Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

If you’ve ever been fascinated by how animals adapt, survive, and interact with their environment, this degree is for you. Deakin’s Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science combines hands-on lab and field experiences with research-informed teaching, helping you turn your love for animals into a meaningful career in conservation, ecology, or wildlife management.

Curriculum Structure:
In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation with units like Foundations of Zoology, Ecology and the Environment, and Cells and Genes, exploring animal form, function, and the basics of life sciences. You’ll also develop essential lab and field skills through practical induction programs and safety training.

The second year deepens your understanding with Animal Diversity, Vertebrate Structure and Function, and Animal Behaviour, while introducing research techniques and data analysis. You’ll study marine ecosystems, genetics, and animal behaviour in real-world contexts, often alongside Australian fauna.

By your third year, you’ll apply your skills in professional and research settings through units like Professional Practice, Ecological and Conservation Genetics, and Zoological and Wildlife Field Studies. You’ll tackle disease ecology, sensory ecology, and evolutionary processes, completing hands-on projects and a field-based experience that prepares you for industry or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas:
Animal behaviour, ecology, conservation, genetics, Australian wildlife

Learning Outcomes:
Develop practical expertise, research skills, and critical thinking to understand and protect animals and ecosystems

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
This degree is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework and equips you with industry-ready skills valued by employers in zoology and wildlife science.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, and its strong emphasis on hands-on learning and fieldwork ensures you’re prepared to enter the workforce with confidence.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re passionate about animals and want to turn that curiosity into real-world skills, Deakin’s Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science is designed to immerse you in hands-on experiences from the start. You’ll study live animals in both labs and the field, exploring their behaviour, physiology, and adaptations while learning directly from expert researchers. The program blends theoretical knowledge with practical applications, from field studies to ecological genetics, helping you build the critical thinking, teamwork, and technical skills that employers value. Every unit is crafted to give you genuine, career-ready experience, preparing you to make meaningful contributions in zoology and animal science:

Working with live animals in lab and field environments
Field studies in zoology and wildlife, including Australian fauna
Ecological and conservation genetics research projects
Professional practice unit with discipline-specific industry placement
Hands-on studies in animal behaviour, sensory ecology, and disease ecology
Research methods and data analysis applied to real-world animal science scenarios
Opportunities to participate in marine biology and vertebrate structure and function studies

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Deakin’s Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science are well-prepared to launch careers that make a real difference for animals and ecosystems. Many find roles as wildlife ecologists, conservation officers, animal behaviour specialists, or research assistants. You’ll leave with both practical experience and the critical-thinking skills that employers in zoology and animal science value most.

Here’s what this means for you:

Deakin’s career support: Through the STP010 Career Tools for Employability unit, you’ll develop skills to secure placements and jobs, and benefit from Deakin’s lifetime career guidance.
Industry-connected learning: You’ll complete a discipline-specific industry work placement, gaining hands-on experience while building professional networks.
Graduate outcomes: Deakin is ranked the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, reflecting strong career readiness and high employability.
University–industry partnerships: Work alongside researchers and industry professionals who are actively shaping zoology and conservation science in Australia.
Accreditation value: The degree is recognised at Level 7 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, ensuring national and international credibility.
Real-world experience: Extensive lab and fieldwork, including ecological and conservation genetics, animal behaviour studies, and wildlife field studies, equips you to hit the ground running after graduation.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can continue your studies with postgraduate programs at Deakin, such as a Master of Zoology, Master of Environmental Science, or research-focused pathways like a PhD in animal ecology or conservation biology. These options allow you to specialise further, engage in advanced research, and increase your impact in science and conservation.