Undergraduate - Course0530 - Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science

The course provides students with an opportunity to combine studies within the very wide range of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and communications in combination with studies in a number of areas of science. In the arts component of the course, students are encouraged to grasp the opportunity to develop their imaginations and gain a broad understanding of the new ideas and values with which they will be challenged, so that they may become flexible, well-informed graduates who are sophisticated communicators and analytical thinkers. The science component aims to provide a broad, general science education with an emphasis on generic skills, which include numeracy, data analysis and presentation skills, and the capacity to work in teams. Graduates will also have specialist training in at least one science and one arts discipline, in preparation for honours and postgraduate study, or for employment in any of the traditional or emerging careers for arts graduates or scientists.

Refer to the outcomes for the single degrees 0002 Bachelor of Arts and 0050 Bachelor of Science.

The course consists of a combination of minor and major sequences in different areas of study in arts and a major sequence and elective units in science, along with science core units and a specified number of electives from each faculty.

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

Students must complete 192 credit points - 96 credit points of arts units and 96 credit points of science units including all of the following:

Arts component

Students must complete:

(1.) 96 credit points of arts units, including:

(a.) an arts major sequence (48 points)

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

(c.) arts electives at level two or three (24 points)

Notes:

For the specific requirements of arts majors and minors and information on other arts units refer to the Areas of studyAreas of study (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/aos/index-byfaculty-arts.html) section in this Handbook.

When selecting arts elective units, these can also be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) and index of arts unitsindex of arts units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/index-byfaculty-arts.html) in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; the required undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 2-3.

By combining some of the arts requirements, students can complete a double major in two different arts disciplines. For more details about this option, contact the Faculty of Arts.

Within the 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 must complete:

(2.) 96 credit points of science units, including:

(a.) a minimum of four level-one science units (24 points) covering:

(i) at least two level-one approved sequences. The approved level one sequences are listed in the section Approved level one sequences in ScienceApproved level one sequences in Science (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-sequences.html).

(ii) 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

(b.) one major sequence in a science area of study (48 points). The science major sequence must be chosen from the Science areas of study and sequences - ClaytonScience areas of study and sequences - Clayton (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-aos-clayton.html) section in this Handbook.

(c.) the core unit SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication or SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced)

(d.) a minimum of ten science units (60 points) at level two and three (including either SCI2010 or SCI2015), with at least four science units at level three

(e.) additional science units to take the total credit points to 96.

When selecting additional science units at Clayton, these can also be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

Notes:

The Faculty of Science requires the science studies to be chosen from the science units listed in the Science areas of study and sequencesScience areas of study and sequences (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-aos-clayton.html) section in this Handbook.

Within the science component, a maximum of six level-one science units (36 points) can be taken overall.

Students should contact the Faculty of Science before enrolling in any stage of the double degree to ensure that the program they wish to follow will satisfy prerequisites necessary for higher stages. For information relating to course planning, science units and sequences, students should refer to the Science Faculty InformationFaculty Information (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci.html) section in this Handbook.

Recommended program of study

Stage one

Students must complete at least four level-one sequences - at least two from the Faculty of Science and two from the Faculty of Arts. These four level-one sequences must be in different areas of study. It is recommended that students complete these four level-one sequences in the first year of study.

The level one Science-approved sequences are listed in the section Approved level one sequences in ScienceApproved level one sequences in Science (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-sequences.html).

Overall no more than 36 credit points (six units) of level-one units may be taken from either faculty.

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 students 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 students 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 officeStudent Academic Services office (http://monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/help/).

Stage two

By the end of stage two students must have completed the level one mathematics/statistics unit if not already completed at stage one, and the core unit SCI2010 or SCI2015.

Students should complete the level two units towards their proposed arts and science major sequences and arts minor sequence. The remaining units studied at stage two will be in accordance with the requirements of the course.

Stages three and four

All remaining units to complete all course requirements will be completed at stages three and four.

Within the science component the units studied at stages three and four must take into account the requirement of a minimum of ten science units at level two and three (including SCI2010 and SCI2015), with at least four science units at level three.

Students intending to undertake honours should ensure that they complete the specific units required for honours in their chosen area of study. It is recommended they consult with the Faculty of Science regarding their unit selection prior to re-enrolling for units at level three.

Students may apply for admission to an honours program in science or arts, following the completion of an approved combination of at least 144 points of units including all of the science or arts requirements for the double degree.

Students may be eligible to exit the double degree program and graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts 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 must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the science requirements for the double degree. Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts prior to the completion of the double degree must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the arts requirements for the double degree .

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science