Faculty information

• Structure and organisation of the faculty
• Faculty contact details
• Course planning information for students in undergraduate science degrees
  • Seeking advice and help
  • The structure of science courses
  • Course progression
  • Course maps
• Science units and sequences
  • Science units
  • Sequences in an area of study

Areas of study

• Areas of study and sequences - Clayton
• Areas of study and sequences - Gippsland
• Areas of study and sequences - Sunway

Course information

• Outline of undergraduate studies
  • Courses offered in 2013

Course-related policies and rules

• Government and University legislation

Science studies are offered in a broad range of areas of study, or disciplines, for which a selection of units are offered as part of coordinated sequences; the terms area of study and discipline can be used interchangeably in this context. Details of the areas of study offered for the Bachelor of Science and associated courses are outlined in the 'Science areas of study and sequences' section of this Handbook for:

• Clayton
• Gippsland
• Sunway.

Science units

All science undergraduate courses are based on science units worth six points at levels one to three. A science unit is a unit that is listed under units offered in any of the science areas of study entries in this Handbook, including the units listed under ‘other science units’. This includes some psychology, geography and computer science units (offered by other faculties), which count as science units for the purposes of meeting the science course requirements.

Sequences in a science 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 (which may have different prefixes) 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 physiology 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.

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.

NOTE: A unit at level one can be used to contribute towards two separate sequences in different areas of study, but a unit at level two or three cannot be used to contribute towards two separate sequences in different areas of study.

Credit for non-Monash units

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, complementary and/or exchange studies). For further information on Faculty of Science academic policies visit http://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 or major 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 entry for course 0050 Bachelor of Science.

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 than 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 (or full-time equivalent). 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 outlined below.

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').

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 outlined below.

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

Example 3

Level one units: 12 points
Level two units: 24 points
Level three units: 36 points
Total units: 72 points

The Faculty of Science offers a variety of courses, based on conventional on-campus teaching at the Clayton, Gippsland and Sunway campuses or via off-campus learning.

The faculty has seven schools, each of which is responsible for carrying out teaching and research activities within the areas of expertise of their academic staff.

Clayton

Studies in a broad range of science disciplines are offered at the Clayton campus. The schools within the faculty at the Clayton campus are:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Geosciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics.

Science studies are also offered towards most science courses by some departments and schools in other faculties at the Clayton campus, including:

• the departments of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and the School of Psychology and Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
• Department of Materials Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering
• Clayton School of Information Technology in the Faculty of Information Technology
• School of Geography and Environmental Science in the Faculty of Arts.

Gippsland and off-campus learning

The School of Applied Sciences and Engineering is located at the Gippsland campus and offers studies in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, ecology and environmental management, mathematics, medical bioscience, microbiology, physiology and veterinary bioscience. Information technology studies are offered by the Gippsland School of Information Technology towards 0050 the Bachelor of Science, and off-campus studies in psychology are also available at the Gippsland campus for science students.

Sunway

The School of Science is located at the Sunway campus, Malaysia and offers science studies in biotechnology, chemistry, food science and technology, genetics,  medical bioscience, microbiology, physiology and tropical biology.

Seeking advice and help

All students enrolled in science courses and units are encouraged to see their tutors or lecturers about any academic issues they may have. Academic staff may be approached at any time, including in relation to unit selection and academic advice about specialising in their area of study. Student academic services staff in the Faculty of Science office on the student's campus can advise students at any stage of their course on course requirements, including the requirements for major or minor sequences, or approval for changes to their program of study.

The structure of science courses

Science courses are structured as either:

(a.) generic courses, such as 0050 Bachelor of Science or 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science, that include a small number of compulsory units, a specified number of major and minor sequences in a range of science areas of study, and some additional units available as electives, or

(b.) designated courses in a specialist area, such as 2006 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology), for which most units are compulsory but where a limited number of elective units may be taken.

Many double-degree courses, which combine studies for a science degree with studies for another degree, are also available. In most cases, students in double-degree courses are limited in the number of electives that they have available to them and can only take units that are offered for the two-component degrees. Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science, or undertake honours in science, prior to the completion of a science double-degree course must have completed at least 144 points of studies including all of the science requirements for that double-degree course.

The course requirements in this handbook apply to students who are admitted to a course in 2013. Students whose first year of study in their course was prior to 2013 should refer to the handbook for their commencing year, or consult with student academic services staff in the Faculty of Science office, to determine the requirements that apply to their course.

Course progression

Normal full-time load

The normal full-time load for undergraduate science courses is 24 points per semester, or four 6-point units. Units for most undergraduate courses are available at levels one, two and three, as indicated by the first number in the unit code. Normally students in science courses may not undertake any level two science units until they have successfully completed at least 36 points of units at level one.

Approval to exceed a normal full-time load in any semester

Students must seek course advice and faculty approval to enrol in more than the normal full-time load in any semester, ie more than 24 points in first and second semester and 18 points in summer semester. Approval to exceed a normal full-time load by up to 6 points would not normally be granted unless the student had achieved an average mark of at least a credit in their previous academic year. Students are not permitted to overload in their first year of study.

Unit prerequisites, corequisites and prohibitions

The unit entries in this handbook often include prerequisites, corequisites and prohibitions:

• 'Prerequisite' units must have been completed successfully prior to undertaking the unit for which they are listed.
• 'Corequisite' units either must have been completed previously or may be taken concurrently in the same semester.
• Units listed with a 'prohibition' to another unit usually have significant content overlap and students are not allowed to enrol in both units.

Responsibility for unit choice

It is important that students are familiar with the requirements for the course in which they are enrolled and choose the units taken with some care. When choosing level one units, students should aim to keep options open for the choice of level two and level three units at a later stage of their course. Students should peruse the units available in later years and check on the corequisites and prerequisites listed in the unit entries, but should also be aware that not all units are offered every year. Most areas of study have certain prerequisite units for progression to the next level.

Timetable constraints may influence unit choice. The faculty aims to minimise timetable clashes between appropriate unit combinations, however students are encouraged to consult the timetable prior to finalising unit selection.

Enrolment over and above degree requirements

Students have a responsibility to complete course requirements outlined in the relevant degree regulations and faculty policy and not exceed the specified number of credit points required to complete their course. Unit enrolments not meeting the requirements of this policy will be charged on a single unit fee basis unless the Associate Dean (Education) or nominee has verified that the additional studies are required to complete a student's course requirements due to having changed their major or minor area of study

Course maps

Course maps for all undergraduate degrees are available at http://monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/managing-studies/course-maps/.

It is each student's responsibility to ascertain, from the information provided in this handbook and the websites listed above, the units required for their degree.

Seeking advice and help

All students enrolled in the science courses and units are encouraged to see their tutors or lecturers about any academic issues they may have. Academic staff may be approached at any time, including in relation to unit selection and academic advice about specialising in their area of study. Student services staff in the Faculty of Science office on the student's campus can advise students at any stage of their course on course requirements, including the requirements for major or minor sequences, or approval for changes to their program of study.

The structure of science courses

Science courses are structured as either:

(a.) generic courses, such as 0050 Bachelor of Science or 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science, that include a small number of compulsory units, a specified number of major and minor sequences in a range of science areas of study, and some additional units available as electives, or

(b.) designated courses in a specialist area, such as 2006 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) or 3513 Bachelor of Science (Environmental Management), for which most units are compulsory but where a limited number of elective units may be taken.

Many double-degree courses, which combine studies for a science degree with the requirements for another degree, are also available. In most cases, students in double-degree courses are limited in the number of electives that they have available to them and can only take units that are offered for the two-component degrees. Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science, or undertake honours in science, prior to the completion of a science double-degree course must have completed at least 144 points of studies including all of the science requirements for that double-degree course.

The course requirements in this handbook apply to students who are admitted to a course in 2011. Students whose first year of study in their course was prior to 2011 should refer to the handbook for their commencing year, or consult with student services staff in the Faculty of Science office, to determine the requirements that apply to their course.

Course progression

Normal full-time load

The normal full-time load for undergraduate science courses is 24 points per semester, or four 6-point units. Units for most undergraduate courses are available at levels one, two and three, as indicated by the first number in the unit code. Students in science courses may not undertake any level two science units until they have successfully completed at least 12 points of science units at level one.

Approval to exceed a normal full-time load in any semester

Students must seek course advice and faculty approval to enrol in more than the normal full-time load in any semester, ie more than 24 points in first and second semester and 18 points in summer semester. Approval to exceed a normal full-time load by up to 6 points would not normally be granted unless the student had achieved an average mark of at least a credit over their previous 48 points of study. Students enrolled in the Science Scholar Program, or those in double-degree programs that require more than 24 points in particular semesters, will also be permitted to enrol in up to 6 points over a normal full-time load. Students must apply to the faculty for approval to exceed the normal full-time load by more than 6 points.

Unit prerequisites, corequisites and prohibitions

The unit entries in this handbook often include lists of prerequisites, corequisites and prohibitions:

• 'Prerequisite' units must have been completed successfully prior to undertaking the unit for which they are listed.
• 'Corequisite' units either must have been completed previously or may be taken concurrently in the same semester.
• Units listed as 'prohibitions' to a unit cannot also be counted towards the relevant course requirements.

Responsibility for unit choice

It is important that students are familiar with the requirements for the course in which they are enrolled and choose the units taken with some care. When choosing level one units, students should aim to keep options open for the choice of level two and level three units at a later stage of their course. Students should peruse the units available in later years and check on the corequisites and prerequisites listed in the unit entries, but should also be aware that not all units are offered every year. Most areas of study have certain prerequisite units for progression to the next level.

Timetable constraints may influence unit choice. The faculty aims to minimise timetable clashes between appropriate unit combinations, however students are encouraged to consult the timetable prior to finalising unit selection.

A broad range of science units and sequences are offered at the Clayton campus for the Bachelor of Science and related courses, taught by the faculties of Science, Arts, Information Technology, and Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Within the requirements of their course, students can construct a program of study to meet their individual needs and interests.

The entry for each science area of study includes the science units that are offered and the detailed requirements for the minor and major sequences*. Some recommendations are provided on particular choices of units. It is important that students plan their course by consulting these requirements and recommendations at every stage of their enrolment. Students should also consult individual unit entries for details of prerequisites, corequisites, prohibitions and semester of offer. Note that some sequences require the completion of additional prerequisite units beyond those that comprise the sequence. These additional units must be taken as elective units within the total credit points required for the degree.

Some entries for a science area of study may refer students to an associated area of study; in these instances the reference is to the relevant area of study for the same campus.

For more information on the structure of sequences, such as the limitations on counting level two and three units for more than one sequence, refer to http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2013handbooks/undergrad/sci-01a.html.

The large majority of students entering the faculty have completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), and references to desirable prerequisite studies are to the prerequisite VCE subjects. Some domestic and international students enter the faculty with equivalent qualifications, and advice about unit choice for students with qualifications other than the VCE may be obtained from the faculty administration offices or relevant teaching school or department.

* If specific units must be studied, in each science area of study they are referred to by the full unit code and title in the first instance and by their code only thereafter. Where units can be chosen from a group of related units, these are referred to by the three-letter prefix common to all of the units in that group.

Science major or minor sequences are offered at the Clayton campus in the following areas of study:

Areas of study

Other science units

Other science units

The School of Applied Sciences and Engineering offers a number of major and minor sequences for the Bachelor of Science and related courses; these are offered on the Gippsland campus and by off-campus learning. Available studies range across the biological, biomedical, chemical, environmental and mathematical sciences, together with psychology and information technology.

Students should consult individual unit* entries for details of prerequisites, corequisites, prohibitions and semester of offer. Some sequences include units with prerequisites that are not included in the sequence itself. Some higher-level units are offered every second year, but sequenced to allow completion of a major over three consecutive years. Also, some other units are offered in off-campus mode every second year only.

All units have a value of 6 points unless otherwise indicated. Some entries for a science area of study may refer students to an associated area of study; in these instances the reference is to the relevant area of study for the same campus.

For more information on the structure of sequences, such as the limitations on counting level two and three units for more than one sequence, refer to http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2013handbooks/undergrad/sci-01a.html.

Occasional reference is made to desirable or prerequisite studies in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) - those students who did not study the VCE should seek advice about unit choice for students with qualifications other than the VCE.

* If specific units must be studied, in each science area of study they are referred to by the full unit code and title in the first instance and by their code only thereafter. Where units can be chosen from a group of related units, these are referred to by the three-letter prefix common to all of the units in that group (eg ASP - astrophysics units).

Areas of study

Other science units

Other science units

The School of Science offers a number of major and minor sequences or the Bachelor of Science; these are offered on the Sunway campus. Available studies range across biotechnology, chemistry, food science and technology, medical bioscience, microbiology and physiology, together with genetics and tropical biology.

Students should consult individual unit* entries for details of prerequisites, corequisites, prohibitions and semester of offer. Some sequences include units with prerequisites that are not included in the sequence itself. Some higher-level units are offered every second year, but sequenced to allow completion of a major over three consecutive years. Also, some other units are offered in off-campus mode every second year only.

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise indicated. Some entries for a science area of study may refer students to an associated area of study; in these instances the reference is to the relevant area of study for the same campus.

For more information on the structure of sequences, such as the limitations on counting level two and three units for more than one sequence, refer to http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2013handbooks/undergrad/sci-01a.html.

* If specific units must be studied, in each science area of study they are referred to by the full unit code and title in the first instance and by their code only thereafter.

Areas of study

Other science units

Other science units

NOTE: The course details provided in the entries below are for those students who commence their studies in 2013 - students who commenced their studies prior to this date should consult the Handbook edition for the year in which they started their course. Archived Handbooks are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks.

Courses managed by the Faculty of Science

Clayton

Single degrees

• 3527 Bachelor of Biotechnology
• 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science
• 0050 Bachelor of Science
• 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
• 1120 Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Double degrees

• 0530 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
• 3537 Bachelor of Arts (Global) and Bachelor of Science
• 3528 Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Science
• 4069 Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Science
• 3517 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science

Honours degrees

• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
• 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Gippsland

Single degrees

• 0050 Bachelor of Science
• 2006 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)
• 3522 Bachelor of Science (Medical Bioscience)
• 3541 Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)

Honours degrees

• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science

Sunway

Single degrees

• 0050 Bachelor of Science
• 2006 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)
• 3530 Bachelor of Science (Food Science and Technology)
• 3522 Bachelor of Science (Medical Bioscience)

Double degrees

• 3523 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) and Bachelor of Science (Medical Bioscience)

Honours degrees

• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science

Courses involving a science component but not managed by the Faculty of Science (listed by managing faculty)

Faculty of Business and Economics

• 1469 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science (Clayton)

Faculty of Education

• 3711 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Peninsula/Clayton)
• 1633 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Clayton)

Faculty of Engineering

• 3278 Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and Bachelor of Science (Clayton)
• 4609 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and Bachelor of Science (Clayton)
• 3282 Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering and Bachelor of Science (Clayton)
• 0085 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Clayton)

Faculty of Law

• 0086 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws (Clayton)