This document provides information about life science programs and careers at Monash University. It discusses the psychology program which can be taken as a minor, major, or extended major. It outlines the core and elective units offered each semester. It also describes the qualifications needed to become a psychologist. The document then discusses biology programs, including majors in areas like ecology and conservation. It provides details about first year biology units and prerequisites. It promotes the biology bridging course for students who need a refresher. Finally, it notes the broad range of careers that life science degrees can lead to.

1. Life Sciences (Biology, Biomedical
Sciences and Psychology)
Dr Gerry Rayner

2. Psychology at Monash
Psychology can be taken as a minor (24 points), major (48 points) or
APAC-accredited extended major (60 points; 9 core units and 1
elective unit) course of study.
The core and elective units available at Clayton are:
Semester 1 Semester 2
Year 1 1. PSY1011 Psychology A 1. PSY1022 Psychology B
Year 2 1. PSY2061 Biological psychology
2. PSY2071 Developmental psychology
1. PSY2042 Personality and social psychology
Year 3 1. PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability
and ethics
2. PSY3051 Perception and cognition
Elective units:
PSY3180 – Human neuropsychology:
Developmental and neurodegenerative disorders
PSY3310 – Introduction to computational
neuroscience
1. PSY3032 Abnormal psychology
2. PSY3062 Research methods and theory
Elective units:
PSY3120 – Introduction to counselling
PSY3190 – Addiction Studies
PSY3320 – Sleep and circadian rhythms

3. Qualifications required to become a
Psychologist
• a bachelor’s degree with an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
(APAC) sequence of psychology units *
plus
• a 4th year in psychology *
plus either
• two years full-time study at master’s* level (minimum)
or
• two years supervised practice
*accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
Further information is available on-line at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/aos/psychology/ug-med-psychology.html

4. Biological sciences
Biosecurity
Global Change & Conservation
Cellular & Developmental Genetics
Evolutionary Biology
Disease Control & Genetics
Ecology

5. Why do Biology?
• Biology is the Science of the 21st century
• Biology underpins all of the biomedical, conservation,
environmental and health sciences.
• Biology is fun, interesting, engaging, and inspiring
• Biology will build your skills in problem-solving, critical
thinking, communication, team work, flexibility, and
independent study.

6. Level 1 bio units, pre-requisites
Semester 1 Semester 2
Year 1 BIO1011 Biology I (Biomolecules to ecology)
No prerequisites
Do the Biology Bridging Course to familiarize,
renew or refresh
BIO1022 Biology II
(prerequisite is BIO1011 or equivalent)
And/Or
BIO1042 – Environmental biology

7. Level 1 bio units, pre-requisites
Semester 1 Semester 2
Year 1 BIO1011 Biology I (Biomolecules to ecology)
No prerequisites
Do the Biology Bridging Course to familiarize,
renew or refresh
BIO1022 Biology II
(prerequisite is BIO1011 or equivalent)
And/Or
BIO1042 – Environmental biology
Year 2
and
beyond
Any of: Anatomy and Developmental biology, Physiology, Ecology and Biodiversity,
Conservation biology, Zoology, Genetics, Molecular biology, Plant sciences, Immunology,
Evolutionary ecology, Marine biology (3rd year), Biochemistry, and more……

8. Biology Bridging Course
Want to do biology, but haven't done VCE bio or it’s been a
while since you did VCE Bio?
Begin your biology studies on the front foot! Enrol in the 1st year
Biology Bridging course: Monday 15 – 19, February.
This week-long course ($220), which covers the major concepts in VCE
Bio units 3 & 4, will ensure you can begin first year biology with the
background knowledge and skills to succeed.
It will also immerse you in the Monash environment with on-campus
lectures, workshops and lab experiences.
To register, go to Faculty of Science eCart, scan the ‘Categories’, click on
‘Courses’, and then ‘More info’ under ‘Biology Bridging Course 2016’

9. http://ecommerce.sci.monash.edu.au/product.a
sp?pID=423&cID=49
Biology Bridging Course

10. Majors and extended majors
Majors / extended majors in Biological Sciences
• Ecology and Conservation Biology (major and
extended major)
• Environmental science (extended major)
• Genetics (major and extended major)
• Plant Sciences (major)
• Zoology (major)

11. You can do a Biomedical major
Interested in a Biomedical science major (8 units
over 3 years)?
e.g. Developmental Biology, Microbiology,
Physiology, Molecular biology, Immunology,
Biochemistry, etc.
BIO1011 and BIO1022 provide the most suitable
1st year sequence for all of these Biomed majors

12. A broad range of careers

13. Questions?

14. Two more things:
1. Please now attend another discipline talk;
2. After that, proceed to the Science student
learning lounge (next door) where you
can talk to teaching staff about majors
and units on offer and ask questions 