Bachelor of Science
at The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
A foundational science degree with majors in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology, computing or earth sciences. Most providers permit two majors plus a research project in third year.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Science. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | SATAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official SATAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year at the University of Adelaide builds breadth across the sciences. You take introductory courses in at least two disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology or computer science) plus a foundation course in scientific skills and quantitative methods. Weekly laboratory and practical sessions sit alongside lectures, and you sample widely before locking in a major. Second year deepens one or two majors. Lab work becomes more demanding and quantitative, and courses introduce research design, statistics and discipline-specific techniques. Adelaide's genuine strengths in physics and space science, geology and earth sciences, and the biological and agricultural sciences give strong specialisation options, including links to the nearby Waite agricultural campus. Third year is specialisation and research on the North Terrace campus. Many students complete an independent research project or extended laboratory course, work with current data and instruments, and prepare for Honours. Strong students continue into a fourth-year Honours program, the standard entry point to research masters and PhD study.
Example first-year subjects
- Biology I
- Chemistry I
- Physics I: Mechanics and Relativity
- Mathematics IA and IB
- Earth Sciences and Geology I
- Scientific Skills and Quantitative Methods
How you will be assessed
- Final exams of 40 to 60 per cent in maths and physical-science courses
- Laboratory reports and pre-lab quizzes
- Problem sets and weekly online quizzes
- Independent research project or extended lab report in third year
- Oral presentations of research findings
- Field-work reports in geology and earth-science courses
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as laboratory scientists, environmental analysts and data scientists across industry and government.
- Many continue into Honours and PhD study, leading to research roles at CSIRO, universities and biotech firms.
- Common pathways include secondary teaching, science communication and graduate medicine programmes.
Typical first jobs
- Laboratory or research assistant
- Environmental or field scientist
- Data analyst or junior data scientist
- Quality-control or technical officer in industry
- Geologist or geoscience field assistant
- Science communicator or technical writer
- Graduate in a government science or regulatory agency
Graduate starting salary
$60,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Most graduates enter the workforce directly or take a fourth-year Honours program (a supervised research thesis year), which is the standard gateway to research masters and PhD study and to research roles at CSIRO, universities and biotech firms. The Bachelor of Science is also a common feeder into graduate medicine, dentistry and other clinical masters, into the Master of Teaching (secondary) for science and maths teaching, and into specialist masters in data science, geophysics or environmental science.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Curious students who enjoy laboratory and field work
- Those comfortable with maths and quantitative reasoning
- People who want to keep options open across several disciplines
- Students aiming at research, Honours or graduate medicine
- Independent learners who manage practical and theory workloads
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting one clear vocational job title at graduation
- Those who dislike maths, statistics or laboratory work
- People who want a heavily structured, placement-based degree
- Students seeking a fully online or low-contact program
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Science as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the The University of Adelaide handbook and on SATAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/adelaide/bachelor-of-science.