Bachelor of Natural History Illustration

If you have a love of drawing, are fascinated by the natural world and admire those professional illustrators who through their talent, skill and patience are able to bring to life a flower or a tiny beetle, then this is the degree for you. Designed to be a bridge between art and science, the degree program offers you a unique opportunity to visually interpret the Australian environment.

The field of natural history illustration is highly specialised and this program is the only one of its kind in Australia and one of only a few internationally.

Lectures and tutorials are aimed at familiarising students with aspects of field observation, data collection and traditional, as well as multimedia studio, techniques and their application to professional practice. Students are encouraged to select associated elective courses from the design, fine arts and science disciplines. The undergraduate experience will promote the development of individual learning outcomes relevant to the specific interests and vocational needs of students.

Natural History Illustrators are usually employed in the publishing, display, education or exhibition fields. Illustrators may be employed or work freelance in scientific institutions, the publishing industry, educational institutions, libraries, galleries, museums, at archaeological or fossil sites, botanic gardens or for anthropologists, scientists and taxonomists.

Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/ for information on how to gain entry.

You may also be eligible to receive bonus points if you will be receiving an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Please visit

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/domestic-students/options-for-entry/bonus-points.html to see if you may be eligible.

Any of Visual Arts, Textiles and Design, Design and Technology, Senior Science, Biology or Geography.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to your new program, go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on How to apply for credit.

An Honours year is available to students as a separate program in the form of an additional year to those who meet the entry requirements.

In third year, students will undertake a major project in an area of interest. Students can choose to undertake projects with external organisations such as the Australian Museum, Australian Reptile Park, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Wetlands Centre.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student¿s responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

A feature of this program is the use of block teaching. Within the structure of the semester, individual courses are divided into two teaching blocks.

Please note: No more that 100 units in total at 1000 level will be counted towards the award.

Please note that most 2000 and 3000 level courses require previous studies in specific courses.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/lsp/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.