The Bachelor of Science requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time) and the honours program an additional year (or equivalent part-time).

The course is structured around coherent programs of study from First Year to Third Year, leading to a recognised Major and Minor; Extended Major; Double Major; Specialisation; or Double Specialisation.

Specialisations or the Double Specialisation have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in The Bachelor of Science. In order to undertake a Specialisation or Double Specialisation students must be admitted to the Specialisation or Double Specialisation program.

Students can apply through SATAC to undertake a Specialisation or Double Specialisation. Students who are enrolled and have passed at least 18 units of study in The Bachelor of Science may internally transfer from another Bachelor of Science Program into a Specialisation or Double Specialisation. To be eligible for internal transfer students must meet the admission requirements and have a GPA of at least 4. Students transferring to a Specialisation or Double Specialisation may receive credit for some or all of the topics already completed depending on topics undertaken.
 
Students may include a range of elective topics in their program.

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.

The course is offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering except for the Biotechnology Specialisation which is jointly offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Prerequisites and assumed knowledge for specialisations

There are no formal prerequisites for the specialisation in Biodiversity and Conservation but a knowledge of Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry to Year 11 is desirable.

Successful completion of one of SACE Mathematic Methods, Mathematic Studies, or Specialist Mathematics is required for entry to the Clean Technology specialisation.

Successful completion of SACE Stage 2 Chemistry or the equivalent is required for entry to the specialisation in Forensic and Analytical Science.

There are no formal prerequisites for the specialisation in Marine Biology, but knowledge of Mathematics and/or Physics to SACE Year 11 level is desirable.

Successful completion of SACE Year 12 Chemistry, Physics and Mathematical Studies or the equivalent are required for entry to the specialisation in Nanotechnology Quantum Nanostructures stream, while successful completion of SACE Year 12 Chemistry only will allow entry into the specialisation in Nanotechnology Biomedical Nanotechnology stream.

There are no prerequisites or assumed knowledge for the other specialisations.

Course aims

The course aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in science together with the ability to acquire extensive subject knowledge in one or more science disciplines. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

  • understand and apply relevant scientific principles
  • retrieve and present scientific information, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • analyse and evaluate data appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the science disciplines and engage positively with people and ideas beyond their own discipline area
  • use information technology work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • appreciate the role of science in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises; and
  • work effectively cooperatively and productively within a team.

The course provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in a science or non-science related discipline or for a career in a science related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the course are expected to be able to:

  • critically apply  the theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures in the science disciplines they have studied
  • understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge was developed
  • analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments using relevant techniques and protocols,  and analysing reported data
  • communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • appreciate that there are relationships and connections between different science disciplines and understand such relationships and connections in respect of the disciplines they have studied
  • work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
  • interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals
  • understand the role of science in society, operate within the relevant regulatory frameworks and value ethical behaviour in scholarship and professional activity.

Program of study

To qualify for The Bachelor of Science, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

The 108 units must include: 

Plus one of the following programs#:

  • at least one Science major (comprising a combination of 45 units of First, Second and Third Year level topics) selected from the list below and one Science minor (comprising a combination of 27 units of First, Second and Third Year level topics*) selected from the list below*
  • at least one Science Extended Major (comprising a combination of 63 units of First, Second and Third Year level topics) selected from the list below*
  • two Science majors (each comprising a combination of 45 units of First, Second and Third Year level topics) selected from the list below*
  • a Science Specialisation (comprising a combination of 63 units of First, Second and Third Year level topics) or Double Specialisation below (students must be admitted to the Science Specialisation or Double Specialisation)* ^.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree. §

Except where there is an approved** Double Specialisation the same upper-level (2xxx or above) topic cannot be counted twice except for a maximum of 13.5 units counted towards a major may be counted towards a second major. For example a topic that is counted towards a major, specialisation or Extended Major may not also be counted towards a minor.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

† Under certain conditions the core topic COMS1001 may be replaced with an alternative topic.  See COMS1001 for further details. Students who are majoring in Computer Science, Information Systems or Engineering Science may be exempt from undertaking COMS1001 if they are enrolled in ENGR1401 and are also enrolled in or have completed the respective core topics relating to their selected major sequence.

Students are not required to enrol in COMS1001 when undertaking this degree in combination with any of the following:

* These are the minimum requirements to complete The Bachelor of Science. A student may combine an Extended Major with a minor, a specialisation with a minor or complete a major and two minors.

**The only approved Double Specialisation is the Double Specialisation in Marine Biology and Aquaculture.

^ The name of the specialisation will appear on the transcript and parchment.

§ Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

# Unit values indicated in the following paragraph do not include Cognate Studies. Cognate Studies are studies which students must take where indicated to complete their Double Specialisation, Specialisation, Extended Major, Major or Minor.

Students who have completed 108 units of one of the following degrees will be deemed eligible for the award of Bachelor of Science, and may exit with a Bachelor of Science without transferring through SATAC: Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours); Bachelor of Science in Nanotechnology (Honours); Bachelor of Science (Honours); Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program for High Achievers.

Specialisations

(63 units)

*Students may undertake a Double Specialisation in Marine Biology and Aquaculture .

Extended Majors

(63 units)

Majors

(45 units)

Minors

(27 units)

Honours program

Admission to a 1 year (36 unit) honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).

An honours program in Medicine is also offered. Refer to Honours Degree (Medicine).

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science may also be studied in a combined degrees program with: