Sciences in Australia

What you can expect from undergraduate study in Sciences

Specialisations you can do
Analytical science, Anatomical sciences, Antarctic biology, Aquatic science, Aquatic biology, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Atmospheric science, Aviation science, Biochemistry, Biodiversity, Biology, Biological sciences, Biomolecular science, Biophysical science, Biosciences, Biotechnology, Botany, Brewing, Cellular pathology, Chemistry, Chemical biotechnology, Climatology, Crystallography, Dairy technology, Earth sciences, Entomology, Fibre optics, Food science and technology, Forensic science, General science, Genetics, Genome science, Geology, Geophysics, Histology, Human biology, Immunology, Industrial chemistry, Instrumentation, Laboratory technology, Laser science, Life sciences, Manufacturing science, Marine science, Materials technology, Meat technology, Medical science, Metallurgy, Meteorology, Microbiology, Molecular microbiology, Nanotechnology, Nautical science, Oceanography, Parasitology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physical geography, Physical sciences, Physics, Physiology, Plant sciences, Protein engineering, Space science, Stratigraphy, Veterinary assistants, Zoology
What you're in for
Despite our comparatively small population, Australia has produced and continues to produce some of the world’s best scientific researchers who regularly make ground-breaking discoveries that add greatly to our nation’s, and indeed the world’s, knowledge and capabilities. If you have a passion for discovery and problem-solving then a course in science could be for you.
Many science courses are founded on the ‘pure’ academic disciplines including anatomy, biochemistry, biology, botany, chemistry, geology, microbiology, pathology, physics, physiology, and zoology. The advantage of this kind of broad education is that it leaves many career options open. The downside is that you might have some trouble finding a job. Universities vary in the extent to which they allow you to mix and match science subjects with those from other departments, just in case you were thinking of dabbling in something more vocational. There are also some ‘applied’ courses available in both universities and TAFE, and many double degrees that can help to focus your career pathway. Or there’s the option of a double degree perhaps pairing science with law, commerce or engineering.
If you are thinking of doing a science degree or some science subjects, you have probably done reasonably well in science at school and most courses demand this by setting prerequisites (often one or more of maths, chemistry, biology or physics). The sciences can be tougher to get into than the humanities and social sciences, but are not too difficult overall. That said, cut-offs can vary from very tough to very easy, depending on the specialisation and campus you choose. If you are thinking of doing postgraduate research, it will be an advantage to study at a university with an established track record in science research.
And the quality of the education you will get? Despite repeated claims by science academics that the field is suffering from low demand and budget cuts, science graduates enjoy their courses and the way they are taught.
In terms of careers options, science graduates these days are employed in a diverse range of job types across all industries. A large proportion of graduates (around 40 per cent) tend to go into jobs not at all related to science. Many pursue non-scientific professional roles rather than scientific research positions.
If you are interested in this field you could look at the options in many other fields. Of particular interest might be computing and information technology, engineering, maths, surveying, the various health fields, and vet science.
What’s happening?
In May 2004, the Australian Government announced a funding package of $5.3 billion for science and innovation. This package, called Backing Australia’s Ability — Building Our Future through Science and Innovation is in addition to a $3 billion investment in 2001. Together, the two investments constitute a ten-year (to 2010-11) $8.3 billion commitment towards science research and to develop and retain valuable science skills in Australia. Maybe this will convince you to make scientific research your aim. There are also likely to be new roles (for research and others) in years to come for experts in increasingly important scientific fields related to sustainability and environment, climate change, nuclear science and technology. However, recognising that not all science graduates work in the field, the Australian Council of Deans of Science are also conducting a study into the types of generic skills that science graduates bring to all kinds of workplaces.
On average, how tough is it to get into Sciences courses?
Tough
Who does undergraduate courses in Sciences?
Number of students: 59,008
Percent of students over 25 years: 14%
Percent of students from non-English speaking backgrounds: 26%
Number of international students: 7,281
Percent studying part time: 16%
Percent studying externally: 8%
Percent women: 55%
Tuition costs
Average tuition fees for international students $56,804 per annum
Average tuition fees for domestic fee-paying students $49,544 per annum
Graduates views of the course experience
Teaching quality: 4 stars
Development of generic skills: 4 stars
Overall satisfaction: 5 stars
Your prospects
The national Course Experience Questionnaire survey finds that science graduates are much more satisfied with their courses than graduates of most other fields of study. Indeed, science usually does as well as the other ‘general education’ fields — the humanities and social sciences — in the satisfaction ratings.
In terms of employment destinations, the majority of science graduates work in private industry and the public sector (48 per cent and 29 per cent respectively). A fairly high proportion of science graduates are still seeking full-time work well after they finish studying (26 per cent for 2006 graduates) and over half (53 per cent) go on to further study. However, the future employment outlook and growth in science is predicted to be strong. The Department of Education, Science and Training projects an employment growth of 33.3 per cent for natural and physical sciences for the period 2004-05 to 2012-13. Starting salaries for science graduates in 2006 were around average at almost $41 000.
What salary can I expect?
Graduate starting salary: $40,907
Will I get a job?
Percentage of graduates looking for job who did not find full time work four months after graduation: 26%
Where graduates go when they do get jobs:
Public sector: 29%
Private sector: 48%
Private practice: 6%
Overseas: 8%
Will I need to go on to further study?
How many graduates immediately go on to further study? 53%
How does Sciences compare with other fields of study?
Click here to compare Sciences with the other 29 fields of study.
How difficult is it to get into undergraduate courses in Sciences?
Click here for entry toughness to non-combined courses.
Do institutions differ in how they teach Sciences?
Yes. The following 92 campuses all provide Sciences courses. Click on the campus name to find out more about the individual campuses. Click on the University name to see how their Sciences courses rate and compare.
Australian Catholic University: Ballarat, Melbourne
North Sydney Australian Defence Force Academy: Australian Defence Force Academy Australian National University: Main
Avondale College: Lake Macquarie
Bond University: Gold Coast
Canberra Institute of Technology: Bruce
Central Queensland University: Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton
Charles Darwin University: Casuarina
Charles Sturt University: Distance education, Orange, Wagga Wagga
Curtin University of Technology: Bentley, Esperance, Geraldton Universities Centre, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Margaret River, Port Hedland
Deakin University: Geelong, Geelong Waterfront, Melbourne, Warrnambool
Edith Cowan University: Joondalup
Flinders University: Bedford Park
Griffith University: Gold Coast, Logan, Nathan/Mt Gravatt
James Cook University: Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville
La Trobe University: Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne (Bundoora), Mildura Macquarie University: North Ryde
Monash University: Clayton, Gippsland, Malaysia, Parkville, Peninsula
Murdoch University: Murdoch
Open Universities Australia: Open Universities Australia
Queensland University of Technology: Carseldine, Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove
RMIT University: Bundoora, City
Southern Cross University: Lismore
Southern School of Natural Therapies: Fitzroy
Swinburne University of Technology: Hawthorn
University of Adelaide: North Terrace, Waite
University of Ballarat: Mt Helen
University of Canberra: Canberra
University of Melbourne: Parkville
University of New England: Armidale
University of New South Wales: College of Fine Arts, Kensington
University of Newcastle: Callaghan, Ourimbah
University of Notre Dame, Australia: Fremantle
University of Queensland: Gatton, Ipswich, St Lucia
University of South Australia: City East, Mawson Lakes
University of Southern Queensland: Fraser Coast, Toowoomba
University of Sydney: Camperdown/Darlington, Cumberland
University of Tasmania: Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston
University of Technology, Sydney: City, Kuring-gai
University of the Sunshine Coast: Sunshine Coast
University of Western Australia: Albany, Crawley
University of Western Sydney: Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta
University of Wollongong: Wollongong
Victoria TAFE: Box Hill Institute of TAFE
Victoria University: Footscray Park, St Albans, Werribee