In choosing first-level subjects, students should aim to keep options open for the choice of second and third-level subjects. Students in the designated science degrees have a more structured course than students in the BSc. However, all students should peruse the subjects available in later years and check on the corequisites and prerequisites set out in the subject entries. Most disciplines have certain prerequisites for progression. To qualify for the award of the degree, the student's program must be consistent with the degree regulations as well as the course requirements which are set out below for each degree.
To qualify for a three-year undergraduate science degree, students must complete 144 points. Students are not able to count a subject or part of a subject more than once.
A major comprises a three-year sequence constituting at least 48 credit points, ie one-third of the degree load of 144 points. Examples of three such sequences are:
Level 1 |
12 points |
12 points |
12 points |
Level 2 |
12 points |
18 points |
18 points |
Level 3 |
24 points |
18 points |
24 points |
Total |
48 points |
48 points |
54 points |
Note that a major sequence is defined as a minimum of 48 points of study over
three levels in a single discipline, or in related disciplines (eg first-level
biology followed by second and third-level studies in physiology). Some major
sequences will be interdisciplinary (eg biotechnology, materials science).
Students will also be required to complete at least one minor in a science area of study, consisting of 12 points at level 1 and at least 12 points at levels 2 or 3. Thus at least 72 points in the BSc will consist of major and minor studies.
Students who wish to do so may complete a double major or a major and minor sequence in the same discipline. To complete a double major, students will need to complete at least 72 points of study in a same or deemed discipline sequence. Examples of double major sequences are:
Level 1 |
12 points |
12 points |
12 points |
Level 2 |
12 points |
18 points |
24 points |
Level 3 |
48 points |
42 points |
36 points |
Total |
72 points |
72 points |
72 points |
To complete a major and a minor sequence in the same discipline, students will
need to complete at least 60 points of study in a same or deemed discipline
sequence. Examples of a major and minor sequence in the same discipline are:
Level 1 |
12 points |
12 points |
12 points |
Level 2 |
12 points |
18 points |
24 points |
Level 3 |
36 points |
30 points |
24 points |
Total |
60 points |
60 points |
60 points |
Sequences
in disciplines can be of two types:
(a) subjects taught by the same department at levels 1, 2 and 3 (in
whichever combination of levels to satisfy a major or minor sequence
requirement), or
(b) deemed disciplines which apply where subjects begin at levels 2 or 3.
The deemed discipline sequence in this case may require the completion of
prerequisite subjects (from another discipline) at the preceding level(s).
Subjects must be taken from the science subjects contained in this handbook as
follows:
Students may opt to select their remaining subjects from those offered by another faculty subject to meeting any entry requirements of that faculty. Note that Geography and Environmental Science subjects are shown as ARTS and Computer Science subjects are shown as IT in the subject listings, but count as science subjects for the purposes of meeting the science degree requirements.
Faculty approval is required for any proposed alteration to the course of study during the semester. Students should obtain the form for altering courses/ subjects from the faculty office.
Except for those enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program), students may not enrol in more than 30 points per semester. At level 1, students may not enrol in more than 24 points per semester.
To
satisfy a second-semester prerequisite, students must obtain a grade of NP or
better in the first-semester subject.
To satisfy a first-level prerequisite, students must obtain a grade of NP or
better in one of the pair of sequential prerequisite subjects, provided that a
grade of at least P is obtained in the other subject. Students cannot proceed
to a higher-level subject in a discipline if they obtained NPs for two
prerequisite subjects.
Prerequisites, corequisites and prohibited combinations (ie only one subject
from a pair or set of subjects can be counted towards the degree) are set out
under subject entries.
Students may wish to enrol in a subject they have previously failed twice. Students who fail a subject twice and elect to attempt it for the third time may only do so with the permission of the head of department. Students who make a third or subsequent attempt in a subject must pay 75 per cent of the full single-subject fee charged for that subject. Students who elect to take this option will need to enrol in the subject as a single-subject award. Upon successful completion of the subject, the credit points will be credited back to their degree course.
To complete subjects which have a laboratory component, students shall, to the satisfaction of the head of department, participate and satisfactorily complete such compulsory exercises and laboratory work as shall be prescribed in subject information sheets. If students have not completed the prescribed requirements for any subject, they may be deemed ineligible to pass the subject, or be otherwise penalised, as shall be specified, for unsatisfactory performance.
Students
who obtain a result of 45 to 49 per cent for a subject may be awarded a grade
of NP (near pass). This means that the student will be deemed to have passed
this subject.
Students whose first enrolment in a Monash undergraduate science degree is
prior to 1999 may be awarded a grade of NP for a maximum of 24 points
throughout the course of their degree, with no more than 12 points to be
counted at level 3. Students whose first enrolment in any undergraduate degree
was in 1999 or later may be awarded a maximum of two NP grades in their first
year of tertiary studies (12 points). Students should note that the grade of NP
is now awarded only as a transition measure for students in their first year of
tertiary study. The NP grade will not apply to first-year subjects taken in a
second or subsequent year of tertiary study.
Students who commenced studies in degrees managed by the Faculty of Science, including the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science, are subject to the following exclusion rules:
Students who commenced study in a degree program managed by the Faculty of Science prior to 2000 should refer to the Science Policy Bank at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/facpol/index.htm for exclusion policy information.
For further information about the Faculty of Science academic policies, refer to the Policy Bank at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/facpol/index.htm
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