• Charles Sturt to offer new Bachelor of Nuclear Science and Safety in 2025
• The course will be delivered online and is now available for enrolment
• National Science Week is from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 August

Charles Sturt University has developed a new course to fill a shortage in nuclear aware and nuclear capable workforces across multiple Australian industries with a new course to be offered from 2025.

Charles Sturt was successful in responding to the Australian government calls for courses in the nuclear space.

The result is that the University has since worked with the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) for government support and course development for the new Bachelor of Nuclear Science and Safety.

Professor in Nuclear Medicine with the Charles Sturt School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences in Wagga Wagga Geoff Currie (pictured) said the course was designed to address a shortage in nuclear aware and nuclear capable workforces in health, education, military, science, research, space and mining.

Professor Currie said the Bachelor of Nuclear Science and Safety provides a foundation for graduates to understand the mindset and requirements for Australia’s nuclear workforce.

“We have a growing nuclear workforce associated with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), along with nuclear medicine, research, space exploration, mining and AUKUS nuclear powered submarines,” he said.

“It is essential to grow our nuclear aware and nuclear capable workforces. For example, by educating science teachers at school with richer nuclear insights, public educators, regulators and managers of areas in or adjacent to the nuclear sector, health physics in research, medicine and mining, military personnel and the list continues.”

Professor Currie said the course includes a physics focus typical of the Bachelor of Science with a physics major, but integrates with broader science and chemistry, specifically nuclear and radiation science, and emergency management and response subjects.

He said the course prepares graduates to be part of a dynamic and engaged workforce that delivers on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies across a range of industries while also providing opportunities to be part of a global nuclear network on professionals to engage in solving future technology requirements.

The course will be delivered online to provide opportunities to people across Australia, including geographically isolated and non-traditional student markets, such as First Nations or mature age.

Employment opportunities which stem from the Bachelor of Nuclear Science and Safety include roles as a health physicist or radiation safety officer, policy advisor, regulator, educator, researcher, scientist, in facility management and administration, as a first responder, medical physicist, nuclear physicist and emergency response coordinator.

National Science Week will be recognised in Australia from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 August and Professor Currie said this course will produce graduates that will be beneficial to multiple science careers and industries.

“Science is the foundation of life,” Professor Currie said.

“The way we eat, relax, exercise, work, travel and maintain our health depend on science.

“It is essential to not only recognise and celebrate the role of science in society and our personal lives, but also in the advancement of our understanding of the world in which we live and the advances that protect our future.

“It is, therefore, essential in national Science Week to also recognise and celebrate Nuclear Science as the core of all science and life.”

Professor Currie said nuclear science is a core part of the sciences and includes chemistry, physics, biology, engineering and mathematics. It relates to geology and earth sciences, astronomy and astrophysics, and medical science.

“Nuclear science is, in essence the fundamental science that connects all things and all branches of science,” he said.

“Australia is a world leader in nuclear science and right now, there are significant efforts put in place by industry, government and universities to grow the nuclear science workforce over the next four decades.”

Professor Currie said Charles Sturt has 30 years of experience in delivering science graduates.

He said the new degree fits into Charles Sturt’s suite of nuclear science offerings and will be pivotal in meeting the future needs of graduates.

The Bachelor of Nuclear Science and Safety will be offered from session one in 2025. The course will be offered online to provide this opportunity across Australia.