Science Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences

From classroom to field

Examining the natural world from the core of the Earth to its upper atmosphere.
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Students studying in the skeleton lab in the Biological Sciences building at UNSW Kensington Campus
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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About us

Latest news

UNSW experts awarded $32.8 million to drive ambitious research

The Australian Research Council (ARC) is supporting 28 academics from UNSW Sydney to undertake research advancing solutions to national priorities.

Sep 09, 2026
Engineering Science Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) Medicine & Health Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion SDG SDG3 SDG7 SDG8 SDG9 SDG11 SDG13 Science & Tech General Research Networks and partnerships Environments and systems Sustainability Prosperity Healthy lives Resilient society School of Civil and Environmental Engineering School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering School of Chemical Engineering School of Biomedical Engineering School of Psychiatry School of Population Health School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES) School of Chemistry School of Mathematics and Statistics School of Physics School of Psychology School of Built Environment School of Education

Public Notice - Low level aerial surveys across eastern Australia 29th Sep - 11th Nov 2026

Sep 06, 2026
Science School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES) Centre for Ecosystem Science

Helping Pacific fishers adapt to a changing ocean

A UNSW-led partnership is using ocean temperature sensors to help Pacific fishers navigate changing tuna behaviour, while providing vital data for fisheries management and climate forecasting.

Aug 21, 2026
Science Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion General School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES) SDG SDG8 SDG14 SDG17 Research Resilient society Prosperity Global Water Institute (GWI)

UNSW researcher honoured at AFR Higher Education Awards

Dr Aaron Eger was awarded the Emerging Leadership prize with three other UNSW Sydney experts recognised as finalists.

Aug 19, 2026
Science Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion SDG SDG12 SDG14 School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES) Science & Tech General Education Research Sustainability
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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.
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Climate science

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

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

Study the earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. You'll learn how natural and built environments function and change over time.
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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.
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Scuba diver taking measurements of a coral reef (cropped)

Our research

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.
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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.
Group of students in classroom talking

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.

Ways to connect