Science

If you’re curious about the world around you, then studying science is for you.

Explore our courses

Bachelor of Science

Our island is your campus

Immerse yourself in the pristine lands and marine ecosystems of Tasmania's living laboratory.

Specialist facilities and field equipment

Hands-on learning in specialist facilities used by our industry partners, like the CSIRO, SpaceX, and NASA

Go beyond the classroom

Experience summer research projects, field trips in natural and wild places, and more.

Study options in this degree

During your studies, you’ll choose an area that interests you, and then study a group of units related to that area. That group of units is called a major, and is an area of focus in your degree. Find out more at What is a Major?

Chemistry is the study of things at the molecular level. It allows for a deeper knowledge of the world around us, the development of methods to identify chemicals in our environment, and the creation of ways to make useful materials. You’ll learn analytical and synthetic chemistry, as well as areas related to biological and industrial chemistry. You’ll also receive a solid foundation to support specialist studies in pharmacy, biotechnology, biochemistry and microbiology.

Earth scientists look at volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, the generation of minerals, petroleum, and water in the Earth's crust, and are fundamental to understanding and fighting climate change. Learn about our dynamic planet through field trips, research experiences and access to Australia's best mineral analysis facilities right from day one.

Learn about the ways in which living things interact with their environment. You'll study climate, soil, flora, fauna and geology, and have many opportunities to do fieldwork. Our staff include Aboriginal Tasmanians who can give us a deep perspective of place and value that is important for managing our environment.

Gain skills in land-based environmental monitoring, as well as the chemistry behind industry and agriculture. Understand and plan the rehabilitation of degraded environments, such as mine sites, and help ensure businesses operate in a sustainable manner.

This major focuses on post-farm gate value adding (for example, fermentation science), as well as the quality of food products. It takes advantage of our close links with the thriving food industry sector in Tasmania. Graduate with practical skills in food analysis, production, new product development and processing technologies.

Understanding the interactions between environments, places, and societies is important to addressing climate change, economic inequality, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity and more. Your learning will take you outside the classroom and into the field. Graduates are able to work in a range of environmental and social professions.

This major combines Geographic Information Systems, Global Navigation Satellite Systems and remotely sensed data (satellites, drones, etc.) to solve real-world problems. These skills are highly relevant across disciplines such as Environmental Management, Geography, Geoscience, Computing and Information Systems, Biological Sciences, Agricultural Science, Marine Science and Antarctic Science.

Mathematics underpins all aspects of the natural and built worlds. It’s at the centre of fast-growing industries across the globe and is key to all technological innovation. Through industry partners such as NASA and Google, our graduates learn how to apply their skills to real problems.

From bacteria and viruses to fungi, single-celled animals and algae, microorganisms are fundamental to the cycles that underpin life on Earth. You’ll investigate infectious diseases, explore the production of foods and chemicals, and gain practical skills that are applicable around the world.

Explore how living organisms function from both a molecular and cellular perspective. Focus on the role these molecules have in health and disease, and cover issues that are globally relevant. You’ll apply your knowledge and skills to real-world problems in collaboration with business, natural science, and medicine.

Physics is the foundation of engineering and technology, providing a basis for understanding biology, chemistry, geology and biomedical sciences. You’ll work alongside global industry partners like the Australian Antarctic Division, NASA and CSIRO.

Investigate all aspects of plants and their impact on human life. You’ll study how plants function and develop, and how they’ve evolved through time. With pristine ecosystems accessible directly from campus, we offer not only unparalleled access but also a distinctive breadth and depth of flora and fauna to give you a truly holistic education.

This major was developed after industry consultation and responds to industry’s need for work-ready graduates with the capacity to respond to local opportunities and challenges within diverse industry sectors. This is a complementary major in that it supports your primary area of study. If you wish to study this major, you will need to also choose another in your study plan.

The interpretation and application of data is an important science. Our research and industry connections will connect your studies to real-world applications. Your lecturers bring examples from live projects such as improving patient flow through hospitals, implementing maintenance schedules for infrastructure – even using machine learning to identify bird species from bush recordings.

Gain skills and techniques to help create sustainable societies. Informed by international and local research, practice and theory, this major allows you to develop specialist expertise across the physical and social sciences and humanities. You’ll learn to identify sustainability-oriented impacts of decisions, as well as come up with effective solutions.

While you can choose to focus your Bachelor of Science on the Sustainability major, it also provides fantastic complementary skills with combined with another of the majors available in this degree.

It is also a great option to combine with a variety of other study areas including with economics, arts, agricultural science, and ICT.

Zoology looks at the relationships between the structure and function in animals, and how these traits evolved over time. There is no better place to immerse yourself in the study of animals than Tasmania’s living laboratory. We offer unparalleled access to our distinctive range of ecosystems, flora and fauna, coastal landscapes, and the Southern Ocean.

Combined study options

Fast track your studies and become a fully qualified teacher while studying for a Bachelor of Science. The University of Tasmania is one of few universities in Australia that offer a double degree combing a Bachelor of Science with a Master of Teaching. This course will accelerate your career allowing you to graduate with two degrees in just 4-years.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science and Master of Teaching

The Bachelor of Science combines with a wide range of courses like Law, Music, Economics, and many more. Studying a double degree, you can deepen your knowledge and expertise within two separate study areas. It's also your chance to pursue a career and follow your passion at the same time. Learn more about Double Degrees.

Further study options

For honours course information, please visit the Bachelor of Science with Honours.

Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and to apply.

Visit the course page

Career opportunities

Science gives you the opportunity to focus on one or more study areas, with career options typically falling into three main categories:

  • Specialist application of knowledge
    Careers include geologists, marine biologists, plant scientists, forensic scientists, meteorologists and more.
  • Broad application of knowledge
    In careers such as bio-security, STEM teachers and environmental policy advisors, a broad understanding of science is essential.
  • Generalist core skills
    Careers using core skills obtained during your degree include public relations and marketing, as well as government and local council roles.

12.5%

Environmental Scientist roles

Projected increase by 2024^

14.7%

Professional, scientific and technical service roles

Projected increase by 2024^

16.5%

Market research and statistical service roles

Projected increase by 2024^

^ ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2019 and projections to 2024.

Graduate story

Passion for animals takes alumnus around the world

"My biggest passions are both conservation and behaviour welfare. They’re my two biggest goals in life. Improving the behaviour welfare for any animal."

Jade Fountain, Bachelor of Science graduate, Zoology major.

Jade's story

Sustainability major

Students diving in kelp forest
  • Our Sustainability major gives you the skills and techniques to help create sustainable societies. You’ll learn to identify sustainability-oriented impacts of decisions, as well as come up with effective solutions.
  • This major is a great option to combine with another major in the Bachelor of Science, complementing the specialist skills you’ll learn in areas like Environmental Remediation or Geography and Environment.
  • You can also undertake this major as part of any other bachelor’s degree which offers space for a second major. Examples include Arts, Economics, Agricultural Science, or Information and Communication Technology.

Visit the Bachelor of Science course page to explore the full list of units available within the Sustainability major.