Bachelor of Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Science

Challenge your thinking and learn something new almost every day.

Discover the endless opportunities a career in science offers you. This degree is designed to give you the flexibility to focus on the areas of science that interest you most, while preparing you for the variety of work opportunities that will be your career.

Study locations
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Moreton Bay
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
022804D
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
3 years
Annual tuition fee 2021
A$28,000
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$84,000
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2023 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • ^First- and second-year courses available at USC Moreton Bay from Semester 1, 2021.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013001
  • Moreton Bay ^ 014801
Refer to the program footnotes
Minimum selection threshold
ATAR - 55.00 OP - - Rank - 55
UniSC program code
SC301
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
Blended Learning
Recommended prior study
English; Maths Methods or Specialist Maths ; and at least one science subject (preferably Chemistry)
Total courses
24
Total units
288
Footnotes
  • ^First- and second-year courses available at USC Moreton Bay from Semester 1, 2021.

Discover the endless opportunities a career in science offers you. This degree is designed to give you the flexibility to focus on the areas of science that interest you most, while preparing you for the variety of work opportunities that will be your career.

Science is the investigation of the structure and behaviour of natural and physical processes, through systematic discovery and invention to improve our understanding of the universe. USC's Bachelor of Science follows the global trend of offering majors and minors in both traditional and emerging scientific fields, so you graduate with depth and breadth of scientific knowledge. In your first year, you’ll gain a strong foundation in cell biology, chemistry, biodiversity and ecology and science research methods. There are additional introductory courses in mathematics for those interested in this specialisation. Then, you can decide where you want your science degree to take you, choosing a major and a minor from a wide range of science areas.

You will also learn practical scientific skills in our fully equipped laboratories and gain hands-on experience during field studies to prepare you for work in professional scientific settings. There are excellent opportunities to further your studies and undertake rewarding research to make a real difference in our world.

Majors:

Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Mathematics.

Minors:

Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Entrepreneurship; Agriculture and Aquaculture; Genetics; Journalism; Mathematics; Biochemistry, Microbiology; Sustainability.

Note: not all study components and / or combinations of study components included in this program may be able to be completed in the minimum duration. Please contact the Program Coordinator if you require written confirmation prior to accepting a place in this program.

Chemistry Major combined with the Mathematics or Biotechnology Minor available for Semester 1 commencement only.

The following combinations of majors / minors are not available: Chemistry Major combined with Biochemistry Minor; Ecology Major combined with Agriculture and Aquaculture Minor.

Career opportunities
There are three usual career progressions after completion of the Bachelor of Science:

  • Education
  • Research
  • Industry/government

If you plan to enter a career in education, you should look to study at least one and preferably two of the traditional majors offered in the program. If you're planning to enter a career in research (usually via Bachelor of Science (Honours) or Doctor of Philosophy), you must achieve a high grade point average and should take advantage of Special Research Project (SRP) opportunities, especially with prospective supervisors. If you are plan to enter a career in industry or government, take advantage of our Work Place Learning (WPL) opportunities offered, especially with prospective employers.

Membership

Eligibility for memberships depends on areas of specialisation.

Program structure

Required courses (7) 84 units

LFS100
SCI102
SCI105
SCI110
SCI113

PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
SCI202
ANM203

PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS330
ENS333
SRP301
WPL310
SCI302

Major and minor courses (12) 144 units 

Select 12 course (144 units)  towards 1 major and 1 minor

Majors

Minors

^ With the approval of the Program Coordinator, students may replace a specified major or minor with a study component deemed to be equivalent commenced or completed at another university or comparable tertiary institution.

Elective courses (5) 60 units

Select 5 elective courses (60 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.

*The number of elective courses may vary depending on the major/minor combinations chosen

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • You may choose to complete 2 majors or 1 major and 2 minors from the list on the Program Structure
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.