Bachelor of Science

Bachelors Degree

Domestic snapshot

Start Date

View in availability
Duration

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
Location

View in availability
Placements

Yes

ATAR

65
Inherent Requirements

No
Language Requirements

IELTS Overall Score 6.0
Entry Requirements

View full entry requirements

Course abbreviation

BSc
Course code

3007420
Credit points

288
Equivalent units

24
Indicative Fee

Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Science at Southern Cross University is an industry-orientated degree with career-focused science specialisations. Graduates are equipped with both scientific knowledge and practical skills to address critical global issues.

The three specialisations in Environment, Agriculture and Marine offer focused expertise aligned with real-world applications, allowing students to tackle environmental challenges, sustainable agricultural practices, and marine conservation.

Graduates from the Bachelor of Science will have diverse employment opportunities across environmental, marine, and agricultural sectors, each offering local and international prospects.

Students will choose one of the following specialisations to focus their degree (the specialisation appears on your graduating testamur):

Environment

This specialisation focuses on understanding and managing the natural environment. Students learn about ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change and sustainability. The program equips graduates with skills in environmental analysis, resource management and conservation, preparing them for careers in environmental consulting, government agencies and non-profit organisations.

Marine

This specialisation builds on introductory earth systems knowledge with units at our National Marine Science Centre, positioned near the Solitary Islands Marine Park. These units cover oceanography, marine ecology, fish and aquaculture, reefs, fisheries and marine parks management.

This specialisation dives into the study of marine ecosystems, oceanography and marine conservation. Students explore the dynamic relationships between marine organisms and their environments. Graduates are well-positioned for roles in marine research and conservation, fisheries management and environmental policy.

Agriculture

The Agriculture specialisation focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, crop science and food production systems. Students learn about soil management, plant biology and modern agricultural technology. This prepares graduates for roles in agronomy, agricultural consulting and food security sectors.

The Bachelor of Science is characterised by practical field experience in all years, making use of our easy access to a variety of subtropical terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Online students must complete on-campus compulsory residentials for some units (please see Notes for relevant units in the Course Structure/Progression section).

Course Learning Outcome
GA1: Intellectual rigour Apply holistic approaches and scientific methods to find solutions to complex and interdependent environmental and societal challenges. Select and apply appropriate scientific methods, techniques and tools to systematically collect and accurately record data. Develop practical and cognitive skills to synthesise, critically evaluate, and interpret scientific data and other information to draw rigorous conclusions and solve problems with intellectual independence.
GA2: Creativity Select and apply appropriate scientific methods, techniques and tools to systematically collect and accurately record data. Develop practical and cognitive skills to synthesise, critically evaluate, and interpret scientific data and other information to draw rigorous conclusions and solve problems with intellectual independence.
GA3: Ethical practice Develop reflective practice in the context of learning, professional development and ethical practice in science. Demonstrate professional judgement, ethical behaviour, academic and research integrity, and an understanding of relevant professional standards and regulatory frameworks.
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Develop practical and cognitive skills to synthesise, critically evaluate, and interpret scientific data and other information to draw rigorous conclusions and solve problems with intellectual independence. Demonstrate broad and well-developed knowledge of the theory and application of scientific principles and techniques.
GA5: Lifelong learning Develop practical and cognitive skills to synthesise, critically evaluate, and interpret scientific data and other information to draw rigorous conclusions and solve problems with intellectual independence. Develop reflective practice in the context of learning, professional development and ethical practice in science. Demonstrate collaborative skills and cultural competencies, including Indigenous perspectives.
GA6: Communication and social skills Apply holistic approaches and scientific methods to find solutions to complex and interdependent environmental and societal challenges. Develop practical and cognitive skills to synthesise, critically evaluate, and interpret scientific data and other information to draw rigorous conclusions and solve problems with intellectual independence. Effectively communicate scientific knowledge, arguments and conclusions clearly and coherently to a range of audiences using well-developed oral and written communication skills and a variety of media.
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate collaborative skills and cultural competencies, including Indigenous perspectives.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Apply holistic approaches and scientific methods to find solutions to complex and interdependent environmental and societal challenges.

Select and apply appropriate scientific methods, techniques and tools to systematically collect and accurately record data.

Develop practical and cognitive skills to synthesise, critically evaluate, and interpret scientific data and other information to draw rigorous conclusions and solve problems with intellectual independence.

GA2: Creativity

Select and apply appropriate scientific methods, techniques and tools to systematically collect and accurately record data.

GA3: Ethical practice

Develop reflective practice in the context of learning, professional development and ethical practice in science.

Demonstrate professional judgement, ethical behaviour, academic and research integrity, and an understanding of relevant professional standards and regulatory frameworks.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate broad and well-developed knowledge of the theory and application of scientific principles and techniques.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Develop reflective practice in the context of learning, professional development and ethical practice in science.

Demonstrate collaborative skills and cultural competencies, including Indigenous perspectives.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Apply holistic approaches and scientific methods to find solutions to complex and interdependent environmental and societal challenges.

Effectively communicate scientific knowledge, arguments and conclusions clearly and coherently to a range of audiences using well-developed oral and written communication skills and a variety of media.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate collaborative skills and cultural competencies, including Indigenous perspectives.

Students may choose to undertake an optional internship placement at career-relevant workplaces.

Online students must complete on-campus compulsory residentials for some units (please see Notes for relevant units in the Course Structure/Progression section).

Students will choose from one of the following specialisations:

Environment

Marine

Agriculture

The Bachelor of Science is characterised by practical field experience in all years, making use of our easy access to a variety of subtropical terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Online students must complete on-campus compulsory residentials for some units (please see Notes for relevant units in the Course Structure/Progression section).

Location	Teaching period	UAC code	QTAC code
Lismore	Term 1, Term 3	N/A	N/A
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour	Term 1, Term 3	N/A	N/A
Online	Term 1, Term 3	N/A	N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Category	Score
Overall	6.0
Listening	minimum 5.5
Reading	minimum 5.5
Speaking	minimum 5.5
Writing	minimum 5.5

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Science, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

9 core units (108 credit points), and
1 specialisation in Environment or Marine or Agriculture (132 credit points), and
4 equivalent option units (48 credit points).

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code

Unit Title

Available

Credit points

Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

SCIN1004

Planet Earth

Term1,5

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term1	Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour	Term1	Term1
Online	Term1,5	Term1,5

ENVR1006

Effective Communication of Science

Term1,5

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term1	Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour	Term1	Term1
Online	Term1,5	Term1,5

BIOL1005

Cells and Molecules

Term2,3

Bachelor of Science

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

Start Date

Duration

Location

Placements

ATAR

Inherent Requirements

Language Requirements

Entry Requirements

Course abbreviation

Course code

Credit points

Equivalent units

Indicative Fee

Overview

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Placements, work experience and study hours

Specialisations, majors and minors

Availability

Requirements

Entry requirements

Language requirements

Course requirements

Course structure

Marine

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Environment

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Agriculture

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Note 1:

Note 2:

Core Units

Environment Specialisation

Marine Specialisation

Agriculture Specialisation

Option Units