Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Science

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 majors and minors allow 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.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.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 major in science, and a basic understanding of science disciplines other than those in which they major
• 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 level one sequences and the mathematics/statistics requirement at stage one before enrolling in level two science units.

This course consists of a science major, two level-one science sequences, a level-one mathematics or statistics unit, a level-two science core unit, a specified number of science units and free elective units.

Students cannot take additional units that exceed the 144 credit points required for the course. Students wishing to take additional units can only enrol on a single unit (non-award) basis (full-fee) with the approval of the faculty.

Refer to the course mapcourse map (http://monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/managing-studies/course-maps/) for guidance on how to plan your unit enrolment for each semester of study.

All students

Students must complete:

(A.) core science studies (96 points) comprising:

(1.) a minimum of two approved level-one sequencesapproved level-one sequences (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/sci-sequences.html) in science (24 points)

(2.) at least one of the following level-one mathematics or statistics units (6 points) if not already taken as part of a level one approved sequence:

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

* Note: Students in the double degree 1469 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science cannot choose this unit.

(3.) a science major chosen from those listed under 'Areas of study' for the campus on which the student is enrolled (48 points)

(4.) one of the following core units:

• SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication
• SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced)

(5.) additional science electives to take the total for science studies to 96 points.

Overall students must complete:

• 36 points of science units at level one (double-degree students may replace one of the level-one units with a level-two science unit if required)
• 60 points of science units at level-two and three combined with at least 24 points of science units at level-three.

Single degree students only

Students must in addition to the above complete:

(B.) free elective units (48 points) which can be chosen:

• from Science or another faculty
• to form additional level-one science sequences
• to form science minors or a second science major, or minors/major from another faculty
• as individual units.

Note: A maximum of 60 points of level-one units can be taken overall.

Free elective units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) and indexes of unitsindexes of units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/) 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. Note: Some non-Science units may require permission from the owning faculty. Students must be able to meet any unit prerequisites.

Stage one

Students must complete six level-one science units including at least two approved level-one sequencesapproved level-one sequences (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/sci-sequences.html) and the level-one mathematics or statistics unit (if not already completed as part of a level one approved sequence). Double degree students may replace one of the level-one units with a level-two science unit if required.

The choice of level-one sequences influences the choice of units at stages two and three and lay the foundation for further study in a science discipline. To ensure that the maximum choice of science majors are available at level two, it is recommended that three level-one sequences in science are completed.

The level one mathematics/statistics unit taken will depend on a student's 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 students 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. MTH1020 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent). 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 Science Student ServicesScience Student Services (http://monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/help/).

Stage two

Students must complete the level-two units towards their proposed major together with the core unit SCI2010 or SCI2015. It is important that the units studied at stage two provide the prerequisites for the level-three units within the major. It is recommended that students consider completing units at level two in more than one science discipline to maximise the choice of majors at level three.

The units studied at stage two should take into account the course requirement of a minimum of ten science units at level two and three with at least four units at level three.

Stage three

Students must complete their science major and any remaining units needed to complete any outstanding course requirements. The level two and level three science units studied at stage three should take into account the overall course requirement of a minimum of ten science units at level two and three with at least four units at level three. Additional considerations include the option of completing a second major or an extended major within the 144 credit points.

Students intending to undertake honours should ensure they complete the specific units required for honours in their chosen major.

Clayton

• Astrophysics
• Atmospheric science
• Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Chemistry
• Computational science
• Developmental biology
• Ecology and conservation biology
• Environmental science
• Genetics
• Geographical science
• Geosciences
• Immunology
• Materials science
• Mathematics and statistics
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Physics
• Physiology
• Plant sciences
• Psychology
• Zoology

Malaysia

• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Computational science
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Physiology
• Psychology
• Tropical environmental biology

To be eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Science (Honours), 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.

Bachelor of Science