Bachelor of Science

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of South Australia

Program Overview

Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science at the University of South Australia (UniSA) offers a broad foundation in science, giving you the flexibility to choose two major disciplines—from Applied Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Ecosystem Sciences, Mathematics, to Applied Earth Sciences—while building strong practical laboratory and field skills. This program is ideal for curious, hands-on students who enjoy exploring how the natural and physical world works and want the freedom to shape their studies toward careers in research, industry, or teaching.

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll begin with core courses such as Professional and Technical Communication and a foundational mathematics or statistics unit (like Mathematics for Laboratory Sciences or Statistical Methods). Alongside these, you’ll start your major units, such as Astronomy and the Universe. These early courses are designed to strengthen your analytical, quantitative, and communication skills, preparing you to confidently tackle your chosen scientific disciplines.

Year 2:
In the second year, you’ll delve deeper into your chosen fields. Depending on your major, you might study courses like Atomic, Nuclear and Radiation Science or Space Missions, while also having the option to choose electives. This stage focuses on applying your first-year knowledge, exploring more specialised content, and gaining hands-on experience in your scientific areas.

Year 3:
Your third year is where you bring everything together. You’ll engage in advanced major-specific units and often take part in a capstone experience, such as a STEM Internship (15 days) or an Applied Science Project. This year emphasizes independent work, practical application, and refining your skills so you’re ready for professional roles or further study.

Focus areas:
Applied Physics, Biology for Science, Chemistry for Science, Ecosystem Sciences, Applied Earth Sciences, Mathematics – with hands-on laboratory work, fieldwork, two science majors, and flexible electives

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to understand key scientific concepts across their major disciplines, apply laboratory and field methods, analyse quantitative and qualitative data, communicate scientific ideas clearly, and be prepared for careers in research, industry, or secondary teaching.

Professional alignment:
While this Bachelor of Science isn’t a specialised professional credential (like engineering accreditation), it is closely aligned with industry, emphasising practical and fieldwork methods so that graduates are career-ready.

Reputation and employability:
UniSA is ranked among the world’s top young universities and is number one in South Australia for graduate careers and employability skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Here’s how students in the Bachelor of Science at the University of South Australia (UniSA, Mawson Lakes campus) gain real‑world, hands-on skills through experiential learning.

From the very first day, you’ll be working in laboratories and out in the field as part of your science studies. The program focuses on practical experience — you won’t just be learning theory in lectures, you’ll apply it in labs, during on‑site fieldwork, and through industry-linked placements. UniSA’s STEM division is closely connected with research units and industry partners, giving you access to advanced facilities and opportunities to build professional-ready skills.

Here are some of the key experiential learning opportunities you can expect:

Internships and industry placements: For example, the “STEM Internship 15 Days” course (112.5 hours) lets you work in a real-world environment directly connected to your discipline.

Capstone or major project in your final year: You’ll have the chance to take units like the “Applied Science Project” or similar, designing and completing your own research or fieldwork project.

Access to research-rich facilities: Students work alongside researchers in cutting-edge spaces such as the Future Industries Institute and other specialized labs, gaining hands-on experience in first-class facilities.

Strong laboratory and fieldwork focus in core courses: The program emphasizes practical work so that you graduate able to apply your scientific knowledge directly.

Library and campus support: UniSA provides library resources, learning hubs, and student services to support your research and studies.

Embedded professional practice: Many units are developed in partnership with industry and include real-world experiences like internships, site visits, and professional events.

In short: from lab benches and field sites, to internships and industry projects, you’ll graduate not just with knowledge, but with valuable, practical experience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science at the University of South Australia (UniSA) opens doors to a wide range of science‑based careers while giving you versatile skills that you can use throughout your life. Graduates often move into roles such as Laboratory Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Data Analyst, or Science Educator, while also laying the groundwork for further study or career advancement.

Future Progression & Opportunities

University Services: UniSA’s Career Services team is there to help you every step of the way, offering job boards, one‑on‑one career advice, interview practice, and resume workshops.

Employment Stats & Salary Figures: According to the 2019 Graduate Outcomes Survey, about 73.5% of UniSA undergraduates were in full-time employment just four months after graduation, and 88.3% were employed in some capacity. The median starting salary reported was AU$62,600.

University-Industry Partnerships: UniSA focuses on industry-connected learning and works with over 2,500 companies worldwide. This provides students with opportunities for placements, projects, and work experience that make their learning directly relevant to the real world.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: UniSA is ranked #1 in South Australia for graduate employability and full-time employment among public university undergraduates. The programs are designed to make you industry-ready from day one.

Graduation Outcomes: The Bachelor of Science emphasizes both laboratory and fieldwork, giving you broad scientific training. Graduates are ready to step into real-world roles or pursue specialized postgraduate studies.

Further Academic Progression

After completing the Bachelor of Science, you could continue your studies with honours or a master’s degree in a specialized science area such as Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Applied Physics, or Earth Sciences. You could also move into research-based postgraduate study or professional programs in teaching, applied research, or industry leadership.