Bachelor
Working with domestic and wild animals requires more than just passion - it demands scientific knowledge and practical expertise. Choose a degree that gives you both, preparing you for a diverse range of careers in the animal industries.
With La Trobe's Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences, you can turn your love of animals into a fulfilling career.
Study the basics of animal science, including breeding, nutrition and animal welfare. You'll also delve into global issues such as food security, epidemics and pandemics, and the environmental impacts of animal agriculture. In later years you'll explore animal psychology, biochemistry and immunology.
Theory is vital, but we know you can only learn so much in the classroom. That's why your theoretical studies will be supported by robust hands-on learning. Each year of your degree will include practical elements, such as real-life animal case studies which give you the chance to work closely with our industry partners. Placements - both compulsory and elective - allow you to take your learning out of the classroom and into the real world. Industry experts will present lectures and workshops throughout your degree, giving you first-hand insights into your future. You'll graduate with experience under your belt and the foundations of a strong professional network.
Already know how you want your career to look? There's scope for you to make this degree what you want it to be. A wide range of electives in areas like zoology, wildlife and agriculture science give you the opportunity to tailor your studies to your career goals.
You'll graduate ready for the workplace, or you can use this course as a pathway into a veterinary medicine degree.
You'll get the opportunity to learn:
Become familiar with the underlying biochemical processes that occur in animals, including those used to generate energy to maintain body function.
Note: Students commencing their studies at Albury-Wodonga campus are required to transfer to the Melbourne campus from second year to complete this course.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 7 - Bachelor Degree.
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences, students must complete a total of 360 credit points across 3 years.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
Year 3 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE LTU0AIM 1 0 WOMINJEKA LA TROBE: INDIGENOUS CULTURAL LITERACY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ABS0WOM 1 0 ANIMAL AND PLANT LIFE BIO1AP 1 15 APPLICATIONS OF CHEMISTRY CHE1APL 1 15 CHEMISTRY FOUNDATIONS CHE1CHF 1 15 INFECTIONS, PANDEMICS and EPIDEMICS MIC1IPE 1 15 INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AGR1AAS 1 15 MAKING SENSE OF DATA STM1001 1 15 MOLECULES, GENES AND CELLS BIO1MGC 1 15 ANIMAL NUTRITION AGR2AN 2 15 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY ZOO2AP 2 15 INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY BCH2IBM 2 15 METABOLIC BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY BCH2MBC 2 15 WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAM AGR2WIL 2 15 ADVANCED ANIMAL NUTRITION AGR3AAN 3 15 CASE STUDIES IN ANIMAL SCIENCE AGR3CSA 3 15
A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available. The following electives are recommended for Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences.
Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY BIO1EEB 1/2 15 ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR EEE3ANB 2/3 15 ANIMAL REPRODUCTION EEE3ANR 2/3 15 AUSTRALIAN FAUNA AND ECOLOGY ZOO2FE 2/3 15 CAREER OPTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY SHE2001 2/3 15 ECOLOGICAL GENETICS AND EVOLUTION GEN2EGE 2/3 15 INDUSTRY PLACEMENT LTU3IND 2/3 15 MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY MIC2MM 2/3 15 PRACTICE OF SCIENCE BIO2POS 2/3 15
Capstone subjects are required subjects in your course or major that help you integrate and apply the knowledge and skills you gain to solve real world problems. Capstone subjects are often taken towards the end of your course.
Subject name Subject code Year Credit points ANIMAL HEALTH AGR3AH 3 30The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
To view other campus handbook course details, please select relevant campus in the drop down.
You'll graduate ready for employment in a range of animal industry roles. With further study, you could also go on to a career as a veterinarian.
Depending on the electives you choose, you could pursue a career as a:
Graduates of the Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences may apply for membership with Ag Institute Australia. Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.