Australia has some excellent science schools that allow you to study online for a Bachelor of Science. Expect high-quality teaching and a good learning experience.
A science degree from an Australian university will prepare you for a career where you advance human knowledge and solve complex problems. You can choose from many different majors and customise your program according to interests.
Bachelor of Science degrees are available 100% online depending on the subjects you choose. For some study areas, you may need to attend occasional residential schools as part of mixed-mode study. The best online science courses are rated highly, including when compared to on-campus programs, with course satisfaction percentages into the high 80s.
Study Science Online
Studying science online is the most convenient way to get a degree. Science is a knowledge-driven field, with many subjects available for distance learning. A popular arrangement is to study part-time from work or home, allowing you to combine study with professional or family responsibilities.
Academic (non applied) science units are available fully online. These can be learned just as effectively through distance education as in a physical classroom.
Physical, hands-on kinds of subjects (such as chemistry and environmental science) may also be available online. Generally, lab or field work is saved for advanced (postgraduate) courses. Bachelor programs may just aim to teach concepts and factual knowledge.
For subjects where some physical attendance is essential, you can attend occasional intensive residential schools. Being open to attending a campus sometimes can give you greater course choice. Attendance at residential schools may be confined to, say, a single block of 2-3 days on campus per semester.
Undergraduate Science Programs
Bachelor degrees in science are available from Australia’s biggest online universities. You can access a good range of courses from the different science disciplines.
Program depth matters since a Bachelor of Science is a general kind of degree in the 1st year.
- Students often have multiple majors in mind when enrolling in undergraduate science programs.
- You could, for example, choose information technology and mathematics study streams, as well as units from another faculty (e.g. commerce).
The level of specialisation increases each year. This is true for students studying science exclusively and for those doing combined degrees.
The Bachelor of Science gives students a solid foundation in scientific knowledge and practice while allowing them to specialise in an area of interest. Students may follow any of the different majors leading to the award of a degree naming the chosen major, e.g. Bachelor of Science in Nanotechnology, or Bachelor of Science in Medical Science.
~ UTS
BSc Majors List
Here's a list of majors that you can potentially choose as part of an online or mixed-mode BSc degree.
- Animal Science, Veterinary Studies
- Archaeology, Forensic Science
- Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biotechnology
- Biodiversity, Botany, Conservation Biology, Zoology
- Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Palaeobiology
- Geography, Geoscience, Spatial Science
- Mathematics, Data Science, Scientific Computing, Physics
- Physiology, Psychology
The Bachelor of Science program is ideal for students who enjoy and are inspired by the breadth of science. It provides the most flexibility due to its diverse range of course offerings from a number of disciplines.
Best Bachelor Degrees
Australia’s best online Bachelor of Science programs are highly rated by science graduates in the Graduate Outcomes Survey. The courses are delivered by strong online universities offering plenty of subject choice.
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University offers a highly rated Bachelor of Science degree, which is supported by a network of campuses and study centres across NSW and other parts of Australia. Available majors include Analytical Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Mathematics, and Physics. For each 8-credit subject you take, anticipate dedicating 10 to 12 hours per week to activities such as assignments, reading assigned materials, tutorials, individual or group research/study, forum discussions, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or exams.
Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University offers specialised science degrees that can be studied by a combination of distance education and residential sessions in Lismore or Coffs Habour. Science degrees available fully or partially online with SCU include (Bachelor of) Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Human Biology, Information Technology, Mathematics and Psychology.
University of New England
The University of New England in Armidale gets consistently excellent ratings from graduates for its online science courses. The Bachelor of Science degree has around 20 possible majors, ranging from Animal Science through to Chemistry, Genetics, and Zoology. You can do a double science major or, for greater freedom, a single major and a wide variety of electives.
Study Options
University science programs offer potentially numerous majors to choose from. Here are just some of your study options. Each major provides students with a unique blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. You gain knowledge and skills for careers in sectors such as research, education, healthcare, government and industry.
This list is a sample only. Other majors are also available for online learning.
Study of the composition of substances and the methods used to determine that composition with an analytical chemistry major. Coursework may cover topics such as chemical analysis, instrumental analysis, separation techniques, and chemical instrumentation. Jobs in this field include chemist, laboratory technician, quality control analyst, and research and development scientist. Graduates commonly work in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, environmental science, and materials science.
In a biology major, you study life and living organisms, including their physical structure, chemical processes, molecular interactions, physiological mechanisms, development, and evolution. Topics include genetics, ecology, cellular biology, evolution, and anatomy. Graduates with a biology undergraduate degree may work in medical research, biotechnology, wildlife management, conservation biology, or secondary education. The degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in disciplines such as medicine, veterinary medicine, and biological research.
Earth Science is the study of planet Earth, including geological structure, physical processes, and the interactions between atmosphere, oceans, and land. The curriculum may cover subjects such as geology, meteorology, oceanography, and seismology. Graduates commonly work in geological survey and exploration, environmental consulting, or renewable energy. They can also work in fields such as oil and gas exploration, natural hazard assessment, or climate and weather forecasting. An undergraduate course also prepares you for postgraduate study in geology, atmospheric science, or oceanography.
With a major in Genetics, you'll explore inheritance, DNA structure and function, gene regulation, and the genetic basis of biological processes. Subjects may include molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and evolution. Graduates pursue careers in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research, and medicine. Job titles include research scientist, product developers, geneticist, molecular biologist, and genetic counselor. Like many of the science disciplines, postgraduate study, to a master's level or higher, is often necessary for careers in this field.
With a Mathematics specialisation, you'll study subjects such as calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and statistics. Graduates can work as financial analysts, actuaries, software developers and data scientists, among many other possibilities. By choosing appropriate elective subjects in your program, or by doing a masters or other postgraduate course, you can direct your mathematical skills towards a particular vocation.
Physics is the study of matter, energy, and the physical laws that govern their behavior. The curriculum is maths-heavy and covers subjects such as classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. Though you'll usually need a doctorate as well, a bachelor degree prepares you to work in roles such as physicist, applied physicist, and physics lecturer. Branching out into other science and technology fields or into business, where employment levels are higher, is often recommended.
