Two high-achieving graduates of Burnside State High School are pursuing their passions for science at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

OP1 students Eden Danielsen-Jensen of Mapleton and Grace Smith of Woombye have enrolled in a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Animal Ecology respectively and are looking forward to the start of semester next month.

They both chose USC after gaining advice from academics at the University’s annual Open Day last year and because they liked the idea of studying locally.

Eden, 17, said chatting about her love of science and maths led her to enrol in a Bachelor of Science.

“I like maths because there’s a right and wrong answer and no interpretations but, because it relates to everything, you can understand the world through data and statistics,” she said.

Eden plans to study science broadly before specialising in the field that interests her most.

A Sunshine Coast volleyball representative and part-time artist, Eden was reluctant to leave her teammates, friends and family for university, so chose to study close to home while following in her siblings’ footsteps.

Her older brother Jacob studied Exercise and Sport Science, sister Madeline studied Nursing and Hannah began Nursing and Midwifery. She also has two younger siblings.

Grace, 17, enrolled in a Bachelor of Animal Ecology after speaking with Open Day course representatives about her love for marine science, her favourite subject at high school.

“The course sounded so interactive with field trips and research, and I like research so it sounded like the right course for me,” Grace said.

Growing up in Woombye, her family kept many pets and went camping and fishing often, spurring a love of wildlife in the children.

Grace, who works part-time in a coffee shop and studies violin, is also looking forward to staying close to family while studying at university.

“The Sunshine Coast is such a lovely environment and I’ve got some good friends and I don’t want to leave all that for uni,” she said.

Applications are still open to study at USC in 2019. Details are available at www.usc.edu.au/learn