Bachelor of Science

James Cook University

CRICOS Institution Code 00117J

Duration

156 weeks

Delivery

On-campus

Study Load

Full time / Part time

Intakes

Townsville: February, September / Cairns: February, September / The Animal and Veterinary Bioscience major is only offered for Trimester 1 intake.

Course Overview

About This Course

With a Bachelor of Science at JCU, you can pursue the scientific study that aligns with your interest, aptitude and career goals. JCU’s Bachelor of Science has 12 majors to choose from. Build a fundamental understanding of key scientific fields, and then explore areas of specialisation that align with core industry opportunities. Tailor your science degree to suit your interests Learn the fundamentals of science in your first year, then select one or two specialisations to continue building knowledge and skills in your chosen discipline. You can also expand your knowledge by choosing to enrol in a minor or include elective subjects available per semester or trimester. This versatility allows you to gain a breadth of insights, knowledge bases and experiences while studying science at university. Small class sizes allow you to make strong connections with your peers and with expert academics who are committed to your success. Throughout your degree, you will develop professional networks as well as key employability skills, relevant to your discipline, that will equip you to kickstart your career upon graduation. Hands-on learning in practical classrooms When you study science in North Queensland at JCU, you’ll undertake real-world projects and research in unrivalled locations, including the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and the Australian Outback.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

349 Queen St, BRISBANE, QLD 4000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Provider's Published Fee

$8,960+ per year (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Duration

156 weeks

Intakes

Townsville: February, September / Cairns: February, September / The Animal and Veterinary Bioscience major is only offered for Trimester 1 intake.

Study Mode

Full time / Part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students:

ATAR 66.5
Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Major only Required: English, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry (Units 3/4,C) Recommended: Biology (Units 3/4,C)
Recommended Knowledge: All Majors (except the Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Major) : English (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry, General Maths or Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C)
Alternate Pathways

International Students:

Recommended Knowledge: All Majors (except the Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Major) : English (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry, General Maths or Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C)
English language requirements: Band 1
If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course
View the international entry requirements for this course

Additional Requirements:

Recommended Knowledge: English (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry, General Maths or Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C)
Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of ”Band 1” – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

JCU Science graduates are broadly skilled and equipped to work across a variety of fields.
They have the advanced analytical skills needed to enter the workforce and make a meaningful impact on the world.
Depending on your area of specialisation, you could work in a growing number of fields including aquaculture, fisheries management, agriculture, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, mining, or biotechnology.
The connections you make during placements and internships or with academics, researchers, and organisations that facilitate your field trips provide opportunities to connect with experts in your area of specialisation and allow you to leverage professional networking for future employment.
You could be employed in roles such as geologist, environmental scientist, oceanographer, mathematician, marine or molecular and cell biologist, physicist, ecologist, conservationist or rehabilitation scientist, environmental and policy consultant, wildlife consultant or chemist.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units77 units

SC1101

Science, Technology and Truth

CH1020

Preparatory Chemistry

MA1020

Preparatory Mathematics

SC1102

Modelling Natural Systems

SC1109

Modelling Natural Systems-Advanced

SC2202

Quantitative Methods in Science

SC2209

Quantitative Methods in Science-Advanced

AQ2001

Introduction to Aquaculture

BM2331

Bioinformatics I: Decoding DNA

BZ2725

Australian Terrestrial Diversity

CP2404

Database Modelling

EA2900

Introductory Outback Field Geosciences

EV2502

Geographic Information Systems

MA2830

Data Visualisation

SC3010

Sensors and Sensing for Scientists

BSC-DSC

BSc - Data Science Major

BSC-ESS

BSc - Environmental Earth Science Major

BSC-ZAE

BSc - Zoology and Ecology Major

BSC-AQT

BSc - Aquaculture Science and Technology Major

BSC-DSC

BSc - Data Science Major

BSC-AQT

BSc - Aquaculture Science and Technology Major

BSC-CHY

BSc - Chemistry Major

BSC-BIF

BSc - Bioinformatics Major

BSC-DSC

BSc - Data Science Major

BSC-ESS

BSc - Environmental Earth Science Major

BSC-GLG

BSc - Geology Major

BSC-MBY

BSc - Marine Biology Major

BSC-MTM

BSc - Mathematics Major

BSC-MCB

BSc - Molecular and Cell Biology Major

BSC-PCS

BSc - Physics Major

BSC-ZAE

BSc - Zoology and Ecology Major

SC3008

Professional Placement

SC3003

Science Research Internship

BM1110

Molecules to Microbes

BM1201

Energy Metabolism: Powering Life

BS1001

Introduction to Biological Processes

BS1007

Introduction to Biodiversity

CH1001

Chemistry: The Central Science

CH1002

Chemistry: Principles and Applications

CP1401

Problem Solving and Programming I

CP1404

Programming II

EA1110

Evolution of the Earth

EG1000

Engineering 1

EV1005

Environmental Processes and Global Change

MA1000

Mathematical Foundations

MA1003

Mathematical Techniques

MA1580

Foundations of Data Science

PH1005

Newtonian Physics

PH1007

Fundamental Physics

BSC-AVB

BSc - Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Major

SC1101

Science, Technology and Truth

AG1007

Introduction to Plants and Animals for Veterinary Science

TV1101

Introduction to Veterinary Science

CH1001

Chemistry: The Central Science

TV1111

Foundation of Livestock Production

BM1301

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

SC1102

Modelling Natural Systems

TV1112

Structure and Function 1

TV1113

Animal Nutrition and Pasture Science(s) for Sustainable Animal Production

SC2202

Quantitative Methods in Science

TV2221

Structure and Function 2

AQ2001

Introduction to Aquaculture

EV2502

Geographic Information Systems

SC3010

Sensors and Sensing for Scientists

TV2223

Structure and Function 3

TV2222

Agents of Disease and Defence

SC3008

Professional Placement

TV2220

Animal Husbandry and Pre-Clinical Placement 1

TV3331

Veterinary Parasitic Diseases

AQ3004

Aquaculture: Stock Improvement

AQ3007

Aquatic Animal Ecophysiology

TV3332

Mechanisms of Disease and Therapeutics

BZ3740

Wildlife Ecology and Management

AQ3015

Sustainable Aquaculture

TV3333

Infectious Diseases

AQ3002

Aquaculture: Feeds and Nutrition

AQ3003

Aquaculture: Propagation

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many majors can I choose in the Bachelor of Science, and what are they?

There are 10 majors within the Bachelor of Science, and you can choose to study one or two majors. The majors include Aquaculture Science and Technology, Chemistry, Data Science, Environmental Earth Science, Geology, and Marine Biology, among others. Note that not all majors are available at all campuses.

What are the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Science at JCU?

The minimum ATAR required is 66.5. Recommended knowledge includes English (Units 3/4, C), Chemistry, and General Maths or Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4, C). Mathematical Methods is specifically recommended for students intending to pursue the Majors in Maths, Physics, and Data Science. Alternate pathways are also available.

What practical learning opportunities are available during the Bachelor of Science?

Students undertake real-world projects and research in unrivalled locations, including the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and the Australian Outback. JCU's contemporary facilities include The Science Place (LEED Gold Certified), the Orpheus Island Research Station and the Daintree Rainforest Observatory. Students gain confidence to initiate and conduct research, design reliable evidence-based laboratory and field experiments, and learn side-by-side with leading academics and industry experts both in class and in professional settings.

What are the fees for the Bachelor of Science and how long does it take to complete?

The estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load is $8,960 (plus Student Services and Amenities fee). Fee deferral and scholarships are available if eligible. These fees are for 2026 and are subject to change in following years. The course takes 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time to complete.

Is mid-year entry available for all majors in the Bachelor of Science?

Mid-year entry (September commencement) is available at both Townsville and Cairns campuses; however, mid-year entry is not available for the Chemistry major specifically. Students interested in Chemistry should plan to commence in January.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$58,000 – $75,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$75,000 – $95,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$95,000 – $120,000/yr

Career Paths

Environmental Scientist
Laboratory Scientist / Medical Scientist
Research Scientist
Ecologist
Microbiologist

Key Skills

Scientific reasoning and critical thinking
Laboratory techniques and safety protocols
Data collection, analysis, and statistical interpretation
Scientific writing and research report preparation
Fieldwork and environmental sampling methods

Full course overview

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Bachelor of Science

About This Course

Available Locations

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students