Send me a PDF copyIn this course you will
- Gain real-world insight and experience with industry guest lectures, site visits and work experience opportunities.
- Combine theory and practice in plant and animal biology across study areas, including conservation, evolutionary biology, food security and biotechnology.
- Learn from teaching staff at the top of their fields internationally.
- Prepare yourself for various career options, such as animal management, plant breeding, entomology, marine biology, pest and disease management, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
In this course you will
- QUT is ranked ninth for biological sciences in Australia (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).
- Gain real-world insight and experience with industry guest lectures, site visits and work experience opportunities.
- Combine theory and practice in plant and animal biology across study areas, including conservation, evolutionary biology, food security and biotechnology.
- Learn from teaching staff at the top of their fields internationally.
- Prepare yourself for various career options, such as animal management, plant breeding, entomology, marine biology, pest and disease management, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Why choose this course?
Biology is the study of life and living things: animals, insects, plants, and microorganisms; everything that breathes, grows and feeds us.
Biologists are curious about all these things and want to know how they work, how to grow and protect them—how to get involved with life on this planet.
Biologists love a challenge. Can we use biological waste to solve our energy crisis? How can we protect our plants and animals from new and fiendish exotic diseases? How many rare species can we save from extinction?
This course provides a strong foundation in the core biological sciences such as physiology, genetics, zoology, plant sciences and microbiology. It is designed to be hands on, to develop problem-solving skills through active learning, and to give an early appreciation of the way that many disciplines can be brought to bear on a problem.
As well as receiving core training in the basics through the biology major, you can either add breadth to your degree by choosing a minor from a complementary discipline (for example, chemistry) or depth to your biological skills through a specialised minor such as biotechnology.
You will experience some of the most advanced laboratories and field work opportunities in Australia and be taught by staff who are at the top of their research fields internationally. You will also stay in touch with the real world, as guest lectures, site visits and opportunities for work integrated learning bring a strong industry flavour to the degree.
Other study options
Careers and outcomes
Graduates work in a wide range of public and private sectors jobs, and in environments including offices, laboratories, farms, fields, factories, cities and forests.
Laboratory-based careers may include laboratory management, basic research, forensic microbiology or molecular genetics. Farm and field-based work often entails animal management, plant breeding, entomology, marine biology, or pest and disease management. Industrial work can involve biotechnology to produce food, fuel or pharmaceuticals. Careers may also include science writing, teaching, policy development, or the commercialisation and management of biological products and processes.
Professional recognition
Professional recognition can be achieved through membership of an appropriate scientific society, such as the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Ecological Society of Australia, the Australian Society of Horticultural Science and others.
Possible careers
- Biologist
- Biomedical laboratory officer
- Cytologist
- Forensic biologist
- Government officer
- Inventor
- Laboratory assistant
- Marine scientist
- Microbiologist
- Plant biotechnologist
- Population ecologist
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $9,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $44,600 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: CSP $8,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $41,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Equity scholarships scheme
A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Struggling financially
QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
International Merit Scholarship
A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Oodgeroo Noonuccal Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarship
The Oodgeroo Scholarship Program promotes the pursuit of Indigenous Australian studies by supporting the education of Indigenous Australians.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Indigenous Australian
QUT Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship
A scholarship for innovative individuals who are engaged in their passion for entrepreneurial action.
- Scholarship eligibility
QUT Rising Sports Scholarship (including esport)
Opportunities exist for aspiring esports players to be part of an Oceanic leading program that embraces skill-acquisition, culture and academics.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance