Campuses and locations
The University of Newcastle is a multi-campus institution offering programs in a number of locations.
Selection Rank
95.00
99.95 (Median SR)
95.00
99.95 (Median SR)
International entry requirement
Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools.
Start dates
- Semester 1 - 24 Feb 2020
- Semester 1 - 24 Feb 2020
Mode of delivery
Face to Face
Duration
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 8 years maximum.
Start dates
- Semester 1 - 24 Feb 2020
- Semester 1 - 24 Feb 2020
Fees
AUD35,750 (indicative annual fee, 2020)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units) Find out more about fees
English language proficiency
- IELTS overall minimum - 6.0
- IELTS section minimum - 6.0
Duration
3 years full-time.
Mode of delivery
Face to Face
Study science (advanced)
Gone are the days of a stereotypical scientist – in today’s society, there is no one type of scientist. Career opportunities are ever-evolving and exciting. You might work in a lab, discovering life-changing scientific breakthroughs. You could work in science education, sharing your passion and knowledge with the next generation. Maybe you see yourself using science to shape government policy – or something else entirely.
With evolving career opportunities, the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) will allow you to create your own academic adventure. Tailor your majors and professional pathways to achieve your career goals. You’ll have access to specialised mentoring, exposure to the wider Faculty of Science community and additional opportunities to participate in work-integrated learning and industry engagement.
Why study with us
- Design your degree to suit your interests – choose from 22 diverse majors with science and professional pathways to tailor your study experience.
- Be part of a collaborative and supportive learning community where you will be mentored by our expert academics to ensure you succeed in your degree.
- Unique learning environments - you’ll be in the lab and out in the field from day one.
- Join a high achieving cohort: You will study alongside other high achieving students through a series of courses designed specifically for those with advanced academic capabilities.
- ERA 5, 'well above world standard' in sixteen of our science research disciplines (Excellence in Research Australia, 2018).
- Accredited pathways – gain professional accreditation with our statistics and physics majors.
84% Employed
?
within four months of graduation
World top 200
?
for geography
World top 250
?
for environmental sciences
What you will study
Most of the critical issues that face our society today require science to help find the right solutions for our current and future generations. Using the latest scientific developments and advancements, you'll learn first-hand from our actively involved researchers how to deliver innovative solutions for real-world problems. You'll also develop highly sought after and transferable skills in problem solving, communication and independent thinking.
You'll study core courses that give you the edge in the following areas:
- Professional scientific thinking – you will learn how science contributes new knowledge and finds solutions to challenges in our society. You will find out what it means to be a science professional through interactive and reflective processes.
- Communicating as a professional scientist – during this course you will complete your practical scientific project and gain experience in communicating to a range of audiences. You’ll also gain practical job seeking experience to help to gain employment in the scientific field that interests you.
- Lab and fieldwork skills – you will learn how to collect data to develop new findings through specialist scientific technical skills in the laboratory and in the field.
- Career planning – discover the type of scientist you want to be! you’ll be guided to make career and study decisions that interest you by understanding ten different types of scientists and the skillsets they require in the workforce.
- Problem solving and facing new challenges – you’ll gain further knowledge in a variety of areas within science along with integrative perspectives to develop solutions to complex scientific problems.
- Professional employment skills – you’ll develop the skills that employers are looking for in the workforce so that you can take advantage of the higher salaries typically available to those with science qualifications.
- Project planning and implementation – during this course you will have the opportunity to take the role of a freelancing scientist working for a client to solve a complex but practical scientific project.
Career opportunities
Science professionals work in a huge range of areas including:
- geological surveys
- water quality
- land degradation
- drug discovery
- ecology
- plant science
- demographic change
- urbanisation
- marine science
- geophysics
Because the Bachelor of Science emphasises problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking, graduates are sought after across a range of sectors.
Communicators share science with the world. They find creative, targeting way to communicate information to a wide range of audiences, and work across diverse industries like TV, advertising, public affairs, museums and cultural institutions.
Entrepreneurs make big ideas a reality. They combine their knowledge of science and business with an entrepreneurial flair, embracing every opportunity to bring new innovations to the world.
Investigators are experts at finding connections between ideas and information, and using this to map the scientific landscape. By working in a team to plot the bigger picture, they allow others to find their way more easily.
Policy Makers use their scientific knowledge and understanding to help shape government policy. Through excellent communication and negotiating skills, they ensure decisions are grounded in sound, scientific evidence.
Regulators are all about safety. They ensure that new science and technology is safe and secure. They require excellent communication skills and must build trust and confidence among other scientists and the public. For example, Regulators check that our food is safe to eat.
Developers take other people’s discoveries and transform them into something practical – like a new product, service or technology. They are practical problem-solvers who embrace challenges with fresh eyes and new ideas.
Explorers take risks. They embrace a bold approach to research in pursuit of new scientific discovery. They aspire to break new ground across a diverse range scientific fields, and it’s hard to know what they might find. Whatever it is, there’s a good chance it’s never been found before.
Some might say the Technician represents the most traditional picture of a scientist. Lab coat, test tubes, experiments – Technicians work in specialised laboratories to carry out crucial scientific tasks. Their findings are essential to a huge range of areas like crime scene investigation, food science, health service, education and research.
Business Scientists combine their understanding of science, technology and business to excel across all industries. They’re not only in demand in obvious fields like pharmaceuticals or IT, but also finance, insurance, marketing, product development and many more.
Educators share their passion and knowledge of science with the world. They help students in schools, colleges, universities, and other institutions like museums, to understand scientific concepts, and inspire them to use their new knowledge to make the world better. They also develop tools and methods to improve the way science is taught, and information is received.
Professional recognition
As part of the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) program, you will receive close mentoring from leading academics to guide you through the advanced course materials. To prepare you for engagement with the wider scientific community, you’ll have the opportunity to attend seminars, present research and build a diverse network of professional relationships.
The Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Physics major) is accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). Students are able to become an associate member of the institute while studying, and a full member upon graduation.
The Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Statistics major) is accredited by the Statistical Society of Australia. Students are able to become an associate member of the institute while studying, and a full member upon graduation.
Practical experience
Throughout your degree you'll participate in lab work to help develop your analytical, research and communication skills. First-year lab work is usually undertaken in small groups or pairs. As you progress through the science degree and learn more, the type of lab work you do will build in complexity.
Depending on the majors you choose, you will also be able to take part in field trips, seminar presentations and workshops. All of this is designed to enhance the theory you learn in the classroom so that you can apply it to real-life situations and build on your experience.
Additional work integrated learning and research integrated learning opportunities may include cross-institutional collaboration and volunteer work with Oakvale Wildlife Park and the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre (CCMDC), a community initiative that aims to promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our coasts and oceans. Roles may involve supporting displays, special events, education programs and fun activities for the community.
