Program Overview

Our Diplomas are equivalent to the 1st year of your La Trobe University degree – only with tailored learning and more support.

Diploma of Bioscience
The Diploma of Bioscience provides you with a foundational understanding of molecular biology, ecology, epidemiology and chemical reactions and analysis. You’ll also develop the statistical modelling and research skills required to succeed in a scientific career.

This Diploma will set you on the knowledge path to help solve global issues or advise on sustainable methodology and practices. You’ll learn about the structure, functions and interactions of living organisms from the molecular level upwards and begin to discuss some big issues such as climate change, pandemic regulation, the protection of endangered animals and disease treatment. 

Satisfactory completion of any Year 12 English and Mathematics is a prerequisite to this Diploma. Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Bioscience may be eligible to continue their studies in biotechnology fields at La Trobe University.

Gain direct entry into 2nd year of:

Bachelor of Science
More than ever, employers are searching for professionals with advanced STEM skills.* With job growth expected in this area* – including in areas that don’t even exist yet – there’s no better time to build the scientific skills you need to create a successful, interesting and satisfying career.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Science offers you foundational skills in science and the freedom to delve into your passions. Whether it's protecting endangered animals, developing new ways to treat disease or fighting climate change, you'll be ready to pursue your dream journey in science by tailoring your degree with a mix of majors and minors.

As you learn from leading academics and researchers, you'll take a deep dive into science – not only scientific concepts, but also how scientists think, work and share their findings.

Build skills in problem-solving, communication and collaboration – all highly sought after by employers – then use these skills to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Personalise your learning so you can spend time focusing on the areas that really interest you. Choose from majors in a range of fields, including botany, statistics, microbiology, genetics, data science and more, and learn from academics who are leaders in their fields.

You'll have opportunities to put theory into practice through work placements with our industry partners. Previous students have undertaken placements with CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science and various State and Federal Government departments.

You'll learn:

• Professional scientific thinking - Learn how science contributes new knowledge and finds solutions to problems in our society.
• Communicating as a professional scientist - Gain experience communicating to a range of audiences, both in written and verbal formats.
• Lab and fieldwork skills - Learn how to collect data and use specialist technical skills to develop new findings in the laboratory and in the field.
• Problem-solving and facing new challenges - Learn to develop solutions to complex scientific problems.
• Collaboration and working in teams - Collaborate and work effectively in teams to solve problems and achieve shared goals.
• Professional conduct and professional identity - Learn about ethical conduct when working as a scientific professional and how to promote and communicate your professional identity to potential employers and peers.

Major: Ecology
We depend on the environment for food, fresh air and water, recreation, inspiration and wellbeing, but every day we see how humans are altering and affecting the environment. If you want to contribute to a more sustainable future, a major in ecology gives you the skills and knowledge to make a difference on some of the ‘big issues’ facing humanity. Ecology examines the factors that drive the distribution and abundance of organisms in the environment. It provides a knowledge base for understanding how the environment ‘works’, for appreciating the complexity and diversity of the species and communities which share our environment, and for how we can better manage land and water for a more sustainable future. Ecology offers opportunities to contribute to global environmental issues – such as climate change, protecting threatened species, enhancing urban design, and more sustainable use of forests, water and farmland. Throughout this major, you’ll discover the diversity of plants and animals in Australia and their extraordinary adaptations to Australian environments, make your own observations on plants and animals and the complex relationships between species, learn about current and emerging threats to flora and fauna and ways to protect and manage threatened species, learn to ‘read’ landscapes, and understand how human land uses, climate and disturbance processes shape the environment. Build valuable skills in collecting, reading and evaluating data, communicating scientific concepts, making judgements about environmental issues, identifying plants and animal species, observing animal behaviour, and evaluating human impacts on landscapes. Working with your peers, you’ll also learn to design investigations. This major includes opportunities to do field work, experience different ecosystems, and directly observe real-world issues and environmental management. You’ll graduate with valuable skills and knowledge of how the natural environment ‘works’, the factors that influence the distribution and conservation of species and communities, and an appreciation for how we can better manage landscapes in the 21st century. This will equip you for a wide range of roles in natural resource management, including working with people and community groups, hands-on management of land and water, developing policy and plans, and undertaking surveys and investigations, and solving environmental problems.