Develop your passion for innovation and make a genuine difference to your community and the environment. Undertake real-world research in unrivalled locations including the World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and dry savannahs.

Access state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities, like JCU’s The Science Place. Experience a leading-edge education from the world’s best institution for marine and freshwater biology studies and biodiversity conservation*.

JCU students have the opportunity to tailor their degree to suit their passion. Learn the fundamentals of science in your first year, then select one or two specialisations to continue to build knowledge and skills in your chosen discipline.

Expand your knowledge by choosing to study a minor or include elective subjects in your degree. Throughout your degree, you will develop key employability skills in your chosen science discipline.

Graduate with valuable hands-on experience and distinguish yourself with your breadth of knowledge and skills.

Earth Science

Offered on both the Cairns and Townsville campuses, access the biodiverse region of North Queensland. Gain relevant practical skills by studying and assessing the surrounding environments such as both the Wet and Dry Tropics, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Experience field trips where you will collect, analyse and interpret data. You will gain a thorough understanding of the effect of humans on the natural environment and build skills to develop solutions to lessen the impact. With access to the JCU Fletcherview Research Station, you will learn about resource and environmental impact assessment, mine site rehabilitation, and soil and water science.

With an understanding of how to develop cost-effective and innovative techniques for environmental management, job opportunities exist in many sectors. You can work as a consultant, in government or industry. Potential career options could include geologist, geographer, hydrologist, soil scientist, climatologist, environmental scientist or oceanographer.

Career Opportunities

JCU Science graduates are broadly skilled and equipped to work across a variety of fields. They have the advanced analytical skills needed to enter the workforce and make a meaningful impact on the world.

Depending on your area of specialisation, you could work in a growing number of fields including aquaculture, fisheries management, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, mining, or biotechnology.

You could be employed in roles such as geologist, environmental scientist, oceanographer, mathematician, marine or molecular and cell biologist, physicist, ecologist, conservationist or rehabilitation scientist, environmental and policy consultant, wildlife consultant or chemist.