Overview 2022
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
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If you enjoy being challenged, consider yourself an innovator, and are passionate about shaping the world around you, our newly updated Bachelor of Science with Honours provides a gateway to an exciting world of rewarding careers.
The University of Tasmania’s new science degree provides you with a foundation of core skills in science, analysis and rational thinking, and entrepreneurship. You have options to focus your study in one or more scientific disciplines, and learn the methods to apply your skills and knowledge to the practical needs of industry, business and government in both scientific and non-scientific roles.
In choosing a Bachelor of Science with Honours you can:
- Build a degree that is tailored specifically to your own needs: select your major and minor subjects from 17 different disciplinary areas.
- Try new subjects without the pressure of long-term commitment and discover potential new areas of interest.
- Learn through hands-on practical experience including laboratory work, field trips, field-based units and research projects.
- Enjoy being mentored by highly qualified staff, many of whom are national and world leaders in their field.
From 2018 onwards, our new curriculum offers you more flexibility and choice in how your degree is structured, real-world learning embedded in every course, and a choice of two Honours pathways. In addition to traditional research honours, we now offer an integrated, work-focused Applied Honours year which is open to all students who successfully complete their bachelor degree.
For students who commenced 73O Bachelor of Science prior to 2018, please refer to the 2017 handbook entry.
Course objectives
Our exciting new degree structure is built to prepare you for your future career, no matter where your path takes you.
In addition to a deep understanding of a scientific discipline of your choice (or two if you choose to study two majors), you will learn core knowledge and skills in research and analysis, data handling, entrepreneurship, and professional soft skills such as time and project management, team work skills, and preparing and presenting reports. This core knowledge is designed so that no matter what scientific discipline you focus on, you will be able to apply your skills and knowledge across a range of industries around the world.
The degree is also focused on delivering genuine practical experience, with options for field trips, research projects, industry engagement, work integrated learning, and even international study opportunities included a core component of your studies. We prepare you to hit the ground running when you graduate by giving you a study experience directly related to where you may find a career.
You will be able to apply the scientific method through a range of disciplines, identify problems, gather evidence, and form and communicate your conclusions based on research and experience. This is why the Bachelor of Science with Honours is one of the most sought after degrees by employers, because our graduates are prepared for anything.
Practical experience
Our new degree is built with practical experience in mind. Field trips, specialist facilities and laboratories, work integrated learning, industry experience, international travel, and more. When you study with us, your learning experience extends well beyond the classroom.
Immerse yourself in our globally unique facilities
The University of Tasmania is the only University in the world to directly control a continental-scale array of world-class radio telescopes. Our researchers, your lecturers, use these in both national and international collaborations including with SpaceX and NASA. Depending on your area of study, even as an undergraduate you can have direct access as part of your studies, literally driving them yourself as you test theories and explore the Universe.
Practical experience through specialist laboratories
Several specialist labs operate on-campus that have direct links to industry, delivering real-world practical experience and networking opportunities. The Molecular Genetics Laboratory has contributed to a range of projects in conjunction with CRC Forestry, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Australian Antarctic Division, Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.
Our world class research is your educational advantage
Our teaching staff bring their cutting-edge, globally connected research to your laboratories and classrooms. You benefit from their amazing work, as our well above world-class research rankings in analytical and inorganic chemistry, geology, ecology, plant biology, zoology, agriculture, horticulture, clinical sciences, human movement and sport science and neurosciences help deliver you a cutting edge science education.
When you study with us, you’re learning from some of the best in the world. People who are helping solve global health problems and locating missing star clusters, in the same environment where they conduct their world-class research.
Tasmania is literally a living laboratory
The University of Tasmania has with six diverse ecosystems all within 30 minutes of the Sandy Bay campus, and the world’s second largest temperate rainforest only an hour away. We’re the gateway to Antarctica and, as the birthplace of the green movement, celebrate our biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Your proximity to a wide range of pristine, diverse environments, and the researchers who travel from around the world to work in them, give you unparalleled practical field experience while you study, plus it makes Tasmania an amazing place to live!
Study overseas at one of our partner institutions
Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.
Find out more about Student Exchange.
Career outcomes
"The best thing about studying science is that I could follow a passion and change direction as I went, and in doing so I actually opened up even more career options for myself. Studying science doesn’t confine you to a particular career, you could even do something not related to your field of study, using the skills you pick up in research, analysis and communication."
The modern economy relies heavily on skilled individuals in the fields of science, engineering and technology. As a result, a science degree is one of the most sought-after degrees at university and among the most respected by employers.
The Bachelor of Science with Honours is one of the most flexible degrees at the University of Tasmania, giving you opportunities to focus on one area of study, or select several areas across both scientific and non-scientific disciplines. As a result, your career options are many and varied.
If you're not sure where your degree might take you, don't worry! Many students start studying a science degree by following a passion, not knowing exactly where they will end up. During your studies, you will meet other students, academics and visiting lecturers, all of whom may spark an idea of where your particular science degree could take you.
Career Opportunities with Science
While science career options are wide and varied, they typically fall into three main categories:
- Specialist knowledge (e.g., geologist, marine biologist, IT systems developer).
- Careers where a broad understanding of science is essential (e.g., science teacher, journalism, policy advisor).
- Careers using generic skills obtained during your degree (e.g., public relations, business manager, marketing, government and local councils).
At the University of Tasmania, in addition to specialised scientific knowledge and skills, our focus is on giving you the practical and professional skills that are highly sought after by all employers – creative problem-solving, working in a team environment and flexibility of thinking. We teach you how to think, not what to think.
A career in science can be in any industry on earth. Some jobs and industries include:
- Agricultural science and food innovation
- Biochemist
- Biologist
- Biomedicine, vaccines & disease control
- Biosecurity
- Chemist
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Developmental & functional biologist
- Ecologist
- Environmental geologist
- Environmental sustainability manager
- Evolutionary ecologist
- Forensic scientist
- Genetics
- Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Information technologist
- Management and administration
- Marine biologist
- Mathematician
- Medical physicist
- Meteorologist
- Mining and mineral exploration
- Nuclear technician
- Optical astronomer
- Phylogeneticist
- Plant scientist
- Policy development
- Quantum computing
- Radio astronomer
- Science journalism
- Scientific research & development
- Seismologist
- Spatial scientist
- Teacher
- Zoologist
Course structure
Entry requirements
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the full amount for your studies. Commonwealth Supported Places are not available in this course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.
You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount
Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships
Domestic Students
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
International students
There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries