Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Course code: 1120 + Course abbreviation: BSc(ScSchProg) + Total credit points required: 96 + 2 to 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton; Gippsland)

Course description

This course allows high achieving students to complete an advanced program of individual study in science with specialist training in one or more science disciplines. Depending on previous studies it may be possible to complete the degree in two years by taking an accelerated program, or to undertake additional units to enrich the study program while completing the degree in three years.

Course objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will have demonstrated high academic performance across all studies. Graduates will have specialist training in one or more science disciplines, with the potential for postgraduate study, leading to employment opportunities in any of the traditional or emerging careers for scientists. Overall, the course provides students with improved life and employment skills through a general appreciation of science and demonstrated competence in science graduate attributes, which include information literacy, the effective use of information technology, problem solving, data handling, and laboratory skills, and a capacity to apply discipline knowledge and critical thinking to analyse and solve complex problems.

Course structure

With the assistance of an assigned mentor, an individual course of study will be devised for each student in this program. The minimum credit points required is 96, however students can complete up to 144 credit points within the degree structure.

Students who at the commencement of their course are awarded credit for previous studies (based on previous tertiary study, including secondary school year 12 enhancement studies) may have the opportunity to undertake a course of study which can lead to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree (see below) after three years rather than the normal four years.

Alternatively, students will be able to complete the degree in a normal three-year period (or four years if progressing to an honours degree) while at the same time being able to enrich their studies by enrolling in units additional to those normally required to satisfy the Bachelor of Science degree requirements as listed in this handbook.

Course requirements

Students must complete at least 96 points of studies in science including all of the following:

at least one major sequence in a science area of study
at least one minor sequence in a science area of study
at least 36 points of science units at level two and at least 48 points of science units at level three.

Students in the Science Scholars Program are not required to complete the standard BSc level one mathematics/statistics and breadth of study requirement or the level two core unit. Students who revert to the standard BSc program, either by choice or as a result of exclusion from the Science Scholar Program, must complete all of the Bachelor of Science course requirements.

The maximum time for completion of the Science Scholar Program is 10 years, including intermissions.

Course progression requirements

A sustained high level of achievement must be demonstrated throughout the course. Students in the Science Scholar Program are required to maintain at least a distinction average (70 per cent) across their best 48 points in each calendar year to remain in the program. Students who do not meet this standard will be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Science course.

Contact details

Course coordinator

Dr Steve Siems (Clayton), Associate Professor Phil Rayment (Gippsland)

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