Biology Programs Down Under?

Question

Are the life science programs in Australian school systems really good?

I've noticed a lot of my contacts from Australia (also almost all the naturalists on my TV are are Australian) are unbelievably knowledgeable about general biology and zoology. Is this common Down Under? Is being a naturalist a common hobby?

Even the boys from Oz that I'd meet in Iraq were really fascinated with biology, and unusually well learned in the area.

Or have I just run into an abnormally high percentage of cool accent having biologists?

Answer 1

First of all, thanks!

I wouldn't say that biology is a major part of the school curriculum -- it varies from state to state, but high school students spend about two hours a week learning it in junior, and six hours a week if they choose to learn it in senior. I'd guesstimate only 1/3 or 1/4 of high school students take it as a senior elective. The school and uni programs are pretty good but I wouldn't call them extraordinary.

Outside of school, it's not really a popular hobby. I'm delighted and surprised every time I meet someone who knows what genetic engineering really is (not saying that Aussies aren't smart, I just don't know many who are interested in biology). Seems that you are too, so yep, you can consider yourself lucky to know me! (Ego Alert!!! Astronomers Have Sighted A Massive Ego Heading Toward Earth!!!)

Okay, seriously, Australia is ranked 10th in quality of biology education, according to this source:

http://nces.ed.gov/timss/TIMSS03Tables.a...

America is just above us.

Answer 2

People are interested in science here because Australia is a very natural place full of things to explore.Like rainforest,desserts,oceans,mountains,

national parks,flora,fauna,animals etc.That is one of the reasons why Australians are so knowledgable in biology.