Study the Bachelor of Science

Study Science at Flinders

Explore science from its core to the outer limits.

Follow your interests in core sciences from a diverse range of disciplines with a Bachelor of Science. You have the flexibility to explore an area that interests you while getting a broad foundation in science by studying a major, or gaining more specific expertise and a named degree by studying a specialisation.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

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International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

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I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

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Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

2024 selection rank

60.00

Guaranteed selection rank

65.00

TAFElink

Certificate IV or above

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

234511

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park

Online: No

Duration

3 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)
Deferrable: Yes

Annual indicative fee

2024: $9,000

How are these fees calculated?

Start dates

– March
– July

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Why study Science at Flinders

Provides great flexibility, allowing you to follow your interests without being confined by traditional boundaries
Offers career pathways and research opportunities in a broad and exciting range of professional areas
Does not require a science background, just an inquiring mind
Degrees are aligned with economic and employment trends
Develop crucial transferable skills in problem solving, communication, teamwork and computing

Your career

A degree in science opens up many job opportunities. Throughout the world there is a growing shortage of specialists who will create the next generation of ideas and products and help us maintain and conserve what we already have.

Potential occupations include:

laboratory technician
intellectual property analyst
bioinformatics technician
research assistant
graduate ecologist.

Potential employers include:

medical research organisations
the biotechnology industry
government and private consultancies
universities
science policy and planning departments
education institutions.

Professional accreditation/recognition

The chemistry major is accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

The physics major is accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics.

See all events

Events

Majors

The broad range of majors available enables you to construct a study program that suits your interests.

The following major areas of study are available at Flinders:

Animal biology

The animal biology major involves the study of living terrestrial, avian and aquatic animals, providing an in-depth understanding of their evolution, behaviour, physiology, ecology and biodiversity.

Aquatic biology

Aquatic biology involves the biology of marine and freshwater aquatic life: from mammals, birds and reptiles to plants and algae.

Biochemistry and molecular biology

The biochemistry and molecular biology major explores the very building blocks of life: from chemical structures and bonding to proteins and DNA.

Chemistry

Chemistry affects almost everything we do or use: from drugs, antibiotics and anaesthetics to polymers and plastics through to synthetic fibres and batteries.

Cognitive science

Cognitive science is the scientific study of the mind and its processes in both humans and machines, including intelligence and behaviour, perception, language, memory, attention, reasoning and emotion.

Computer science

The computer science major provides you with a broad background in programming, databases, networks and computer systems, enabling you to develop technical expertise in computers and their application.

Ecology and evolutionary biology

The ecology and evolutionary biology major introduces you to the study of living animals, plants and fungi, how they interact, and their role in the complex ecology of life in communities.

The environmental hydrology and water resources major is about solving a diverse range of environmental and water problems. It gives you a broad background in natural sciences including earth sciences, environmental sciences and marine sciences.

Environmental management

Environmental management is the management of our impact on the environment. The environmental management major aims to give you an understanding of the complexity and contexts of environmental decision-making.

Geography

The geography major provides a broad foundation in geography. It involves investigating the dynamic relationships between humans, their cultures, and environments.

Mathematics

The mathematics major provides a firm foundation in the basic principles and techniques of modern mathematics, and an understanding of how mathematics is applied in the social and natural sciences.

Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms: from viruses and bacteria to parasites and fungi. The microbiology major involves the study of evolution, biodiversity, chemistry, biostatistics and immunology.

Ocean and climate sciences

The ocean and climate sciences major provides you with a deeper understanding of the physical processes shaping the marine environment and influencing climate.

Physics

The physics major provides an understanding of the fundamental laws of nature. You will develop an understanding of the broad spectrum of known phenomena from classic and modern science, and explore the frontiers of modern science.

Plant biology

The plant biology major involves study in areas such as Australian environmental change, diversity of plants and algae, animal and plant physiology, conservation biology and restoration ecology, and food biotechnology.

Statistics

The statistics major involves the use of mathematics, data science, biostatistics, probability and stochastic processes to analyse and solve complex statistical problems.

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:

If you already know what areas of study you wish to pursue, you can select the relevant first-year subjects that will lead to these areas.
If you have not yet made up your mind, you can select from a range of subjects that will allow you to sample a number of science areas. You can then select the area(s) you wish to pursue towards the end of the first year.
You can select general interest electives or science introductory subjects. Introductory science topics make the degree accessible to students who have not studied science or maths in senior school.

Second to third year

In second and third years you can choose to complete:

study towards a science major
a selection of science electives
a selection of non-science electives.

View study program

Practical experience

The degree provides you with practical experience that prepares you for the workplace through project-based learning, which involves learning, research or live industry projects that enable you to develop knowledge and skills in a hands-on way.

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published

ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds	ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	98.65	99.95
Median rank to receive an offer	64.80	68.20
Lowest rank to receive an offer	54.05	61.10

Student Profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024)	Number of students	Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	8	28%
Vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	<5
Work and life experience	<5	<5
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	6	21%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)	0	0
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)	11	38%
International Students	0	0
All students	29	100%

Add Innovation and Enterprise
to your degree

At Flinders University, we recognise that careers are evolving and the workplace of the future will look very different from today.

Whatever undergraduate course you are studying at Flinders, you can add innovation and enterprise electives to your degree to gain new, adaptable and transferrable skills that will equip you for the careers of tomorrow.

Learn More

Pursue multiple passions with a combined degree.

Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice

Combining the Bachelor of Science with the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice enables you to broaden your knowledge and learn to view the world from a variety of perspectives while developing professional legal skills and honing your independent and critical thinking. At the end of your degree, you will be eligible to apply to practise law.

Other combined degree options

You can also combine this degree with any other bachelor degree within the College of Science and Engineering, subject to meeting entry requirements.

Search all combined degree options

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Admission pathways

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous higher education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through adult entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

Find the entry path that’s right for you.

Explore our pathways

Choosing your preferences

When choosing your preferences through SATAC, some other Flinders degrees you might want to include in your list are:

How to apply

Select your course.

Check entry requirements.

Check your eligibility for credit.

Apply online

Obtain certified documents.

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

English language pathways

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

Academic program pathways

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice.

Find out more

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Bachelor of Science

Study Science at Flinders

Fast facts