1. Faculty of Science
  2. Home
Faculty of Science

Science at Melbourne

The My.Science app can help you with your subject choices for the Bachelor of Science.

Read more

HomeStudy with usCurrent StudentsResearchEngage with usAbout Us

Science at the University of Melbourne attracts the best and brightest from around Australia and internationally. Taking in research and teaching in the biological, chemical and physical sciences, we offer a range of degrees, with over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

  • Bachelor of Science

    The most flexible science degree in Australia - 1 degree, 40 majors, unlimited career opportunities. Learn about the course structure, our majors, and how to apply.

  • Graduate courses

    Find the Masters, PhD, Diploma or Certificate course that will take you where you want to go.

  • Our world-class research

    With world-renowned scientists, state-of-the art facilities and a strong culture of industry collaboration, the Faculty of Science is finding solutions to the issues that matter most.

  • Where can science take you?

    Meet our diverse students and graduates to see where a science degree could lead you.

Highlights

  • Virtual Fair

    Join us online in April to find out what makes the University of Melbourne No. 32 in the world overall and No. 7 for employability.

  • Meet a scientist who leads outside the lab

    Having an undergraduate in science and a postgraduate in business really gives me a complementary skill set and a deep knowledge in both areas. - Sarah Last

  • Meet Melbourne

    We're visiting regional centres in Victoria and Tasmania from March - May. Click here to see when we're coming to your town.

News from science at melbourne

Published: 10 Apr 2018

Prof James McCaw featured on ABC Radio National

Professor James McCaw was recently featured on ABC Radio National discussing the importance of mathematical modelling of infectious diseases.

Published: 05 Apr 2018

The First Fleet and Australia’s unforgiving weather

Passengers onboard the First Fleet received a harsh introduction to their new home’s climate before they even landed. Their diaries and letters reveal just how hard it was.

Published: 05 Apr 2018

Quantum boost for medical imaging

Physicists have demonstrated how, using light, a diamond layer and quantum mechanics, they could potentially “light up” our molecular insides for more powerful MRIs.

Published: 20 Mar 2018

The genes that turn malaria into a killer

A small group of proteins are associated with the most severe strains of malarial infection and their discovery is a step towards a vaccine against the deadliest forms of the disease.

Published: 16 Mar 2018

A brief history of Hawking’s scientific legacy

Professor Stephen Hawking changed the way we understand the universe and leaves a legacy of theory ranging from black holes to the quantum effect on time.

Published: 16 Mar 2018

It’s not just antenna size, but scales that matter for lonely male moths

Male moth antennae act like sieves, separating female sex pheromones from environmental dust.

Published: 15 Mar 2018

Ashley Fletcher attends COP23 in Germany

Master of Environment student Ashley Fletcher got a taste of the highs and lows in the battle to implement a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when she represented the University of Melbourne at the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Germany in November.

Published: 14 Mar 2018

Trailblazing for women in science

The first female chemistry professor in Victoria, Frances Separovic forged her career against the odds, and has just been named a ‘trailblazer’ on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Published: 07 Mar 2018

Will water ever be worth more than oil?

Is water a commodity or a right? Cape Town could be the first of many cities around the world to experience the reality of water demand far outstripping supply

Published: 06 Mar 2018

Extinct Tasmanian tiger now back in 3D

Using 3D scanning, researchers are peeking under the preserved skin of Tasmanian tiger specimens to reconstruct its growth and development

Published: 04 Mar 2018

Forecasting flu outbreaks

New software based on statistical probability principles is helping forecast our flu season, and could also identify the level of threat of a bioterrorist attack

Published: 02 Mar 2018

Protecting our coasts naturally

Nature could offer better protection for our coastlines than hard, grey concrete - as we face the effects of climate change like rising sea levels

Published: 28 Feb 2018

The tip of the CRISPR iceberg

CRISPR, biology’s methodological wunderkind, is becoming synonymous with the controversial field of human gene editing. But it’s revolutionising much wider scientific discovery too.

Published: 26 Feb 2018

The threatened species in our urban jungle

Far from being a biodiversity wasteland, urban environments are home to some of Australia’s most threatened species

Published: 23 Feb 2018

Smart-er meter policy

A new report argues that changes are needed for a consumer-focussed smart meter rollout.

Published: 23 Feb 2018

Miss Lambert’s Thylacine skull

Pioneering women zoologists and explorers played an instrumental role in natural history collections around the world

Published: 23 Feb 2018

Grasshoppers: The new poster bug for insect conservation

Land clearing has all but wiped out Key’s matchstick grasshoppers in Victoria, but there is hope for this uniquely Australian insect

Optiver interns

Published: 02 Feb 2018

Maths students trade study for trading

Over the recent summer holidays, four maths students from the Faculty of Science undertook a Trading internship at Optiver, a leading technology driven trading firm based in Sydney.

Young Indians

Published: 31 Jan 2018

The problem with being young in India

In this podcast, Jane Dyson, Glyn Davis and Craig Jeffrey discuss the plight of unemployed young people in India.

Published: 23 Jan 2018

New Creswick Heritage Walk takes in University of Melbourne Creswick Campus

University of Melbourne’s Creswick campus is one of two new private land partners included in the Creswick Heritage Walk, which was launched in December.

Sienna logo

Published: 16 Jan 2018 under News

Sienna teams up with University of Melbourne to provide future innovators hands-on experience

Sienna Cancer Diagnostics has hosted Master of Biotechnology Industry Projects for the last three years. Read this story from Sienna on how our Biotech students are helping them deliver on their strategic goals.

Published: 11 Jan 2018

Grace Boxshall, 2017 Muriel Ramm Science Bursary awardee

Master of Science (BioSciences) student Grace Boxshall was the 2017 recipient of the Muriel Ramm Science Bursary, which is helping support her living costs during her research project on variable toxicity in species of Agaricus mushroom.

Ruchir Raman

Published: 09 Jan 2018 under News

Master of Biotechnology student published in peer reviewed journal

Master of Biotechnology student Ruchir Raman has written an article that was published in the respected Taylor & Francis journal GM Crops & Food.

Jetsons

Published: 03 Jan 2018 under Pursuit

Sounds like Science Fiction

Some of the technological innovations of 2017 sound more like sci-fi, but according to the brains behind a few of them, the future is still full of surprises

Bring your passion for science and engineering, and join our scientific leaders in the search for solutions to today's most challenging problems.

Search our courses

  • Bachelor of Science

    The most flexible science degree in Australia - 1 degree, 40 majors, unlimited career opportunities. Learn about the course structure, our majors, and how to apply.

  • PhDs and Masters by research

    Start your research career here with a graduate course at Melbourne.

  • Masters by coursework, Diplomas and Certificates

    Find the Masters, Diploma or Certificate course that will take you where you want to go.

  • Which major is right for you?

    Are you confused about which of our 40 majors you'll pick in your BSc? We're here to help.

Why study science at Melbourne?

When you study science at Melbourne, you'll be joining the best and brightest students from around Australia and the world.

Whether you're starting out with a Bachelor of Science, taking your professional career to the next level with a coursework-based Masters, or focusing on research with a PhD or research Masters, you'll learn from staff at the forefront of their field.

We rank #1 in Australia for Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy, Statistics, Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Computer Science. In all fields of science, we rank in the top 3 in Australia, and in the world's top 50. (QS World University Rankings, 2017)

And while we're talking rankings, in Melbourne, you'll be living in the heart of the world's most livable city (The Economist, 2017).

We offer a comprehensive range of science areas, so you can tailor your studies to suit your goals. And we know that university-based learning is only half the story. We offer industry internship placements, internship subjects, field trips and opportunities for overseas study.

Welcome! Here you'll find the Faculty of Science's resources for current students.

For any enquiries about your course, get in touch with Stop 1.

Contact Stop 1

  • Planning and orientation

    • Orientation - Science: Day 1
    • Plan your BSc - getting started
    • Plan your BSc - continuing students
    • Orientation - Graduate student welcome
    • Graduate student resources
  • Get support

    • Scholarships, awards and prizes
    • Learning skills
    • Mentoring program
  • Expand your horizons

    • Study overseas
    • Volunteering and leadership
    • Science clubs and societies
    • In2science - mentoring in schools
    • Science student ambassadors
    • Science in Schools
  • Prepare for work and further study

    • Internship subjects
    • Map Your Future
    • Industry and careers events
    • Job Ready short course
    • Research project subjects
    • Where can science take you?
    • Graduate courses

News and events for science students

  • Volunteering: learning beyond the classroom

    When I started my university life at just 17 years and 5 months old, I was very immature and naive about the reality of my academic goals and future career prospects. I had known that I wanted to study a Bachelor of Science but also believed I was on my way to obtaining a PhD in particle physics.

    19 Apr 2018 News
  • PhD: A reflection on Year 1

    In a couple of weeks I’m facing the first major milestone of PhD – confirmation. During this process my academic preparedness and the quality of my research idea will be assessed. At this point in my project, it’s a good time to reflect on my experiences over the past year, and provide some insights to prospective or new students.

    12 Apr 2018 News
  • Faculty of Science Thesis Boot Camp

    Expressions of Interest for the Faculty of Science Thesis Boot Camp are now open. Late stage graduate research candidates are encouraged to apply.

    11 Apr 2018 News
  • My mentoring experience

    This time last year, I was freshly-arrived in Melbourne, having enrolled in a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, and though I had spent many an afternoon researching Science at Melbourne, even venturing onto the second page of Google once, I realised there is only so much you can gain from webpages and brochures.

    22 Mar 2018 News
  • BSc student talks about his exchange experience

    My name is Oliver Murray and I attended Rutgers University in New Jersey (NJ), USA for Semester 2, 2017. I loved this spot because it was situated in a college town that had mostly students living there both on and off campus, and it was only a 50-minute train ride from New York City.

    21 Mar 2018 News
  • A checklist to rock your first assessment

    We hope you're having a great time settling into the first weeks of your course. We also hope you’ve been trying out a few active learning methods such as preparing for lectures, taking notes and setting up a self-study schedule.

    08 Mar 2018 News
  • Classroom Antarctica takes to the skies

    In February a group of school kids got a lesson in physics while experiencing the stunning beauty of a flyover of Antactica.

    07 Mar 2018 News
  • 3 tips for Science undergraduates joining the workforce

    Science alumnus Jonathan Ling, now a Digital Analyst at Accenture, took to Linked In to share his advice for science undergraduates on life after university.

    28 Feb 2018 News
  • Careers Festival, 5 - 9 March

    Do you want a head start in your career? The Unimelb Careers Festival is new in 2018 and will feature a week-long schedule of careers & employability events. Get advice about how to work on your career, meet potential employers and learn about the industries of your prospective employers before you finish your course.

    22 Feb 2018 News
  • The First Five

    In the last edition of Under the Microscope, we gave you a check list of all the things we wish we had known when we started at the University of Melbourne. In this edition, we want to share an amazing resource our friends at Academic Services have created.

    22 Feb 2018 News
  • Under the Microscope - getting started

    Your (un)official guide to starting out at University

    08 Feb 2018 News
  • Under the Microscope…Study Resolutions

    It has happened to all of us. We have woken up on the morning (or afternoon) of the 1st of January and thought about the things we’re going to do differently this year.

    08 Feb 2018 News
  • Maths students trade study for trading

    Over the recent summer holidays, four maths students from the Faculty of Science undertook a Trading internship at Optiver, a leading technology driven trading firm based in Sydney.

    02 Feb 2018 News
  • Science: Day 1

    Been offered a place in the Bachelor of Science for 2018? Congratulations! Now for the next step: attending Science: Day 1. Come along to learn all about what the BSc can offer you, and how you'll choose your subjects.

    19 Dec 2017 News
  • Welcome to new graduate students

    We welcome all students beginning a graduate coursework degree to an orientation session on Monday 19 February. Depending on your graduate program, there will also be other orientation sessions for you.

    15 Dec 2017 News
  • Planning your BSc for new students

    The process of choosing your first-year subjects may appear daunting, but don’t worry, we have lots of resources to support you through this important process.

    15 Dec 2017 News

Staying in touch

Don't forget to read our e-newsletters, BSci-NEWS and GradSci-NEWS, sent to all current students.

To stay up to date between editions, like our Science Student News page on Facebook.

With a reputation as a global research leader, with world renowned scientists, state-of-the art facilities and a strong culture of industry collaboration, the Faculty of Science is finding solutions to the issues that matter most.

Engage with us

  • Industry engagement

    Research collaborations, technology licensing, student internships and more.

  • PhD and Masters degrees

    Start your research career here with a graduate course at Melbourne.

  • Find a researcher

    Search our academic staff directory to find a supervisor, collaborator or expert.

  • Research events

    What's on in Science at Melbourne, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions and launches.

Research themes

Research in the Faculty of Science falls into these broad themes:

Biotechnology
Environmental Sciences
Environment, Earth & Climate Sciences
Evolutionary Biology
Forests, Fires & Landscape
Fundamental Physical, Chemical & Mathematical Sciences
Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences
Nanoscience & Materials
Plant Biology & Improvement
Social & Environmental Change
Sustainable Cities

  • Schools

    Our schools and institutes are the engine rooms of our research.

  • Research centres

    Our research centres create the critical mass required for the discovery and development of solutions to society's major issues.

  • Facilities, resources and equipment

    Our world-leading technology platforms, facilities and research services.

What are our research stars working on today?

Research stories

  • Your grandchildren may retire before we have gender equality in science

    University of Melbourne research has found the gender gap for women working in STEMM could remain for generations without intervention.

    19 Apr 2018 Science Matters
  • The mind behind prize winning science

    Professor Jacques Miller from WEHI and the University of Melbourne has been recognised with a prestigious Japan Prize for his pioneering immunology research.

    11 Apr 2018 Science Matters
  • Quantum boost for medical imaging

    University of Melbourne quantum physicists demonstrate a new technique to potentially 'light up' our molecular insides to produce more powerful MRI scans.

    28 Mar 2018 Science Matters
  • A brief history of Hawking’s scientific legacy

    Stephen Hawking left a legacy to science; a University of Melbourne expert looks at what he left behind, from gravitational waves to imaginary time.

    15 Mar 2018 Science Matters
  • It’s not just antenna size, but scales that matter for lonely male moths

    University of Melbourne research finds some male moths have evolved intricate scale arrangements on their antennae to enhance detection of female sex pheromones

    14 Mar 2018 Science Matters
  • Trailblazing for women in science

    The University of Melbourne's Frances Separovic was Victoria's first female chemistry professor and has now been included on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

    09 Mar 2018 Science Matters
  • Will water ever be worth more than oil?

    As Cape Town runs dry, could water ever become more valuable than oil? University of Melbourne experts discuss the possibility of water demand exceeding supply.

    05 Mar 2018 Go Figure
  • The genes that turn malaria into a killer

    University of Melbourne experts have discovered a group of proteins associated with the deadliest forms of malaria; this finding could help protect children.

    27 Feb 2018 Science Matters
  • The First Fleet and Australia’s unforgiving weather

    In her new book, Dr Joëlle Gergis from the University of Melbourne looks at the history of Australia's harsh climate, from the arrival of the First Fleet to now

    22 Feb 2018 Science Matters
  • Extinct Tasmanian tiger now back in 3D

    University of Melbourne experts have scanned and modelled preserved Tasmanian Tiger joeys, allowing them to reconstruct the marsupials' growth and development.

    20 Feb 2018 Science Matters

The Faculty of Science values strong relationships with our alumni, supporters and the wider community. We are committed to bringing science to the community and creating excitement about scientific research and discovery.

We invite all friends and supporters to engage with us and help us to continue being Australia's leading scientific teaching and research hub.

  • Alumni

    Being a valued member of our community doesn't stop at graduation. Stay connected with a community of over 50,000 Science Alumni.

  • Science in Schools

    We provide professional development for science and careers teachers, high-quality communications to secondary students about courses and careers, and activities for students with a passion for science.

  • Giving to Science

    Your gifts enable us to continue a tradition of teaching and research excellence.

  • Industry engagement

    Research collaborations, technology licensing, student internships and more.

  • Events

    What's on in Science at the University of Melbourne, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions, launches and more.

  • International collaborations

    The Faculty has strong international connections through both research collaborations and student exchanges and is actively pursuing new opportunities in curriculum development.

We are one of the most highly regarded science faculties in Australia, and throughout our history have been recognised internationally for our role in expanding the frontiers of knowledge for the betterment of society.

Contact us

Karen Day
Professor Karen Day - Dean of Science

Comprising seven schools, the Faculty offers a range of undergraduate, honours, graduate and research degrees; enrolling over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

We have a history of leadership in research, innovation, teaching and learning and play an important role in Australia's participation in the global knowledge economy.

The Faculty of Science is a thriving, passionate and internationally networked community. We are proud of who we are and our achievements.

Faculty of Science at a glance

  • About the Faculty

    • Leadership team
    • Welcome from the Dean
    • History
    • Community engagement
  • Schools

    • BioSciences
    • Chemistry
    • Earth Sciences
    • Ecosystem and Forest Sciences
    • Geography
    • Mathematics and Statistics
    • Physics
  • Courses

    • Bachelor of Science
    • Other undergraduate courses
    • Graduate coursework
    • Graduate research
  • Locations and facilities

    • Parkville campus
    • Burnley campus
    • Creswick campus
    • Facilities, resources and equipment
    • Museums and collections

Read about our research

  • Science Facebook
  • Science Twitter
  • Science YouTube
  • Contact us
  • Staff Intranet

Support Us Give to Science

Faculty of Science

  • Research
    • Research Themes
      • Biotechnology
      • Environmental Science at Melbourne
      • Environment, Earth & Climate Sciences
      • Evolutionary Biology
      • Forests, Fires & Landscape
      • Fundamental Physical, Chemical & Mathematical Sciences
      • Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences
      • Nanoscience & Materials
      • Plant Biology & Improvement
      • Social & Environmental Change
      • Sustainable Cities
    • Partnerships
      • Australian Research Council Centres
      • Collaborations
      • ResearchLinks
      • Research Institutes
    • Facilities and Research Centres
      • Research Centres
      • Facilities, resources and equipment
    • Science Matters
  • Current Students
    • Academic Skills
    • Associate Degree in Urban Horticulture
    • Careers in Science
      • Where can a BSc take me
      • Melbourne Careers
    • Getting started in your graduate degree
    • Graduate Science English-Language Development Program
    • Graduate Student Resources
    • Industry and Careers Events
    • Internship subjects
      • Science and Technology Internship Subject (Bachelor)
      • Science and Technology Internship Subject (Masters)
      • International Internship in Environment
      • Associate Degree in Urban Horticulture Internship
      • Forest Internship Project
      • GeoScience Industry
      • Industry Project in Biotechnology
    • Job Ready
    • Map Your Future
      • Events
      • Tips
    • Meet our Students and Alumni
      • Agricultural Sciences
      • Biological Sciences
      • Chemistry
      • Earth Sciences
      • Engineering
      • Environment
      • Geography
      • Health Sciences
      • Mathematics and Statistics
      • Physics
      • University Experience
      • Alumni
    • Mentoring at Melbourne
    • My.Science App
    • Plan your BSc - Continuing students
      • Course Planning Videos
      • Quota Subjects
      • Science and maths as breadth (Non-BSc Students)
    • Plan your BSc - Getting started
    • Research Project Subjects
    • Science Student Ambassadors
    • Science: Day 1
    • Student Clubs and Societies
    • Student newsletters
    • Study overseas
    • Volunteering and Leadership
      • Science Delivery
  • Study with us
  • News
    • Sounds like Science Fiction
    • Sienna teams up with University of Melbourne to provide future innovators hands-on experience
    • The problem with being young in India
    • Grasshoppers: The new poster bug for insect conservation
    • Miss Lambert’s Thylacine skull
    • The threatened species in our urban jungle
    • The tip of the CRISPR iceberg
    • Protecting our coasts naturally
    • Forecasting flu outbreaks
    • Extinct Tasmanian tiger now back in 3D
    • Will water ever be worth more than oil?
    • Trailblazing for women in science
    • It’s not just antenna size, but scales that matter for lonely male moths
    • A brief history of Hawking’s scientific legacy
    • The genes that turn malaria into a killer
    • Quantum boost for medical imaging
    • The First Fleet and Australia’s unforgiving weather
  • Research events
  • About
    • Our Schools
    • Our Locations
    • Our History
    • Museums and Collections
    • Contact Us
  • Engage
    • Alumni
      • Stay Connected
      • Get Involved
      • Science Alumni
    • Giving to Science
      • Ways to Support
      • Botany Foundation
    • Science in Schools
    • Industry engagement
      • Science student internships
      • Biotechnology industry projects
      • Industry research collaboration and linkages
    • Global Opportunities
      • Melbourne-Potsdam PhD program
      • Blended BSc
  • Search
  • Intranet
  • Current Students
  • Library
  • Staff