Faculty of Science

Complementary majors

Connect your career interest to our majors

Do you have a science career in mind but unsure of which pathway to take? Study the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies and choose from more than 40 science majors. Combine your primary major with a complementary major or minor from either the science pool or shared pool. The shared pool offers majors from faculties across the University.

Use our complementary majors as a guide to help you identify which majors complement each other to help you achieve your career goals.

For more information about specialist science courses, combined and double degrees as well as professionally accredited courses visit the Faculty of Science.

Where can a science degree lead?

Discover career opportunities

Field of study

Agriculture and food production

Develop expertise in the multidisciplinary world of agriculture and food by examining how living systems are managed, how they interact with the environment, and how they contribute to our economic and social systems.

  • Agriculturist
  • Agricultural business manager
  • Agronomist
  • Aquaculturist
  • Biosecurity researcher
  • Horticulturist
  • Marketer of agricultural products
  • Soil scientist
  • Plant breeder
  • Plant geneticist

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in agriculture and food production. 

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Animal Health, Disease and Welfare Accounting
Animal production Econometrics
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology** Economic Policy
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Economics
Environmental Science *
 Environmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics
Environmental Studies Finance
Food Science Financial Economics
Genetics and Genomics*
 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Geography International Business
Marine Science Management and Leadership
Microbiology** Marketing
Plant Production Project Management
Plant Science Sustainability
Soil Science and Hydrology  
Wildlife Conservation (minor)   

*A major in Environmental Science is only available to students enrolled in the Environmental Science program.

**You can choose to complete the Life Sciences program if you are considering a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;  Genetics and Genomics; or Microbiology.

If you are interested in agricultural science take a look at the Bachelor of Agricultural Science in this specialist degree you will combine core study with one of the following majors:

Animal health

Transform your love for animals into a fulfilling career. Study animal health and welfare to learn about different animal species, their importance for people and the environment, and the challenges we face in contemporary conservation.

  • Animal breeding program manager
  • Animal health and quarantine manager
  • Animal health and reproduction
  • Animal health and welfare professional
  • Animal nutritionist
  • Animal ethicist
  • Animal nutritionist
  • Aquaculturist
  • Marine biologist
  • Marine ecologist
  • Marine scientist
  • National Parks and Wildlife services officer
  • Veterinarian (with further study in our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in animal health.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans

Complementary
Science Majors 

Complementary
Shared Pool Majors 

Animal Health, Disease and Welfare

Environmental, Agricultural 
and Resource Economics

Animal Production

Infectious Diseases

Anatomy and Histology

Sustainability Minor

Biology

  

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology*

  

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

  

Environmental Science **

  

Environmental Studies

  

Food Science

  

Genetics and Genomics*

  

Immunology and Pathology

  

Marine Science

  

Microbiology*

  

Pharmacology

  

Wildlife Conservation (minor)

  

*You can choose to complete the Life Sciences program if you are considering a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;  Genetics and Genomics; or Microbiology.

**A major in Environmental Science is only available to students enrolled in the Environmental Science program.

Interested in veterinary science? The Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine offers a specialised study pathway. 

You may also be interested in completing one of the following specialist degrees:

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans.

Biology and life sciences

Biology holds the key to solving some of the greatest challenges our planet faces. You can investigate a multitude of life forms from viruses, bacteria and protozoans, to fungi, plants and animals, including humans.

  • Animal Ethicist
  • Biochemist
  • Biosecurity Scientist
  • Biosecurity Researcher
  • Biotechnologist
  • Ecologist
  • Entomologist
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Histologist
  • Immunologist
  • Medical Researcher
  • Microbiologist
  • National Parks and Wildlife Services Officer
  • Pathologist
  • Plant Biologist
  • Reproductive Technologist
  • Molecular Geneticist
  • Reproductive Biologist
  • Taxonomist

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in biology and life sciences. 

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Anatomy and Histology Anthropology
Animal production Criminology
Animal Health, Disease and Welfare Indigenous Studies
Applied Medical Science Project Management
Biology  
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology*  
Chemistry  
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology  
Environmental Science **
  
Environmental Studies  
Food Science  
Genetics and Genomics*
Health  
Immunology and Pathology  
Geography  
Infectious Diseases  
Immunology and Pathology  
Life Sciences (program)  
Marine Science  
Medicinal Chemistry  
Microbiology*  
Pharmacology  
Plant Production  
Plant Science  
Physiology  
Soil Science and Hydrology  
Statistics  
Wildlife Conservation (minor)

*You can choose to complete the Life Sciences program if you are considering a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;  Genetics and Genomics; or Microbiology.

**A major in Environmental Science is only available to students enrolled in the Environmental Science program.

Chemical sciences

Chemistry is often called the central science because it provides a basis for understanding other scientific disciplines. Studying this central science will arm you with valuable knowledge of chemicals and chemical processes that underpin nature, technology, medicines and consumer products. 

  • Biochemist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Chemist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Laboratory technician
  • Materials scientist
  • Nanotechnologist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Science teaching and academia
  • Toxicologist

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in the field of chemical sciences.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Criminology
Chemistry Education Studies
Medicinal Chemistry Sustainability
Pharmacology Writing Studies (minor)
Environmental Science*  
Environmental Studies  
History and Philosophy of Science  

*A major in Environmental Science is only available to students enrolled in the Environmental Science program.

Environment and natural resources

Immerse yourself in the study of our world. Your studies will take you from the laboratory to the rainforest, the desert and even underwater.

  • Electricity, gas, water, and waste services
  • Energy and natural resource exploration
  • Environmental and coastal protection scientist
  • Environmental consultancy, urban planning, and heritage management
  • Environmental health officer
  • Marine and atmospheric research

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in environment and natural resources.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary Science Majors Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Econometrics
Chemistry Economic Policy
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Environmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics
Environmental Studies Project Management
Environmental Science* Socio-legal Studies
Genetics and Genomics Sustainability
Geology and Geophysics Urban Studies
Geography  
History and Philosophy of Science  
Marine Science  
Microbiology  
Plant Science  
Soil Science and Hydrology  
Wildlife Conservation (minor)  

*A major in Environmental Science is only available to students enrolled in the Environmental Science program.

Food and nutrition science

Whether you’d like to strengthen food security, become a practising nutritionist or dietician, or make the next agricultural discovery, there's endless career opportunity in food science.

  • Food scientist
  • Food engineer 
  • Product development specialist 
  • Nutritionist 
  • Public and community health
  • Food and beverage development
  • Food processing

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in food and nutrition.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary Science Majors Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Food Science Environmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics
Health* Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Microbiology International Business
Neuroscience Management and Leadership
Nutrition Science Marketing
Pharmacology Project Management
Psychological Science Sustainability
Plant Production  

*This major is only available as a Table A major to students enrolled in the Health Stream, but is available as a Table S major to all other students.

Bachelor of Science (Health) This stream includes a major in health and you’ll need to select a minor or second major from the science or shared pool to complete the requirements of this degree.

Geosciences

Geosciences will provide you with an understanding of the governance framework in which your professional career will operate, including the fundamental aspects of sustainability, environmental assessment, law, ethics, development, energy use, economics and politics.

  • Aerospace engineer
  • Earth monitoring from space
  • Exploration for critical and base metals
  • Geochemist
  • Geodesist
  • Geomagnetician
  • Geophysicist
  • Palaeontologist
  • Teaching and academic careers (with further study)
  • Seismologist

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in geosciences.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary Science Majors Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Chemistry Archaeology
Data Science Education Studies
Environmental Studies Environmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics
Computer Science Project Management
Environmental Science *
 Sustainability
Environmental Studies  
Geology and Geophysics  
Geography  
Marine Science  
Mathematics  
Physics  
Statistics  

*A major in Environmental Science is only available to students enrolled in the Environmental Science program.

History and philosophy of science

Studying the history and philosophy of science is an ideal way to critically engage with science and its social and cultural significance.

  • Government, research, and academic careers
  • Journalism and science communication
  • Science administration
  • Science education
  • Scientific policy and reporting

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in the history and philosophy of science.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
History and Philosophy of Science Education Studies
  Digital Cultures
  Philosophy
  Sociology
  Socio-legal Studies
  Sustainability
  Urban Studies
  Writing Studies (minor)

Human health and medical sciences

Health is one of Australia's fastest growing employment sectors ad graduates are in high demand. 

  • Biomedical Research
  • Biostatistician
  • Dentist (with Further Study)
  • Diagnostician
  • Dietitian
  • Doctor (with Further Study)
  • Drug Development
  • Epidemiologist
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Geneticist
  • Genome Scientist
  • Government and Private Industry Consultant
  • Health Promotion, Public Relations and Marketing
  • Histologist
  • Immunologist
  • Medical Administrator
  • Medical Science Researcher
  • Microbiologist
  • Neuroscientist
  • Nutritional Scientist
  • Nutritionist
  • Pathologist
  • Pharmacist
  • Physiologist
  • Psychiatrist (with further study)
  • Public Health
  • Virologist


The following table includes complementary majors for careers in human health and medical sciences. 

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary Shared Pool Majors
Anatomy and Histology Anthropology
Applied Medical Science Business Information Systems
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology* Cultural Studies
Biology Digital Cultures
Chemistry Disability and Participation
Data Science Hearing, Speech and Communication
Genetics and Genomics* Indigenous Studies
Food Science Linguistics
Health ** Management and Leadership
Immunology and Pathology Political Economy
Human Movement Project Management
Infectious Diseases Philosophy
Medical Science Physical Activity and Health
Medicinal Chemistry Sociology
Microbiology*  
Nutrition Science  
Neuroscience  
Pharmacology  
Physiology  
Psychological Science  
Virology (minor only)  

*You can choose to complete the Life Sciences program if you are considering a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;  Genetics and Genomics; or Microbiology.

**This major is only available as a Table A major to students enrolled in the Health stream, but is available as a Table S major to all other students.

You may also be interested in completing one of the following streams in the Bachelor of Science:

  • Bachelor of Science (Health) This stream includes a major in health and you’ll need to select a minor or second major from the science or shared pool to complete the requirements of this degree.
  • Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) This stream includes a program and major in medical science and you’ll need to select a minor or second major from the science or shared pool to complete the requirements of this degree.

 

Mathematics and statistics

Maths and statistics underpin every part of our world, including science, technology, business, commerce, the environment and human nature.

  • Bioinformatician
  • Biostatistician
  • Business analyst
  • Data scientist
  • Deep learning engineer
  • Economic modeller
  • Energy forecaster
  • Financial analyst
  • Health planner
  • Journalist policy adviser
  • Market analyst
  • Quantitative analyst in banking
  • Researcher
  • Statistician
  • Teacher (with further study)

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in mathematics and statistics. 

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans.

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary Shared Pool Majors
Chemistry Business Analytics
Computer Science Business Information Systems
Data Science* Digital Cultures
Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms Finance
Environmental Science ** Financial Economics
Environmental Studies Sustainability
Financial Mathematics and Statistics*  
Genetics and Genomics  
Geography  
History and Philosophy of Science  
Mathematical Modelling and Computation  
Mathematics*  
Neuroscience  
Pharmacology  
Statistics*  

*If you are enrolled in the Dalyell Stream you can choose to complete the Mathematical Sciences program.

**A major in Environmental Science is only available to students enrolled in the Environmental Science program.

Psychology

You will learn the intricacies of human behaviour from our leading psychologists and scientists. 

  • Biopsychologist
  • Clinical, forensic, organisational or sports psychologist (with further study)
  • Environmental psychologist
  • Human resource development manager
  • Learning and attention researcher
  • Management consultant
  • Market researcher
  • Neuropsychology
  • Organisational consultancy professional services
  • Private practice
  • School counsellor or counselling psychologist
  • Social policy analyst

The following table includes complementary majors (also available as minors) for careers in psychology. 

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Psychological Science* Anthropology
Neuroscience Criminology
Biology Digital Cultures
Health** Disability and Participation
Data Science Education Studies
  High Performance in Sport
  Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
  Marketing
  Sociology
  Socio-legal Studies
  Writing Studies (minor)

*You can choose to complete the Psychology program if you are considering a major in Psychological Science.

**This major is only available as a Table A major to students enrolled in the Health stream, but is available as a Table S major to all other students.

You may also be interested the Bachelor of Psychology. This degree has a specialised study pathway that includes the Psychology Program, a major in Psychological Science and your choice of a minor from the shared pool.

Physical sciences

With access to supercomputers, modern laboratories, research facilities and observatories locally, nationally and internationally, we provide an exceptional environment in which to learn, collaborate and thrive.

  • Astrophysicist
  • Astronomer
  • Data scientist
  • Journalist
  • Policy advisor
  • Medical physicist (with further study) in our Master of Medical Physics
  • Meteorologist
  • Nanotechnologist
  • Physicist
  • Research scientist

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in physical sciences.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans. 

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Physics* Project Management
Chemistry Writing Studies (minor)
Computer Science  
Data Science**  
History and Philosophy of Science  
Mathematical Modelling and Computation  
Mathematics**  
Statistics**  

*You may also be interested in the Astrophysics program if you are considering a major in Physics

**If you are enrolled in the Dalyell Stream you can choose to complete the Mathematical Sciences program

Technology

Improvements and developments of new technologies drive every facet of life today and will have an increasingly pivotal role to play in the world of tomorrow.

 

  • AI scientist
  • Computer scientist
  • Data scientist
  • Engineer
  • IT consultant
  • Nanotechnologist
  • Software engineer
  • Web analyst

The following table includes complementary majors for careers in technology.

Visit the Science Undergraduate Handbook for degree requirements, unit of study tables and sample study plans

Complementary
Science Majors		 Complementary
Shared Pool Majors
Chemistry Business Information Systems
Computer Science Computer Systems
Data Science Digital Cultures
Neuroscience Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Mathematical Modelling and Computation  
Physics*  
Software development  

*You may also be interested in the Astrophysics program if you are considering a major in Physics