Sciences
What's on offer for postgraduates?
Science is a large and diverse field. It is one of the few where most specialisations are still based on the pure academic disciplines. However, a more interdisciplinary approach is creeping into many programs and science departments, enabling scientists and students to apply a mix of scientific expertise to solve practical problems.
Most postgraduate coursework programs in the sciences, but not all, demand a science-based first degree for entry. There are an increasing number of graduate certificate and graduate diploma programs, in addition to the masters programs that have always been a popular option for science postgraduates.
Science is also one of the biggest, most advanced and most well-funded research fields in the country. Relative to its size, Australia is an impressive contributor to the world’s scientific research effort. Many postgraduate research students are focused on the traditional science disciplines but there are also many interdisciplinary and applied research opportunities provided by research centres (including the Commonwealth-funded Cooperative Research Centres) and the APA (Industry) scholarships which encourage research across disciplinary and organisational boundaries.
If you are contemplating a research degree in science you are likely to be better off looking at departments and schools with an established research program in your area of interest. You should also try to get a sense of where postgraduate researchers sit on the list of priorities and to check out the strengths and weaknesses of possible supervisors.
The experience and rewards
Visit the University Ratings section for science course ratings or to see how science rates in the Fields of Study Compared table.
According to the national Course Experience Questionnaire survey, recent science graduates were impressed with their teachers. Their employment prospects are a little below average and salaries are in the middle range compared with those in other fields.
For more information
Depending on your particular bent you may find specialisations of interest in a number of fields including agriculture , computing and information systems , environmental studies , engineering , rehabilitation , medicine and veterinary science .
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