0109 Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences is the study of the structure, function, reproduction, growth, evolution and behaviour of living organisms.

The main purpose of this narrow field of education is to develop an understanding of the genetics and physiology of living organisms and of the relationship of living organisms to one another as well as the physical environment.

Courses in Narrow Field 0109 Biological Sciences develop skills in:

• analysing and interpreting biological data
• analysing the factors effecting the growth and reproduction of living organisms
• examining cells and tissue to determine their structure and function

This narrow field comprises the following detailed fields:

010901  Biochemistry and Cell Biology
010903  Botany
010905  Ecology and Evolution
010907  Marine Science
010909  Genetics
010911  Microbiology
010913  Human Biology
010915  Zoology
010999  Biological Sciences, n.e.c.

Medical biology. This is included in Detailed Field 019901 Medical Science.

Biochemistry and Cell Biology is the study of the chemistry of living organisms and the structure and function of cells.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• biosynthesis
• cellular regulation
• cytology
• molecular biology
• metabolism

Medical biochemistry. This is included in Detailed Field 019901 Medical Science.

Botany is the study of plants.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• plant anatomy
• plant histology
• plant morphology
• plant physiology
• plant taxonomy

Palaeobotany. This is included in Detailed Field 019999 Natural and Physical Sciences, n.e.c.
Horticulture. This is included in Detailed Field 050301 Horticulture.

Ecology and Evolution is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment, and the processes of biological change in organisms.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• autecology
• biodiversity
• ecosystems
• habitats
• organic population studies
• synecology

Human and primate evolution. These are included in Detailed Field 010913 Human Biology.

Marine Science is the study of marine and estuarine plants and wildlife. It includes freshwater science.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• marine, estuarine and freshwater biology
• marine, estuarine and freshwater ecology

Genetics is the study of heredity and the units of biological inheritance.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• cytogenetics
• genotypes
• microbial genetics
• gene expression
• molecular genetics
• monohybrids
• phenotypes

Recombinant DNA technology. This is included in Detailed Field 019905 Food Science and Biotechnology.

Microbiology is the study of microscopic forms of life such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• microbial ecology
• microbial physiology
• microbial taxonomy
• virology

Medical microbiology. This is included in Detailed Field 019901 Medical Science.

Human Biology is the study of human and primate anatomy, physiology, evolution and biosocial interactions.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• biological anthropology
• human histology
• human evolution and variation
• human growth, development and reproduction
• primatology

Zoology is the study of animals and insects.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• animal anatomy
• animal behaviour
• animal embryology
• animal physiology
• animal taxonomy
• entomology

This detailed field includes all Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• biogeography
• bioinformatics
• biophysics
• mycology
• neuroscience
• parasitology