Explore careers in this discipline
Explore careers, employers and professional pathways related to your area of study. Select the discipline that most closely matches your area of study or an area of study you are interested in.
Discipline overview
Cell and molecular biology are one of the most rapid growth areas in science. This field incorporates fundamental components of biological and medical science and has an increasingly important role in many aspects of modern medicine, genetics, evolutionary biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. This major will provide you with the skills and knowledge to enter careers in biomedical science and the biotechnology industry.
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, and also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- communicate about their subject appropriately to a variety of audiences, including the general public, using a range of formats and approaches and employing appropriate scientific language
- solve problems by the most appropriate method
- identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities and perform in a manner appropriate to these roles, in particular those being developed through practical, laboratory and/or field studies
- develop an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of science and of the validity of different points of view.
- develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example, working independently, time management, organisational, enterprise and knowledge transfer skills)
Related occupations
Whether you are considering a number of career possibilities, are starting to think deeply about your career future or have a clear career idea in mind, it’s useful to explore the range of career possibilities available.
The following list is of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation). Note that some of these graduates have undertaken further study:
- University Academic and Research Staff
- Applications Scientist
- Biology Assistant
- Environmental Officer
- Environmental Scientist
- Research Scientist
- Lab Assistant
- Lab Demonstrator Health Sciences
- Lab Technical Officer
- Medical Scientist
- Medical Technician
- Research Assistant
- Scientific Officer in Micro Biology
- Technical Officer
Employers
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field.
The following list of employers of UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation).
- Universities Worldwide
- ANSTO
- Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
- Children’s Cancer Institute
- Children’s Medical Research Institute
- Department of Environment & Climate Change
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment
- Horizon Discovery
- South Eastern Area Laboratory Services
- South Eastern Sydney & Illawarra Area Health Service
- Southern IML Pathology
Formal graduate programs
Make sure you consider the fast tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies.
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection.
Career research and networks
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
Job Outlook – Australian government website with salaries, industry growth and required skills for a wide range of jobs
Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
Careers with STEM - a student-focussed website that includes surprising STEM careers pathways, insights into the future of work, 100s of diverse STEM role models.
Build your career network and stay up to date with the latest developments in your industry by joining a professional association.
Postgraduate study and research
Some career paths require postgraduate study. The 2019 Graduate Outcomes Report identified that 18.9% of undergraduates Australia wide were engaged in postgraduate study four months after graduation.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
UOW offers postgraduate study options if you want to pursue further research or academic coursework. If you have other career interests, you may want to research online for relevant post-graduate qualifications. On completion, high performing students considering further study or a career in research should consider the Bachelor of Science (Honours) program. This one-year degree offers students a pathway to expand their knowledge of biological sciences and achieve their research aspirations. You may also be interested in a Master of Philosophy (Biological Sciences).
Developing industry experience
Graduate employers increasingly value industry experience as an addition to formal qualifications to demonstrate your employability skills. This work related experience can be obtained through university internship subjects, co-curricular activities, student exchange or volunteering.
UOW Work experience subjects – Formal work integrated learning subjects available at UOW across all disciplines.
Course information
The relevant undergraduate degree options available at UOW for this discipline are listed below. You may also wish to explore available courses more broadly to see if you might be interested in pursuing a double major or a double degree.
Discipline overview
Ecology and Conservation Biology is the study of the Earth’s biodiversity and is concerned with managing and protecting species and ecosystems. Ecologists and Conservation biologists work with government and non-government agencies to explore the interaction of scientific research with policy and management to develop strategies to minimise the impact of humans on their environment.
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, but also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- Ability to integrate evidence from a range of sources to test findings and hypotheses
- Ability to consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives
- Ability to analyse, synthesise, summarise and critically evaluate information
- Conduct fieldwork and laboratory investigations competently and ethically
- Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of formats
- Good interpersonal communication skills to enable effective team working
- Plan, conduct and present an independent project with appropriate guidance
- Reflect on the process of learning and to evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses
Career Pathways
(data sourced from QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey and LinkedIn Alumni Search)
| Formal Graduate Programs | Initial Graduate Occupations | Longer-term Occupations | Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Make sure you consider the fast-tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies. Here are some of the organisations that take graduates of this discipline.
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection. |
Whether you're considering a number of career possibilities, or already have a specific career path in mind, it's useful to investigate a wide range of career options. Below is a list of jobs held by UOW graduates, up to 6 months after graduation:
|
The following list is of jobs held by UOW Alumni, more than 6 months after graduation. Note that some of these graduates have undertaken further study:
|
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field. Below is a list of organisations that have employed UOW graduates and Alumni.
|
Key industry job websites
Many industries have job websites dedicated to careers within their industry. These also often have links to other career resources. Also be aware that LinkedIn Jobs is increasingly used by employers to target graduates.
Professional Bodies and Associations
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
- Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
- UK Prospects – a UK based career exploration site
- Careers with STEM – a student-focused website that includes surprising STEM careers pathways, insights into the future of work, 100s of diverse STEM role models.
Build your career network and stay up to date with the latest developments in your industry by joining a professional association.
- Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
- Ecological society of Australia
- Australian Association for Environmental Education
- The Australian Society for Microbiology
- Australian Land & Groundwater Association
- Australian Water Association
- Soil Science Australia
- BirdLife Australia
- The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia
Postgraduate study and research
Some career paths require postgraduate study. The 2023 Graduate Outcomes Report identified that 18% of undergraduates Australia wide were engaged in postgraduate study four months after graduation.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
On completion, high performing students considering further study or a career in research should consider the Bachelor of Science (Honours) program. This one-year degree offers students a pathway to expand their knowledge and achieve their research aspirations. You may also be interested in:
Discipline overview
The study of the Environment is a practical and multi-disciplinary science that spans the biophysical, geochemical, and social sciences and focuses on the interaction between the living and non-living elements of the world, including the role of human impacts. Environmental scientists assess, research, and manage a wide range of environmental issues and provide solutions to emerging environmental problems that face current and fButure societies. These include climate change, biodiversity, water quality, resource management, waste and pollution and environmental protection and conservation.
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, and also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- an ability to analyse, synthesise, summarise and critically evaluate information
- an ability to define complex problems and to develop and evaluate possible solutions
- an ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of formats
- a critical approach to academic literature, data and other sources of information
- plan, conduct and present an independent project with appropriate guidance
- conduct fieldwork and laboratory investigations competently
- reflect on the process of learning and to evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses
Related occupations
Whether you are considering a number of career possibilities, are starting to think deeply about your career future or have a clear career idea in mind, it’s useful to explore the range of career possibilities available.
Below is a list of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to four months after graduation).
- Environmental Scientist
- Vegetation Officer
- Bush Regenerator
- Environmental Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Planner
The following list is of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation). Note that some of these graduates have undertaken further study:
- University Academic and Research Staff
- Ecologist
- Education Coordinator
- Environmental Adviser
- Environmental and Health Policy Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Geologist
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Officer
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Support Officer
- Environmental Specialist
- Analyst (Air Quality)
- Environmental Advisor
- Grounds and Environmental Manager
- National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger
- Natural Resource Officer
- Research Scientist
- Water Engineer
Employers
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field.
Below is a list of employers of UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to four months after graduation).
- Sydney Water
- Pinnacle ArborPro
- EcoHort
- Boating Camping Fishing
- Roads and Maritime
- Triple BL Consulting
- Ngh environmental
- Clearsafe
- GHD Pty Ltd
- Jacobs
- CPB Contractors
The following list of employers of UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation).
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
- Australian Conservation Foundation
- BlueScope
- BHP Billiton
- Cardno
- Clearsafe Environmental Solutions
- CSIRO
- NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
- South32
- Sydney Water
- EcoPlanning Pty Ltd
- Environmental Resources Management
- Geoscience Australia
- GHD
- Rio Tinto
- Woodside
- Universities Worldwide
Key industry job websites
Many industries have job websites dedicated to careers within their industry. These also often have links to other career resources. Also be aware that LinkedIn Jobs is increasingly used by employers to target graduates.
Formal graduate programs
Make sure you consider the fast-tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies.
- Sydney Water
- CIMIC
- Snowy Hydro
- Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
- Department of the Environment and Energy
- Clean Energy Regulator
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection.
Career research and networks
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
Job Outlook – Australian government website with salaries, industry growth and required skills for a wide range of jobs
Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
Careers with STEM - a student-focussed website that includes surprising STEM careers pathways, insights into the future of work, 100s of diverse STEM role models.
Build your career network and stay up to date with the latest developments in your industry by joining a professional association.
- Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Inc.
- Australian Association for Environmental Education
- The Australian Society for Microbiology
- Australian Land & Groundwater Association
- Australian Water Association
- Soil Science Australia
- Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering
Postgraduate study and research
Some career paths require postgraduate study. The 2019 Graduate Outcomes Report identified that 18.9% of undergraduates Australia wide were engaged in postgraduate study four months after graduation.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
On completion, high performing students considering further study or a career in research should consider the Bachelor of Science (Honours) program. This one-year degree offers students a pathway to expand their knowledge and achieve their research aspirations. You may also be interested in:
Developing industry experience
Graduate employers increasingly value industry experience as an addition to formal qualifications to demonstrate your employability skills. This work-related experience can be obtained through university internship subjects, co-curricular activities, student exchange or volunteering.
UOW Work experience subjects – Formal work integrated learning subjects available at UOW across all disciplines.
Course information
The relevant undergraduate degree options available at UOW for this discipline are listed below. You may also wish to explore available courses more broadly to see if you might be interested in pursuing a double major or a double degree.
Discipline overview
Marine Science is the study of the ocean. Marine scientists look into the biological nature and capacity of oceans, their impact on human society, and the conservation and environmental management of marine and coastal resources and regions. They spend their time observing, defining and experimenting with coastal processes, biodiversity and climate change, as well as using emerging technologies to ensure the sustainable management of these environments.
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, and also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- an ability to analyse, synthesise, summarise and critically evaluate information
- an ability to define complex problems and to develop and evaluate possible solutions
- a critical approach to academic literature, data and other sources of information.
- an ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of formats
- plan, conduct and present an independent project with appropriate guidance
- undertake laboratory and fieldwork ethically and safely
Related occupations
Whether you are considering a number of career possibilities, are starting to think deeply about your career future or have a clear career idea in mind, it’s useful to explore the range of career possibilities available.
Below is a list of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to four months after graduation).
- University Academic and Research Staff
- Environmental Consultant
The following list is of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation). Note that some of these graduates have undertaken further study:
- Research Scientist
- Coastal Oceanographer
- Environmental Advisor
- Environmental Specialist
- Marine Scientist
- Hydrographic Surveyor
- Science High School Teacher
- Marine Support Officer
- Technical Officer
- University Academic and Research Staff
Employers
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field.
The following list of employers of UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation).
- Australian Universities and TAFEs
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
- State Fisheries
- CSIRO
- Wollongong Council
- Australian National Maritime Museum
- Australian Antarctic Division
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
Key industry job websites
Many industries have job websites dedicated to careers within their industry. These also often have links to other career resources. Also be aware that LinkedIn Jobs is increasingly used by employers to target graduates.
Formal graduate programs
Make sure you consider the fast tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies.
- Australian Institute of Marine Science
- CSIRO
- Defence Force Recruiting
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection.
Career research and networks
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
Job Outlook – Australian government website with salaries, industry growth and required skills for a wide range of jobs
Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
Careers with STEM - a student-focussed website that includes surprising STEM careers pathways, insights into the future of work, 100s of diverse STEM role models.
Build your career network and stay up to date with the latest developments in your industry by joining a professional association.
Postgraduate study and research
Some career paths require postgraduate study. The 2019 Graduate Outcomes Report identified that 18.9% of undergraduates Australia wide were engaged in postgraduate study four months after graduation.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
Developing industry experience
Graduate employers increasingly value industry experience as an addition to formal qualifications to demonstrate your employability skills. This work related experience can be obtained through university internship subjects, co-curricular activities, student exchange or volunteering.
UOW Work experience subjects – Formal work integrated learning subjects available at UOW across all disciplines
Course information
The relevant undergraduate degree options available at UOW for this discipline are listed below. You may also wish to explore available courses more broadly to see if you might be interested in pursuing a double major or a double degree.