Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

The course provides students with a broad, general science education, as well as specialist training in one or more science disciplines. The flexibility of the course and the wide range of areas of specialisation allows students to explore new areas, further develop their strengths in science and to pursue their interests. The emphasis on generic skills - quantitative literacy, data analysis, information literacy, problem solving, communication and presentation skills, and the capacity to work in teams - and specialisation in at least one discipline ensures a firm foundation for a career in science. Graduates will be equipped for a variety of careers or for honours and postgraduate study, leading to global employment opportunities in any of the traditional and emerging careers for scientists.

Upon completion of this course, students will have advanced knowledge and skills in at least one area of science and will have a basic understanding of science disciplines other than those in which they specialise. Graduates will have improved life and employment skills including generic skills necessary to critically analyse and communicate scientific ideas and information, and a capacity to apply discipline knowledge and critical thinking to define and analyse problems, and develop effective solutions.

Course progression requirements

Students must complete the mathematics/statistics requirement at stage one before enrolling in level two science units.

This course comprises a minor and a major sequence in different areas of science, along with a specified number and type of science electives, a level two science core unit, and elective units.

Students must complete all of the following:

(a.) at least one major sequence in a science area of study (48 points)

(b.) at least one minor sequence in a different science area of study (24 points)

(c.) at least one level one mathematics or statistics unit (6 points) from:

• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

(d.) the following core unit (6 points):

• SCI2010 The practice and application of science

(e.) an approved combination of level one units to ensure breadth of studies across science disciplines. Students can satisfy the level one breadth of studies requirement in one of two ways. Detail are provided under 'Stage one' below.

(f.) additional elective units to take the total credit points to 144.

Note: Students must complete:

• at least 36 points of science units at level one and at least 24 points of science units at level three
• no more than 48 points of units offered by another faculty, subject to meeting any entry requirements of that faculty
• no more than 60 points of level one units overall.

The science major and minor sequence must be chosen from two different science areas of study for the campus on which the student is enrolled listed in the section 'Science areas of study and sequences' in this handbook available via http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/undergrad/sci.html.

Students must complete the mathematics/statistics requirement at stage one. The level one mathematics/statistics unit taken will depend on the mathematics background and interests:

• The statistics units SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning) and STA1010 (Statistical methods for science) are normally recommended for students planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences.
• SCI1020 is for students without a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 requires the student to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
• The mathematical methods units MTH1020 and MTH1030 are recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1030 requires the student to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020.
• Students with a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and MTH2015 respectively. Enrolment in these units is with permission from the head of the School of Mathematics.

It is recommended that at least two level one science sequences are commenced at stage one. Where possible, commencing three level one sequences can assist students in their selection of minor and major areas of study at stage two. This will also ensure that the requirement of breadth across science disciplines is met.

Breadth of studies

The level one breadth of studies requirement can be satisfied in one of two ways:

Option 1

At least three level one sequences from the following approved combinations:

Astronomy

• ASP1010 Earth to cosmos: Introductory astronomy and ASP1022 Life and the universe

Atmospheric science

• ATM1020 The science of climate and ATM1030 The science of weather

Biological sciences

One pair of:

• BIO1011 Biology I and BIO1022 Biology II
• BIO1011 Biology I and BIO1042 Environmental biology
• BIO1711 Vertebrate biology and BIO1722 Cell biology

Chemistry

One pair of:

• CHM1011 Chemistry and CHM1022 Chemistry
• CHM1011 Chemistry and CHM1042 World of chemistry II
• CHM1031 Chemistry in context I and CHM1042 Chemistry in context II
• CHM1031 Chemistry in context I and CHM1022 Chemistry

Note Students who wish to complete a major sequence in chemistry must complete CHM1022

Computer science

One pair of:

• FIT1029 Algorithmic problem solving and FIT1002 Computer programming
• FIT1002 Computer programming and FIT1031 Computers and networks

Ecology and environmental management

• ENV1711 Ecological systems and the environment and ENV1722 Geophysical systems and the environment

Geosciences

• ESC1011 Planet earth and its environment: The cosmic connection and ESC1022 Planet earth: Dynamic systems, environmental change and resources

Geographical science

One pair of:

• ATS1310 Extremes: Natural hazards and human vulnerability and ATS1301 Australian physical environments: Evolution, status and management
• ATS1310 Extremes: Natural hazards and human vulnerability and ATS1309 The global challenge

Mathematics and statistics

One pair of:

• MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• MTH1030 and MTH2010 Multivariable calculus
• MTH1030 and MTH1112 Numbers, logic and graphs
• MTH1030 and STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Students with a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and MTH2015 respectively. Enrolment in these units is with permission from the head of the School of Mathematics.

Physics

One pair of:

• PHS1011 Physics and either PHS1022 Physics or PHS1042 Physics, energy and the environment
• PHS1080 Foundation physics and either PHS1022 Physics or PHS1042 Physics, energy and the environment
• PHS1031 Physics for the living world and PHS1042 Physics, energy and the environment

Note: Students who wish to complete a minor or major sequence in physics must complete PHS1022 Physics.

Psychology

• PSY1011 Psychology 1A and PSY1022 Psychology 1B

Option 2

At least one unit from each of the following three groups:

Physical processes

• ASP1010 Earth to cosmos - introductory astronomy
• ASP1022 Life and the universe
• CHM1011 Chemistry
• CHM1022 Chemistry
• CHM1031 Chemistry in context I
• CHM1042 Chemistry in context II
• MSC1010 Structural and functional materials
• PHS1011 Physics
• PHS1022 Physics
• PHS1031 Physics for the living world
• PHS1042 Physics, energy and the environment
• PHS1080 Foundation physics

Life processes

• BIO1011 Biology I
• BIO1022 Biology II
• BIO1042 Environmental biology
• BIO1711 Vertebrate biology
• BIO1722 Cell biology
• BTH1802 Fundamentals of biotechnology
• PSY1011 Psychology 1A
• PSY1022 Psychology 1B

Earth processes

• ATM1020 The science of climate
• ATM1030 The science of weather
• ATS1301 Australian physical environments: Evolution, status and management
• ATS1309 The global challenge
• ATS1310 Natural hazards and human vulnerability
• ENV1711 Ecological systems and the environment
• ENV1722 Geophysical systems and the environment
• ENV1800 Environmental science: A Southeast Asian perspective
• ESC1011 Planet earth and its environment: The cosmic connection
• ESC1022 Planet earth: Dynamic systems, environmental change and resources

Recommended program of study

Stage one

Students should complete the level one mathematics or statistics unit along with the level one breadth requirement. To ensure that maximum choice is available at level two it is recommended that at least three level one sequences in science are completed.

Stage two

It is recommended that at least two science minor sequences and the core unit SCI2010 are undertaken at stage two and that any remaining units to complete the level one requirement of breadth of study across disciplines are completed.

Stage three

Students should complete their science major sequence and any remaining units needed to complete any outstanding course requirements at stage three. Additional level two and level three science units may also be taken at stage three, for example to complete a second science major sequence or a double-major sequence.

To be eligible to apply for entry into the additional one-year honours program, students should obtain a distinction grade average (70 per cent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level three, which will normally include at least 18 points of units in the area of study in which they wish to undertake honours.

Bachelor of Science