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Bachelor of Science

This is an exciting time to think about studying Science. There is a lot happening, with technologies advancing at a rapid rate. If you want to keep your first degree studies fairly broad to begin with, then this course will provide that opportunity. If you want more challenge, you can consider a Science / Science double degree program, to combine extensive studies in two areas of choice. A Science double degree combination with other courses, such as Arts or Commerce, is also available.

The three-year Bachelor of Science degree is a highly flexible course, enabling students to choose a range of science studies at first year, before choosing specialist areas of study to follow in second and third years. There is also opportunity to include units from other areas in the university, such as studies from Business, Legal Studies, Social Sciences, or Humanities (Arts), but the choice is large. Students choose subjects from particular discipline or study areas to create a course which suits each individual within an overall structure.

The specialist areas of study available within this course in the Faculty are listed below. You should note that not all specialisations are available at every campus. Faculty staff are available to assist students with individual course plans at enrolment. Please contact us to discuss your course options or for further information on any of the discipline or study areas.

What will you study?

You can choose to study / choose your major from within the following disciplinary areas from the Faculty (not all specialisations are available at every campus) and can combine these studies with other discipline areas at La Trobe:

• Biochemistry
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Electronics
• Environmental Science
• Genetics
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Space Science
• Statistical Science
• Physics
• Psychology
• Zoology

How can you enter this course?

You can enter this course from year 12 (VCE or equivalent), as non-year 12 or mature-age applicants, or from TAFE programs. More information on selection processes and pre-requisites are set-out in the VTAC Guide or La Trobe International Course Guide. Part-time study is also available for Australian students in most of our courses. You are welcome to contact us to discuss your options.

A pathway to other courses

Many students also utilise this course as an alternative pathway to a niche (or specialist) degree program, such as biomedical science or nutritional science. It is possible to undertake the first year of the Bachelor of Science and then apply to transfer into a Specialist Degree at second year level. Generally, you will need to achieve very good results to be permitted to transfer. You are encouraged to talk to us if considering this pathway option.

Double degree options

You can undertake any two single science degrees as part of the Science / Science double degree program, to combine extensive studies in two areas of choice. Science double degree combinations with a range of other courses, such as Arts or Commerce are also available. There is also a dedicated double degree program in Science and Science Education.

Postgraduate opportunities

The Faculty has an outstanding record of research achievement, and a wide variety of research interests. For full details, visit the Faculty Research website. Staff have a proud history of successful partnering programs with business and other research organisations, achieving valuable research and consultancy outcomes, producing work-ready graduates, and negotiating high quality industry placements. The Faculty has four broad areas of recognised research strength:

• Biomedicine
• Quantitative Science
• Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability
• Behavioural Science

Faculty research is supported by our involvement with many research centres, including the $20 million Victorian Agribiosciences Centre (VABC), located on the La Trobe University Research and Development Park, and from 2012, by the newly announced world-class $230 million Biosciences Research Centre, due for completion in late 2011. These research facilities will provide postgraduate students with additional opportunities to work with world-leading scientists on research of international importance.

Why study Science at La Trobe University?

Studying science gives you access to successful researchers with international research linkages. They are committed to delivering a quality student experience and to development of study materials informed by their research. At our regional campuses particularly, our staff have excellent linkages with local industry and employers, providing real opportunities for graduates within their region. At our Melbourne campus we have the added advantages of the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary living laboratory, agricultural reserves, zoological enclosures, and the Animal House all located on the campus. At Albury-Wodonga the Murray-Darling Basin is located adjacent to our campus - literally a huge living laboratory on the campus doorstep. Staff have designed undergraduate and postgraduate reserch programs to take advantage of these.

The Faculty utilises a combination of this strong theoretical base with practical hands-on teaching, through laboratory classes, field trips, discipline-focused seminar programs, and project work, wherever relevant. This approach is reinforced by our Industry Cadetship program, unique to Science in Victoria - this is a competitive employment program organised with our industry partners. The Faculty has also won a variety of teaching awards over the years, most recently in Environmental Management and Ecology (Albury-Wodonga campus), Electron Microscopy (Bendigo campus), Zoology (Melbourne (Bundoora) campus), and in Mathematics, Biochemistry and Psychology. Students can access a large number of international student exchange programs with partner institutions right around the globe.

All this adds up to an outstanding learning environment, supported by the picturesque grounds and great facilities of our various campuses. Each campus has excellent accommodation options, and a large number of our students come from rural and regional areas in Australia and from overseas. This means students gain a very broad experience beyond their academic studies, and make friends from around the world.

Where will it take you?

Australian Government statistics (2006) predicted growth in employment for scientists of 8% per annum with excellent opportunities, particularly in jobs related to chemistry, mathematics, statistics, physics, biotechnology, and computer science. Job opportunities are changing rapidly, and new areas of applied science can emerge quickly. Science is an international employment market, and shortages such as these are being reported globally.

Scientists work in a wide variety of employment types, and for an extensive range of employers and industries. These include:

• Research scientists, in both government and private research laboratories/institutes
• Space science and Astronomy, including NASA, European Space Agency, Australian space industries
• Meteorology and climate analysis and management
• Mathematical Business Analysts, including Risk and Insurance Analysts, Statisticians, Forecasters, Business Management
• Science journalism and media, science communications and marketing
• Defence science, radar and GPS development
• Manufacturing Analysts, including production development and management, new product development, and environmental management
• Environmental scientists, managers, and advisers
• Scientific and medical sales and marketing
• Entrepreneurs, especially within advanced technologies
• Quality control and management
• Agricultural scientists, and agribusiness managers

There are so many different opportunities that it is impossible to list them all here. The course also prepares students for advanced study to Masters and PhD levels.

In Australia, there is a particular shortage of qualified science teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry and information technology. La Trobe University offers students the opportunity to try out being on the other side of the classroom through the In2science Peer Mentoring Program, where our students can attend practical classes in secondary schools as a peer mentor to students in years 7 – 10. It's a great way to see if teaching is for you.

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