courses

0050

18 September 2017 22 December 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Course

Students who commenced study in 2013 should refer to this course entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course.

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This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2013 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Science

Managing facultyScience
Abbreviated titleBSc
CRICOS code017092G
Total credit points required144
Standard duration of study (years)3 years FT, 6 years PT
Study mode and locationOn-campus (Clayton, Gippsland, Sunway)
Off-campus (Gippsland)
Admission, fee and application details http://www.monash.edu/study/coursefinder/course/0050
Contact details

Email: sci-enquiries@monash.edu (Clayton); Email: scieng-gippsland@monash.edu (Gippsland); Email: scienceinquiries.musc@monash.edu (Sunway)

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.
  • The maximum time for completion of the course is 10 years, including any periods of intermission. Students cannot take additional units that exceed the 144 credit points required for the course. Students wishing to take additional units can only do so on a single subject basis (full-fee paying basis) with the approval of the faculty.

Description

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.

Outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

  • demonstrate broad knowledge and technical skills in at least one area of science, and a basic understanding of science disciplines other than those in which they specialise
  • develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in professional contexts to analyse challenges and to develop effective solutions
  • demonstrate understanding of the importance of science to the human endeavour
  • collect, organise, analyse and interpret data meaningfully, using mathematical and statistical tools as appropriate to the discipline of specialisation
  • convey ideas and results effectively to diverse audiences and in a variety of formats
  • work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives
  • exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen

Course progression requirements

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

Structure

This course consists of 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.

Requirements

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 from:

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

(d.) the following core unit:

  • SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication

(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/2013handbooks/undergrad/sci-01a.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. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Faculty of Science, Student Academic Services office (contact details at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/contact/undergrad.html).

It is recommended that at least two approved 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. The approved level one sequences are listed below.

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
Biological sciences

One pair of:

Chemistry

One pair of:

Computational science
  • FIT1029 Algorithmic problem solving and FIT1040 Programming fundamentals
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:

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. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Faculty of Science, Student Academic Services office (contact details at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/contact/undergrad.html).

Physics

One pair of:

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

Psychology

Option 2

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

Physical processes
Life processes
Earth processes
  • 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
  • MON1001 Climate change: An interdisciplinary challenge

Recommended program of study

Stage one

Students must 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 approved 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 must 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.

Progression to further studies

To be eligible to apply for entry into the additional one-year honours program, students must 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.

Award(s)

Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science (Biomolecular Processing)
Bachelor of Science (Chemical Biotechnology)
Bachelor of Science (Materials and Nanotechnology)
Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology)
Bachelor of Science (Pharmacological Chemistry)
Bachelor of Science (Plant and Animal Biotechnology)

Where more than one award is listed the actual award(s) conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved, or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.