You can search for courses, events, people, and anything else.
Get ready for a journey of discovery, with a Bachelor of Science - Pathway to Teaching (Primary/ Secondary) at Western.
This degree gives you what you need to take on a Master of Teaching, and become an inspiring science teacher of the future. Or if you decide that is not your path you could get involved in the exciting world of research or carve out a great career in industry, forensics, medical laboratories, the list goes on.
Note: Not all subjects are available on listed campuses. Please refer to our handbook for more information.
APPLY NOW FOR 2024
At Western, we care how you do in all aspects of your life. We believe your future is unlimited and together the possibilities are endless.
As the uni named number one in the world two years in a row – 2022 and 2023 for our social, economic and environmental impact in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, apply today to discover your unlimited potential and start at Western in 2024.
Science teaching at Western
Take your pick from a huge range of majors and minors, like Education, Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Environmental Science. Gain access to Western’s specialist facilities and state-of-the art teaching labs. Learn to solve complex problems by working with students in other disciplines.
Get real world experience.
Initial enrolment will be into the Bachelor of Science (major) Pathway to Teaching (Secondary)/(Primary) to gain the necessary learning areas to satisfy the NSW Education Standards Authority requirements for entry into teaching.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science majors pathway can transition into a Master of Teaching (Secondary)/(Primary) after demonstrating suitability for teaching.
Study in the Master of Teaching (Secondary)/(Primary) will concentrate on contemporary pedagogy to apply your discipline knowledge to a classroom setting.
This consecutive degree can give you access to a teaching career in 4.5 years (accelerated mode) or 5 years (full-time mode).
Completion of this program in 4.5 years involves study of the Master of Teaching component in 18 months in accelerated mode. A Master of Teaching is also available in normal full-time mode over two years (or part-time equivalent).
Depending on the major chosen, the Bachelor of Science component of this program is offered at Campbelltown, Hawkesbury and Parramatta campuses.
The full range of education minor subjects is offered at Bankstown and Penrith campuses with a selection of subjects at Parramatta campus and online. The Master of Teaching (Secondary) component is only offered at the Penrith campus. The Master of Teaching (Primary) component is primarily offered at Bankstown although a small selection of subjects are offered at the Penrith campus.
For all teaching programs: Western Sydney University reserves the right to vary teaching programs to enable students to meet any additional provisions in relation to teacher registration, which may be required by relevant external organisations.
Field days
Get a taste of what it’s like to work in the real world, with field-day visits throughout your degree.
Professional accreditation
Depending on your subjects, you could qualify to be a member of the Australian Society for Microbiology and Environmental Health Australia, the list goes on.
Top 50 Worldwide for THE Impact Rankings on Quality Education
Western is ranked 37th globally for Impact in Quality Education. The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022 are based on performance against the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Goal # 4 is Quality Education and measures universities’ contribution to early years and lifelong learning, their pedagogy, research and their commitment to inclusive education.

Program structure
Our program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.
Immersed in an approach that integrates social, economic and environmental values, students will view plant and animal production from consumer contexts to explore personal and community perceptions about food sustainability. This innovative course merges topics of agriculture, food and health to empower you to design solutions for international development, community education and the urban–rural interface. This major provides hands-on experience, developing confidence and giving graduates an excellent foundation for careers in: teaching, research, biotechnology and industry. Throughout study, engagement with industry and community will inspire you to take action towards a regenerative and more environmentally sustainable AgriFood future.
The flexibility of the course also enables students to combine their interest in AgriFood with other disciplines including animal science, data science, ecology, innovative foods, heath and business.
Interactions between people and animals are increasing due to our reliance on animals for companionship and food production. This major will enable you to develop a deep understanding of these issues, through studies of animal behaviour, animal health and welfare, animal nutrition, animal production, animal reproduction, and human-animal interactions. You will have access to diverse on-campus animal facilities including reptiles, native mammals, sheep, cattle and deer and off-campus organisations such as wildlife parks, zoos and farms.
A variety of exciting career paths are available to graduates of this program, including international opportunities in the many fields of animal science. Graduates of this degree can look forward to career opportunities as an animal welfare officer, life scientist, quarantine officer, animal journalist or can progress into pursuing a research career, teaching career or working in government and related industries.
This major provides a deep knowledge of physics and its applications. While also developing a grounding in mathematics and strong computing knowledge, the physics major assures understanding of the concepts, tools and techniques of physics including the interfaces where physics contributes to other scientific disciplines, and the use of physics in wider intellectual and social contexts.
Graduates of this degree can look forward to career opportunities as a medical laboratory scientist, forensic scientist, in government and related industries, in scientific and technical management or can pursue a research or secondary teaching career.
This major provides students with a broad knowledge base of biology from the molecular world to global ecosystem science with a focus on the sustainability of the natural world. The major allows students to use the learning beside a range of other diverse majors and is especially applicable to students who are considering teaching as a career. Students will have the opportunity to develop discipline knowledge alongside scientific laboratory and inquiry based skills. The major also includes developing strong communication and critical thinking skills, essential for the future role of biology graduates.
Graduates of this degree can look forward to career opportunities as a laboratory scientist, research scientist, in government and related industries or can progress into pursuing a research career or a career in secondary teaching.
A Bachelor of Science with a chemistry major will prepare you to take part in a process of inquiry, by both contributing to it and by using scientific knowledge to solve current problems. The Chemistry program provides a strong background in the key topic areas of contemporary chemistry, including aspects of chemical theory in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, with a strong emphasis on practical laboratory skills, and applications in contemporary research, industry and the environment. A research project is available to students in the final year of the degree preparing you for a professional career in a wide range of chemistry based industries. The degree allows for the completion of a second major or additional sub-majors and electives to diversify learning for the careers of the future.
Graduates of this degree can look forward to career opportunities as a research scientist, forensic scientist, or a scientist in environment, mining or manufacturing industries. Other opportunities can be found in pharmaceutical industries, health and food industries, in scientific and technical sales, consumer affairs or you can progress into pursuing a research or secondary teaching career.
The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the places we live, work and play all have major impacts on our health and well-being. The testamur major Environmental Health in a Bachelor of Science, will equip you to explore the diverse range of natural and built-environment challenges that confront us, from the mitigation of human health impacts of global climate change through to the more localised issues of air and water quality, waste management, food security, environmental noise and healthy communities. The major areas of study addressed within the major include air pollution; community studies; emergency management; environmental regulation and policy; environmental monitoring; environmental planning; environmental protection; epidemiology; food safety; noise, occupational environment; risk assessment; sustainable environmental management; toxicology; urban development and water pollution.
This major will provide students with a detailed understanding of the diversity of the animal kingdom. Students will develop a scientific understanding of how animals function and interact with their environment; from their ecology, behaviour and evolution; to the physiology and biochemistry of cells, tissues and major organ systems. On-campus animal facilities include those for reptiles, small marsupials and rodents, sheep and cattle, as well as over 1000ha of native, rural and aquatic habitats. This major will enable students to graduate with practical laboratory and fieldwork skills that will prepare you across a wide variety of disciplines in this field.
Graduates of this degree can look forward to career opportunities as a zoologist, in animal nutrition, in reproduction technology, genetics, behaviour and health, product development and physiology, scientific officer and science communicator. Other opportunities include pursuing postgraduate research study.
This major provides students specialised expertise in forensic science including methods of forensic analysis, crime scene investigation, forensic photography, forensic investigation, crime and criminal justice and complex cases. Career opportunities include forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, private investigators and consultants, police officers, drug analysts, researchers and academics, and specialised forensic science practitioners. The main employers of forensic scientists are State and Federal police services, State and Commonwealth Government Health Departments and analytical chemistry laboratories. Graduates will be versatile with a wide skills base with (depending on their choice of electives) potential for employment in analytical chemistry and microbiology, quality control and assurance, biochemistry and molecular biology, scientific research, education and the chemical industry.
This major will help you understand nutrition, and the science behind food in the largest business sector in the world.
A major in Innovative Foods will prepare you to be a leader in developing innovative, safe, healthy and sustainable foods. A solid foundation in the biological and chemical sciences, needed to underpin food science, will enable graduates from this program to be confident in the rapidly evolving food technology sector. Graduates can pursue opportunities in food formulation, food research and development, quality assurance, food plant management, food molecular biology, flavour chemistry, consumer relations, food quality assurance and teaching. The program is flexible and enables you to undertake units in human nutrition and health, food production, biotechnology, integrated management with industry and community links, with modern sensory and food processing facilities.
Graduates can pursue opportunities in food formulation, food research and development, quality assurance, food plant management, food molecular biology, flavour chemistry, consumer relations, food quality assurance and teaching.
Managing our environment sustainably requires professionals who are trained in new technologies across multiple disciplines, including biological and physical sciences, risk assessment, policy and management. Understanding how life interacts with water, soil and the atmosphere empowers us to develop sustainable management solutions for our most pressing environmental challenges. You will learn how to apply fundamental scientific knowledge to evaluate and mitigate the impacts of human activities on natural and managed ecosystems, including the built environment. You will have access to world class ecological and environmental research facilities, and will engage in hands-on, field-based learning, taught by a team at the cutting edge of research in this field.
As a graduate, you are prepared for a career in environmental management, consultancy and biological conservation.
Fees and delivery
Fees: Varies depending on subjects selected. View available subjects in our handbook.
For further information on University fees, please visit Fees and University Costs.
Delivery: On campus
Fees: AUD $35,280*
Delivery: On campus
Start your unlimited journey today.
Your career
For Science: Careers relevant to the majors chosen in Bachelor of Science.
For Teaching (Secondary/Primary): Teachers in government or non-government primary/secondary schools.
- Undertake a Master of Teaching and become a science teacher in a primary or secondary school
- Get involved in the exciting world of research
- Carve out a great career in industry, forensics, patents, quality control, environmental analysis, scientific instrumentation, medical laboratories, and technical management.
Your career

Primary School Teacher (K-6)
Primary School Teachers teach a range of subjects within a prescribed curriculum to primary school students and promote students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

Secondary School Teacher
Secondary School Teachers teach one or more subjects within a prescribed curriculum to secondary school students and promote students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

School Principal
School Principals plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the educational and administrative aspects of primary schools including physical and human resources.

Education Field Officer
Education Field Officers provide support to government funded teaching staff to support the access and participation of children with additional needs in inclusive programs. They offer consultative support, resourcing and advice to Primary School Teachers.

Curriculum Designer
Curriculum Designers are highly trained education professionals who determine the subjects, course outlines, teaching standards and instructional materials used in schools.

Training and Development Professional
Training and Development Professionals plan, develop, implement and evaluate training and development programs to ensure management and staff acquire the skills and develop the competencies required by organisations to meet organisational objectives.
World class facilities
Our new $30-million state-of- the art research facilities and labs include an imaging lab, instrumentation lab, polarisation microscopy systems, development systems for detecting fingerprints, specialised light sources, and cutting-edge photography technologies.
Crime scene house
Forensics majors can collect evidence and investigate realistic crime scenes at Western’s world-class training and research facility, Crime Scene House.

Apply now and start your unlimited journey.
Other study options
*The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum, unless the total duration of the program is less than 80CP. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.
** Lowest Selection Rank