Monash University: University Handbooks: Off-Campus Distributed Learning 2002: All Units (Both On- and Off-Campus) Indexed by Faculty
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Bachelor of Science


Course code: 2005 + Gippsland campus + HECS fees applicable + Attendance compulsory for some laboratory-based units

Aims

The BSc provides specialist training in one or more science disciplines, with the potential for honours and postgraduate study, leading to employment opportunities in a wide range of career areas. The degree also promotes a basic understanding of scientific disciplines other than those in which students intend to specialise and major. There is also training in broad generic science skills which include numeracy, data analysis and presentation skills together with the capacity to work in teams. This will give a broad range of science knowledge and training that will also enhance students' future prospects beyond the conventional careers for scientists.

Objectives

On completion of the BSc, students will have:

Professional recognition

Students who complete appropriate courses with approved units and supporting studies will fulfil the educational requirements for membership of professional societies such as the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and Australian Institute of Energy.

Entry requirements

The normal requirement for entry to the Bachelor of Science course is satisfactory completion of secondary studies equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education, with a study score of at least 25 in English. Under alternative category entry, applicants will be considered for admission if they have satisfactorily completed at least two approved university-level units including many open learning units.
The BSc course can be tailored to students' individual backgrounds in science and mathematics by taking appropriate first-level units. MAT1049 (Basic mathematics) is offered for students lacking a background in Year 12 calculus-based mathematics.
Course advisers can suggest appropriate first-level science units in line with students' backgrounds.

Special requirements

PC requirement

Access to a personal computer is essential. Some units require access to a PC and modem for use of software, electronic communication with academic staff and other students or assignment submission etc.

Laboratory work

Students enrolled in units with on-campus laboratory work must provide appropriate protective clothing and eye wear. Many first-level laboratory-based units use an experimental kit which is loaned to students by the university, and which enables all laboratory work to be completed off-campus. A refundable deposit is payable for each of these kits. Further details are available from the Faculty of Science.

Attendance

Students enrolling in all laboratory-based second or third-level units, as well as some first-level units, must attend on-campus laboratory sessions. The majority of these sessions are conducted in residential schools that held once per semester and are typically from three to seven days duration. For some units, laboratory work is conducted twice per semester during weekend schools.
In addition, in some units, optional weekend school sessions are conducted for the benefit of students who are able to attend. These sessions are typically of two to four hours duration per unit, and, in some cases, run at all three weekend schools per semester.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Science course normally requires six years of part-time off-campus distributed learning to complete, but variation to suit individual circumstances is possible. In addition to the normal beginning-of-year entry, it is possible to commence the course mid-year (July), with a reduced range of available units.
Major studies may be chosen from the biological sciences (biochemistry, microbiology), chemical sciences, resource/environmental management, mathematics (including applied statistics), computing or psychology. The flexible structure of the BSc makes it possible to complete two major studies, such as resource management and chemistry or mathematics and computing. The course also provides for students to include some studies from such fields as languages, business, economics, journalism and other humanities and social sciences.
An honours year of advanced study and research training, leading to the honours degree of Bachelor of Science, is available for graduates with good results. (The honours year is not currently offered in the off-campus distributed learning mode, but is available by both full-time and part-time study.)
Two associated tagged BSc degrees, detailed separately, have particular career focuses in areas of strength in the Faculty of Science, namely biotechnology and environmental management.

Course requirements for Bachelor of Science

Students must complete the following requirements to be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science:
(a) Complete at least 144 credit points including between 48 and 60 points of first-level studies, and at least 24 points of third-level studies. (Up to 48 points of studies may be taken from outside the Schedule of Approved Science units; students wishing to choose any such studies should consult a course adviser.) All science units in the BSc have credit value of six points.
(b) Complete a science major sequence of at least 48 points, structured as follows:

Level 1


Level 2


Level 3


Total

12

+

18

+

24

=

54

or







12

+

12

+

24

=

48

or







12

+

18

+

18

=

48


(c) Complete a science minor sequence in a second discipline, consisting of 12 points at level one and 12 points at levels two and three. (Many students will extend this minor to a second major.)
(d) Complete two core units:

(e) Complete at least one level-one six-point unit from each of the following three groups:

(The chosen major and minor sequences may cover part of this requirement.)

Science discipline sequences available by off-campus distributed learning

Science major and minor sequences are available in the disciplines/interdisciplinary areas listed below; further details are available in the 2002 undergraduate handbook, from the Faculty of Science office, Gippsland, or on the Monash website.
Units offered by off-campus distributed learning study in 2002 are indicated by #; other units listed will run in off-campus distributed learning mode in 2003.

Applied biology

This sequence builds on first level biology studies to cover biochemistry and molecular biology together with microbiology, emphasising medical and industrial applications.

First level
Second level
Third level

Applied chemistry

This sequence has a focus on the chemistry of biological materials, instrumental techniques and industrial applications.

First Level
Second level
Third level

* COMPULSORY FOR MAJOR SEQUENCE.

Resource and environmental management

This sequence covers the scientific basis for the conservation and management of natural resources.

First level
Second level
Third level

Mathematics and modelling

This sequence provides a grounding in the mathematical techniques relevant to modelling and problem analysis, spanning continuous and discrete mathematics and both deterministic and stochastic modelling.

First level
Second level
Third level

Applied statistics (minor sequence only)

This minor sequence covers a range of data analysis approaches and techniques, relevant to students of the biological, environmental and behavioural sciences.

First level
Second level
Third level

Psychology

This sequence in behavioural science spans the biological, social and cognitive aspects of the discipline.

First level
Second level
Third level
Electives

Note that APS accreditation requires completion of all core units plus one elective, a total of 60 points.

Computing

This sequence covers computer technology, programming and system development and operating systems, with a range of more specialised options at third level.

First level
Second level
Third level

* COMPULSORY FOR MAJOR SEQUENCE.

Human physiology (minor sequence only)

This minor sequence covers physiological communication and function on the basis of first-level studies in cell biology and human biology.

First level
Second level

Units available for meeting BSc requirement (e)

The units available by off-campus distributed learning in 2002 for meeting the BSc course requirement (e) are as follows:

Physical processes
Life processes
Earth processes

Other approved science unit

First-level mathematics (transition from Year 11 background)

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