The Bachelor of Science (Honours) requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

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

Specialisations or the Double Specialisation have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in The Bachelor of Science (Honours). 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 (Honours) may internally transfer from another Bachelor of Science (Honours) 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 5. Students transferring to a Specialisation or Double Specialisation may receive credit for some or all of the topics already completed depending on topics undertaken.

There is an alternative 1 year program for the Bachelor of Sciences (Honours) for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor of Science.

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.

In order to progress into the Honours year of this program, a student must complete 108 units of the Bachelor of Science, including the completion of a recognised Major and Minor, Extended Major or Double Major, achieving an academic standard of a GPA greater than or equal to 5.

As well as the student's undergraduate record, the availability of an academic supervisor for the research project will be taken into account.

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:

  • undertake an individual research project, from planning to execution
  • 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:

  • plan and execute an individual research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
  • critically apply advanced 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 (Honours), a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic according to the program of study below.

No more than 45 units of First Year topics may be counted towards the degree.
 
The 144 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*; or
  • 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*; or
  • two Science majors (each comprising a combination of 45 units of First, Second and Third Year level topics) selected from the list below; or *
  • 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)* ^.

Students accepted into the Honours year must complete 144 units in total in an area in which a specialisation, Extended Major or major has been undertaken and include:

  • 36 units of Honours level topics according to the program specified below.

Except where there is an approved** Double Specialisation the same upper level (2xxx and 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 an upper level topic that is counted towards a major, specialisation or Extended Major may not also be counted towards a minor.

Elective topics to complete 144 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.

Upon completion of at least 103.5 units and with a GPA of 5 or more in the last 36 units of study, students may commence the Fourth Year Honours program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with The Bachelor of Science on completion of 108 units.

Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the Program may choose to exit with The Bachelor of Science.

* 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 cross-disciplinary studies which students must take where indicated to complete their Double Specialisation, Specialisation, Extended Major, Major or Minor.

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


(36 units)

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.