Program Overview

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Overview

The Bachelor of Science is a three-year degree, in which you will complete 24 subjects, of which some will contribute to your major (your chosen specialisation).

Incredibly flexible, you can choose to begin your specialisation immediately, if you have decided on your major, or in second year after completing foundational subjects in first year. We can help you build the degree that’s right for you by providing career advice and guiding you through your study options to ensure you reach your career goals.

To support your learning, you will participate in practical classes in our new purpose-built Sciences Teaching Facility in the Science Precinct of the Wollongong campus. In addition, you will complete a research project tackling real problems, such as analysis of pollutants in water leachate and the chemical composition of vapes, all while developing and showcasing your employability skills.

See the course handbook for more information.

On completion, high-performing students considering further study or a career in research should consider the Bachelor of Science (Honours). This one-year degree offers students a pathway to expand their knowledge in chemistry and achieve their research aspirations.

Ecology and Conservation Biology (major)

Gain specialist skills sought after in a wide range of organisations when you pursue conservation biology and ecology at UOW. You will study interactions among organisms and their environment and learn to apply an understanding of these interactions for managing and protecting species and ecosystems.

Using the latest scientific knowledge, tools and techniques you will learn in both laboratory and outdoor settings. Ecologists and conservation biologists work across all scales of biology, from molecules within organisms to populations of organisms and the ecosystems they form.

You will learn to develop solutions across the areas of biodiversity, conservation, ecology, evolution, genetics, marine biology, medical research, and molecular biology.

Careers

• Conservation Scientist
• Ecologist
• Environmental Officer
• Natural Resource Manager
• Park Ranger
• Sustainability Specialist
• Wildlife Biologist
• Zoologist

Accreditation & professional recognition

Graduates qualify to apply for membership of relevant professional societies, such as the Ecological Society of Australia.

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for future students. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must achieve the required score in a previous qualification, equivalent to completing at least 13 years of schooling in Australia.

To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

English Language Requirements

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

• English Test: IELTS Academic
• Overall Score: 6.0
• Reading: 6.0
• Writing: 6.0
• Listening: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0
• English Test: TOEFL (Internet-based)
• Overall Score: 70
• Reading: 18
• Writing: 18
• Listening: 17
• Speaking: 17

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

Workload

• Full-Time Study Load: As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

Fees

• International Course fees table
  • Campus: Wollongong
  • Delivery method: On Campus
  • Session fee: $18936 (2025)
  • Course fee: $ (2025)

• Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

Key dates

• Autumn Session, 2025 at UOW
  • Application Deadline: See important dates for more information
  • Orientation: Check your campus details
  • Session: 03 March - 27 June 2025
• Autumn Session, 2026 at UOW
  • Application Deadline: Applications must include all required documents to be considered complete. If submitted late, your application may be reviewed for a future session if a decision cannot be made in time for your preferred session.
  • Session Details: For more detailed information like enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates.

Indicative enrolment

The tables below contain information on the 2024 commencing student cohort, which indicates the likely profile of students for 2025.

Student profile

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2024.

• Student profile table
  • Applicant background: Higher education study
  • 2024 intake: 84
  • 2024 intake (%): 45%
  • Applicant background: Vocational education & training study
  • 2024 intake: 11
  • 2024 intake (%): 6%
  • Applicant background: Work & life experience
  • 2024 intake: <5
  • 2024 intake (%): <5
  • Applicant background: Recent secondary education
  • ATAR Only: 15
  • 2024 intake (%): 8%
  • ATAR plus additional criteria: <5
  • 2024 intake (%): <5
  • Other criteria only (non-ATAR): 56
  • 2024 intake (%): 30%
  • Applicant background: International students
  • 2024 intake: 16
  • 2024 intake (%): 9%
  • All students: 185
  • 2024 intake (%): 100%

ATAR profile

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ATAR-based admission.

• ATAR profile table
  • ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2024: Highest rank to receive an offer
  • ATAR: 95.75
  • Selection Rank: 99.95
  • ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2024: Median rank to receive an offer
  • ATAR: 76.3
  • Selection Rank: 77.78
  • ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2024: Lowest rank to receive an offer
  • ATAR: 61.15
  • Selection Rank: 65.65

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