Bachelor of Science
at University of Tasmania, Tasmania.
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 University of Tasmania 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 | VTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official VTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The UTAS Bachelor of Science is delivered by the College of Sciences and Engineering at Sandy Bay (Hobart) and Newnham (Launceston). UTAS has unusually strong field science offerings: the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) operates from Salamanca and runs the Marine and Antarctic Science major, and field stations at Macquarie Island and Antarctica. Year one introduces broad foundations: Chemistry 1A and 1B, Biology of Animals or Plants, Calculus and Applications, Statistics and a major-aligned elective. Majors offered include Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Marine and Antarctic Science, Plant Science, Physics, Mathematics, Zoology, Geology and Data Analytics. Year two builds 200-level units in the chosen major(s) - typically including field-based units in Tasmania's wilderness (Cradle Mountain, Maria Island, Bruny Island). Year three layers advanced units, a research-track project and capstone units. Most BSc students complete two majors over three years. Expect 18 to 22 contact hours a week with significant lab and field components.
Example first-year subjects
- Chemistry 1A
- Biology of Animals
- Calculus and Applications 1
- Foundations of Earth Science
- Introductory Statistics
- Marine and Antarctic Science
How you will be assessed
- Closed-book final exams (40 to 60 per cent weight in science core units)
- Laboratory reports and prac write-ups
- Field trip reports (especially for earth and marine sciences)
- Research proposals and literature reviews
- Group projects and presentations
- Honours-track research thesis (in 4th year)
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 scientist at the Royal Hobart Hospital pathology
- Marine scientist or research assistant at IMAS (Salamanca)
- Research assistant at the Australian Antarctic Division (Kingston)
- Environmental officer at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment TAS
- Graduate scientist at CSIRO (Hobart marine and atmospheric)
- Field assistant or ranger with Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania
Graduate starting salary
$58,000 - $72,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Honours (a supervised fourth year with a research thesis) is the standard pipeline into PhD study via UTAS, IMAS or the Menzies Institute. Many graduates pathway into the UTAS Master of Teaching (Secondary) for AITSL accreditation, Doctor of Medicine programmes interstate, Master of Information Technology, or the Master of Marine and Antarctic Science (IMAS). The Bachelor of Science can be combined with the Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology. UTAS is a feeder for CSIRO, the Australian Antarctic Division (Kingston) and the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You enjoyed Year 12 maths and at least one science (biology, chemistry or physics)
- You are interested in Tasmania's distinctive marine, Antarctic or wilderness environments
- You can manage laboratory work and field trips
- You want flexibility to combine two majors
- You are considering postgraduate research, teaching or graduate medicine
It is probably not for you if
- You dislike laboratory and field-based assessment
- You want a fully vocational degree with a clear job from day one
- You expect light contact hours and few exams
- You are uncomfortable with statistics and quantitative reasoning
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 University of Tasmania handbook and on VTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/utas/bachelor-of-science.