Bachelor
The Bachelor of Science at Southern Cross University is a flexible degree that allows you to incorporate a wide range of subjects with career-focused science specialisations.
You can focus on an area of professional practice by choosing a specialisation in Earth and Environmental Systems, Marine Systems, Forestry Systems or Regenerative Agriculture. These specialisations are identified on your graduating testamur. Alternatively, you can choose a major from Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Environmental Solutions or a shared major from disciplines across the University.
You can effectively design your own science degree. All students study seven core units that provide a strong foundation in science, including field and laboratory experimentation and analytical techniques, as well as socio-ecological systems, management and critical thinking. Core skills and knowledge are reinforced and expanded across the three-year program, finishing with capstone research projects in Impactful Science and Practice.
The Bachelor of Science is characterised by a high level of practical and field experience in all years, making use of our easy access to a variety of subtropical terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. Learn more about the specialisations and majors available in this degree.
The Bachelor of Science prepares students for employment or further study in the sciences, developing graduates who can apply science in the context of broader systems to address complex intellectual, professional, practical and societal challenges in the Anthropocene.
Career opportunities are diverse, including natural resource management in local council, state Commonwealth Government or not-for-profit organisations, consulting, as an industry adviser or practitioner, research technician, quality control/quality assurance officer, data analyst or science communicator.
Specialisations allow students to develop expertise in an area of practice such as Marine, Forest, Earth and Environmental Science or Regenerative Agriculture and may have more specific career outcomes.
Graduate outcomes for specialisations might include:
Earth and Environmental Systems
Career opportunities exist in public and private sectors, national park and protected area management, environmental protection, waste management, environmental impact assessment and monitoring, environmental education and interpretation, ecotourism, land/river/coast care programs; and in environmental science research.
Marine Systems
Career opportunities exist in marine park management, fisheries and aquaculture, reef restoration, marine monitoring, marine-based tourism, state or federal government, marine consulting, or marine research and technical assistance.
Forestry Systems
Changes in the industry drive a continuing demand for degree-qualified foresters able to work in production, conservation and restoration forestry, in plantation establishment and management; native forest management, fire prevention and control; forest resource assessment; policy development; pest and disease management; agroforestry and farm forestry advisory services; forest growth modelling and yield prediction; protected area management and forestry research.
Regenerative Agriculture
Career opportunities exist in public and private sectors as a regenerative agriculture specialist/consultant, farmer, resource manager, regenerative agronomist, sustainability advisor and planner, policy developer, biologist, ecologist, soil health scientist, or in scientific research. Combined with our education course, graduates may also be prepared for roles in high school agricultural science.