Course code: 2130 + Gippsland campus + HECS fees applicable + Attendance compulsory for some units
This
double degree is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and
understanding of the role of science and communication in society.
There is an increasing need for scientists to be able to communicate their work
and its importance to colleagues in other rapidly diverging fields, and to
grant-awarding bodies as well as to industry and the community in general,
there is also a need for people with specialised and flexible communication
skills to make science accessible to the general community.
Candidates
for the award would be eligible to seek membership of professional societies
appropriate to areas of science specialisation (eg a chemistry major - the
Royal Australian Chemical Institute) and the professional media
associations.
Professional societies appropriate to the sciences offered within this double
degree program include the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Australian
Institute of Energy and the Australian Psychological Society.
Normal Monash entry requirements apply - the VCE or equivalent with a study score of at least 25 in English. Applicants will also be interviewed, and this interview may be conducted as a face-to-face interview or via electronic communication. Non-VCE applicants should refer to the section on admission requirements at the front of this guide.
To complete this course satisfactorily, it is strongly recommended that students have access to a PC, a modem and the world wide web.
All applicants should be willing to undertake a normal initial workload of at least 24 points a year by off-campus learning. Off-campus learning students should note that this may have implications regarding eligibility for Austudy or similar schemes.
Students
enrolling in any biological or chemical science units (especially upper-level
units) must attend on-campus laboratory sessions. These sessions are conducted
in residential schools which are held once each semester and are usually from
three to seven days duration (laboratory work in some first-level science units
is performed entirely off-campus, using home experimental kits loaned to
students on the basis of a refundable deposit). There are no compulsory
attendance requirements in the communication component of the award.
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. They include lectures, seminars or tutorials and
hands-on workshops.
The
duration of the double degree is flexible, however, depending on study load, it
would normally be completed in four years of full-time study or the equivalent
of part-time study.
Units with a total credit value of a minimum of 192 points must be obtained by
completing:
(a) 96 points, to be taken from approved science units as listed under the
Bachelor of Science entry, including:
(i) a science major sequence (excluding computing) of at least 48
points
(ii) a science minor sequence in a second discipline, consisting of at
least 24 points
(iii) two core units:
(iv) at least one level-one unit from one of the following groups:
(This unit is to be drawn from a different group
from the two chosen science discipline sequences in (i) and (ii).)
(v) an elective unit may be chosen from the science offerings to fulfil
the requirements
(b) 96 points from the School of Humanities, Communications and Social
Sciences, including the prescribed communications sequence (48 points), an arts
minor sequence (24 points) and 24 points of electives.
It would be normal for a student to progress through the science and communication requirements in a parallel fashion. There is considerable flexibility in the study program to allow each student to design their own study program, subject to the completion of prerequisites, and in consultation with a course adviser.
Refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Science.
Students
are strongly advised to consult the appropriate course adviser when planning
their initial study program. Some units in the various science discipline areas
are not offered in the off-campus learning mode every year. Many units are
available only every second year, and course planning must take this into
account.
First-year-level science units are the same as those described in the entry for
the Bachelor of Science degree (refer to that entry for details).
First-year-level communications units are the same as those described in the
entry for the Bachelor of Arts (Communication) degree (refer to that entry for
details).
Assessment is the result of a combination of assignments and final examination for each unit. Generally a pass is required in the final examination to pass the unit. Laboratory science units include a laboratory component, which is usually assessed by performance in class and/or written reports.
Appropriate credit may be granted for approved studies completed at a recognised post-secondary institution. It is advisable that intending applicants seek advice from both the Faculty of Science and the School of Humanities, Communication and Social Sciences regarding their credit transfer policy.
For more information, contact the Faculty of Science, telephone (03) 9902 6431 or (03) 5122 6431, or the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, telephone (03) 9902 6339 or (03) 5122 6339, or email humcass.info@arts.monash.edu.au.
Completed applications are to be forwarded to the Admissions Officer, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, Monash University Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria 3842, by 27 September 2002 to be considered for a first-round offer.
Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents