University of Western Australia

What you'll study

This programme builds advanced competence in core areas of biology while allowing you to tailor study toward molecular and cellular biology, ecology and evolution, conservation and biodiversity, or marine and freshwater biology. Teaching combines lectures, laboratory practicals, fieldwork and independent research.

• Core topics — research methods, experimental design and quantitative data analysis, molecular techniques, and bioinformatics.
• Organismal and ecological biology — population ecology, community ecology, evolutionary processes, physiological ecology and conservation biology.
• Molecular and cellular approaches — genetics and genomics, molecular ecology, cell biology and techniques such as PCR, sequencing and gene expression analysis.
• Marine and freshwater biology — coastal and estuarine ecology, fisheries biology, and applied marine conservation, taking advantage of Western Australia’s diverse marine environments.
• Practical experience — extensive laboratory classes, ecological field trips, and project work that develops technical skills, data handling and scientific communication.
• Research component or capstone — an independent research project or advanced coursework capstone that demonstrates your ability to design and execute a biological investigation and to present findings in written and oral form.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in biological science or a closely related discipline with a strong record of relevant coursework. Relevant professional or research experience may be considered where applicants do not have a directly matching degree. For some research-led pathways, an honours year or demonstrated research experience will strengthen an application.

All applicants must meet the University’s English language requirement; international applicants will need to provide acceptable evidence of English proficiency. Additional requirements such as curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, a statement of research interest and referee reports may be requested depending on the chosen study pathway.

Career prospects

Graduates from this master’s develop skills suited to both research and applied roles. Typical career paths include:

• Research scientist or laboratory-based roles in universities, government and private research institutes.
• Environmental and ecological consultancy, including impact assessment and biodiversity surveys.
• Conservation officer or policy advisor in government agencies and non-governmental organisations focused on biodiversity and natural resource management.
• Roles in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, including assay development, molecular diagnostics and quality management.
• Data- and model-focused positions such as bioinformatics analyst, ecological modeller or environmental data scientist.
• Progression to doctoral research (PhD) for careers in academic research and higher-level specialist roles.

Why study at University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia offers strong research expertise across terrestrial and marine biology, with staff active in fields from molecular ecology to large-scale biodiversity and conservation science. Its location provides direct access to unique ecosystems of Western Australia for field-based learning and research. Students benefit from modern laboratory facilities, opportunities for industry and government collaboration, and clear pathways to research degrees.