These subjects are usually laboratory or fieldwork subjects where enrolment capacity is limited by available resources. Students are selected on the basis of academic merit.
Some subjects have limited places because of laboratory space, fieldwork capacity, or supervision limits.
These are called quota subjects. Selection is based on academic merit or on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the subject.
How do I apply to be considered for a quota subject?
Applications for quota subjects in 2026 will open during the re-enrolment period.
1. Check your subject details
- Look up your subject in the Handbook and check the “Dates and Location” section for the Last Date to Self-Enrol (this is the application deadline).
2. Enrol before the deadline
- Enrol in the subject via your Study Plan in my.unimelb before the deadline.
- If you meet the prerequisites but can’t enrol online, submit an Enrolment Assistance Form.
3. Wait for selection
- Teaching staff assess applications after the application deadline.
- You’ll receive an email notification of your outcome within 5–7 business days.
- If your application is unsuccessful, you’ll be withdrawn from the subject and notified by email.
For external applicants
External applicants (Community Access Program, Cross Institutional Study and Enabling Study) will be considered under a separate application process.
How Selection Works
Selection criteria vary by subject.
- Some subjects use academic merit (for example, your course WAM or marks in specific subjects).
- Others are first come, first served.
- Some subjects give preference to students in certain majors or courses.
Please see the selection criteria for each subject listed below.
Please note: enrolling in your Study Plan does not guarantee a place until selection is confirmed.
Additional Requirements
Many quota subjects include field trips or overseas travel. You may be required to:
- Pay a deposit
- Provide additional travel or health information
- Confirm your participation by a due date
If you don’t meet these pre-teaching requirements on time, your place may be offered to another student on the waiting list.
MDHS Quota Subjects
There are a number of quota subjects available to Science students administered by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Subjects are offered by the following teaching departments:
- Anatomy and Neuroscience
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Pathology
- Physiology
Subjects offered in Summer
| Subject | Study period application deadline | Selection criteria |
|---|---|---|
| BOTA30006 Field Botany | Summer Term application deadline - 14 December 2025 | 1) Course WAM. Preference is given to students in Plant Science major, Ecology and Evolution Biology major and MSc (BioSciences) students. |
| GEOG30025/GEOG90027 Biogeography and Ecology of Fire | January application deadline - 28 November 2025 |
1) Completed marks in Geography subjects; 2) Course WAM. Preference is given to Geography major or MSc (Geography) students. |
| ZOOL30008 Experimental Marine Biology | February application deadline - 14 December 2025 | 1) Course WAM. Preference is given to students in the Marine Biology major. |
| GEOG30023/GEOG90026 Global Climate Change in Context | February application deadline - 24 November 2025 |
1) WAM of completed marks in Geography subjects; 2) Course WAM. Preference is given to Geography major or MSC (Geography) students. |
| GEOL20001 Geology of Southeast Australia | February application deadline - 7 January 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment |
| AGRI10039 Australia in the Wine World | February application deadline - 2 February 2026 |
1) In order of enrolment 2) NOTE– Wine tasting is compulsory. Participants must be 18 years or over on of the first day of teaching to be eligible to take this subject. |
| AGRI20027 Vine to Wine | February first availability application deadline - 12 February 2026 February second availability application deadline - 19 February 2026 |
1) In order of enrolment 2) Please email Jacinta Way with your request. 3) Please note that this subject has two February availabilities 4) NOTE– Wine tasting is compulsory. Participants must be 18 years or over on of the first day of teaching to be eligible to take this subject. |
Subjects offered in the first half of the year
| Subject | Study period application deadline | Selection criteria |
|---|---|---|
| FOOD10001 Beer Styles and Sensory Analysis | Semester 1 application deadline - 2 March 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment 2) NOTE– Beer tasting is compulsory. Participants must be 18 years or over on of the first day of teaching to be eligible to take this subject. |
| GEOG30022/GEOG90052 Riverine Landscapes: Hydrology & Ecology | Not offered in 2026 | 1) Course WAM |
| GEOG30026/GEOG90025 East Timor Field Class | Not offered in 2026 | 1) WAM of completed marks in Geography subjects; 2) Course WAM. Preference is given to Geography major or MSc (Geography) students. |
Subjects offered in Winter
| Subject title | Study period application deadline | Selection criteria |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG30007/GEOG90007 China Field Class/China Field Class PG | Not offered in 2026 | 1) WAM of completed marks in Geography subjects; 2) Course WAM. Preference is given to Geography major or MSc (Geography) students. |
| EVSC20008 Earth's Surface Processes | July application deadline - 13 May 2026 | Admission into the MC-GEOSC Master of Geoscience OR 12.5 credit points of Level 1 or Level 2 Geoscience, Geography, Chemistry or Biology Subjects |
GEOG30033 Arid Australia Field Class | June application deadline - 15 June 2026 | 1) Course WAM. Preference is given to students with BSc Major Geography; 2) a documented “Earth Surface Dynamics” pathway is given priority. |
| MAST90007 Statistics for Research Workers | Winter Term application deadline - 21 June 2026 | 1) Students who require this subject as Core to their Course will receive preference. 2) Following that, selection will be based by the date of enrolment. |
| AGRI10039 Australia in the Wine World | July application deadline - 29 June 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment 2) NOTE– Wine tasting is compulsory. Participants must be 18 years or over on of the first day of teaching to be eligible to take this subject. |
| AGRI20045 Wine & Spirits: An Australian Perspective | July application deadline - 6 July 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment 2) NOTE– Wine tasting is compulsory. Participants must be 18 years or over on of the first day of teaching to be eligible to take this subject. |
Subjects offered in the second half of the year
| Subject title | Study period application deadline | Selection criteria |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL30002 Experimental Animal Biology | Semester 2 application deadline - 5 July 2026 | 1) Course WAM. Some high-achieving students with high grades in subjects equivalent to the prerequisites may be admitted, but only with permission from the coordinator. |
| BOTA30004 Vegetation Management and Conservation | Semester 2 application deadline - 13 July 2026 | Preference of places will be granted in the following order |
| SCIE90012 Science Communication | Semester 2 application deadline - 5 July 2026 | 1) Course WAM |
| SCIE90026 Biomolecular Structure Determination | Not Available in 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment |
| ZOOL30009 Field Ecology | Semester 2 application deadline - 5 July 2026 | 1) Course WAM |
| ZOOL20006 Comparative Animal Physiology | Semester 2 application deadline - 5 July 2026 | 1) Course WAM |
| CHEM30013 Chemical Research Project | Semester 2 application deadline - 13 July 2026 | 1) Course WAM, with preference given place to students completing a major in Chemistry. |
| AGRI10039 Australia in the Wine World | Semester 2 application deadline - 27 July 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment 2) NOTE– Wine tasting is compulsory. Participants must be 18 years or over on of the first day of teaching to be eligible to take this subject. |
| AGRI20045 Wine & Spirits: An Australian Perspective | September application deadline - 21 September 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment 2) NOTE– Wine tasting is compulsory. Participants must be 18 years or over on of the first day of teaching to be eligible to take this subject. |
Subjects offered in November
| Subject title | Study period application deadline | Selection criteria |
|---|---|---|
| BOTA30001 Marine Botany | Not available in 2026 | 1) Course WAM. Preference is given to students in the Plant Science or Marine Biology majors. |
| FRST90030 Forests in the Asia Pacific Region | Not available in 2026 | 1) In order of enrolment. |
Preference of places in BOTA30004 – Vegetation Management and Conservation
- Undergraduate Students with the Plant Science Major
In the event that the number of enrolments from this major exceeds the quota, students will be selected on the basis of WAM, from highest to lowest, until the quota is filled. - Undergraduate Students where this subject features as part of their Major Elective options
In the event that the number of enrolments exceeds the quota based on Majors featuring this subject as an elective option, preference will be retained for students from point 1 and the latter students will be selected on the basis of WAM, from highest to lowest, until the quota is filled. - All other Undergraduate students where the subject is offered as an elective or breadth can request approval to enrol from the Subject Coordinator
The student request should be made in writing via a short Email of 50 words maximum outlining their experience, interests, or desires relevant to the inclusion of the subject in their curriculum.
oIn the event that the number of enrolments exceeds the quota based on all other Undergraduate students, preference will be retained for students from points 1 & 2 and the latter students will be selected on the basis of WAM, from highest to lowest, until the quota is filled. - Graduate students in the following courses:
- Graduate Diploma in Science (Botany) students
- MSc (BioSciences), and
- MSc (Ecosystem Sciences) students.
In the event that the number of enrolments exceeds the quota based on all other Graduate students from the above courses, preference will be retained for students from points 1 to 3 and the latter students will be selected on the basis of WAM, from highest to lowest, until the quota is filled.