Get work-ready
Contribute to a better world for future generations by helping to conserve and preserve the world's precious animals. From day one you'll be immersed in nature, learning to handle native animals and interpret complex ecosystems while understanding how to best advise on the conservation of wildlife in Australia and overseas. Our courses are designed to adapt to industry trends and our partnerships, with high-profile organisations such as Zoos Victoria, mean you'll be well prepared for challenging work in the field upon graduation.
Undergraduate
Undergraduate (your first degree)
An undergraduate degree is generally completed between two to four years, depending on the pattern of study and any recognition of prior learning you may have. Associate degrees, bachelor and bachelor with honours are all undergraduate degrees.
Research
Higher Degrees by Research (supervised research)
Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.
Career opportunities
You'll be qualified for a career in wildlife conservation and management, or in environmental science. Opportunities exist to work with wildlife – including their habitats and threats, and the policies and strategies that guide management.
Graduates can obtain jobs in the private, government and not-for-profit sectors. Roles include:
- wildlife officer
- conservation officer
- wildlife manager
- park ranger
- project officer
- environmental consultant
- research scientist
- conservation biologist
- wildlife biologist
- landscape ecologist.
We spent six days in the Otways designing our field experiments, handling small mammals, camera trap setting and koala counting.
Cara Penton
Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology)
Learn more about Cara's experiences
'Deakin honestly made my university years my best years from travelling from Africa to the Americas, to being surrounded by passionate and fun teachers and students in my course.
Wildlife Field Studies was my favorite. We spent six days in the Otways and it was a really fun way to complete an entire subject. I also had the opportunity to take a global work placement in South Africa monitoring lions, study overseas in Costa Rica whilst learning Spanish, undertake a research internship in Costa Rica studying Leaf Cutter Ants and go on a study tour to Borneo to see the orangutans.
Deakin has a great environment regardless of the course you are in and you won't regret it.'
Go global and get a competitive edge
Imagine surveying wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon or experiencing turtle conservation in Costa Rica! Undertake a Global Environmental Placement or immerse yourself in the jungles of Borneo on our study tour to gain a global conservation experience.
Hands-on experience
The first of its kind in Victoria, this course features field-based experiences and regular practical classes as well as a professional work placement. The hands-on focus will give you the useful and real-world experience to graduate with a work-ready resume.
Research with us
How long will this earth last for? Is sustainability something you’re passionate about? Take on a higher degree by research today through our School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology or Centre for Regional and Rural Futures.
Research with us
Climate change could wipe out Australian mammals
Awarded the Parks Victoria's 2015 Nancy Millis Science in Parks Award, a team of researchers from Deakin University have been investigating the effects of fire and climatic changes on native mammals in the Grampians National Park since 2008.
Get into the wild
Environment studies – the inside word
Find out why our environment staff love working at Deakin and why they are passionate about teaching students.
Fieldwork experiences in Cape Otway
Fieldwork is a key part of Environmental Science at Deakin. Students have the opportunity to participate in site visits, overnight field excursions and field trips.
Webinar: Wildlife and conservation biology – the classroom with no walls
Keen to kickstart your career in environmental conservation? Discover the benefits of undertaking a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology) at Deakin.
Turn your passion for wildlife into a rewarding career
Hear from two of our students about the unique hands-on and global experience in the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology).
DeakinEnviro
See the unique experiences that students have on field trips, environmental orientated pursuits we're up to and the things we find interesting.
Browse other disciplines within environment
Choose an area that you're interested in and learn how Deakin's extensive range of study options and experiences can help turn your dreams into reality.
Browse other disciplines within sciences
Choose an area that you're interested in and learn how Deakin's extensive range of study options and experiences can help turn your dreams into reality.
