Bachelor of Biological Sciences

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by how life works — from the tiniest cells to entire ecosystems — La Trobe’s Bachelor of Biological Sciences gives you a hands-on way to explore it all. It’s a three-year degree designed for curious thinkers who want a solid scientific base while discovering what excites them most, whether that’s genetics, microbiology, ecology or zoology. Along the way, you’ll build real experience in labs and out in the field, learning science by doing it.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year is all about building confidence and getting comfortable with the foundations of biological science. You’ll explore how life functions through subjects like Animal and Plant Life, Chemistry Foundations and Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity. At the same time, you’ll pick up practical research and data skills that turn your natural curiosity into real scientific know-how.

Year 2:
In second year, you start following the threads that interest you most. Molecules, Genes and Cells helps you understand living systems at a molecular level, while subjects such as Infections, Pandemics and Epidemics open your eyes to the biology behind global health challenges. A Practice of Science unit strengthens your experimental design and communication skills, helping you think — and work — more like a scientist.

Year 3:
By your final year, you’re ready to specialise. Whether you’re drawn to microbiology, botany, zoology, genetics or another area, this is where you dive deeper. Advanced subjects tackle real-world problems — from conservation to molecular biology — and you’ll pull everything together through research projects or capstone experiences that feel like genuine professional work. It’s the year when your interests sharpen into strengths.

Focus Areas: Genetics, Microbiology, Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Human Physiological Sciences.

Learning Outcomes:
You’ll graduate with the ability to think scientifically, work confidently in labs and field settings, interpret data and communicate your findings clearly — all while shaping a study path that reflects your own passions.

Professional Alignment:
The degree is built around recognised scientific standards, so the skills you develop match what research labs, environmental organisations and biotech employers look for. Your training builds year by year in ways that feel purposeful and relevant to real careers.

Reputation:
La Trobe has a strong reputation in the life sciences, recognised in global rankings by QS and Times Higher Education. Employers value La Trobe graduates for their practical experience and readiness to step into roles across research, environmental management, biotechnology and other growing fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re someone who learns best by rolling up your sleeves and actually doing science, this degree is built for you. From your very first year, you won’t be stuck just memorising concepts — you’ll be in the lab running real experiments, working with real data, and heading outdoors to study ecosystems and biodiversity firsthand. Through hands-on classes and field trips to places like the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ll get comfortable identifying species, measuring ecological patterns and using scientific tools that you’ll carry straight into your career or further study. And because La Trobe has such a strong research culture, you’ll also get a genuine look at how modern science operates behind the scenes.

Here’s the kind of practical experience that shapes your learning:

Real lab work from day one, where you run experiments and use the same techniques biologists rely on in real research.
Field trips across Victoria, including guided work inside the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary, to observe, survey and analyse plants, animals and entire ecosystems in their natural environments.
Access to advanced research spaces, from specialised laboratories to collaborative science centres, giving you a feel for how cutting-edge bioscience is done.
Pathways into paid and industry-connected experience, helping you build confidence and workplace skills while you study.

If you love the idea of learning science by actually doing science — from the lab bench to the bush — this degree gives you the kind of practical, meaningful experience that really brings biology to life.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Biological Sciences at La Trobe University is all about turning your love of science into real impact. You won’t just learn the theory — you’ll be out in the field, in the lab and working with people who are already shaping the future of health, the environment and industry. Graduates commonly move into roles like biological scientist, microbiologist, environmental consultant or biosecurity officer, stepping straight into meaningful work where their skills matter.

What this means for you

Support that actually helps you get hired:
La Trobe’s Careers Hub is there to guide you from day one, with resume feedback, workshops and work-integrated learning built into your degree. You’ll have the chance to take on placements and gain industry experience while you study, so you’re not starting from scratch when you graduate.

Strong outcomes for graduates:
La Trobe students across many disciplines consistently find work soon after finishing their degrees. That’s largely because the university’s science programs are hands-on, practical and shaped around what employers are actually looking for.

Connections that open doors:
You’ll learn in facilities tied to active research groups and industry partners, including biotech organisations and research institutes based around the campus. These links can lead to placements, project opportunities and professional networks that support your career before you’ve even graduated.

A recognised qualification:
Your degree sits within the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it’s trusted by employers and respected by postgraduate programs across Australia.

Thinking about further study?
After finishing the Bachelor of Biological Sciences, you’ve got plenty of exciting pathways. Many students go into an Honours year to dive into a real research project and sharpen their scientific skills. From there, you might continue into a Master’s degree in fields like biotechnology, molecular science or environmental science — or even a PhD if research is your passion. La Trobe’s advisors are there to help you figure out which direction fits your interests, whether you’re aiming for lab leadership, specialist expertise or future study overseas.