Bachelor of Commerce with the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Palaeobiology
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Overview
Be part of the business of science. Embrace the challenge of today's science and technology industries as they meet the fast-paced world of business and finance.
Commerce, or business, is the exchange of goods or commodities. In this degree you will study management, marketing, finance and accounting as well as undertake research and study in a science discipline of your choice.
Macquarie University is the only Australian university to offer undergraduate students a full major in palaeobiology. The aim is to give students a ‘deep time’ perspective on the evolution of life.
By studying the fossil record you will explore:
- the early evolution and phylogeny of animals and plants
- the timing and correlation of important events in deep time
- fundamental questions about fluctuating ecological and environmental parameters through time.
Discover the new discipline of ‘evo-devo’, which melds palaeobiology with evolutionary biology, genetics and developmental biology. It seeks to determine the ancestral relationship between organisms, and understand how developmental processes evolved.
You can complete all units online, on campus or by distance education (external study), on an annual or biannual basis. You would need to attend some weekend on-campus sessions or fieldwork.
Degrees offering Palaeobiology
Key features
- Teaching techniques include problem-based learning, group-based work, seminars and poster presentations, debates/colloquia.
- Most units have fieldwork, from weekend excursions to nine-day intensive programs.
- Research-enhanced learning, with case studies, workshops and field programs.
Location
North Ryde
Suitable for
Students interested in: undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in biology, environmental studies, resource management and/or biodiversity; primary or secondary school science teaching.
HECS Course fee
Student amenities fee
Information on the Student services and amenities fee
Entry requirements
English language requirements
If you have completed the NSW HSC or equivalent you satisfy the English proficiency requirements.
For full information view the English proficiency requirements table (436 Kb).
Work experience requirements
What you will study
| Degree requirements | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Minimum number of credit points for this degree | 96 |
| Minimum number of credit points at 200 level or above | 60 |
| Minimum number of credit points at 300 level or above | 30 |
| Minimum number of credit points from Commerce designated units | 42 |
| Minimum number of credit points from Science designated units | 42 |
| Completion of Specified Foundation Units | |
| Completion of a Qualifying Major for the Bachelor of Commerce | |
| Completion of a Qualifying Major for the Bachelor of Science | |
| Completion of a designated People unit | |
| Completion of a designated Planet unit | |
| Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below |
Double degree requirements
The following outlines the units (subjects) to be studied within this double degree.
| 100 level | Credit Points | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required | ACST101 | Techniques and Elements of Finance | 3 | ||
| Required | BBA102 | Principles of Management | 3 | ||
| Required | ECON111 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 | ||
| Required | MKTG101 | Marketing Fundamentals | 3 | ||
| Required | either | ACCG100 | Accounting IA | ||
| or | ACCG106 | Accounting Information for Decision-Making | 3 | ||
| Total credit points required to satisfy this major | 24 | ||||
Major requirements
The following outlines the units (subjects) to be studied within this major
| 100 level | Credit Points | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required | 6cp from | GEOS112 | The Planet Earth | ||
| BIOL114 | Evolution and Biodiversity | ||||
| GEOS126 | Marine Geoscience | ||||
| BIOL115 | The Thread of Life | 6 | |||
| 200 level | Credit Points | ||||
| Required | BIOL261 | Palaeontology | 3 | ||
| Required | 3cp from | 200 level BIOL or GEOS units | 3 | ||
| 300 level | Credit Points | ||||
| Capstone | either | BIOL381 | C | Invertebrate Palaeontology | |
| or | BIOL382 | C | Applied Palaeontology and Biogenic Sediments | 3 | |
| Required | BIOL379 | Reef Evolution and Dynamics | 3 | ||
| Required | BIOL399 | Special Interest Topics in Biology | 3 | ||
| Required | 3cp from | BIOL316 | Invertebrates: Evolution, Behaviour and Diversity | ||
| BIOL360 | Biology of Australasian Vertebrates | ||||
| BIOL368 | Ecology and Evolution | ||||
| BIOL369 | Vertebrate Evolution | ||||
| BIOL373 | Marine Ecology | ||||
| BIOL381 | Invertebrate Palaeontology | ||||
| BIOL382 | Applied Palaeontology and Biogenic Sediments | ||||
| GEOS307 | Field Geology and Mapping | ||||
| MSM310 | Museology of Natural History | ||||
| MSM311 | Museum Field Studies | 3 | |||
| Total credit points required to satisfy this major | 24 | ||||
Notes
- Units marked with a C are Capstone units.
- The course information contained on this page is applicable for 2012 ONLY.
For more information please read the courses disclaimer.
Careers
Career Opportunities
- curator
- environmental scientist
- exploration geologist
- palaeontologist
- research scientist
- science teacher
- university academic
Employers
• environmental agencies
• geological surveys
• mining companies
• museums
• secondary schools
• universities
Average starting salary
$46,589 for a sciences graduate (source: The Good Universities Guide, 2010).


an education in the top two per cent of universities in the world, giving you an international recognised and respected degree