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.
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.
Find the Masters, PhD, Diploma or Certificate course that will take you where you want to go.
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.
Meet our diverse students and graduates to see where a science degree could lead you.
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How do termite mounds filter methane (and what does this mean for climate change)? Find the answer and explore our cutting-edge research on Pursuit.
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
Published: 13 Feb 2019
Australia’s Nullarbor caves are a precious time machine to millions of years ago, and crucial to understanding our future climate. So, why aren’t they World Heritage listed?
Published: 01 Feb 2019
Nine members of the diverse Melbourne Science alumni community have been given Australia Day Honours.
Published: 21 Jan 2019
Scientists are calling for a herbicide banned in the European Union for the last 15 years to be withdrawn in Australia for its effect on male fertility
Published: 14 Jan 2019
Although scientific evidence says the Earth is a sphere orbiting the Sun, there are some people around who still think our planet is flat... and social media plays a role
Published: 11 Jan 2019
A new drug delays motor neurone disease progression and improves cognitive and clinical symptoms according to trial results announced by a spin-out company from the Florey and University of Melbourne.
Published: 14 Dec 2018
The Bushfire and National Hazards CRC and its predecessors have been supporting research in the Faculty of Science since 2013. Recently, the BNHCR gave funding for three projects out of the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences.
Published: 11 Dec 2018
Researchers have discovered a ‘blind spot’ in atomic force microscopy – a powerful tool capable of measuring the force between two atoms, imaging the structure of individual cells and the motion of biomolecules.
Published: 04 Dec 2018
The Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS) has awarded Professor Peter Taylor its highest honour, the George Szekeres Medal, and Dr Nicholas Beaton, Professor Jan De Gier, and Professor Tony Guttmann were awarded the prize for best paper.
Published: 30 Nov 2018
Faculty of Science researchers will share in more than $12 million dollars of funding from the latest ARC round of grants.
Published: 21 Nov 2018
Dr Roslyn Hickson has been recognised with the Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award for her research using mathematical modelling to predict the spread of disease.
Published: 13 Nov 2018
Published: 12 Nov 2018
Published: 09 Nov 2018
In 2019 the Faculty of Science is launching a tiered mentoring program for all Bachelor of Science students. A key component of this is The First Year Mentoring Experience, a peer mentoring program designed to support commencing Bachelor of Science students as they transition into tertiary study.
Published: 31 Oct 2018
Greater freedom of movement and investments in human rights and social opportunities can help protect humans from environmental threats like rising sea levels, new research says.
Published: 25 Oct 2018
Dr Hall was one of six early career researchers awarded a 2018 Victoria Fellowship in Physical Sciences by VESKI at an awards ceremony on 24 October.
Published: 25 Oct 2018
Ms Harcourt was honoured for her seminal work in integer linear programming and other contributions to the mathematical and statistical sciences.
Published: 22 Oct 2018
Some Australian birds can control their temperature and avoid overheating by reflecting near-infrared wavelengths of sunlight, regardless of their feather colour
Published: 16 Oct 2018
As the Hubble Space Telescope prepares to mark its 30th year, what can we expect from its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope?
Published: 16 Oct 2018
A new software tool predicts landslide boundaries two weeks before they happen
Published: 11 Oct 2018
Associate Professor Stephen Leslie, Dr Damjan Vukcevic and Dr Allan Motyer are part of the team that has published the world’s largest genetic study on humans.
Published: 10 Oct 2018
Ms Alison Harcourt, an 88 year-old statistician who works at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, was featured on the ABC 7.30 program on Monday night.
Published: 10 Oct 2018
Senator for Victoria, James Paterson, launched the new ARC Training Centre for Chemical Industries at the University of Melbourne on Friday 21 September.
Published: 14 Sep 2018
Seven University of Melbourne staff members and associates have been selected to participate in the Homeward Bound global leadership initiative for women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine).
Published: 13 Sep 2018
Associate Professor Wai-Hong Tham has been awarded the 2018 David Syme Research Prize - one of Australia’s oldest annual research awards - for her work towards a malaria vaccine.
Published: 13 Sep 2018
This is the first time I participated in the 3MT contest and I am amazed by how much I have learned in the process. Based on feedback from the judges and other participants, my talk has “evolved” a lot during the three rounds of competition. I feel like I have gained a great amount of clarity about my research, and this is very useful for my career and my PhD.
Published: 03 Sep 2018
From 2 – 11 July 2018, the Faculty of Science hosted a group of students and a travelling academic from the College of Environmental Science & Engineering at Peking University for a week-long study tour.
Published: 17 Aug 2018
Professor Karen Day, Professor David Gardner, and Professor Stuart Wyithe from the Faculty of Science have been awarded the title of Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor by the University of Melbourne.
Published: 16 Aug 2018
New economic modelling shows a US$23 trillion loss in global GDP, with the economies of many countries collapsing, if we allow global temperatures to rise by 4 degrees by 2100
Published: 16 Aug 2018
It’s the urban age for people – and for other species too – so it’s time to start planning for all the plants and animals that call our cities home
Published: 16 Aug 2018
Professor Antoinette Tordesillas teams up with former Chief Scientist of Australia and Group Chief Scientist of Rio Tinto Ltd. Professor Robin Batterham to develop a new software tool that can predict landslide boundaries two weeks in advance.
Published: 06 Aug 2018
The way Australia’s sleepy lizard reacts to water shortages gives us an insight into the effects of climate change on animals.
Published: 03 Aug 2018
Professors Jon Barnett and Madeleine van Oppen were among those awarded Laureate Fellowships by the Australian Research Council, with five Future Fellowships also awarded to Faculty of Science researchers.
Published: 03 Aug 2018
Science and Technology Australia (STA) has announced its 10 inaugural STEM Ambassadors, who will who will work to build deeper understanding by federal parliamentarians of the impact of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Australia.
Published: 26 Jul 2018
Congratulations to Dr Andrew Weeks and the Burramys Genetic Rescue Team for their nomination as a finalist in in the Research Innovation Category of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
Published: 26 Jul 2018
New evidence has raised concerns about the possibility of feral cats preying upon the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, with a cat detected on cameras at two nest boxes used by the possums.
Published: 24 Jul 2018
A new paper by Dr Sharmila Sur and Prof Kevin Walsh has found that tropical cyclones are forming further from the equator as the planet warms, bringing new regions into the zone of the intense storms, including parts of eastern Australia.
Published: 20 Jul 2018
The Faculty of Science recently hosted a group of students and a travelling academic from Peking University on a week-long study camp.
Published: 20 Jul 2018
As soon as exams were over for the Semester, 11 enthusiastic Faculty of Science students hit the road for the Science Delivery Winter Roadshow.
Published: 18 Jul 2018
The FREO2 low pressure oxygen system is live and has assisted a child in Mbarara, Uganda for the first time.
Published: 18 Jul 2018
Professor Madeleine van Oppen has helped edit a coral bleaching book, aimed at an academic audience.
Published: 18 Jul 2018
Twice a day, every weekday – millions of us spend time in cars, buses, trains and trams commuting. Although many of us hate it, the experiences of our daily journeys are transforming life in our cities
Published: 12 Jul 2018
Applications for the Faculty of Science John McKenzie Early Career Researcher (ECR) Award are now open. The award provides seed funding of $20,000 for early career researchers with an academic appointment in one of the Faculty’s seven Schools and aims to assist awardees to establish their research program, particularly in the Faculty, but also more broadly with partners external to the University of Melbourne.
Published: 06 Jul 2018
To celebrate 50 years of the July Lectures in Physics, we look back at four physics discoveries that have changed the world.
Published: 05 Jul 2018
There are only two female northern white rhinos left in the world, but the species could soon make a comeback thanks to assisted reproductive technologies and a little help from their southern cousins.
Published: 03 Jul 2018
Researchers have discovered the workings of wood-making cells inside trees, settling a century-old debate about how plants make bark and wood.
Published: 27 Jun 2018
Physicists have successfully run the largest quantum computing simulation to date, a key step in becoming quantum-ready.
Published: 15 Jun 2018
Professor Sue Thomas, CEO of the Australian Research Council, and representatives from major chemical companies, industry groups and partner universities joined University of Melbourne staff for a breakfast hosted by the ARC Training Centre for the Chemical Industries at the Woodward Conference Centre on Thursday.
Published: 14 Jun 2018
Dr Angela van de Wouw (School of BioSciences) and Dr Shu Kee (Raymond) Lam (Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences) received the prestigious ICM Agrifood Award at the ATSE Innovation Dinner, recognising their contribution to the Australian agriculture and food sector.
Published: 08 Jun 2018
For the first time, researchers have examined the long-term effects of removing tonsils and adenoids in childhood, finding the operations are associated with increased respiratory, infectious and allergic diseases.
Published: 08 Jun 2018
Melbourne researchers have been collecting blowfly samples from across Australia as part of the fight against flystrike.
Published: 07 Jun 2018
Scientists are looking inside plant cells to learn how wood is formed and how that process can help develop materials for the future.
Published: 07 Jun 2018
Inspired by how bees make collective decisions, researchers are exploring how crowdsourcing techniques may help intelligence analysts produce the best-reasoned analysis from the available data.
Published: 07 Jun 2018
Sarah Dickson-Hoyle has recently been awarded the Future Forests Fellowship from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, where she will complete her PhD studies in place-based fire management under the supervision of Dr Lori Daniels, a disturbance ecologist.
Published: 05 Jun 2018
Artificial lights have brightened the night in cities across the world and urban wildlife is being forced to adapt – but what happens when, after 3.5 billion years of evolution, light invades what should be darkness?
Published: 29 May 2018
A breeding experiment to genetically adapt quolls to resist toxic cane toads could lead to a new tool to help endangered creatures from corals to Tasmanian Devils.
Published: 22 May 2018
Professor Rachel Webster and Professor Lloyd Hollenberg from the School of Physics have been elected as new Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science for their outstanding contributions to science and scientific research.
Published: 16 May 2018
Hawaii’s Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes - but what does this recent eruption tell us about what’s going on deep underground?
Published: 11 May 2018
Two research projects, both from The Waterways Ecosystem Research Group (WERG) in the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, have been recognised in the 2018 University of Melbourne Excellence Awards.
Published: 10 May 2018
Professor Frances Separovic was the featured guest of the most recent Eavesdrop on Experts podcast. Speaking with presenter Dr Andi Horvath, she reflects on the road she has travelled, from school in Broken Hill to Deputy Director of the Bio21 Institute.
Published: 09 May 2018
MySwan, a long running citizen sciences project from the School of BioSciences, is now available as an app for download on iOS and Android.
Published: 03 May 2018
Associate Dean (International), Associate Professor Alex Johnson, recently received the 2017-18 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at Virginia Tech.
Published: 02 May 2018
Earth’s transition from a volcanic state to modern plate tectonics created super-stable rocks that are the source of much of our mineral wealth.
Published: 30 Apr 2018
University of Melbourne alumna Dr Marie Clark has taken part in a 3-week voyage to Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound program, an initiative to nurture the leadership and strategic capabilities of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Published: 30 Apr 2018
China’s Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark looks like a scene from Avatar, but it wasn’t created by computers; water, time and tectonics combined to create this other-worldly wonder.
Published: 30 Apr 2018
The gender gap for women working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) is likely to persist for generations, unless we take proactive steps.
Published: 10 Apr 2018
Professor James McCaw was recently featured on ABC Radio National discussing the importance of mathematical modelling of infectious diseases.
Published: 05 Apr 2018
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
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
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
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
Male moth antennae act like sieves, separating female sex pheromones from environmental dust.
Published: 15 Mar 2018
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
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
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
Using 3D scanning, researchers are peeking under the preserved skin of Tasmanian tiger specimens to reconstruct its growth and development
Published: 04 Mar 2018
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
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
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
Far from being a biodiversity wasteland, urban environments are home to some of Australia’s most threatened species
Published: 23 Feb 2018
A new report argues that changes are needed for a consumer-focussed smart meter rollout.
Published: 23 Feb 2018
Pioneering women zoologists and explorers played an instrumental role in natural history collections around the world
Published: 23 Feb 2018
Land clearing has all but wiped out Key’s matchstick grasshoppers in Victoria, but there is hope for this uniquely Australian insect
Published: 02 Feb 2018
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.
Published: 31 Jan 2018
In this podcast, Jane Dyson, Glyn Davis and Craig Jeffrey discuss the plight of unemployed young people in India.
Published: 23 Jan 2018
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.
Published: 16 Jan 2018 under News
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
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.
Published: 09 Jan 2018 under News
Master of Biotechnology student Ruchir Raman has written an article that was published in the respected Taylor & Francis journal GM Crops & Food.
Published: 03 Jan 2018 under Pursuit
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.
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.
Start your research career here with a graduate course at Melbourne.
Find the Masters, Diploma or Certificate course that will take you where you want to go.
Are you confused about which of our 40 majors you'll pick in your BSc? We're here to help.
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.
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.
Research collaborations, technology licensing, student internships and more.
Start your research career here with a graduate course at Melbourne.
Search our academic staff directory to find a supervisor, collaborator or expert.
What's on in Science at Melbourne, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions and launches.
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
Our schools and institutes are the engine rooms of our research.
Our research centres create the critical mass required for the discovery and development of solutions to society's major issues.
Our world-leading technology platforms, facilities and research services.
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.
Being a valued member of our community doesn't stop at graduation. Stay connected with a community of over 50,000 Science Alumni.
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.
Your gifts enable us to continue a tradition of teaching and research excellence.
Research collaborations, technology licensing, student internships and more.
What's on in Science at the University of Melbourne, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions, launches and more.
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.
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.