Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

This course provides students with the opportunity to combine studies in a very wide range of science and arts disciplines, together with international studies. Part of these studies are taken overseas, at a Monash off-shore campus or at another partner institution.

Upon completion of this course, graduates will have advanced knowledge and skills in at least one area of science and a broad and critical understanding of knowledge. Graduates will have improved life and employment skills including generic skills necessary to critically analyse and communicate ideas and information, and a capacity to apply discipline knowledge and critical thinking to define and analyse problems, and develop effective solutions.

Overseas study costs

Students need to be aware that there will be personal financial costs associated with the compulsory overseas study component of this course. Grants may be available but are not guaranteed. Contact Monash Abroad for details at http://www.monash.edu.au/students/studyabroad.

This course comprises minor and major sequences in both arts and science.

Students in this course may not take units from faculties other than the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science.

Arts component

Students complete:

(1.) 96 points of arts units including:

(a.) two core units (12 points) in global studies:

• ATS2559/ATS3559 Global studies core unit
• ATS3793 Global research core unit

(b.) an international studies major of eight units (48 points)

(c.) an arts minor sequence in a different area of study (24 points)

(d.) a level one arts sequence in a third area of study (12 points)

(e.) a minimum of one and a maximum of three semester(s) abroad at another Monash campus or designated overseas university (ie exchange partner)

Notes:

The Faculty of Arts requires arts studies to be chosen from the arts disciplines outlined at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/aos/index-ug-byfaculty-arts.html.

Within the Bachelor of Arts component a maximum of six level one arts units (36 points) overall can be taken. In addition, a minimum of three level three arts units must be taken in the arts major sequence (18 points).

Science component

Students complete:

(2.) 96 points of science units including:

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

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

(c.) at least one mathematics or statistics unit from the following:

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

(d.) SCI2010 The practice and application of science (6 points)

(e.) science electives to complete a total of 96 points of science studies

Notes:

The Faculty of Science requires science studies to be chosen from the science units listed in the section 'Science areas of study and sequences' in this handbook available via http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/undergrad/sci-aos-clayton.html.

Within the Science component students must complete a minimum of four level-three science units (24 points), and a maximum of six level-one science units (36 points) can be taken overall.

The level one mathematics/statistics unit taken will depend on the mathematics background and interests as follows:

• 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 unit MTH1030 is 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.

Recommended program of study

Stage one

Students must complete at least five level one sequences - at least two from the Faculty of Science and three from the Faculty of Arts. These five level one sequences must be in different areas of study. Only four sequences will be taken in the first year of study.

Stage two

Students must complete the level one mathematics/statistics requirement if not already completed at stage one, and the core unit SCI2010.

All remaining units will be completed at stages three and four.

Students may apply for admission to an honours program in science, following the completion of an approved combination of at least 144 points of units including all of the science requirements for the double degree course. Students who are considering doing honours in science prior to completing the double degree should consult with the Faculty of Science regarding their unit selection prior to re-enrolling for level three.

Students may be eligible to exit the double degree program and graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts (Global) or a Bachelor of Science after three years, depending on the units studied.

Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science prior to the completion of the double degree course must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the science requirements for the double degree course.

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Arts (Global)