Bachelor of Science

Name: Bachelor of Science
Price: <a href='#fees-and-scholarships'> Commonwealth supported place </a> AUD

VU course code: NBSC | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Not required

Duration

3 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Park

Next start date

24 February 2025

Application closes

16 February 2025

View all start dates

Bachelor of Science students in lab coats

Overview

Prepare for a science career contributing solutions to today’s biggest challenges, with Bachelor of Science at Victoria University.

You’ll gain a solid foundation in science, along with valuable skills that are transferable to many different sectors.

You can specialise in one of these areas:

biotechnology
ecology and environmental management.

These specialisations are aligned with industry need and opportunity – so you'll graduate with a qualification that is well-matched with current career opportunities.

You'll have the flexibility to customise your learning based on career interests. You will enhance your chosen speciality with minor studies in areas such as statistics, cell biology/microbiology, physics, or units from other disciplines.

This degree offers hands-on learning in modern facilities and opportunities for work placements. You can progress from this course into an honours year or other postgraduate study (subject to academic performance).

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Locate, evaluate and apply scientific information efficiently and effectively;

Identify and solve problems with intellectual independence using scientific principles in a range of situations taking into consideration social, cultural, economic and environmental factors;

Exhibit high levels of numeracy skills in the analysis and interpretation of quantitative scientific data;

Communicate effectively in spoken and written forms on a range of scientific and mathematical topics to peers, professional and community groups;

Apply an evidence-based research approach, formulate and test hypotheses in a chosen scientific discipline;

Respond with social and cultural awareness within local and global environments;

Devise and apply scientific methodology, individually and with peers, to undertake laboratory exercises, scientific research and practical investigations, employing ethical principles and practice and industry and research protocols.
: Practical learning is a key part of all studies at Victoria University. Our Bachelor of Science features hands-on work in our state-of-the-art laboratories. You’ll also undertake practical fieldwork to enhance and demonstrate your theoretical knowledge.
: You’ll learn in modern laboratories with the latest equipment. Our science facilities include:
Shimadzu Analytical Laboratory at Werribee Campus which features state-of-the-art chemical instrumentation.
A supercritical nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer at Footscray Park Campus.
These two laboratories enable complete chemical analyses to be performed, such as:
pesticides in waste water
impurity profiling in pharmaceutical products
structure determination
heavy metal analysis.
Advanced food systems research laboratories offer you resources for advanced food research, including:
food processing
shelf-life enhancement
microbial and enzyme technology and engineering
functional foods and nutraceuticals.
: As part of this course, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake industry projects and placements with VU industry partners.
We have partnerships with a range of organisations that will allow you to gain professional experience and up-to-date skills. We use these partnerships to inform our courses, share resources and give you the chance to learn in a workplace setting.
Your studies will be enhanced by our partnerships, which include:
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Fosters
Clariant
Modern Olives Laboratories
National Measurement Institute.
We also collaborate with Greater Western Water on several projects, especially in the areas of water and sustainability.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
PLUS:
A study score of at least 20 in Mathematics (any).
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a Certificate IV in a related Science/Health discipline.
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in the Health Sciences or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago..
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
PLUS:
A study score of at least 20 in Mathematics (any).
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students

(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 14 60.9%

(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
NA NA

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
NP NP

(D) Work and Life experience 0 0.0%

International students 0 0.0%

All students 23 100%

"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

VU Early Entry

If you're currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Early Entry program comes with a Conditional Offer to the course of your choosing*, a personalised course plan, special events, exclusive discounts and access to one-on-one course advice.

*Conditions apply.

Learn more about VU Early Entry

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Science students will be required to complete 288 credit points, consisting of:

96 credit points of First Year Core units;
96 credit points of Major studies;

AND select 96 credit points of:

96 credit points of Major studies

OR:

2 x 48 credit points of two Minor studies.

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

Science graduates are increasingly responsible for helping find technological solutions to global issues such as the impact of climate change and the use of stem cells in medical research.

Our Bachelor of Science will ensure you develop a broad range of skills (technical and otherwise) that will make you highly sought after upon graduation. These skills can be used to pursue roles within the sciences, or associated with the sciences, such as science editors, educators or journalists. Skills and processes learnt as part of this course (e.g. mathematics) are also transferable to a wide range of sectors. This flexibility means you can adapt your career according to your interests and experience.

This course will ensure you have a thorough knowledge of contemporary science for careers in industry, government, community or education.

Depending on your specialisation, you’ll be able to pursue a career in the following areas:

Biotechnology specialisation

medical and pharmaceutical research
forensic science
agriculture and aquaculture
the food and beverage industry
education.

Ecology & environmental management specialisation

landcare/bushcare
environmental planning
restoration ecology and land management
marine and freshwater ecosystem management
environmental education
botany/zoology/ecology
ecological and resource assessment.

Salary

Career options with this qualification are varied. Visit Jobs and Skills Australia to see average annual salaries in Australia for various professions:

VU stories

Saving fur seals through research

Bachelor of Science, Master of Science (Research)

"I spent four months in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. I received a VU postgraduate scholarship and the New Zealand study became the basis for my masters degree."

I spent four months in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. I received a VU postgraduate scholarship and the New Zealand study became the basis for my masters degree.

Mary's story

Jacinta's making a splash in sustainability

Bachelor of Science

"The Bachelor of Science at VU was super hands-on, which I loved. In my job now I get to help conserve this extraordinary place."

The Bachelor of Science at VU was super hands-on, which I loved. In my job now I get to help conserve this extraordinary place.

Read Jacinta's story

Ecologist Brady’s diverse strengths make a difference

Bachelor of Science

"During my studies, I completed my industry placement, contributing to germination trials for a critically-endangered grassland shrub. It was a valuable experience through which I put my theoretical knowledge into practice."

During my studies, I completed my industry placement, contributing to germination trials for a critically-endangered grassland shrub. It was a valuable experience through which I put my theoretical knowledge into practice.

Read Brady's story

Top 2% of universities worldwide

Award-winning VU Block Model®

#1 for educational experience^

4000+ industry connections

Search for a course

What are you looking for?

Suggestions

Courses

Bachelor of Science

Overview