Bachelor of Science
at The University of Queensland, Queensland.
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 Queensland 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 | QTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official QTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The UQ Bachelor of Science is a three-year degree taught from St Lucia (with field and lab work at Gatton and Moreton Bay) built around one or two majors drawn from a wide menu including biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, geology, ecology, marine science, microbiology, genetics, computer science and food science. Year one is broad, with students taking foundation units across two or three disciplines plus mathematics, giving room to test interests before locking majors. Year two narrows to chosen majors with substantial laboratory and field components. Expect weekly practicals, quantitative methods, instrumentation and the development of experimental design and data-analysis skills. Reading and problem sets are paired with hands-on bench, field and computing work depending on discipline. Year three carries advanced discipline units, electives and, for many students, a research-style project or special-topics unit working alongside UQ research groups. The degree feeds strongly into an Honours year, which is the standard pathway into research masters, PhD study and many graduate professional programs. Dual majors and minors across faculties (including data science and computational options) are common.
Example first-year subjects
- Cells to Organisms (Introductory Biology)
- Chemistry I (Structure and Bonding)
- Calculus and Linear Algebra
- Physics for Physical Sciences
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Introductory Statistics and Data Analysis
How you will be assessed
- Final exams of 40 to 60 percent in core science units
- Laboratory reports and pre-lab quizzes
- Field-work reports and data-collection tasks (in ecology, geology, marine science)
- Problem sets and quantitative assignments
- Research project or special-topics report in third year
- Computational and data-analysis assignments
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 at UQ, QIMR Berghofer and CSIRO
- Environmental scientist or field officer in government and consultancies
- Data analyst or junior data scientist across industry and government
- Quality and laboratory technician in food, pharma and manufacturing
- Geologist or environmental officer in Queensland resources and mining
- Science communicator, technical officer or graduate in state government
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
The most common next step for research-minded students is the BSc Honours year (added fourth year with a supervised research project), the standard entry to MPhil and PhD pathways at UQ. The Science degree is also a major feeder into graduate-entry professional programs including the Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine, physiotherapy and the Master of Teaching (Secondary) for those becoming science teachers. Coursework masters such as the Master of Data Science, Master of Conservation Science, Master of Biotechnology and Master of Environmental Management are widely taken. Dual degrees with Arts, Commerce, Engineering and Mathematics are offered.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoy laboratory and field work alongside theory
- Those comfortable with mathematics and quantitative reasoning
- People curious about how the natural world works at a fundamental level
- Students considering Honours, research or graduate professional programs
- Independent learners willing to design a coherent major pathway
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a direct, single job title at graduation
- Those who dislike maths, statistics or laboratory practicals
- Anyone hoping to avoid exams and quantitative assessment
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 Queensland handbook and on QTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/uq/bachelor-of-science.