Science takes its name from scientia, the Latin word meaning ‘knowledge’. It traditionally refers to the painstaking accumulation and organisation of knowledge that can be tested, rationally explained and reliably applied.

There are many different areas of science, usually grouped into formal sciences (mathematics, statistics etc); physical sciences; life sciences; social sciences and earth and space sciences.

At undergraduate level, most science subjects are studied within a Bachelor of Science in Australia or New Zealand. This is a broad-based qualification which allows you to study a wide range of subjects while at the same time specialising in one, your chosen ‘major’.

Once you have chosen a major subject you then have the opportunity to take electives, subjects from outside your major. This makes it easy to combine the study of different subjects and provides a strong, broad foundation for your future career, enabling you to meet new challenges and take new opportunities as they present themselves. More information about this degree structure is available here.

Subjects available to study within a Bachelor of Science can include:

Biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, food science, geology, pathology, pharmacology, physics, atmosphere and ocean science, geology, bioengineering systems, chemical systems, civil systems, computing and software systems, electrical systems, geomatics, mechanical systems, ecology and evolutionary biology, environmental science, geography, computing and software systems, informatics, agricultural science, animal health and disease, biotechnology, cell and developmental biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, food science, forest science, genetics, human structure and function, immunology, marine biology, microbiology and immunology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, plant science, zoology, mathematical physics, mathematics and statistics, physics, and psychology.