UTS:SCIENCE CAREERS GUIDE

science.uts.edu.au

N O I T A T I V AN IN
FROM THE DeAN OF SCIeNCe
Science is not just a field of study. It is also a philosophy and a way of viewing the world. Scientists are critical thinkers, using evidence to justify beliefs in how the universe, the world and life work. It opens all kinds of doors both expected and unexpected! It is a recession proof profession as curious beings, we raise questions that need answers and solutions. I invite you to become part of this world of discovery! Come and join us at UTS Science, a vibrant and dynamic Faculty, melding technology and creativity to advance our knowledge and capabilities. Students learn and experience modern applications of science geared towards practice that will create greater opportunities for rewarding employment. Located in a world-class, state-of-the art facility, research at UTS Science is top-notch and cutting-edge which includes impacts and effects of climate change, forensic science and biology, nanotechnology, health technology, mathematical modelling of complex systems, infectious and parasitic diseases, imaging and marine biology. As the Dean of a lively and stimulating Faculty, I have the good fortune to work with many excellent researchers and teachers, students and support staff. I look forward to helping UTS Science continue to thrive and grow, and to make significant contributions to Australia and globally through our graduates and our research.

Professor Bruce Milthorpe Dean of Science University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

SCIENCE AND MATHS

ReWARdING CAReeR
A national study of employment outcomes for Science degree holders was commissioned by the Australian Council of Deans of Science, with the aim to better understand what graduates do with their science degrees, how undergraduate science courses might address the needs of graduates and the demands of emerging national priorities. The analysis is based on investigating existing data, surveying 1245 Science graduates from Australian universities through online surveys, face to face and telephone interviews. KeY FINdINGs WeRe: > A Science degree is an effective entry into employment. 80% are employed fulltime, 12% part-time, 3% unemployed and 6% are not in the workforce. 75% thought their undergraduate science > degree was key factor in getting their current job. 46% were employed into a professional > or managerial role in the first year after graduation. > Majority (80%) agreed that their undergraduate degrees provided them with skills such as analytical, problem solving knowledge of specific subjects, ability to use research, inform analysis, make decisions and the awareness that knowledge is always being revised and expanded. > Across all occupational groups, graduates generally expressed positively and satisfaction with their work.

INDEX
An invitation from the Dean of Science Science and maths a rewarding career? Index Why Science at UTS - the competitive edge! Enabling sciences Science and maths matters Applied Physics Statistics Maths and finance Maths and computing Medical science Science Biotechnology Applied chemistry Forensic science Nanotechnology Mathematics Environmental biology Environmental forensics Biomedical science Forensic biology Traditional Chinese medicine Maths graduate attributes Maths facts UTS Bachelor of Science flexible Successful combinations Whats next after your first degree? 2 3 3 4 6 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 31 32 33 34

SCIeNCe At UTS

THE COmPETITIVE EDGE!

WERE PRACTICAL Students are exposed to laboratory and clinical work from day one of their study. Facilities are modern and cutting-edge, similar to those used in advanced commercial laboratories. Excursions and field trips are common features in our environmental sciences programs. Mathematics students receive extensive experience with relevant application softwares. We are committed to ensuring students graduate with the skills, knowledge and experience that employers want and value. WERE INDUSTRY ReleVANt We know what industry is looking for from our graduates because we ask! Courses are regularly reviewed to ensure they are current and sought-after in industrial and commercial practice. WEVE WORLD CLASS FACILITIES UTS have achieved a number of world-firsts, through the acquisition of the DeltaVision OMX 3D-Sim Super-Resolution Microscope, one of only two in the world and the only one in Australia. This crucial tool opens enormous possibilities in the development of new drugs and treatments for infectious diseases. To compliment this, our unique elemental bio-imaging facility examines metals and their interactions with proteins, the study of which holds vast potentials in the detection and treatments of diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS The UTS Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) are the only degrees of this kind accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) in Sydney. This accreditation allows graduates to practice in overseas laboratories in the USA and the UK. Graduates from most of our courses have the opportunity to work in a wide range of international locations because UTS Sciences qualifications are widely recognised and accredited.

OUR GRADUATES ARE IN DEMAND Employers tell us that UTS graduates have developed a reputation as savvy, professional, creative, technologically capable, experienced and work-ready. UTS Science courses achieve the ideal balance between theoretical learning, practical experience and expertise. This means that when students graduate with a UTS Science degree, they are already in demand. According to the Australian Graduate Survey 2008 results, UTS graduates employment rates were 87% in the first three months upon completing their degrees. It is also definitely worth considering postgraduate studies at UTS because according to the same survey, the employment rate for UTS Science postgraduate graduates were 100%.

SHIRLEY LAM Graduate, Bach elor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Bu siness

 I always knew I wanted to study at UTS its give the best ro known to ute to a career because the de grees are mor e practical and relevant. A scie nce degree can op en up so many opportunities, even those yo u didnt know ex isted.

OUR PROGRAMs ARE FLEXIBLE We recognize the challenges many students face these days including work, family and social commitments. As a result, our degrees are designed to be flexible. Students can choose their major at the beginning or end of their first-year of study. There is no need to restrict your options either because you can choose from a range of second and third year subjects. This flexibility enables you to pursue areas of interest to you, while keeping your career options open. QUALIFICATIONS WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES A UTS Science degree can be combined with a degree from another UTS Faculty, such as Business, Engineering, Law or International Studies. Students who choose to undertake a combined degree will graduate with two degrees in a shorter timeframe, giving them an innovative specialisation or broader career options. Bachelor of Science graduates can also go on to postgraduate studies in other faculties, such as business, communications, education or law. Past graduates have undertaken many exciting and dynamic degree combinations which have undoubtedly given them the edge in a competitive marketplace.

INNOVATION AND REAL RESEARCH Besides our commitment to teaching good applicable science, UTS is also dedicated to pursuing research that advances innovation and technology, or that provides solutions to the most significant issues facing our world. Research strengths and groups within UTS Science spearhead this goal through interactions and collaborations with industry and other institutions. These researchers are also the academic workforce, who teaches our students and provide an environment for students to network with potential employers. GREAT LOCATION As a student or researcher at UTS Science, you will be located in the vibrant Broadway and Haymarket city precincts. UTS Science is a short walk from train and bus transport options available at Sydneys Central train station and Railway Square bus station. You can easily walk to shops, restaurants, Darling Harbour, cinemas, theatres and the affordable food halls of Chinatown and Broadway.

ENAblING sCIeNCes:

WHAT ARE THEY? WHY ARE THEY ImPORTANT?

At UTS, we use the term enabling sciences to refer to the three foundation disciplines of all scientific study: physics, chemistry and mathematics. A basic knowledge of these fundamental sciences is essential for any career in science or technology. Specialising in one of these three enabling sciences can be the most versatile and rewarding courses available, one which opens many doors for its graduates. Students often do not realise the vast career options available to graduates of the enabling sciences, and therefore prematurely discount a degree in one of these disciplines. Physics, chemistry and mathematics form the basis for many scientific or technological applications and discoveries, and as innovation and technological advancement are the driving force behind todays globally competitive economy, it makes good career sense to gain the versatile skills an enabling science degree will award you. In todays hectic work-place the only things you can count on are change and growth. Throughout your career, you will need to have the fundamental skills to be able to adapt to meet the rapid pace of social and technological development. A degree in one of the enabling sciences does not only offer a thorough understanding of the foundations of science, but will also provide you with the analytical skills essential in virtually any industry today. For a variety of career options available to graduates with an enabling degree, see the following. PHYSICS Physics examines matter and energy, and how they relate to each other. This is the theoretical knowledge you will be taught during a physics degree, but industry-recognised skills and attributes you will gain that are what makes physics graduates some of the most sought after in the workforce. Physics graduates can think critically, logically and be able to solve problems of all kinds, which are invaluable skills in many industries from law to computing, communications to engineering. Some career directions for physics graduates include: > Harry is a biomedical engineer. His job involves the development of new medical equipment, and he is currently working on the design for a heart valve. > Rebecca is a numerical modeller. She created a model which predicts weather patterns and now works on analysing the data produced. Adam is a flight software engineer. He is responsible for the > development and testing of flight-related software. > Melissa is a weather broadcaster. She combined her degree with communications and now works on a major network. Gary is a patent attorney who examines and verifies applications > for patents for scientific inventions. Zac is an aeronautical research scientist who consults on new > designs at a major car company.

 The support at UTS: Science is great! There help students are tutors will at the Maths St ing to udy Centre. St level is more in udying maths teresting, you at tertiary discover why th you see the ey are the way proof behind th they are e theories and HUI TOH equations. Grad
uate, Bachelor of Mathematics an d Finance

MATHEMATICS Of all the science disciplines, mathematics is possibly the most all-encompassing and underestimated it lies at the core of many disciplines including science, engineering, information technology, business and health. It is also a discipline in its own right, making contributions to decision-making in diverse areas such as pricing, stock management, financial instruments, market research, predicting environmental and climate change are just a few. Most high school students struggle to see the breadth of mathematics application and it is only when they reach university that they see the extent of contributions of mathematics to the effective operation of society. UTS prides itself on being a practical university for the real world. As such, we work hard to relate mathematics and statistics to real world issues which range across many fields of endeavour. So step outside the box, and discover where mathematics can take you. Some career directions mathematics graduates have taken include: Elizabeth is a statistician who works on clinical drug trials. She is > responsible for analysing the data taken from trials to assess the effects of a drug. > Haydn is a cryptographer. He works on ensuring the security of ATM machines. > Luke is an applied mathematician working for the meteorological society. He predominately works on weather forecasting. > Ian is developing his own music software which can be used for writing and recording music. > Alyson is an actuary who works in a large insurance company. She is responsible for calculating insurance risks for new customers. Madison is a mortgage banker. She is responsible for dealing with > new mortgage applications at a major Australian bank. > Flynn is a stock market trader who buys and sells shares for clients.

CHEMISTRY Chemistry is the study of interaction between matter and energy, and the changes they undergo during chemical reactions. It is a very exciting area because chemistry is the central link between physics and biology. There are still many unanswered questions and real world problems which humanity faces on a daily basis, the answers to which are fundamental to the development and continuation of society as we know it. Chemical studies can deliver the answers to these issues. Chemistry is central in such issues as terrorism control, understanding environmental changes and improvements in the health care sector to name but a few. It can be applied to developments in practically any industry, and so chemistry graduates are offered an almost endless list of career prospects. Some career options chemistry graduates have taken include: > James is an Organ Solar Cell Scientist whose job involves developing improvements in flexible electronics. Dinah is an Electronics Production Leader responsible for the > development of new electronic devices used in national security and anti-terrorist organisations. > Tara is a Medicinal Chemistry Associate who provides support for disease cure and prevention drug discovery programs. > Daniel is an Associate Professor of Chemistry. He completed postgraduate chemistry studies and has been invited to teach at one of the leading educational institutions in the USA. Benjamin is a Fermentation Microbiologist who works on > characterising and developing new fermentation strains in the green energy industry. Jasper is a Lab Development Manager who is currently working > collaboratively to develop the ideal laboratory design.

SCIeNCe & MAths MAtteRs:

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND mATHS AT SCHOOL AND AT UNIVERSITY

> University means: science and maths really matters. The experiments you do show real results that can be applied in the real world. > University means: discovery. Science at university asks students to puzzle out the answers for themselves. No one will give you the answers or tell you how to find them. Lecturers and tutors are there to guide you, but you will need to learn to think and reason for yourself. This is the best way to remember what you learn and understand its relevance. > University means: more experiments. Not only will you need to solve problems for yourself, but more in-depth learning leads to more complex experiments, and far more interesting ones. Ever wanted to create your own viral cultures? Or study the cannibalism of beetles? Studying science at UTS means you will be doing these kinds of experiments!

e it is UTS attracted me becaus  ology chn ote nan in r nee pio the 24/7 studies in Australia. I had , state ted tica his sop to ess acc ng of the art electron scanni are devices, and the people and really friendly, supportive which always willing to help is a huge bonus!.
MARTIN BLABER nce (Honours) Graduate, Bachelor of Scie in Nanotechnology

University means: access to cutting-edge equipment. UTS Science > has had a $100 million face lift, making it one of the best facilities in the southern hemisphere. It is also home to one of only two DeltaVision OMX 3D Super-Resolution microscopes in the world, and the only one in Australia. All equipment is available for student use under the correct supervision, and the high ratio of equipment to students means you can be in sole control of your experiments from beginning to end. University means: a bigger understanding. All science disciplines, > from maths to biology, physics to chemistry, are related. At university, these links become clear and students gain a far better understanding of science as a whole, as opposed to seeing it fractioned into many different areas. University means: like-minded people. The scientific community at > UTS is dynamic and innovative. Lecturers, tutors and students alike are united by their passion for science. This creates the perfect atmosphere for new ideas to be created and developed, and for new discoveries to be made. University means: a kick start to an exciting journey of life-long > learning and career opportunities.

MICHAELA LAR Graduate, Ba SSON chelor of Sc ience in Marine Bi ology

 I chose UTS because it ha sa great reputa tio and it also ha n for science s contacts fo good industry r jobs after graduating. My study at UTS has gone far be yond my expe ctation, particularly the large pr actical aspect which I didnt antic ipate and is fantas tic!

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

SpeCIFIC MAJOR SpeCIFIC MAJOR

APPLIED PHYSICS
POssIble JObs
Conservator, Metallurgist, Meteorologist, Physicist, Coal Geologist, Accelerator Operator, Sensory Biophysicist, Astrophysicist, Atmospheric and Environmental Physicist, Atomic and Molecular Physicist, Condensed Matter Physicist, Cosmologist, Medical and Health Physicist, Nanotechnologist, Nuclear/Particle Physicist, Optical Physicist, Noise Consultant, Materials Analyst or Scientist, Biophysics Consulting, Biophysics Administration, Acoustical Physics Testing and Consulting, Condensed Matter R&D, Testing and Consulting, Science communication, Health Physics, Exploration and Consulting, Medical Physics Diagnoses and Exploration, Fluid and Plasma Physics, Quality Control, Industrial Hygiene, Design Development, Energy and sustainable research and product development, Science teacher, Academic or Lecturer.

MATHEmATICS AND FINANCE

POssIble JObs
Financial analyst, stock market analyst, portfolio manager, financial risk analyst, reinsurance pricing analyst, market research analyst, banker, policy advisor, quantitative analyst, forensic accountant, investment analyst, taxation consultant, treasurer or economist.

STATISTICS
POssIble JObs
Biostatistician, Biometrician, Bioinformatics Analyst, Data Analyst, Forensic Statistician, Government Statistician, Health Services Statistician, Market Researcher, Mathematics Teacher, Medical Statistician (Epidemiologist), Sports Statistician, Survey Statistician, Research & Development Manager, Academia, Marine Resource Statistician, Statistical Modelling Analyst.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
CSIRO, Durham Consultants, Correlix, Proxime, Atlas, Real Resourcing, Boston Consulting, McKinsey, Banks, , Accenture, ACT Department of Treasury, ALDI, Woolworths, ANZ Bank, Arup Pty Ltd, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Defence Force, Bureau of Meterology, Centrelink, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, NasDaq, Deloitte, First NZ Capital, Colonial First Portfolio, Ford Motor Company, IBM, Insurance Australia Group, Linfox, Productivity Commission, Railcorp, Suncorp, Elements Research, The Aerospace Corporation, Applied Mathematics Inc., McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Clemson Apparel Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Bell Labs, Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Institute for Defense Analyses, Boeing Information and Support Services, Eastman Kodak, 3M, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems, GORCA Systems, Inc.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
CSIRO, Garvan Institute, Lockheed, Martin Energy Systems, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Data Analysis Australia, Australian Antarctic Division, Australian Genome Research Facility, Department of Defence, Deloitte, Cancer Institute NSW, Roche Pharmaceuticals, AC Nielsen, News Poll, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics, NSW Bureau of Health Information, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB, IAG, and Allianz.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Energy Australia, Origin Australia, ANZ Bank, Defence Force, Bureau of Meteorology, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Dept of Communications, IT and the Arts, KPMG, MasterFoods Australia, Nova Corporation, NSW Fire Brigades, Orica Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Woodside Energy, Australian Synchrotron, NASA, ANSTO, Higher Education Sector, Secondary Schools, Australian Institute of Physics, Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers, Australian Research Council, AGRF, Australian Institute of Physics and Institute of Microelectronics

S B O J E L B I S S PO AND EMPLOYERS

10

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

MATHS AND COmPUTING

POssIble JObs
Computer systems auditor, investment analyst, computer programmer, systems analyst, computational mathematician, resource modeller, management consultant, intelligence analyst, games developer, information systems developer software architect.

MEDICAL SCIENCE
POssIble JObs
Laboratory manager, medical scientist, medical imaging technician, human factors researcher, Anaesthetic Technician, Cardiac Technician, Operating Theatre Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Research, Cancer Research, Gene therapy, Embryology, Medical Scientist, Geneticist, Pharmaceutical, product development, medical journalist or writer, health professions, nutrition or pathology.

SCIENCE
POssIble JObs
Dependent on your chosen major but here are some examples - Research and Development Manager, Science high school teacher, Academia, R&D Support Technician/ Prototyping, Analysts, Analytical Chemist, Quality Control Packaging Technician, commercialisation, management and entrepreneurship, investment advice, business analyst, technical officer/manager, Process development technologist, Environmental scientist/officer, Device Engineer, Marine engineer, hydrologist or geologist.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Accenture, ACT Department of Treasury, ALDI, Woolworths, ANZ Bank, Arup Pty Ltd, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Defence Force, Bureau of Meterology, Centrelink, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, NasDaq, Deloitte, First NZ Capital, Colonial First Portfolio, Ford Motor Company, IBM, Insurance Australia Group, Linfox, Productivity Commission, Railcorp, Suncorp, Elements Research, The Aerospace Corporation, Applied Mathematics Inc., McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Clemson Apparel Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Bell Labs, Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Institute for Defense Analyses, Boeing Information and Support Services, Eastman Kodak, 3M, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems, GORCA Systems, Inc., Sandia National Laboratories AMIS, CSIRO, NASA, Australian Genome Research Facility.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Westmead Children Hospital, Childrens Medical Research Institute, Hospitals, AGRF, Australian Society for Medical Research, Australian Defence Force, Dept of Health and Ageing, Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dept of Veterans Affairs, Insurance Australia, Lion Nathan, Medicare Australia, Pathology laboratories, Pfizer, Unilever, Victorian WorkCover Authority and NSW Fire Brigade.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
CSIRO, Schools NSW, AGRF, GRLaw, Gemteq Executive, Linc Energy LTD, Earth Systems PTY LTD, Hays Manufacturing and Ops, Australian Synchrotron, One Steel, Engineers Australia, SIMS, ESE Engineering Recruitment, MCS Consulting, Environment Jobs, Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers, AGRF, APESMA, Institute of Microelectronics and PNNL.

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

BIOTECHNOLOGY
POssIble JObs
Biotechnologist, Microbiologist, Food and Wine Producer, Science and Technology Technical Officer, Cancer Research, Secondary School Teacher, Academic or lecturer, Gene therapy, Embryology, Molecular Scientist, Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Food Science and Technology, Microbiologist, Geneticist, Biologist or Food Technologist.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
CSIRO, Biotech Australia, IBID, Childrens Medical Research Institute, Kelly Scientific Resources, AIBN Research Group, AgResearch Ltd, Accenture Australia, AGRF, Australian Biotechnology Association and Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases.

11

REAL CAREERS:

Y R T S I m E H C APPLIED
In a nutshell, I profile radioactive waste for a living. My team is responsible for ensuring that only non-radioactive waste leaves ANSTO for disposal. We profile the waste and separate the radioactive and non-radioactive elements. This way, we minimise the radioactive waste to be disposed. Id say were similar to border security- protecting the environment and community! Where else in Australia could I get a job as cool as this? My area of expertise is in gamma radiation, its interaction with matter and its monitoring. In the mornings, I come in and do daily calibration checks and maintenance on our instruments to make sure they are working fine before use. After that, I process to do scans for gamma radiation on 200ltr drums of solid waste and collect the data. After a batch of about 20-30 drums, Ill sit down with the raw data and convert it into something with real meaning and generate certificates of analysis for each drum scanned. Based upon my results, the drums of waste will then undergo classification of radioactive or nonradioactive. Studying Applied Chemistry at UTS allowed me to try the different aspects of chemistry and this is how I became aware of the wide range of jobs out there. I didnt know exactly what I wanted to do, so I tried out various industries. The first was environmental monitoring where I worked in an environmental laboratory analysing samples for volatile organic compound. I also worked in the food and beverage industry at Coca Cola. This was in the quality assurance labs and yes, taste testing was part of the process. I also worked at an aerosol quality control chemist for the company that makes Mortein fly spray. All this, and Ive yet to try the pharmaceutical, military, forensic, medical or regulatory affairs industry! As part of the UTS degree, a one year industrial placement was offered. I took it in my third year and worked at ANSTO to learn about nuclear science, and more specifically radiochemistry. This year gave me the nudge in the direction I eventually took, but there were many other career paths I could have gone in. There are many areas of speciality in chemistry. These include organic, analytical, inorganic, physical, etc. I feel that Im a bit of an all rounder when it comes to chemistry because of my degree at UTS. I feel confident in applying for any chemistry related jobs out there because I have this excellent foundation. There are such a variety of industries that require people with chemistry background and knowledge.

Name: Roland Wong JOB: Radiochemist, Waste Operations Group, ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) DeGrees:  Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry, UTS

12

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

APPLIED CHEmISTRY
POssIble JObs
Chemists, Food and Wine Producer, Laboratory Technician, Science teacher, QC Analyst (Pharmaceutical), Process Development Technologist, Life Sciences Software Account Manager, Aquatic Chemist, Chemical Oceanographer, Analytical/Clinical Chemist, Development Chemist, Environmental Chemist, Geochemist, Organic Chemist, Research Chemist, Regulatory Toxicologist, Molecular Scientist, Organic analytical chemist and Regulatory Toxicologist.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Advance Analytical, CSIRO, ANSTO, SIMS, AGRF, The Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, Alcan Inc, ALDI, ANZ, AusAID, Amcor Australasia, Australian Defence Force, Austrlain Secret Intelligence Service, BHP Billiton, Bluescope Steel, Boral Limited, Chevron, Honeywell, Kellogg Brown and Root Pty Ltd, NSW Fire Brigades, Rio Tinto, Sydney Water, Technip Oceania, Thales, Unilever, Visy, Roads and Traffic Authority and many more.

13

REAL CAREERS:

E C N E I C S C I S FOREN
As a forensic toxicologist, I work with a team of people at the Division of Analytical Laboratories (DAL) to determine drugs and poisons in mainly post-mortem samples. Occasionally we get ante-mortem samples and other exhibits, but most of the work we do is on coronial cases. I currently lead a team which performs specific extractions to analyse samples for certain groups of drugs. My day-to-day work mainly involves reviewing cases and writing reports. Other duties include performing extractions, running samples on our instruments, assessing and checking results from the techniques used by our team before releasing results to the other analysts for their cases, and making sure that the team continues to run smoothly. In my line of work, I am involved in fighting crime through science. I was originally inspired toward this idea by the novels of Patricia Cornwell. I am able to help the families of the deceased find closure and in this way Im playing an important role in contributing to the community. There are always new things to learn at work. The scientific community in general is very focussed on progress there is always research being done and scientists love to discover new things or improve existing technologies and analytical techniques. There are many forums and seminars held for forensic science as well as general sciences where we share what we have learned and discovered. This leads to more research and more discoveries. Its a constant process. What I loved about UTS was the practical approach we had to learning about science and that it wasnt all about the theory. Theory is great to give us a foundation but until you get into practice, you cant learn anything new and cant grow. I remember the lecturers and lab demonstrators were always very supportive and happy to help in whatever way they could. When I graduated, I didnt find it difficult at all to get work at all and I know a lot of friends from my course who found work very quickly as well. Not all went into forensics, but our degree was focussed very much on analytical chemistry and that gave us a huge variety of career options both within forensics and in other fields. Forensic careers include crime scene investigation and becoming a scene of crime officer (SOCO), ballistics and firearms, chemical criminalistics and physical evidence, drugs and clandestine laboratories, forensic toxicology and much more. There are also many career options not related to forensics including analytical chemists in the pharmaceutical industry, petroleum industry or water analysts. The joy of having such

Name: Vanessa Shaw JOB: Forensic Toxicologist, Division of Analytical Laboratories (DAL) DeGrees:  Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry in Forensic Science with 1st class honours, UTS

14

a versatile degree is that if you dont know exactly what you want to do, you have the option to try your hand in different areas. In my industry it is especially important to be able to relax and switch off from work, so you need some interesting pass-times. I love to go horse riding and fishing and have also been scuba diving and sky-diving which give two very different views. I have always loved adrenaline rushes roller coasters and other scary rides at amusement parks so sky-diving was the next step. I love the feeling of freefall when you jump out of the plane and you feel the air whooshing past your face. Then, once the parachute is opened, you relax and take in the absolutely amazing view as you float down to land. Its a totally incredible experience and I recommend it to everyone! SpeCIFIC MAJOR

FORENSIC SCIENCE
POssIble JObs
Scene of Crime Officer, Forensic Trace Evidence Specialist, Laboratory manager, Analytical Chemist, Science teacher, Academic or lecturer, Clinical Toxicologist, Forensic Toxicologist, Regulatory Toxicologist, Forensic Entomologist, Forensic Scientist, Toxicology Consultant, Team Leader in Investigations, Forensic Chemist, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Dentistry, Laboratory Service management or operations, Research Associate.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Crime and Safety Australia,Forensic Science Services Branch, Forensic Services Group, AGRF, Forensic Science, Department of Police and Emergency Management, National Institute of Forensic Science, NIFS, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic & Data Centres, Document Examination Section, Identity Branch, National Measurement Institute, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, IBM, Australian Scret Intelligence Service.

15

REAL CAREERS:

Y G O L O N H C E T NANO
I work for an organisation called the National Measurement Institute. The Institute is the authority body for the measurement system in Australia and we look after physical, chemical and legal metrology issues. I often use the expression that metrology is the science of measurements, and this is what we work with. We collaborate with international colleagues at similar institutions world-wide to ensure that if you measure (for example) a metre in Australia, it is the same as in America, Japan or France. My working time is spent in research, independent and collaborative lab work and writing. My main tasks involve the measurements of nano-particles and we are currently involved in an international collaborative project on the particle size measurements of nano-particles in a thin film. There is also some new work on the measurements of difference aspects of carbon nano-tubes in the pipelines. We have several students working with us, so some of my time is taken up by supervising them. We also carry out client work, including measurements and report writing. I work in the nano-metrology section of the institute, and we are currently establishing infrastructure for highly accurate measurements on the nano-scale in support of the nanotechnology industry and research. Much of our time is spent on finding out the fine details about measurement techniques and instrumentation used in our area. We are currently focusing on two main areas; the measurement and characterisation of nanoparticles and the realisation of what is called a metrological atomic force microscope. As an undergraduate student in Sweden, I specialised in materials science. During this degree, I did some research work on measuring the hardness of thin film materials in my final undergraduate project, and found that particular area very interesting. At that time, there were only a few instruments in the world that were designed to measure this film, and one of them was made by CSIRO in Australia, so I spent the last 4 months of my degree working on a research project here. It was very exciting to work closely with the group at CSIRO who were involved in the manufacturing of the instrument, and when the opportunity came up to do research for a PhD in this area, I could not resist accepting it. My PhD thesis was on the measurements of mechanical properties, such as hardness and elastic modulus, of thin, sol-gel derived TiO2 thin films. These films have the potential to be used in a range of applications, including solar cells and window coatings. The deposition technique can create very dense films with properties close to those of the bulk material, but often there is some porosity in the films. This can affect the performance of the film, and so there arises the need to measure these changes. Although I didnt do my undergraduate studies at UTS, I have been involved in different aspects of the physics degree taught here. I strongly believe that the skills students learn in this program are invaluable for the type of work that we do at the NMI. Our work comprises of a great deal of lab work, where

Name: sa Jmting Job: Metrologist and Research Scientist , National Measurement Institute DeGrees:  Master of Science in Materials Science, Sweden (similar to an Applied Physics and Advanced Materials Masters degree at UTS) PhD Mechanical properties of sol-gel thin films, UTS

16

the appropriate experiments have to be devised and run, then the results analysed. A solid foundation in physics is extremely useful in this. My affiliation with UTS has been terrific. I find the staff very approachable, and interested in collaborative work. The work I have been carrying out at UTS has been well supported, with both practical assistance and many useful discussions. We have had several students from UTS working at the NMI, both undergraduate students and PhD students. They have been great, and we are always interested in more! Of course, this is only one direction you can take with a physics degree. If you like doing physics, go ahead! Itll provide a lifetime of fun opportunities!!!!

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

NANOTECHNOLOGY
POssIble JObs
Material scientist/research, polymer scientist, composite technologist, entrepreneurial, investment advisor, product development and commercialisation, nanotechnologist, science teacher, academia, technical officer, imaging specialist, research associate or assistant, drug deliverance researcher, Nanolithography and Platform Project Officer.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Nanoink, Bluglass, Pilkington, Wattyl Paints, ANZ Bank, Defence Force, Bureau of Meteorology, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Dept of Communications, IT and the Arts, KPMG, MasterFoods Australia, Nova Corporation, NSW Fire Brigades, Orica Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Woodside Energy, Australian Synchrotron, NASA, ANSTO, Higher Education Sector, Secondary Schools, Australian Institute of Physics, Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers, Australian Research Council, AGRF, Australian Institute of Physics and Institute of Microelectronics.

17

REAL CAREERS:

S C I T A m E H T MA
Credit Risk is the risk of losing money when borrowers stop making repayments on their loans. In my career as a Credit Risk Manager I have worked on a variety of projects in Credit Card and Home Loan portfolios across Australia and New Zealand. Financial institutions have to assess the credit risk of prospective borrowers when they apply for a loan, but the risk assessment doesnt stop there. Each month every loan is re-assessed for credit worthiness to calculate the correct amount of capital to be held in reserve to protect depositors savings in the event of that loan defaulting. Additionally, every ATM or credit card transaction has to be assessed not only for credit risk but for fraud risk too. The only way to make millions of these risk assessments every day, some in only the seconds it takes the EFTPOS terminal to come back with Transaction Approved, is with mathematical models. Financial institutions have vast databases with the details of every transaction and loan repayment and this data is mined and analysed to develop the policies, procedures and rules to make better decisions about lending money and approving transactions in the future. The practical skills I learnt at UTS have been invaluable in my career - predictive modelling, computer programming and optimisation are the day-to-day tasks of my job. However I also rely heavily on the softer skills, such as problem solving and communication, which they endeavour to imbed in their graduates. In the real world there are no answers in the back of the text book to tell you whether you got the right answer, or even the steps you need to work through to find the solution. I dont know anyone who has ever had to derive, say, the fundamental theorem of calculus at work and this leads some people to ask Why study this if youll never use it? The point of studying this isnt to be able to recite the proof from memory, the point is the skills you learn studying this. The logic of precisely defining a problem and then laying out a step by step solution are needed in every workplace and, indeed, in life in general. Communication is important is every discipline but in technical sciences such as mathematics you really need to excel at explaining your technical work to people without a technical background. You may have devised the most perfect solution to a problem but if you cant explain it to management it wont be used. Learning is a lifelong process, I have learnt so much from my colleagues and managers on the job in the years since I graduated but to excel you really need a solid foundation to build that experience onto. Not a day goes past where I dont do something that I cant link directly back to the knowledge and skills I learned at UTS.

Name: Samantha Reading Job:  Manager, Collections Insights and Recoveries Strategy Risk Management, Retail Banking Services, Commonwealth Bank DeGrees:  Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance, UTS

18

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

MATHEmATICS
POssIble JObs
Mathematican, Mathematics Teacher, Meteorologist, Statistician, Stockbroker, Town planner, Operations and Supply Chain Manager, Market research analyst, Economist, Actuary, Information Analyst, Financial Analyst, Consultant Financier, Investment Analyst, Transport Analyst, Resource Modeller, Simulation Consultant, Management Consultant, Intelligence Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Banker, Policy Advisor, Safety Analyst, Physical Oceanographer, Mathematical Modeller, Cryptographer, Survey Designer and Analyst, Consultant Statistician, Data Miner, Biostatistician.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Accenture, ACT Department of Treasury, ALDI, Woolworths, ANZ Bank, Arup Pty Ltd, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Defence Force, Bureau of Meterology, Centrelink, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, NasDaq, Deloitte, First NZ Capital, Colonial First Portfolio, Ford Motor Company, IBM, Insurance Australia Group, Linfox, Productivity Commission, Railcorp, Suncorp, Elements Research, The Aerospace Corporation, Applied Mathematics Inc., McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Clemson Apparel Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Bell Labs, Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Institute for Defense Analyses, Boeing Information and Support Services, Eastman Kodak, 3M, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems, GORCA Systems, Inc., Sandia National Laboratories AMIS, CSIRO, NASA, Australian Genome Research Facility.

19

REAL CAREERS:

Y G O L O I B L A T N E m N O R I V EN
The most inspiring aspect of my work is that it brings me to the forefront of scientific discovery and this is a very rewarding place to be. The research I am involved in is of global significance and my findings have implications for the future of our planet. Predicting the effect of climate change is an essential step in learning how we can reduce the impact humans are having on our planet, and develop methods for adapting to the expected shifts in our changing world. My work activities are very diverse. I enjoy frequent field trips to local and international destinations for independent and collaborative research, and I also travel to present my work at national and overseas conferences. My research specifically involves identifying the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. This has taken me to some of the most bio-diverse and pristine coral reefs in the world where I study the effects of rising ocean temperatures on the health and survival of corals. When in Sydney, I spend my time in the laboratory, writing up papers for publication or applying for grant opportunities to fund my work. A considerable amount of my time is spent teaching undergraduate students in lectures and practicals, as well as supervising postgraduate research students. From a young age, I had a passion for the environment and an interest in the sea, so when it came time to choose what direction I wanted to take for a career, the answer was easy. I wanted to be actively involved in curbing the human impact on the environment and in helping to understand and protect all species found on this planet. There are many areas of concern in marine ecosystems. One particular area of interest to me is coral bleaching. This is becoming more frequent and widespread and can lead to the death of large areas of reef. Another area I have been studying, and where there is still more work to be done, is the evil twin of global warming ocean acidification. The large amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere through human activities not only warms the globe through the Greenhouse Effect, but also leads to ocean acidification. I have also been involved in polar research which gave me the opportunity to visit East Antarctica in 2007 where I conducted a series of experiments on sea-ice algae. Scientific research is an exciting area to be involved in because the world of science is constantly changing and breakthroughs are occurring more rapidly. With access to new and powerful technologies at UTS and the availability of generous research funds, collaboration across disciplines and between research groups (both internally and externally to UTS) is innovative, encouraged and well supported. I didnt have many issues finding a job. Once I completed my PhD, I planned to continue my research and teaching career by applying for post doctoral positions. I was successful in securing a four year Chancellors Post Doctoral Research Fellowship at UTS. No motivated or hard-working students should find it difficult to get work once they have completed their degree. The degrees at UTS provide students with both field and laboratory skills, from a contemporary and research-driven perspective. They also provide the opportunity to undertake internships which is a fabulous way to get experience and to network with future employers. This provides graduates with the competitive edge they need to be successful.

Name: Dr Ross Hill Job:  Lecturer, Environmental Sciences, University of Technology Sydney DeGrees:  Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology (majoring in Marine Biology) with Honours. PhD Science, UTS

20

SpeCIFIC MAJOR Of course research isnt the only career path open to Environmental Biology graduates. I was also offered the opportunity to pursue a career as an Environmental Technician at the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, but this was only one option in many. SpeCIFIC MAJOR

MARINE BIOLOGY
POssIble JObs
Marine Biologist, Life Scientist, Baykeeper, Aquaculture Microbiologist, Fisheries Ecologist, Marine Mammal Response Scientist, Marine Education Specialist, Marine Ecologist, Exploration, Scientific and Commercial Diver, Fisheries Biologist, Molecular Biologist, Marine Biotechnologist, Environmental Research Scientist, Science Secondary School Teacher, Oil Rig Research, Marine Surveyor, Marine Biochemist, Marine engineer, Fisheries Officer, Boating and Fisheries Patrol Officer, Fisheries Observer, Ecological modeller, Entomologist Aquaculture Technician, Marine Biologist, Ecologist, Data Analyst, Laboratory Technical Officer, Research Assistant, Policy Analyst or Advisor, Diver, Data Analyst, Field Officer, Fisheries Health Technician, Planner, Land Management Officer, Resource Officer, Ranger, Biosecurity officer, Sea Farm Manager, Science writer/editor, Environmental Education Officer, Technical Adviser, Risk Analyst, Weed Control Officer or Marine Surveyor.

ENVIRONmENTAL BIOLOGY
POssIble JObs
Biologist, Environmental Research Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Life Scientist, Technical Officer, Secondary School Teacher,Academics or lecturers, Aquatic Ecologist, Coal Geologist, Geological Oceangrapher, Environmental, Botanists, Plant Ecologist, Plant Pathologist, Plant Physiologist, Plant Taxonomist, Biological Scientist, Field/ Exploration Geologist, Hydrogeologist/ Hydrologist, Mine Site Geologist, Stratigrapher, Structural Geologist, Pest and weed controllers, Entomologist, Ecologist, Land Economist or Mapping Scientist.

POssIble eMplOYeRs POssIble eMplOYeRs

CSIRO, Arup Pty Ltd, BHP Billiton, Local Councils, BlueScope Steel, Chevron, Connell Wagner, Ernst & Young, Ford Motor Company, George Weston Foods Ltd, Linc Energy LTD, Earth Systems Pty Ltd, AGRF, GHD Ltd, Goulburn-Murray Water, Lend Lease Coporation, Orica Ltd, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Roads and Traffic Authority, Schlumberger Oilfield Australia, Sunwater, Sydney Water, Thales, Thiess Pty Ltd, Unilever, United Water, VicRoads and Visy. Sea world, Disneyland, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife parks, Crown Research Institutes, Department of Conservation, ERMA New Zealand, Ministry of Fisheries, Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand, HortResearch, Landcare Research, Regional Councils, City Councils, Cawthron Institute, Eart Systems Pty Ltd, AGRF, Australian Marine Sciences Association, Sydney Water, Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dept of Environment and Climate Change, Local councils, Australia Antartic Division and Fisheries farm.

21

REAL CAREERS:

S C I S N E R O F L A T N E m N O R I V EN
I always knew I wanted a career where I would be able to make a difference and help protect the environment, but working out how to do that felt very daunting when I was in high school. I now work at the CSIRO Land and Water and what I do directly benefits the environment and the community which is very rewarding. Through my work, I play an important role in monitoring contamination with routine tests on effluents and discharges and am also heavily involved in new research developing guidelines and regulations in regards to the disposal and discharge of solid and liquid wastes. The research involved in this is interesting and stimulating and Im always learning and developing new skills. I get to work in a variety of areas including aquatic and sediment ecotoxicology, and analytical chemistry. Our work here at CSIRO Land and Water plays a crucial role in environmental protection. We have developed a range of chemical and ecotoxicological methods and concepts to solve complex environmental assessment issues. Chemical contamination in waterways, estuaries, coastal areas, soils and ground waters can be caused by liquid and solid wastes. This can affect natural ecosystems and human health. To effectively manage such wastes, it is essential to understand the type and extent of any effects of contamination and to define acceptable limits for concentrations of different contaminants. My main role in the group is to conduct bioassays using a range of organisms which are ecologically significant, such as marine and freshwater, tropical and temperate algae, freshwater fleas, marine copepods, and marine bacteria Microtox. I set-up tests which expose the organisms to the contaminant and from this I devise how toxic the sample is, and by how much it has to be diluted before it can be safely released into the environment. On a day to day basis, I am usually conducting some sort of toxicity tests, which also involves statistical analysis of the data, as well as metal and ammonia analysis using various analytical methods. I am also in charge of culturing all of our tests organisms and maintaining our laboratories and equipment. The environmental forensics degree at UTS is the only one of its kind in Australia so not many people understand fully what it involves. Students are taught a variety of skills which can be applied in a range of careers. The focus is on environmental science and protection, the impacts of human activities on the environment, resource use on ecosystems, and how evidence of this can be interpreted into a legal and regulatory framework. The skills taught in the course are interdisciplinary, with theoretical studies as well as practice based- field and laboratory classes. Students learn the practical skills of an environmental scientist, but also how their skills can be used in a court of law, or how their work can assist in developing guidelines which will protect the environment. UTS is a great university because of its strong industry ties. This area is no exception. CSIRO and UTS have a good relationship and have worked together on numerous research projects. It is through this relationship and because CSIRO plays such an important role in nurturing and supporting young scientists, that

Name: Francesca Gissi Job:  Research Projects Officer in Aquatic Ecotoxicology, CSIRO Land and Water  DeGrees: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Forensics, UTS

22

I started working for them. Each year at CSIRO Land and Water Lucas Heights, two undergraduates are recruited as trainees for a year. One position is in analytical chemistry and the other in aquatic Ecotoxicology, which I was lucky enough to get. The internships are advertised through lecturers at uni each year. I think there are a huge variety of jobs that a person graduating with this degree can get. If you undertake further studies as a postgraduate, you can become a research scientist, and develop new and important methods of monitoring and protecting the environment. There is the option of becoming an environmental analyst in something like chemical monitoring. One could become involved in environmental protection and remediation, developing strategies to revive destroyed ecosystems. There is also the option of entering in to education. The scientific community as a whole is a very supportive and nurturing one. Scientists like research and discovery, and will assist younger scientists in getting there because thats the future. I have found both at UTS and at CSIRO that the scientific community is very welcoming and supportive. There is always help available and senior scientists are always willing to share their knowledge and advice.

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

ENVIRONmENTAL FORENSICS
POssIble JObs
Conservation consultant, Environmental Officer, Environmental Research Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Technical Officer, Secondary School Teacher, Education Officer, Environmental Contaminants Officer, Urban and Environmental Planner, Entomologist, Contaminated Land Consultant, Principle Consultant, Sustainability Consultant, Environmental Specialist, Hydrogeologist, Forest Education Officer, Toxicology Consultant or Water Treatment Consultant.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
CSIRO, Arup Pty Ltd, BHP Billiton, Local Councils, BlueScope Steel, Chevron, Connell Wagner, Ernst & Young, Ford Motor Company, George Weston Foods Ltd, Linc Energy LTD, Earth Systems Pty Ltd, AGRF, GHD Ltd, Goulburn-Murray Water, Lend Lease Coporation, Orica Ltd, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Roads and Traffic Authority, Schlumberger Oilfield Australia, Sunwater, Sydney Water, Thales, Thiess Pty Ltd, Unilever, United Water, VicRoads and Visy.

23

REAL CAREERS:

E C N E I C S L A BIOmEDIC
The biomedical science degree provides graduates with a fantastic platform from which to build a career in almost any area of medicine. Career opportunities range from working in research in a nearly limitless range of medical disciplines from the study of disease to forensic analysis, or it provides the option to take on further specialised study in areas such as pharmaceuticals or anatomy. It is often necessary to go on to further study and specialise in order to get your dream job, but this is the same for many other jobs in unrelated faculties, such as law or business. However, when you find the area you love, postgraduate study isnt really a sacrifice. I plan to continue studying medicine and will definitely go on to postgraduate studies. During my studies, I was lucky enough to get the chance to volunteer for the Red Cross working in their donor mobile. This was a great learning experience which taught me how many different disciplines can work together, such as administration, medical, public relations, etc. The nurses and administration staff who run the blood donor mobiles do an amazing job and should be given many accolades. I was honoured to work with them and learn from them. My involvement helped get a donor mobile to Ultimo TAFE. We used it as a way to further educate biomedical science students on the technical need for blood donors, and also to promote membership of AIMS, the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, because numbers of students have been dwindling. My favourite aspect of the biomedical science course is probably the medical diagnostics. In this subject, we are given the case study of a patient and are then required to methodically work through the test results, such as cardiac enzymes and other blood tests, and reach a diagnosis. It can often be like solving a puzzle, and finding the right result is very rewarding, not just for me but for my patient as well! I have always known I wanted to work in science, even when I was studying high school biology. I was lucky in this respect and had no problem working out what uni course I wanted to do, but studying biology at university is very different to studying it at school. When I first started at UTS in 2006, the Science Faculty had just unveiled its brand new science building which was pretty impressive. The facilities are fantastic and because of this we are able to conduct very interesting experiments. The scientific community is a challenging but rewarding community to be a part of. It comprises people who are leaders in research and health care. They publish their findings which are then critically analysed by other members of the community. The scientists at UTS are always investigating and conducting research. There are definitely lecturers who will go to any length to help students, who are passionate about the success of their students and about ensuring students understand the concepts of this complex area of study.

Name: Christopher McLean Job:  Still a student  DeGrees: Bachelor of Biomedical Science, UTS

24

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

BIOmEDICAL SCIENCE
POssIble JObs
Medical lab manager, Cytologist, Biochemist Microbiologist, Research Associate, Agricultural, Medical and Science Technicians, Secondary School Teacher, Cancer Research, Gene therapy, Embryology, Infectious Disease Dignostics, Biological Oceanographer, Microbiology Technician, Microbiologist, Geneticist, Biologist or Pathology Medical Practicioner.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Childrens Medical Research Institute, Hospitals NSW, Accenture Australia, AGRF, UTS Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, ALDI Australia, ANZ Bank, Australian Defence Force, Defence Signals Directorate, Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dept of Transport and Regional Services, KPMG, Lion Nathan, NSW Fire Brigades, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Unilever Australasia.

25

REAL CAREERS:

Y G O L O I B C I S N FORE
As an anatomist, most of my days are spent preparing anatomical teaching specimens. Anatomy is a three dimensional subject you are able to show students what youre explaining, whereas many other disciplines, such as quantum physics, are far more conceptual. Anatomy cannot be understood from looking at a two dimensional image or reading a description in a text book. Its equivalent to a mechanic trying to learn how an engine fits together by just studying from a book. With anatomy it is impossible to appreciate and understand how bones, muscles, nerves and blood vessels work together unless you can trace their path. Many structures undulate over, under, around and through others, so being able to see this first hand on a specimen is invaluable. Although human evolution hasnt changed anatomy greatly in recent times, there is always variation between individuals; as such I am constantly learning and being surprised by the human body.

Name: Clare Bodimeade Job:  Technical Officer (Anatomy), University of Technology Sydney  DeGrees: Bachelor of Forensic Biology in Biomedical Science, UTS

The Forensic Biology degree at UTS has a strong foundation in the bio-medical sciences, with the inclusion of Crime Scene, Human Remains and DNA Profiling. There are study areas in haematology (which is the study of blood), epidemiology (the study of disease), histology (the study of tissues), immunology (the study of the immune system), microbiology (which is the study of microscopic organisms) and molecular biology as well as many other medical science disciplines to choose from. The forensic biology degree is almost like doing a biomedical science degree but with a forensic element. This provides a versatile platform from which to build a career in many areas. An interesting bio-medical science option is anatomical pathology, which involves working with tissues samples. This can be a very rewarding career because sometimes surgeons need lab tests done on tissue from patients who are still on the operating table. These tests need to be accurate and fast, and they often provide the information that will save the patients life.

Career options for forensic biology graduates may include all the bio-medical options as well as specific forensic areas. There is the research and teaching field, such as what I do, but also DNA profiling, other areas of human identification and of course one of the more popular career paths is to work for the police either in a lab-based capacity or as a Scene of crime officer. I find my work rewarding, inspiring and I continue to be fascinated by the way the human body works. I feel that it is really important to have anatomy resources for students, as the students I teach will go on to careers where they propagate health within the community in many different ways. Forensics is such a broad field with so many options available, however one thing is consistent across them all; you will certainly have an interesting and challenging career... although crimes are not solved within a one hour episodes!

26

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

FORENSIC BIOLOGY
POssIble JObs
Forensic scientist, forensic specialist, forensic officer, Scene of Crime Officer, Technical Officer, Research Associate, Science teacher, Forensic Microanalysis, Forensic Trace Evidence Specialist, Forensic Toxicologist, Forensic Physician, Team Leader in Investigations, Forensic Biologist, Hospital Specialist or Laboratory Services

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, Forensic Science Services Branch, Forensic Services Group, AGRF, Department of Police and Emergency Management, DAL, Department of Forensic Medicine, National Institute of Forensic Science, NIFS, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Pathology labs, Hospitals, Australian Secret Intelligence Service, Australian Defence Force, Medicare Australia, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, IBM and Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics.

27

REAL CAREERS:

E N I C I D E M E S E N I H C L A N TRADITIO
Working in this area of health care is very rewarding because the positive results of my work are obvious in my patients. I absolutely know that I am contributing to society and making the lives of those in my community better. I have a passionate interest in Chinese Medicine and firmly believe that it can be beneficial in helping people both achieve and maintain health, balance and harmony in their lives. Working with people and learning something new every day means I am constantly inspired and challenged in my work. I have always had an interest in health care. Before I discovered Traditional Chinese Medicine, I worked in the field of medical microbiology for a number of years. This was mostly lab work and I always missed having contact with patients. It wasnt until I travelled to South East Asia that I discovered the wonderful benefits of Chinese Medicine. I engaged in a little reading and took a few very basic introductory courses to find out a little more about this field. In no time at all I was hooked and wanted to share this wonderful form of medicine with everyone! That lead me to enrol in the course at UTS, and now here I am four years later, recently qualified and excited about the prospects of developing my own practice. Opening your own practice is the most common option to TCM graduates. This can take on various forms you can rent a clinic space; rent a treatment room in an existing multi-modality medical practice where there are a range of medical options available e.g. GP, physio, chiropractor; or you can rent a treatment room in a like-minded business e.g. yoga studio, health food shop. There are other options for graduates, and these are much the same as in conventional medicine. They include working in businesses related to the practice of TCM such as equipment supplies. The range of equipment used varies depending on the practitioner but we all need acupuncture needles and herbal supplies! Students can also choose to do a double degree in which you learn the Chinese language as well. I know of some graduates who went on to work as translators after completing this degree. I rent a room in a GP clinic for part of the week, and I also practice in a chiropractic clinic. The great advantage of setting up my own business is that I am very flexible with where I work. I find that working within different clinics gives me exposure to patients with very different conditions. I like the variety. In general its not difficult for TCM graduates to find work there are many opportunities. As with many other professions, networking is important. If people know you and know you are available to work, opportunities have a habit of opening up. The health community is a very diverse group. I find it interesting and inspiring to work with health professionals specialising in a variety of different medical modalities. I work with GPs, psychologists, massage therapists and chiropractors. UTS provided good support for me during my years as a student. They have some very gifted lecturers and practitioners who always have time to help. The student clinic provided many learning opportunities. Im still in touch with some of my clinic supervisors, and they continue to offer help and advice with difficult and interesting cases. Chinese Medicine is becoming more mainstream, and people love it!

Name: Marienne Cox Job:  Practitioner of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine DeGrees:  Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine, UTS

28

SpeCIFIC MAJOR

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

POssIble JObs
Private practitioner, Clinical therapist, Nutritional and health consultants, Academia, Clinical Research Associate, Acupuncturist, Homoeopath, Naturopath, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practictioner, Complementary Health Therapists, Natural Therapist, Herbalist, Myotherapist, Naturopath or Massage Therapist.

POssIble eMplOYeRs
Private Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, Medical Centres, Overseas hospitals such as China, Korea and Taiwan and tertiary institutions.

29

ATTRIBUTES GRADUATE MATHS

Mathematics is essential to many new and exciting technologies, including nanotechnology and molecular genetics. It underpins many trades and businesses.

StudYING MAths helps deVelOp skIlls IN:

CREATIVITY: The ability to view problems in imaginative and innovative ways. MODELLING: Using data to create mathematical models to make predictions and analyse complex situations. LEARNING: Developing of the knowledge and skills required to understand and use new concepts and information. RESEARCH: The ability to pose questions, understand processes and make discoveries. PROBLEM SOLVING: The ability to dissect problems into their essential components and solve them using suitable methods.

WIth MAtheMAtICs IN YOuR pOCket the pOssIbIlItIes ARe INFINIte!

30

MATHS FACTS

DId YOu kNOW?

WhAt Is OpeRAtIONs ReseARCh? It is about the optimisation of scheduling, manufacturing and pricing, which is a critical part of business and government planning. WhAt Is MOdellING? A mathematical model uses a set of equations and variables to describe a system such as the climate or a financial market. Mathematical models are used to predict and forecast the effect of changes in the variables on the behaviour of the system. WhY COMbINe MAths WIth COMputING? Distinguish yourself by combining mathematics and computing. You will be in clear edge over straight computing graduate, where you innovate in jobs that require both disciplines such as Senior Confirmit Survey Programmer, Java Developer, C++ Researcher/Developer, etc. DEFENCE: A big employer of mathematics graduates with a wide range of expertise, where the work is varied and exciting, offering great opportunities for development. ENERGY: Mathematicians are invaluable resources for energy companies, in improving efficiency of energy distribution and consumption. ENVIRONMENT: Analytically strong graduates are crucial in predicting future outcomes by modelling new technologies by analysing current data which allows us to pinpoint areas requires improvement. FINANCE: The finance sector is another huge employer of mathematics graduates because of the advanced quantitative and analytical skills that these graduates have. This area covers the stock market and other forms of investment, insurance and the regulation of these areas. FORENSICS: Mathematicians and statisticians are preferred candidates because of their analytical skills when it comes to revealing and analysing the truth. HEALTH: Current and future healthcare relies crucially on analysis of numerical data from cancer research to infectious diseases. MARKET RESEARCH: How can companies keep their customers satisfied? Market researchers interpret customer records and spending habits to provide their company with the competitive edge over their competitors. Maths and stats graduates are numerically savvy and know how to interpret these customer data. METEOROLOGY: The modelling of ocean currents, weather patterns and climate change is all about mathematics. TEACHING: get back to school and inspire the younger generations of the importance of mathematics in our daily lives. 31

E C N E I C S F RO O L E H C A B UTS THE FLEXIBLE OPTION!

UTS Bachelor of Science is a flexible degree that prepares you for a professional scientific career. It is based on a solid foundation of core study areas in science and mathematics, where you study a three-year Bachelor of Science with a major of your choice. When students are unsure or have multiple interests, they may find it difficult to commit to something for three years without experiencing it. So whats great about this program? It gives students the flexibility to choose their major at the end of their first year of study, thus giving them the opportunity to experience subjects before locking in on a major. In first year, students basically follow a foundation stream which will give them a choice of a few majors. Students can also decide against choosing a major at the end of their first year of study. They can opt to choose second and third year subjects according to their interests or career paths.

LIFE & ENVIRONmENTAL SCIENCES FS

MAJOR ChOICes > Medical Science > Marine Biology > Biotechnology End of the 1st year of study, choose your major from your chosen foundation stream or the Flexible* major MAJOR ChOICes > Applied Chemistry > Applied Physics > Nanotechnology

> Biomedical Science > Environmental Biology > Environmental Forensics

YEAR 1
Choose one of the three Foundation Streams (FS)

BSC

PHYSICAL SCIENCES FS

YEAR 2&3
> Statistics
*  Flexible Major You can choose a range of 2nd and 3rd year subjects to suit your interests

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FS

MAJOR ChOICes > Mathematics

32

SUCCESSFUL
This gives you the option to pursue all avenues or to hone your skills and specialise in your desired field but dont worry, if you arent sure what you want to specialise in. You can choose to take up other majors after youve already started your science or mathematics degree, and throughout your time at UTS, we will ensure you are given the opportunity to experience many areas through flexible course structures, so you have the time and the space to decide who you want to be! SPECIALISED DEGREES WITH DOUBLE DISCIPLINES You can choose to do a specialised degree with double disciplines, which will give you a sought after specialisation. These include: Bachelor of Mathematics and Computing is an interesting alternative to studying only in information technology, which will give you the edge over graduates who have studied only one discipline. There are many great career options open to graduates of this degree, including games developer, computer programmer or investment analyst. Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance is a great option for students interested in following business related careers but who want to graduate with something a little more to put them ahead of the pack in this exceptionally competitive work-place. Graduates enjoy varied careers, mostly in high-finance positions such as investment banking, property valuing or stock market analysis.

COMBINATIONS COmBINED DEGREES

In todays economy, it doesnt matter what industry you want to work in, you can guarantee one thing it will be a competitive market. In order to ensure you graduate as work-ready as you can be, UTS: Science offers you the option of combining your science degree with other disciplines from other UTS Faculties. CROSS-FACULTY COMBINED DEGREES To provide even more flexibility, UTS: Science gives students the opportunity to combine their science degree with another from other UTS Faculties, resulting in double specialisations. Students can create innovative and dynamic specialisations, limited only by their interests and imagination. A combined degree will ensure graduates are unique and highly sought-after in industry, and a combined degree generally only requires one or two years extra study, so youll be out in the workforce before you know it. With such options, the world really is your oyster. Some great examples of combined degrees are as follows: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Medical Science or Bachelor of Biotechnology with the Bachelor of Business can take you just about anywhere, depending on the specialisations you choose. For example, a major in chemistry and marketing will ensure you become invaluable to pharmaceutical companies, where you will have the option of following a career in either the business or research aspects of the industry. By combining your degree to include both practical business qualifications and professional scientific ones, you leave your options open to work in any aspects of the business of science. Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Medical Science of Bachelor of Biotechnology with the Bachelor of Engineering provides graduates with a unique and highly sought-after skill set. Covering a broad range of options depending on the majors you choose, this degree could see you working in research, design and development, or management. Want to work in robotics? With the environment? In telecommunications? The list is endless. Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Medical Science with the Bachelor of Laws. Fancy yourself as an Erin Brockovich? This is the degree for you. Students graduate with the academic requirements for admission as legal practitioners, making them highly prized as lawyers in areas relating to applied and medical sciences. These careers are generally highly paid, and lawyers specialising in environmental, medical and patent law are always in demand. Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Medical Science or Bachelor of Biotechnology, or Bachelor of Maths & Finance or Bachelor of Maths & Computing with the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. This degree is only offered at UTS. Students can combine any of the 12 science majors through the BSc with specialist studies in participating countries, which are Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latino USA, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand. This not only provides you with a professional qualification and the opportunity to study abroad for a full-year, experiencing the culture, language and knowledge of your chosen country. It also provides you with international experience and of course, loads of fun! How can you resist? 33

FURTHER STUDY

WHATS NEXT AFTER YOUR FIRST DEGREE?

You have lots of options after youve completed your science degree. You can enter the workforce and put the skills youve learned into practice or, as many students do, you can go on to further study, advance your skills even further and become specialised in your chosen field. Below are some further study options. HONOURS DEGREE An honours degree is the first step into your research career. It is a year where Students graduate with an advanced knowledge base in their chosen field as well as the ability to produce work in a more independent manner. You will be responsible for creating, developing, conducting and documenting the research project of your choice (subject to approval), which will be overseen by an academic supervisor. These projects offer students the opportunity to be involved in real-world scientific discoveries. The resources of the university are available to you, and in some cases research may be done off-campus at major scientific research centres such as the CSIRO. You will also be able to network with academics, postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers. If you intend to pursue a career in scientific research or academia, an honours degree is a prerequisite for enrolling in a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). There are many study areas for honours degrees which include Chemistry, Forensic Science, Physics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Science, Forensic Biology, Medical Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Environmental Sciences, etc. To view current honours projects, visit: www.science.uts.edu.au/honours/ 34 POSTGRADUATE COURSEWORK DEGREES UTS: Science offers both coursework and higher research degrees. Generally one year full-time, these courses further develop the skills taught during undergraduate study, but designed for students to develop a specialisation or focus on their specific interest areas. Coursework degrees take a more structured approach to teaching and are more closely supervised than research degrees. To view current postgraduate coursework degrees on offer, visit: www.science.uts. edu.au/courses/ POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH DEGREES UTS is proud of its reputation as a practical university of the real world and works hard to foster and develop its substantial links to industry. Due to this, UTS: Science researchers and research students are involved in particularly innovative research projects that have the potential to make real differences to the scientific community and to the population in general. UTS: Science research degrees are selfdirected, independent study programs, aimed at producing thesis that contributes new knowledge to the field of research. All research degrees have a 100% research component. To view current postgraduate research degrees available, visit: www.science.uts.edu.au/courses/

FOR MORE INFORMATION VIsIt: WWW.sCIeNCe.uts.edu.Au

WWW.SCIENCE.UTS.EDU.AU

This careers guide is a resource for those interested in a science or maths career, and also to provide a greater awareness of the world of possibilities to graduates who are able to innovate and think outside the box! UTS: Science PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia Email: science@uts.edu.au www.science.uts.edu.au

Youll be happy to know that this guide has been printed on an FSC certified paper and printed at an FSC certified printer. This means UTS has done its bit for the environment by using environmentally friendly paper and ink to produce this guide and wed ask that you also do your bit for the environment and pass this guide on to a friend when youre done with it.
UTS:MCu / JOB 16147 / NoVEMbER 2010 / UTS:CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 00099F iMAGEs: CHRis BENNEtt, ENCAptuRE & CAtH MusCAt