Why Science at UQ?

The completely revised and updated Bachelor of Science program has been specially designed to meet modern global demands. Students also have the chance to work alongside some of the world’s top scientists while learning from teaching staff who are more awarded than those at any other Australian university.

From Ecology, Genetics and Chemistry to Marine Science, Physics and Zoology, UQ’s Bachelor of Science offers a broad spectrum of specialisations to meet individual preferences and achieve desired career destinations. The BSc can also be combined with Business, Law, Arts, Engineering and Education, to add scope to learning and enhance already high employment outcomes.  (see our programs) 

UQ is consistently ranked as number one in Australia for graduate outcomes. A graduate from UQ will, on average, find employment within the first six months of graduating. Average starting salaries for UQ graduates are also considerably higher than the national average. To discover more about career opportunities available to Science graduates, click here

A sense of community pervades UQ’s cosmopolitan campuses at St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton. Science students’ study is based at the St Lucia campus, famous for its majestic Great Court and stunning sandstone structures. There, students can access outstanding educational, sporting and cultural facilities and a broad range of social activities. UQ is also one of only three Australian members of Universities 21 – a select international network of comprehensive, research-intensive universities.

UQ provides Science students with the opportunity to be a part of a ground-breaking research environment, boasting some of Australia’s best and brightest inquiring minds and being ranked as one of the country’s top three research universities. This ranking is across measures including PhD graduations, commercialisation of discoveries, industry collaboration and funds received from both government and the private sector. On average, UQ attracts more than $150 million in research funds every year – about $70 million of which comes from competitive grants.

Equipped with bean bags, loose furniture and a classy kitchenette, it is little wonder the recently-opened Science Learning Centre (SLC) has become UQ Science students’ favourite haunt. The relaxed social and learning hub provides students with exclusive, 24/7 access to meeting rooms, wireless and data points for laptops, booths with built-in monitors for group study, data projectors, visualisers and whiteboards.

The Interactive Learning Centre (ILC) is the modern, computer-based answer to the educational and research needs of UQ Science students. Boasting a funding injection of $500,000 in brand new hardware, students can access the ILC for both personal study and group learning.

Selected courses see Science students explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, Moreton Bay, Lamington National Park and outback Australia on field trips designed to build knowledge in an out-of-classroom setting. Meanwhile, the new UQ science program is targeted specifically at introducing students to the challenging yet rewarding world of research. Students have the opportunity to engage socially with science research teams, tour active research laboratories, and get involved in research group placements.

From Canada to France and Japan to the UK, Science students are encouraged to spend one or two semesters abroad at one of UQ’s multiple world-class university partners. Studying overseas provides students with an invaluable opportunity to experience life in another country, gain additional skills and enhance employment opportunities – all while earning credit towards their UQ science degree. Visit www.uq.edu.au/uqabroad for more information.

Students can spend six weeks working alongside internationally recognised scientists over the summer break. During this time they will be exposed to cutting-edge research while gaining credit towards their program. More than 80 Summer Vacation Project scholarships are available across 150 different projects every year, giving students the chance to develop critical research skills and sharpen their employment prospects.

PASS is a student-centred, interactive learning program for first-year Science students, aimed at smoothing their transition into university life. The collaborative study sessions, run by second and third-year Science students, provide the opportunity for new students to seek guidance from their further advanced peers on academic and non-academic matters relating to coursework.

New UQ Science students can be connected with continuing students via social networking website FaceBook. There, a team of friendly current Science students, known as FaceBuddies, are on standby to help their new peers adjust to university life and answer all their questions – from where to find the cheapest text books, to where to eat and have fun.

Science at UQ features a range of student societies focused on their discipline area of interest. The Society of Undergraduate Science Students (SUSS) brings UQ’s science community together and adds a social element to the experience of being a UQ Science student. SUSS plays an important role as the voice of the student community and hub of activities, including the much-anticipated annual Science Graduation Ball.

The Advanced Study Program in Science provides a unique opportunity for high-achieving students to develop their university experience through an enriched program of study which includes individual mentoring by a scientist, exposure to research laboratories in first year and access to creative thinkers across all disciplines. Find out more information here. 

An honours program in Science provides students with exciting and challenging opportunities to pursue independent research in a variety of disciplines. In their honours year, students can make a real difference by personally contributing to published literature. Career opportunities can also be broadened by exploring the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework program options. Those wanting a career in research or academia may also wish to proceed to a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy research program after completing honours.