Overview This degree prepares you to help find the solutions to big issues like protecting native forests, managing endangered species, discovering new medical cures or securing food for the future. In the first year of this degree, you'll explore the basics of animal, plant and microbial biology through the lenses of cell biology, genetics, evolution, biodiversity and ecology. In second and third year, you can specialize through a choice of disciplines including botany, microbiology, zoology, biochemistry or genetics. You'll get plenty of hands-on experience in our labs or on field trips to diverse habitats across Victoria. You'll be exposed to cutting edge biological research via world-class research institutes (the La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science and Centre for AgriBiosciences) and you'll have access to the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary on our Melbourne Campus. During your field excursions you'll learn techniques to survey animal and plant biodiversity. During lab classes you'll gain the skills to conduct scientific experiments and develop and present your own work. Along with practical and theoretical classes, we'll help you prepare for the workplace through opportunities for paid work experience. The qualification awarded on graduation is recognized in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 7. Learning outcomes Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) are brief statements defining what students are expected to demonstrate they know and can do by the end of a course. Produce clear, concise, grammatically correct written work (eg, scientific reports, essays, summaries) that present coherent evidence‐based explanations to communicate appropriately to the intended audience (eg, peers, scientific community, non‐scientific community). Conduct clearly spoken presentations that use correct terminology to communicate logically the results of scientific experiments, current scientific/discipline issues, or theoretical concepts to the intended audience (eg, peers, scientific community, and nonscientific community). Summarize numerical data produced in experiments using basic mathematical techniques, present summary data in tables and/or graphs, be able to analyze experimental data and evaluate data from sources such as, scientific reports and journal articles. Develop independent learning and research skills by locating, interrogating and evaluating relevant scientific information to generate scientific reports. Develop rational and rigorous arguments to interrogate assumptions, synthesize scientific information, formulate hypothesis, draw unbiased conclusions and defend scientific ideas. Analyze using a systematic approach to reasoning and conceptualizing scientific ideas to solve constructed and real world scientific and technical problems. Demonstrate effective teamwork in a range of roles using team‐building, self-assessment and communication skills to complete tasks. Employ academic integrity and scientific rigor in conducting and evaluating scientific research, and managing self in professional practice. Use scientific terminology to discuss the fundamental biological concepts and current issues of at least two of the discipline areas (biochemistry, botany, genetics, microbiology or zoology) and be able to apply relevant biological concepts to analyses and evaluate the results of investigations into real world problems.