The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science (Plant Science)
Nationally Recognised Higher EducationForget solar panels and Tesla batteries, the true solar energy and storage powerhouses of the world are plants. Study the big and the small: from single-celled algae (the solar factories of the oceans), to giant eucalyptus trees, ancient ferns, the crop plants that supply most of the world's nutritional needs, or the plant toxins that might be the basis for the next life-saving drug. Plant science (also called botany) can take you in as many directions as there are plants – from agriculture to horticulture, and from conservation to biotechnology.
Through this major you’ll develop a comprehensive knowledge of the biology of plants, from cells and molecules to evolution and the environment. You’ll also learn field and laboratory skills used in plant science. You’ll explore how plants’ solar-powered food and oxygen factories work, and delve into issues such as how plants respond to climate change, the diversity of marine organisms and ecosystems, genomics and proteomics, and the evolution and ecology of Australian flora.
Delivery mode
The University of Melbourne offers this course through the following delivery modes:
On campus
Work with instructors and classmates in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Locations
- Grattan Street, Parkville
Entry requirements
Domestic Students
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Prerequisites
These are the subjects (with minimum scores) you must have completed to be eligible for entry to this course.
Units 3 & 4: A study score of at least 25 in English/English Language/ Literature or at least 30 in EAL, and at least 25 in Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics, and in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics; OR A study score of at least 25 in English/English. Language/Literature or at least 30 in EAL, and at least 25 in both Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics.
English language proficiency
All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements, you can satisfy the English language requirements in a number of ways. If you have an English-speaking background or education, you need to check that you meet our requirements here. If you are not from an English-speaking background or education, you need to meet the English Language requirements through IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson Test of English (academic) or Cambridge English (CAE).
Completed secondary education recently (within the past two years)
Applicants are selected according to academic merit, in the form of the ATAR or notional ATAR calculated by the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre. Courses which select primarily on ATAR will have minimum ATARs set in advance, and you can only be selected below this point if you have additional criteria to be considered.
Completed some or all of a higher education qualification
Applicants are selected according to academic merit, usually in the form of the weighted average mark. If you have completed any higher education study, a weighted average mark (WAM) (weighted according to the point value of the individual subjects) is calculated. Your WAM is calculated across any undergraduate and graduate coursework study you have undertaken. Any research study undertaken is considered in addition to your WAM.
Completed some or all of a VET qualification
To be considered for entry, your study must be at Diploma or Advanced Diploma level and in a discipline relevant to the course you are applying for. If this is not the case, assessment will be based on other study completed (typically secondary results).
Applicants with work and/or life experience
Applicants in this category typically fall into one of the following categories:
- Applicants with non-recent secondary education (older than the last two years). If you have secondary study from the last seven years, see the section for applicants with recent secondary education.
- If your last study was more than seven years ago, see the information about the non-school leaver entry pathway.
- Applicants with an overseas secondary qualification
- Applicants who are eligible for the non-school leaver entry pathway
- Indigenous applicants who don’t fit into one of the categories described above but are assessed as likely to succeed in the proposed course, see additional information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people below
Course fees
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Science (Plant Science) will prepare you for the following roles.
Plant Pathologist
A Plant Pathologist investigates plant diseases and disorders to understand their causes and develop strategies for their management. You might wor...
Agronomist
An Agronomist works with farmers to improve the quality of their crop or livestock. You’ll analyse agricultural production to observe problem issue...
Geneticist
A Geneticist studies genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. You might work in a laboratory, research facility, or hospital. Geneticist...
Botanist
A Botanist studies plants of a particular species or a particular geographical area. You might carry out field work and perform tests on a range of...
Crop Scientist
A Crop Scientist studies and improves crop production and quality. You might work in research institutions, agricultural companies, or government a...
Horticulturalist
A Horticulturalist works in a range of different fields to cultivate green areas or help other people select plants. You might work with farmers to...
About The University of Melbourne
Welcome to the University of Melbourne. We are Australia’s leading research university, with a 165-year-long tradition of higher education in the arts, sciences and numerous professional disciplines.
At Melbourne, we take delight through our on-campus teaching and graduate online programs in helping undergraduate and postgraduate students from Australia and many other countries to achieve globally recognised qualifications. The educational experience here prepares well-rounded graduates who are academically outstanding and practically grounded.
We also support and encourage internationally-connected research collaborations around basic and applied problems, in the hope of changing the world for the better.
