Monash University

Science units and sequences - Faculty of Science

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:

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.

Level one approved science sequences for the Bachelor of Science (and associated programs)

A 'level one approved sequence' comprises approved combinations of two 6-point science units at level one in the same area of study.

List of all approved level one science sequences.

Sequences in a science area of study

All approved sequences for an area of study 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.

Level one sequence

A level one approved 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.

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