.

 

6

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

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

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

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Last Updated: 22 Jul 2022

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