Courses

Specialisation

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Anatomy

Anatomy is the study of the structure and function of the human body, including histology, embryology, gross anatomy and neuroanatomy.

Aviation

Aviation combines the study of science, aerospace technologies and management studies. The degree consists of two streams. Through the Flying Stream we produce skilled pilots trained to commercial standards. Graduates acquire a Commercial Pilots Licence, Air Transport Pilots Licence theory accreditation, a Command Instrument Rating and a Grade 3 instructor Rating. Our Management Stream consists of the academic core plus airline and air-traffic control management, security and safety.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that take place in living things. This field of study  encompasses a variety of important disciplines including DNA analysis, tissue transplants, immunology and environmental monitoring.

Biological Science

Biology is the study of living organisms. Fields of specialisation include Botany, Ecology, Marine Biology, and Zoology. These involve the study of how living things interact with the environment, conservation, behaviour, genetics, and evolution as well as many opportunities to conduct field work in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology involves the practical application of biological processes and biochemical molecules such as proteins DNA and RNA. Biotechnology is used in the environmentally friendly extraction of precious metals, treatment of sewage and pollution, development of new biomaterials for medical applications such as tissue engineering and innovative food products and processes.

Chemistry

Chemistry involves the analysis, design and synthesis of molecules. Teaching and research in chemistry looks to the future with an emphasis on molecular devices, therapeutics and green chemical technologies.

Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and the environment. To conserve our natural environment we need to understand ecology, how animals and plants interact with one another as well as their environment, either on land or in the sea.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science involves studying aspects of the world around us, our impact on it and how to maintain a sustainable balance with nature. This includes developing an understanding of the environmental aspects of biological, chemical and earth sciences; environmental assessment impacts and toxicology; and the social, economic and legal aspects of environmental issues.

Food Science and Nutrition

Food Science combines fundamentals with cutting edge science to optimise the quality and safety of foods through appropriate processing and packaging for a wide variety food markets. Consumers expect a safe, healthy, nutritious, appealing, low cost and convenient food supply and these are some of the challenges for Food scientists and technologists today. This degree can provide entry into food and related industries, and flexibility to allow transfer between programs.

Genetics and Molecular Biology

Genetics involves the study of evolution, inheritance, and gene transfer, usage and storage. This discipline has broad applications including biological research, agriculture, industry, managing harvested or endangered species and the study of human health and disease.

Geography

Geography examines environmental systems and their interactions with human activities. This discipline is essential for managing equitable and sustainable development both locally and internationally.

Geoscience

Geoscience is the study of earth processes, combining high technology with the outdoors. This programme can be combined with geography, biology, engineering or economics, and includes study of spatial information systems. This discipline has broad applications including exploration and development of mineral and energy resources; identification of natural hazards and solutions to environmental problems; engineering and groundwater studies.

History and Philosophy of Science

History and Philosophy of Science involves the study of how humans have explored and interpreted nature, and how human activities have been shaped by social and intellectual contexts. This includes investigating science in a socio-cultural context and consideration of ethical, political and economic issues raised by modern science and technology.

Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Medical Microbiology and Immunology investigates how the body combats invasion by disease-causing micro-organisms. This involves examining both the beneficial and harmful effects of infection and immune responses at the cellular, genetic and molecular level; and learning about allergy, transplantation, autoimmunity and current controversies in immunology such as vaccination.

Marine Science

Marine science can be studied with an emphasis on biology, ecology, earth sciences, environmental chemistry, oceanography or physical oceanography with wide applications including study of life in the oceans and estuaries; discovering how pollution alters the marine ecosystem; and examination of how oceans affect weather systems. Marine Science involves exploration of  our marine systems with opportunities for field work.

Materials Science

Materials Science involves the study and development of high performance materials including metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, electronic, nanomaterials and biomaterials. This can be applied to the engineering of new processes, customisation of innovative processing techniques and performance analysis.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a fundamental aspect of the understanding of nature, technology and commerce. Mathematics students are instructed in mathematic computing and have access to our high-tech computer laboratory. Advanced first year students can have the opportunity to be challenged in our talented students program.

Microbiology

Microbiology studies some of the smallest organisms. The study and understanding of microbes is a significant aspect of the food and pharmaceuticals industries, as well as environmental and medical fields. This discipline involves introduction to different micro-organisms, the molecular biology of bacteria, and understanding DNA and genetic techniques; and can include specialisation in parasitology, mycology, or virology and disease.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology involves study of the structure and behaviour of materials at a molecular level. This can impart the skills needed to control and exploit atomic structures to develop technologies like molecular computer devices and molecules that can detect particular bacteria or viruses. Along with the core science and technology components, there is also emphasis on economics, management and legal issues such as intellectual property and raising venture capital.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience involves the study of biological and behavioural aspects of the nervous system, and includes courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology and Psychology.

Optometry

Optometry is a heath care profession dedicated to improving and preserving eyesight. This program involves a combination of fundamental science with vision science. The later part of the programme involves developing clinical skills in problem solving and patient management. This includes learning about contact lenses, colour vision, low vision rehabilitation, ocular photography, children's vision assessment and ocular disease management. External clinic experience is also included.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the study of the interaction between drugs and living systems, particularly molecular interactions of drugs at the levels of organs, tissues and cells. This can be applied to the discovery, design and development of new drugs and optimisation of their use. This programme involves practical work, laboratory techniques, clinical and experimental pharmacology, and rational drug design.

Philosophy

Philosophy involves learning to think critically and reflectively, to assess modes of reasoning and argument. This includes the study of logic, metaphysics, environmental ethics, epistemology and philosophical foundations of artificial intelligence. Philosophy also covers fundamentals questions regarding life, language, knowledge and reality that have influenced patterns of thought in the sciences and as well as in the moral, social and political facets of societies now and in the past.

Physics (with Computing and Astronomy)

Physics is the study of the fundamental nature of the world around us, which can be applied to the development of new technology or to understanding the origins of the universe. UNSW School of Physics specialises in astrophysics, biophysics, and quantum physics. This programme of study can be applied to many different areas including nanotechnology, photonics or biophysics. Advanced students can take physics and astronomy or physics with computer science.

Physiology

Physiology involves the study of the systems of organs tissues and cells in the human body. This includes understanding fundamental properties of living systems, as well as abnormalities, disease processes and how the body responds to pregnancy, ageing and exposure to extreme conditions. This programme involves valuable practical and laboratory experience and investigation of cellular, cardiovascular, endocrine and neurological systems and processes.

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour. This includes understanding the relationships between the brain and behaviour; perception; learning and memory; the assessment of abilities and attitudes; the origins of personality and emotional states; the nature of social interactions; causes of abnormal behaviour; organisation psychology and forensic psychology.

Safety Science

Safety Science applies physical, health and behavioural sciences to issues associated with health, safety and well-being. This involves learning to identify, assess and control risks in a variety of settings, such as prevention of workplace accidents and diseases, or managing environmental impact.

Science Communication

Science Communications bridges the gap between scientists and non-scientists. This programme can provide skills vital for science communication, understanding the media and audiences, while at the same time focusing on an area of science major or two minors that interests you.

Statistics

Statistics is the science of using quantitative data for modelling and inference. Founded on mathematical probability, statistics is essential for interpreting data and decision-making based on data that are subject to uncertainty or error. There is a rich interplay of ideas between the theory of Statistics and fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Finance and Biological and Behavioural Sciences where statistical problems constantly arise.

Toxicology

Toxicology involves the study of adverse effects that chemicals can have on organisms and the environment and how these effects can be identified, assessed and controlled in occupational, medical and environmental settings. This programme includes studying a combination of life sciences, chemistry mathematics, physiology, pharmacology and safety science.

Vision Science

Vision Science combines the science of sight with technological applications to help improve vision. This involves the study of foundation sciences, introductory optics and anatomy, and later, exploration of ocular physiology, psychophysics, neuroscience and ocular disease. There are a wide range of topic areas of research and development.