From classroom to field

Examining the natural world from the core of the Earth to its upper atmosphere.

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Most employable students

UNSW placed in the AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards

(AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023)

Ranked #2 in Australia

For research output in Earth & Environmental Sciences

(Nature Index Institution Outputs 1 Dec 2019 – 30 Nov 2020)

Within the Top 50 universities in the world

Environmental Sciences (#33), Geology (#30), Earth & Marine Science (#30)

(QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)

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Study areas

Biology

Biology is the science of life. Biologists explore how living organisms function, grow, evolve and relate to one another and the environment in which they live.

Climate science

Climate science explores the processes that change global, regional and local climates over time.

Earth science

Earth science is the science of the nature and evolution of our planet covering everything from the structure of natural crystals and formation of fossils to the powerful forces that drive earthquakes

Ecology

Explore how various organisms including mammals, invertebrates, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, plants and microbes interact with one another and with their environment.

Environmental management

By studying environmental management, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to help you create sustainable solutions to global problems such as climate change and biodiversity decline.

Geography

Study the earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. You'll learn how natural and built environments function and change over time.

Marine and coastal science

Explore all aspects of the marine environment, from biology to geology and the many sciences in between. This can be studied with an emphasis on biology, earth sciences, climatology or oceanography.

Our key research areas include ecology and evolutionary biology; climate science; ecosystem sciences, marine sciences and paleoenvironments and Earth history. Our research centres and facilities enable us to explore and understand the environment and the world around us.

Student life & resources

Join our Biological Sciences Society and Geosciences Society and immerse yourself in the vibrant and inclusive student life at UNSW Science. View our list of internships, volunteer opportunities and peer mentoring programs and get the support you need to settle in and succeed.

Engagement

UNSW Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences engages with high schools and the local community to support the needs of teachers and students. We’re part of Australia’s global university and we create innovative subjects and produce career-ready students. Explore all the ways you can engage with us.

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From classroom to field

Latest news

It’s official: Australia’s ocean surface was the hottest on record in 2024

Endangered quolls soar back to the wild

Escaping the summertime blueys

Waterbird numbers down almost 50% after drier 2024: aerial survey