Bachelor of Science
at The University of Western Australia, Western 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 Western Australia 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 | TISC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official TISC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The UWA BSc is a broad three-year science degree built on the university's distinctive course model. Year one is wide: you take introductory units across two or more science disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, earth science, anatomy, psychology, computing) alongside broadening units from outside science. First-year science lectures run in large cohorts at Crawley with smaller laboratory and tutorial groups. From year two you commit to one or two majors from a long list including Anatomy and Human Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Geology, Marine Science, Genetics, Microbiology, Data Science and Engineering Science. UWA permits and encourages double majors. Laboratory and field work increases sharply, with practical reports and data analysis becoming central. Year three is specialisation and research. Advanced discipline units run alongside a capstone or research project, fieldwork (geology field camps, marine sampling) and statistics or computing units. Strong students take a fourth-year Honours, which is the standard entry point to research masters, PhD study and the assured pathway into graduate medicine and professional masters.
Example first-year subjects
- Molecules, Cells and Organisms
- Chemistry Fundamentals
- Physics for Scientists
- Mathematical Methods
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Genes, Evolution and Diversity
How you will be assessed
- Final exams of 40 to 60 percent in chemistry, physics and mathematics units
- Laboratory reports and pre-lab quizzes
- Fieldwork notebooks and sample-analysis tasks in geology and marine units
- Data-analysis and statistics assignments
- Capstone or research project in third year
- Oral presentations and scientific poster submissions
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 or technician in industry and government
- Environmental or field scientist with WA resource and consulting firms
- Data analyst or junior data scientist
- Research assistant at universities, CSIRO or WA medical research institutes
- Quality and compliance officer in food, pharmaceutical or mining laboratories
- Science teacher (after a Master of Teaching)
- Geoscientist or exploration assistant in the WA minerals sector
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 BSc is designed as a broad undergraduate degree feeding postgraduate-professional pathways. Top students take a fourth-year Honours (research thesis) which is the gateway to research masters and PhD study. The BSc is a common feeder into graduate-entry professional programs including the Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Professional Engineering (via an Engineering Science major), Master of Podiatric Medicine and the Master of Teaching (Secondary). Some students use UWA assured-pathway places to guarantee progression into these postgraduate degrees. Other common destinations include the Master of Data Science, Master of Biotechnology and Master of Geoscience.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who enjoyed WACE Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Mathematics Methods
- Those who like laboratory and fieldwork as much as theory
- People wanting a broad first degree before choosing a postgraduate professional path
- Independent learners comfortable with quantitative and data-driven work
- Students aiming for research Honours, PhD study or graduate medicine
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a single, clear job title at graduation
- Those who dislike maths, statistics or laboratory practicals
- People who prefer essay-based humanities 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 Western Australia handbook and on TISC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/uwa/bachelor-of-science.