Science

Do you have broad interests you just can't pin down? Are you curious about parasites to planets and everything in between?

Explore the endless possibilities of astronomy and astrophysics, biological anthropology, biology, chemistry, climate science, computer science, earth science, environmental policy, evolution and ecology, genetics, geography, immunology, marine science, mathematics and statistics, natural resource management and sustainability, physics, plant science, psychology and neuroscience, and science communication (to name just a few).

Whatever you choose to study, you will gain transferable skills in critical thinking, analysis, investigation and evidenced-based decision making.

With the ANU Bachelor of Science you have the flexibility to explore all your interests, tailoring a program for the direction you choose to take science

Employment Opportunities

High quality scientists are in demand, accordingly many of our graduates proceed to further studies (such as at the Honours,  Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral level) in order to retain a competitive edge in their chosen scientific field. 

Graduates of this degree can find work within administrative, ecological and technological arenas. Graduates can also undertake specific graduate-level training in areas such as teaching, librarianship or communications to further equip themselves with particular and marketable skills.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program Science graduates will be able to:

• develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in educational and professional contexts; 
• use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to problems and issues; 
• convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways; 
• work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives; 
• exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen. 

The Bachelor of Science requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 36 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

A minimum of 96 units must come from completion of courses from the Science course list

The 144 units must include:

48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:

Biological Anthropology

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

Earth Science

Environmental and Landscape Science

Geography

Marine Science

Mathematical Economics

Mathematical Finance

Mathematical Modelling

Mathematics

Natural Resource Management

Physics

Psychology

Science Communication

Statistics

Sustainability Science

Theoretical Physics

Water Science

Either:

24 units from the completion of one of the following Science minors / specialisations:

Abnormal Psychology

Advanced Chemistry Specialisation

Advanced Mathematics Specialisation

Advanced Physics Specialisation

Applied Statistics

Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation

Biochemistry Specialisation

Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Biological Anthropology

Biological Neuropsychology

Chemistry

Climate Science and Policy

Cognitive Psychology

Computer Science

Developmental Psychology

Earth and Marine Science

Earth Physics Specialisation 

Environmental Policy

Evolution and Ecology

Forest Science and Policy     

Genetics 

Geochemistry and Petrology Specialisation

Geography             

Human Ecology      

Integrative Methods in Environment and Society   

Marine Geoscience Specialisation

Mathematical Physics Specialisation

Mathematics           

Microbiology and Immunology

Molecular Biology   

Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation

Optics Specialisation

Philosophy and Science

Physics  

Plant Science Specialisation

Psychology Specialisation

Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation

Science Communication         

Social Psychology  

Soil and Land Management    

Sustainable Development       

Water Science and Policy

24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list

Or:

48 units from completion of a second of the following Science majors:

Biological Anthropology

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

Earth Science

Environmental and Landscape Science

Geography

Marine Science

Mathematical Economics

Mathematical Finance

Mathematical Modelling

Mathematics

Natural Resource Management

Physics

Psychology

Science Communication

Statistics

Sustainability Science

Theoretical Physics

Water Science

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements.

In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.

Majors

• Biochemistry
• Biological Anthropology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science
• Environmental and Landscape Sciences

• Geography
• Marine Science
• Mathematical Economics
• Mathematical Finance
• Mathematical Modelling
• Mathematics
• Natural Resource Management

• Physics
• Psychology
• Science Communication
• Statistics
• Sustainability Science
• Theoretical Physics
• Water Science

Minors

• Abnormal Psychology
• Applied Statistics
• Biodiversity Conservation and Management
• Biological Anthropology
• Biological Neuropsychology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Climate Science and Policy
• Cognitive Psychology
• Computer Science

• Developmental Psychology
• Earth and Marine Sciences
• Environmental Policy
• Evolution and Ecology
• Forest Science and Policy
• Genetics
• Geography
• Human Ecology
• Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
• Mathematics

• Microbiology and Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Philosophy and Science
• Physics
• Science Communication
• Social Psychology
• Soil and Land Management
• Sustainable Development
• Water Science and Policy

Specialisations

• Advanced Chemistry
• Advanced Mathematics
• Advanced Physics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biochemistry

• Earth Physics
• Geochemistry and Petrology
• Marine Geoscience
• Mathematical Physics
• Neuroscience and Physiology

• Optics
• Plant Science
• Psychology
• Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are: 

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered 
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol 
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major). 

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR

• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma or Graduate Certificate; OR

• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution; OR

• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Requirements for domestic applicants:

ATAR:80

QLD Band:10

International Baccalaureate:29

 

For international students:

Refer to the table to see if you meet the requirements:

http://www.anu.edu.au/files/resource/IntAdmissTabl2014e.pdf 

English Language Requirements:

ANU recognizes a number of English language tests as meeting the University’s English language requirements. The acceptable tests are IELTS (an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6 in each component of the test), TOEFL-paper based test (a score of 570), TOEFL-internet based test (a score of 80, with a minimum of 20 in Reading and Writing and 18 in Speaking and Listening), Cambridge CAE Advanced (80, grade A), PTE Academic (overall 64, minimum 55 in each section.) 

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.