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Science units and sequences - Faculty of Science

Science units

All science undergraduate courses are based on units worth six points at levels one to three. A ‘science unit’ is a unit that is listed under ‘units offered’ in one of the entries in the section ‘Science areas of study and sequences’ in this handbook. This includes some psychology, geography and computer science units, which count as ‘science units’ for the purposes of meeting the science course requirements. Note that the designation SCI on the top right of the unit handbook entry does not necessarily identify the units that are ‘science units’.

Sequences in an area of study

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 an approved 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, 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.

The course requirements for most science courses are expressed in terms of four different types of sequences:

• a 'level one sequence' comprises approved combinations of two 6-point science units at level one in the same, or a closely related, area of study.
• a 'minor sequence' comprises approved combinations of four 6-point science units at levels one, two and three in the same, or a closely related, area of study.
• a 'major sequence' comprises approved combinations of eight 6-point science units at levels one, two and three in the same, or a closely related, area of study.
• a 'double major sequence' comprises approved combinations of 12 six-point science units at levels one, two and three in the same, or a closely related, area of study.

In addition, two additional types of sequences can be derived from these basic types of approved sequences:

• a 'major and minor sequence' in the same science area of study comprises 10 six-point science units, which includes separate approved major and minor sequences in that area of study but with two 6-point level one science units in common.
• a 'double major sequence' in a science area of study can also comprise 12 six-point science units, which includes two approved major sequences in that area of study but with a minor sequence in common and no more than two 6-point level one science units overall.

Instances of these last two types of sequences do not need to be approved separately but are based upon existing approved minor and major sequences.

Further details of each of these types of sequences are outlined below, and all approved sequences of each type are listed in the relevant entry in the section 'Science areas of study and sequences' in this handbook. It is not permissible for students to create their own sequences based on the properties of each type of sequence that are outlined below.

There are specific limits on the amount of credit that students can count for units not completed at Monash towards a science major sequence (including units completed as part of Study abroad, cross-institutional and/or exchange). For further information on Faculty of Science academic policies visit www.sci.monash.edu.au/policies/.

Level one sequence

A level one sequence in science comprises any approved pair of 6-point level one science units in the same, or a closely-related, area of study. Normally, this combination of units is among those required for the completion of a minor sequence in that area of study, but other appropriate combinations may be approved and published in this handbook. Details of the level one approved sequences are provided in the Bachelor of Science course entry.

Minor sequence

A minor sequence in science comprises an approved combination of four 6-point science units in the same, or a closely-related, area of study with no more that two of those units at level one. An example of a minor sequence in an area of study is two 6-point units at level one and two 6-point units in the same area at level two.

Major sequence

A major sequence in science comprises an approved combination of eight 6-point science units in the same, or closely-related, area of study over three years. These must include a total of at least six 6-point units at levels two and three, with at least three 6-point units at level three. Examples of major sequences are:

Example 1

Level one units 12 points
Level two units 12 points
Level three units 24 points
Total units 48 points

Example 2

Level one units 12 points
Level two units 18 points
Level three units 18 points
Total units 48 points

Studies towards a major sequence can be in a single area of study, or they may be in related areas of study, for example first-level biology followed by second and third-level studies in physiology. A major sequence may also contain units from a number of disciplines (referred to as 'multidisciplinary'). An example of a multidisciplinary major sequence is biotechnology.

Note that a unit at level two or three cannot be used to contribute towards two separate major sequences in different areas of study.

Double major sequence in same area of study

To complete a double major sequence in the same area of study, students need to complete at least 12 six-point units in the same, or closely-related, area of study. These must include a total of at least 10 six-point units at levels two and three, with at least six 6-point units at level three. Examples of double major sequences are:

Example 1

Level one units 12 points
Level two units 12 points
Level three units 48 points
Total units 72 points

Example 2

Level one units 12 points
Level two units 18 points
Level three units 42 points
Total units 72 points

Note that a unit at level two or three cannot be used to contribute towards two major sequences, except as part of a double major sequence in the same area of study.

Major and minor sequence in the same area of study

To complete a major and a minor sequence in the same area of study, students will need to complete at least 10 six-point units in the same, or a closely-related, area of study. These must include a total of at least eight six-point units at levels two and three, with at least three six-point units at level three. Examples of a major and minor sequence in the same area of study are:

Example 1

Level one units 12 points
Level two units 12 points
Level three units 36 points
Total units 60 points

Example 2

Level one units 12 points
Level two units 18 points
Level three units 30 points
Total units 60 points

Example 3

Level one units 12 points
Level two units 24 points
Level three units 24 points
Total units 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 or minor sequence in the same area of study.