Challenge your thinking.
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.
- 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.
- Campus note: Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- Campus note: Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
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.
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. The University of the Sunshine Coast’s Bachelor of Science program follows the global trend of offering majors and minors in traditional scientific fields, so that upon graduation students will exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge. In your first year you’ll gain a strong foundation in cell biology, chemistry, biodiversity and ecology, science research methods and introductory mathematics. Afterwards you can decide where you want your science degree to take you, choose a major and a minor from a wide range of science areas.
In the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Bachelor of Science program you will also learn practical scientific skills in our fully equipped laboratories and gain hands-on experience during field studies to prepare you for a career in emerging scientific fields. 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; Food and Biosecurity; Mathematics.
Minors
Biochemistry; Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Entrepreneurship; Food Security; Genetics; Journalism; Mathematics; Microbiology; Sustainability.
Career opportunities
There are three usual career progressions after completion of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Bachelor of Science program:
- Education
- Research
- Industry/Government
If students are planning 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), Doctor of Philosophy), you must achieve a high grade point average and should take advantage of our Special Research Project (SRP) opportunities offered in the program, especially with prospective supervisors, however if you are planning to enter a career in industry or government, you should 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
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
COR109 Communication and Thought
LFS100 Cell Biology
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Science Research Methods
SCI113 Discovering Science
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
MTH103 Introduction to Applied MathematicsΔ
MTH104 Introductory CalculusΔ
Major and minor courses (12) 144 units
Select 12 course (144 units) towards 1 major and 1 minor
Majors
Minors
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Ecology
- Entrepreneurship
- Food Security
- Genetics
- Journalism
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Sustainability
Elective courses (5) 60 units
Select 5 elective courses (60 units) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
*The number of elective courses may vary depending on the major/minor combinations chosen
Δ Refer to Program notes
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
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 (120 units), including the core course
- Apply for your selected major and/or minor
Program notes
- MTH103 and MTH104 assumes you have successfully completed a Years 11-12 mathematics subject (or equivalent) and preferably at least Mathematics B. Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 coded mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH103 and MTH104 to meet prerequisite requirements. MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in developing and graduate level mathematics courses.
- 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.
- Apply for your selected major and/or minor