So you’ve read our previous article explaining what it’s like studying a Bachelor of Science at Griffith University and now find yourself intrigued?
Keen to hear about the daily highs and lows according to an actual student? Well we got to chat with Rachel, a third year student majoring in Wildlife Biology, to give you just that.
Let’s dive right in!
Why should you study a Bachelor of Science at Griffith?
Top 3 Pros of a Science Degree
Top 3 Cons of a Science Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting a Griffith Bachelor of Science
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying a Griffith Bachelor of Science
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Bachelor of Science at Griffith?
A Bachelor of Science at Griffith University offers its students significant flexibility in regards to what they want to learn. The diverse range of majors, various opportunities to complete electives and ability to pursue a second major makes it the ideal course for anyone who is still trying to figure out exactly what science-related specialty they want to pursue.
Regardless of what specialty they choose, this degree prepares graduates for entry into an industry that is highly relevant to today’s world.
“When you think about it, everything comes down to science and so right now it has never been more important to get into that field,” Rachel says.
Top 3 Pros of a Bachelor of Science
#1: Griffith University’s environmental consciousness
According to Rachel, one of the best things about studying this degree is being at a university with such a strong focus on sustainability and protecting the environment.
#2: Great teaching staff
The teaching staff at Griffith University — particularly those in the Science faculty — are incredible. They are all very passionate about what they’re teaching and love to see students sharing that passion by asking questions and getting involved.
#3: It is a fun degree!
A Bachelor of Science is a genuinely fun degree. There are so many opportunities for students to think creatively and engage in activities which really challenge them.
“While it is difficult, it is a really fun degree. There are so many aspects of it that are hands-on and intellectually stimulating. It is just a really good and enjoyable degree for a lot of people to do,” Rachel says.
Top 3 Cons of a Bachelor of Science
#1: Exams
Like most degrees, students completing a Bachelor of Science must endure a fair few exams over the length of their course. Having to sit large, heavily-weighted exams which cover all of the content taught that year can get pretty stressful.
#2: High contact hours
The contact hours for this degree are pretty high. It is recommended that students complete 30-40 hours of work each week.
This number includes lectures, class-work and independent study. Managing this, on top of work and social commitments can be quite difficult — which is why it is so important to try and stay on top of your studies from the get-go!
#3: Lack of food and coffee places
Rachel says, “The food and coffee lacks a little on the Nathan campus.”
While she recognises COVID-19 restrictions as a potential reason for this, she also says that coffee is very important to university students and that having caffeine more readily available on campus would be a huge help!
Any regrets?
Rachel says that she doesn’t really have any regrets about choosing this degree. While there are a few classes she wished she had taken instead of others — overall, she wouldn’t change anything about her experiences so far.
“Honestly, no regrets. There’s maybe a few electives I wish I didn’t take, but then again, I’m sure the classes I ended up taking and didn’t really enjoy taught me something about myself anyway. You can’t go through the whole degree loving all of it, that’s just part of the process.”
What do you wish you had known before starting a Griffith Bachelor of Science?
Rachel says that she has grown a lot as a person since starting this degree and that she wishes she knew just how much her interests and future aspirations would change before starting the course.
“I wish I knew where it would take me and how I would feel at the end of the degree. I never thought I would want to continue studying afterwards, I thought I would just get the degree and get a job, but now I know I want to keep studying, stay in Science and stay in research.”
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?
While she doesn’t know a lot about what other universities are like, Rachel says that she did notice a difference between Griffith and other unis in the enrolment process.
She explains that while other universities required her to take bridging courses, she didn’t need to do that for entry into Griffith.
“I think that the barrier that universities sometimes put up to have the most elite students isn’t always inclusive to those who come from low socioeconomic areas, or who didn’t do well in high school. I think Griffith has their doors a little wider open for people. It just seems a lot more inclusive,” she shares.
What inspired you to choose a Griffith Bachelor of Science?
As mentioned before, Griffith’s Bachelor of Science has a strong environmental focus. It is a campus which privileges sustainability and the ethical treatment of the environment. Rachel says that this was one of the main reasons behind her decision to study this degree.
“I came from a background in fashion and I was just over its unsustainable culture. It felt like I was working completely against my morals and so I was inspired to go into an industry and a career that was more focussed around being more sustainable and accountable,” explains Rachel.
What are the possible career paths?
A Bachelor of Science has a vast array of career options for graduates. While eligibility for these future careers depend on which specialisation students choose to pursue as their major, some of the possible career options include:
- Biotechnologist
- Pharmaceutical scientist
- Biochemist
- Physicist
- Environmental scientist
- Marine biologist
Learn about other careers you can enter with a Bachelor of Science here!
Jessica Arentz is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and an undergraduate student at the University of Sydney where she studies a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) (Marketing). She currently volunteers at 2SER community radio station as a producer and newsroom reader. When not writing, you can find Jess searching the web for cheap flights or spending her days with her head buried deep in a book.
