Study area
Natural and Physical Sciences
Our State's biodiverse and varied landscape is the perfect location to gain the knowledge and experience required to maintain balance in our natural environment. Whether you’re interested in protecting the environment, improving healthcare, developing new technology and materials, or deciphering the universe, your studies in Natural and Physical Sciences will set you up for a rewarding career in science and technology.
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Register your detailsLed by our award-winning researchers, inspirational leaders and expert academics, you’ll be immersed in the hands-on side of natural and physical science with opportunities to use and control high precision instruments in our laboratories, on field trips and in real-world work placements with hospitals, industry and government research organisations.
Your studies will involve the crucial technical skills in data analysis, visualisation, interpretation and technological skills – all of which are essential in growth industries such as science, technology, engineering and finance.
Top five reasons to study Natural and Physical Sciences at UWA
1. We have 100+ units offering practical work experience where you'll gain hands-on industry-relevant experience and skills
2. Get career-ready with our strong industry, business and government networks including Alcoa, BHP, CSIRO, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Kings Park and Perth Zoo), Fortescue, Rio Tinto, WA Museum, Woodside, and more
3. Be recognised – a number of our courses are accredited by the likes of the Australian Institute of Physics, the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine, and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
4. UWA is in the World Top 50 for Agriculture and Forestry, Earth and Marine Sciences, Geology, Geophysics (QS WUR by Subject 2024), and Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Oceanography (ARWU 2023)
5. You'll gain access to leading learning facilities including the Bayliss Building, Biomolecular Interactions Facility, The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, The Square Kilometre Array radio-telescope, and supercomputing facilities through The Pawsey Centre and iVEC@UWA
World-class facilities
Some of your classes will be held at EZONE, providing you with an unparalleled experience, building an innovative and collaborative culture based on a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) capability like no other in the country.
The Bayliss Building is an impressive five-storey facility that's the largest and most technically complex building on our campus. Home to the School of Molecular Sciences, the building was named after Emeritus Professor Sir Noel Stanley Bayliss (1906-1996), an eminent Australian chemist whose name was given to the mineral 'baylissite'.
You'll also have access to leading facilities including the Biomolecular Interactions Facility, The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, The Square Kilometre Array radio-telescope, and supercomputing facilities through The Pawsey Centre and iVEC@UWA, along with close links and ties with hospitals, industry and government research organisations.
Where our graduates go
My current role as Water Quality Specialist Graduate supports the management of water systems (specifically groundwater extraction, wastewater management and data integrity) at our iron ore mining camps.
Outside my professional life, I have had many travel adventures since graduating to satisfy my marine cravings. I have volunteered for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ turtle monitoring program and dolphin conservation program. I also regularly travel to coastal regions where I can snorkel, especially with animals (like manta rays), develop new skills (kitesurfing) and learn about other Pacific cultures, such as the different local conservation programs in the Fiji islands."
Industry snapshot
Study in this area gives you the skills and knowledge to make a real contribution to the challenges facing humanity. Scientists study the universe, its properties, the life that exists within it and the laws that govern it. Discipline areas range from cutting-edge pure and applied science to new multidisciplinary fields.
Potential careers
- Agricultural Scientist
- Astronomer
- Biologist
- Business Consultant
- Chemist
- Climate Change Adviser
- Clinical Scientist
- Data Scientist
- Environmental Consultant
- Forensic Scientist
- Geneticist
- Geologist
- Marine Biologist
- Mathematician
- Policy Analysist
- Geneticist
- Zoologist
Undergraduate courses
Natural and Physical Sciences covers a wide range of disciplines including agriculture and environment, biology and chemistry, earth and ocean sciences, physics and mathematics.
- Comprehensive degrees
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Agriculture and Environment majors
- Agribusiness
- Agricultural Science
- Agricultural Technology
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Geographical Sciences
Biology and Chemistry majors
- Anatomy and Human Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Conservation Biology
- Genetics
- Marine Biology
- Zoology
Earth and Oceans majors
Physics and Mathematics majors
- Specialised degrees
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Agriculture and Environment
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Bachelor of Agribusiness
- Agribusiness and Agricultural Science (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science
- Agricultural Science and Technology (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Biological Science
- Wildlife Conservation (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Environmental Science
- Environmental Science and Ecology (Extended Major)
- Environmental Science and Management (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Geographical and Spatial Sciences
- Geographical and Spatial Science (Extended Major)
Biology and Chemistry
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Bachelor of Biological Science
- Biodiversity and Evolution (Extended Major)
- Plant Biology (Extended Major)
- Wildlife Conservation (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Earth Sciences
- Geochemistry (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Molecular Sciences
- Biochemistry of Nutrition (Extended Major)
- Molecular Life Sciences (Extended Major)
Earth and Oceans
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Bachelor of Earth Sciences
- Geochemistry (Extended Major)
- Integrated Earth and Marine Science (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Marine Science
- Marine Science (Extended Major)
- Bachelor of Geographical and Spatial Sciences
- Geographical and Spatial Science (Extended Major)
Physics and Mathematics
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Bachelor of Mathematics
- Mathematics (Extended Major)
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Bachelor of Agribusiness
- Combined bachelor's degrees
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Agriculture and Environment
- Bachelor of Agribusiness and Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Science
Humanities and Social Sciences
- Combined bachelor's and masters degrees
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Agriculture and Environment
- Bachelor of Agribusiness and Master of Agricultural Economics
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Master of Agricultural Science
- Bachelor of Environmental Science and Master of Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Geographical and Spatial Science and Master of Environmental Science
Biology and Chemistry
- Bachelor of Biological Science and Master of Biological Science
- Bachelor of Biological Science and Master of Biotechnology
- Bachelor of Molecular Sciences and Master of Bioinformatics
- Bachelor of Molecular Sciences and Master of Biotechnology
- Bachelor of Molecular Sciences and Master of Biomedical Science
Earth and Oceans
- Bachelor of Earth Sciences and Master of Geoscience
- Bachelor of Earth Sciences and Master of Oceanography
- Bachelor of Geographical and Spatial Science and Master of Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Marine Biology
- Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Oceanography
Physics and Mathematics
- Minors
Postgraduate courses
- Master’s degrees
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Agriculture and Environment
- Master of Agricultural Economics
- Master of Agricultural Science
- Master of Biotechnology
- Master of Environmental Science
- Master of Environmental Economics (Online)
Biology and Chemistry
- Master of Bioinformatics
- Master of Biological Science
- Master of Biotechnology
- Master of Marine Biology
- Master of Biomedical Science
Earth and Oceans
- Master of Energy Geoscience
- Master of Geoscience
- Master of Hydrogeology
- Master of Marine Biology
- Master of Ocean Leadership
- Master of Oceanography
- Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
- Master of Ore Deposit Geology
Physics and Mathematics
- Short courses
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Our micro-credentials focus on skills that are in high demand by employers and industry – they are short and affordable so you can easily fit them into your lifestyle, with the flexibility to pick and choose what works for you.
Update, upskill or reskill; complete a one-off micro-credential or stack them up and convert them into credit towards an undergraduate or postgraduate course – the choice is yours.
Find out more about the micro-credentials offered in Natural and Physical Sciences at UWA Plus.
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