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QUT (Queensland University of Technology)

  • 17% international / 83% domestic

Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)

  • Bachelor

Combine theory and practice in plant and animal biology across study areas including conservation, evolutionary biology, food security and biotechnology. Learn from teaching staff at the top of their fields internationally.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Course Code
418011, 077696D
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
ATAR
70

About this course

Highlights
  • Gain real-world insight and experience with industry guest lectures, site visits and work experience opportunities.
  • Choose from a wide range of second study areas to diversify your studies.
  • Access our new multimillion-dollar research and teaching facilities, including our $230M Science and Engineering Centre.
  • Prepare yourself for a wide range of career options, such as animal management, plant breeding, entomology, marine biology, pest and disease management, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Highlights
  • Gain real-world insight and experience with industry guest lectures, site visits and work experience opportunities.
  • Choose from a wide range of second study areas to diversify your studies.
  • Access our new multimillion-dollar research and teaching facilities, including our $230M Science and Engineering Centre.
  • Prepare yourself for a wide range of career options, such as animal management, plant breeding, entomology, marine biology, pest and disease management, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Entry requirements

Year 12 early offer scheme

If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12 before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.

Find out more about the QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme

Helping you to get into your course

If you don't think your ATAR or selection rank is high enough to get into this course you can guarantee your entry with guaranteed advanced standing by upgrading through one the following programs which you can select as one of your QTAC preferences:

Dual TAFE-Qld Brisbane/QUT award

If you enrol in a QTAC offer in the following dual TAFE-Qld Brisbane/QUT award you will automatically receive a QUT conditional offer in June after your enrolment at TAFE-Qld Brisbane is confirmed.

Upon completion of the TAFE-Qld diploma you will be able to enrol at QUT. You will also automatically receive half a year (48 credit points) credit transfer and be able to complete the degree in 2.5 years as a full-time student (or equivalent part-time). More details will be provided in your QUT conditional offer letter.

Study locations

Gardens Point

What you will learn

This course provides a strong foundation in the core biological sciences such as physiology genetics zoology plant sciences and microbiology. It is designed to be hands on to develop problem-solving skills through active learning and to give an early appreciation of the way that many disciplines can be brought to bear on a problem.

As well as receiving core training in the basics through the biology major you can either add breadth to your degree by choosing a minor from a complementary discipline (e.g. chemistry) or depth to your biological skills through a specialised minor such as biotechnology.

You will experience some of the most advanced laboratories and field work opportunities in Australia and be taught by staff who are at the top of their research fields internationally. You will also stay in touch with the real world as guest lectures site visits and opportunities for work integrated learning bring a strong industry flavour to the degree.

Career pathways

Careers and outcomes

Graduates work in a wide range of public and private sectors jobs and in environments including offices laboratories farms fields factories cities and forests.

Laboratory-based careers may include laboratory management basic research forensic microbiology or molecular genetics. Farm and field-based work often entails animal management plant breeding entomology marine biology or pest and disease management. Industrial work can involve biotechnology to produce food fuel or pharmaceuticals. Careers may also include science writing teaching policy development or the commercialisation and management of biological products and processes.

Professional recognition

Professional recognition can be achieved through membership of an appropriate scientific society such as the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology the Ecological Society of Australia the Australian Society of Horticultural Science and others.

Other study options
Possible careers
  • Biologist
  • Biomedical laboratory officer
  • Cytologist
  • Forensic biologist
  • Government officer
  • Inventor
  • Laboratory assistant
  • Marine scientist
  • Microbiologist
  • Plant biotechnologist
  • Population ecologist

Course structure

Faculty core units

These seven units give you an introduction to the principles of science. The inquiry based experimental science units will give you the opportunity to learn by enquiry and become familiar with the methods of scientific inquiry.

From your very first semester you will collaborate with your peers and teaching staff in QUT's exciting new learning environments. You will explore real-world problems from multiple scientific perspectives and learn the tools of the trade. Depending on your choices you may find yourself out in the field working in the laboratory or learning about the impact of scientific discovery on people policy industry and the planet.

Working with data you have collected you'll study how to apply fundamental methods of scientific practice perform scientific analysis and learn the tools to present your findings. You'll have the opportunity to explore and discover the range of career and professional outcomes available to you so you can gain the most from your unit selection and the flexibility the Bachelor of Science has to offer.

Primary major

Your major is your main area of study for what you aspire to become professionally. You will receive in-depth knowledge and expertise within your chosen scientific discipline preparing you for entry into the workforce or further study. Your primary major comprises 11 units.

Complementary study areas

This is where you make the degree your own tailoring your studies to further match your individual career goals with a wide range of complementary study options available. You'll have the opportunity to develop sought-after professional skills deepen your understanding of your major discipline pursue an interest from across the university or broaden your scientific understanding. You can even work with industry or study overseas to gain credit towards your degree.

You can choose: a second major (eight units); or two minors (four units each).

Second major (eight units)

Choose a second area of study to complement your major and develop a significant depth of knowledge and skills in two discipline areas. Experience another field learn another academic methodology and experience interdisciplinary networking.

Choose a second science discipline (chemistry earth science environmental science or physics) or explore different perspectives which might include:

  • computational and simulation science
  • human biomolecular sciences
  • innovation and entrepreneurship or
  • sustainable environments for health

Minor (four units)

You might prefer to expand the breadth and depth of your studies by adding to your chosen science major two minors.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Science & Mathematics courses at QUT (Queensland University of Technology).
89.8%
Overall satisfaction
92.2%
Skill scale
77.3%
Teaching scale
64.1%
Employed full-time
$62.6k
Average salary