Plant Biology (Extended Major)

Program Overview

The Plant Biology Extended Major at the University of Western Australia is a comprehensive 3-year undergraduate program that provides students with a deep understanding of plants from molecular to whole-plant perspectives. The program focuses on scientific methodologies, genome analysis, plant-environment interactions, and critical thinking skills. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in plant research, development, and conservation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Plant Biology (Extended Major) is an undergraduate program offered by the University of Western Australia. It is a 3-year full-time program, or part-time equivalent, and is delivered on-campus in Perth (Crawley campus). The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of plant biology, encompassing molecular, cellular, and physiological perspectives.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip students with the following skills and knowledge:

• Describe the development, structure, and functioning of plants from the molecular scale through to the whole plant.
• Demonstrate competency in scientific methodologies such as field and laboratory sampling, experimentation, and data analysis in the plant sciences.
• Demonstrate understanding of the different ways genome sequencing, genome editing, genome diversity, and evolution are used to solve both fundamental and applied problems in the plant sciences.
• Demonstrate competency in high-level critical thinking and communication skills suited to gaining employment in the plant sciences.

Description:

The program focuses on studying plants from a molecular, cellular, and physiological perspective. Students will develop an understanding of the molecular characterization of plant development and reproduction, as well as genetic, genomic, and physiological studies that aim to elucidate how plants interact with their environments. They will also study the abundance and diversity of plant species and how these have evolved, using molecular and genetic tools. The program emphasizes applying scientific knowledge from botany, molecular sciences, and genetics to real-world problems, such as how plants adapt to climate change impacts and how to produce healthier and more sustainable foods for the future.

Careers:

A major in Plant Biology opens up a diverse range of career pathways. Graduates can pursue careers in:

• Research and development of new ways to use plants for industrial applications such as biofuels.
• Improving plant disease resistance or drought and salt tolerance.
• Discovering new species.

Other:

• The program is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for the Bachelor of Biological Science.
• The extended major allows a pathway into Honours in Botany as well as the MSc in Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, and Biotechnology.
• The University of Western Australia is ranked 1st in Australia and 32nd in the world for Biological Sciences (ARWU 2023).
• The program includes fieldwork opportunities in the Natural and Physical Sciences interest area, taking students across Western Australia and beyond.
• Students will have the opportunity to build technical skills through hands-on learning in the classroom and out in the field.
• The program is located near the South West of Western Australia, one of the world’s 25 ‘biodiversity hotspots’ (Conservation International).