Science courses are structured as either:
(a) generic courses, such as the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of
Environmental Science, that include a small number of compulsory units, a
specified number of major and minor sequences in a range of science areas of
study, and some additional units available as electives, or
(b) designated courses in a specialist area, such as the Bachelor of
Science (Biotechnology) or Bachelor of Science (Environmental Management), for
which most units are compulsory but where limited number of elective units may
be taken.
Many double-degree courses, which combine studies for a science degree with the requirements for another degree, are also available. In most cases, students in double-degree courses can only take units that are offered for the two-component degrees.
The normal full-time load for undergraduate science courses is 24 points per semester, or four six-point units. Units for most undergraduate courses are available at levels one, two and three, as indicated by the first number in the unit code. Students in science courses may not undertake any level-two science units until they have completed successfully at least 12 points of science studies at level one. Students in their second or subsequent years of enrolment may enrol in up to 30 points per semester, except for those enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Science Scholars Program), who may enrol in more than 30 points per semester with the permission of the course coordinator.
The unit entries in this handbook often include lists of prerequisites,
corequisites and prohibitions. `Prerequisite' units must have been completed
successfully prior to undertaking the unit for which they are listed.
`Corequisite' units either must have been completed previously or may be taken
concurrently in the same semester. Units listed as `prohibitions' to a unit
cannot also be counted towards the relevant course requirements.
It is important that students are familiar with the requirements for the course
in which they are enrolled and choose the units taken with some care. When
choosing level- one units, students should aim to keep options open for the
choice of level-two and level-three units at a later stage of their course.
Students should peruse the units available in later years and check on the
corequisites and prerequisites listed in the unit entries, but should also be
aware that not all units are offered every year. Most areas of study have
certain prerequisites for progression.
Faculty approval may be required for some alterations to the course of study
during the semester. Staff in the Faculty of Science office can advise students
on the relevant requirements at any stage of their course.
Science studies are offered in a broad range of `areas of study', or `disciplines', for which a selection of units are offered as part of coordinated sequences; the terms `area of study' and `discipline' can be used interchangeably in this context. Details of the `areas of study' offered for the Bachelor of Science and associated courses are outlined in the `Science areas of study and sequences' section for the relevant campus.
All science undergraduate courses are based on units worth six points at levels one to three. A `science unit' either is listed under `units offered' in one of the entries in the section `Science areas of study and sequences' or has an SCI prefix. This includes some psychology, geography and computer science units, which count as `science units' for the purposes of meeting the science course requirements.
A sequence in a science `area of study' can be of three types:
(a) units in the same area of study, usually with the same prefix (eg BIO,
MTH, PSY), in a suitable combination at levels one, two and three to satisfy a
major or minor sequence requirement, or
(b) specific combinations of units at levels one, two and three that are
defined as a minor or major sequence in that area of study, as listed in the
relevant entry in the section `Science areas of study and sequences offered' in
this handbook, or
(c) deemed sequences, where units in the minor or major sequences for an
area of study do not begin until levels two or three. Deemed sequences can
include unspecified science units at the preceding level(s), which may or may
not be prerequisite units from another area of study. Examples include cell
biology and immunology.
A major sequence in science comprises a minimum of 48 points of studies in an area of study over three levels, including a total of at least 36 points of studies at levels two and three, with at least 18 points of those studies at level three. Examples of three such sequences are:
Level one |
12 points |
12 points |
12 points |
Level two |
12 points |
18 points |
18 points |
Level three |
24 points |
18 points |
24 points |
Total |
48 points |
48 points |
54 points |
Studies towards a major sequence can be in a single area of study, may be in
related areas of study (eg first-level biology followed by second and
third-level studies in physiology) or may be multidisciplinary (eg
biotechnology). See `Sequences in an area of study' above for further details
or consult the `Sequence requirements' sub-section for each science area of
study.
A minor sequence in science comprises 24 points of studies in an area of study with no more than 12 points of those studies at level one. An example of a minor sequence in an area of study is 12 points of studies at level one and 12 points at level two. See `Sequences in an area of study' above for further details of `deemed sequences'.
To complete a double major sequence in the same area of study, students need to complete at least 72 points of studies in the same or a deemed area of study, including a total of at least 60 points of studies at levels two and three, with at least 36 points of those studies at level three. Examples of double major sequences are:
Level one |
12 points |
12 points |
12 points |
Level two |
12 points |
18 points |
24 points |
Level three |
48 points |
42 points |
36 points |
Total |
72 points |
72 points |
72 points |
To complete a major and a minor sequence in the same area of study, students will need to complete at least 60 points of studies in the same or a deemed area of study, including a total of at least 48 points of studies at levels two and three, with at least 18 points of those studies at level three. Examples of a major and minor sequence in the same area of study are:
Level one |
12 points |
12 points |
12 points |
Level two |
12 points |
18 points |
24 points |
Level three |
36 points |
30 points |
24 points |
Total |
60 points |
60 points |
60 points |
Note that a unit at level two or three cannot be used to contribute towards
both a minor and a major sequence except as part of a 60-point major and minor
sequence in the same area of study.
For further information on Faculty of Science academic policies, refer to the Faculty of Science section of the Student Resource Guide. In particular, important information on laboratory requirements, academic progress, near pass (NP) grades, repeating units and exclusion is provided.
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