Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)

This is a high-profile, flexible course with a strong foundation of studies in the enabling sciences, leading to advanced studies in one or two science disciplines. The course is primarily aimed at high-achieving students who expect to pursue honours studies in science. The course encourages the development of strong research, communication and team work skills, and prepares graduates for postgraduate study or for global employment in any of the emerging and traditional fields of science.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

• demonstrate advanced knowledge and technical skills in at least one science discipline 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
• convey ideas and results effectively to diverse audiences and in a variety of formats, and present scientific work in a potentially publishable way
• demonstrate understanding of the importance of science to the human endeavour
• work independently to undertake a scientific literature review, and to design, develop and implement a research project
• collect, organise, analyse, interpret and present data meaningfully, using mathematical and statistical tools as appropriate to the discipline of specialisation
• 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

A sustained high level of achievement must be demonstrated throughout the course. Students are required to maintain at least a distinction average (70 per cent) across all science units in each calendar year to remain in the course. Students who do not meet this standard will be required to transfer to S2000 Bachelor of Science.

To be eligible to progress to honours at stage four in this course, students must have completed 144 points of units including:

• all of (a.) to (f.) in the 'Requirements' section for this course
• all the requirements for the major in the science discipline in which they wish to undertake honours
• at least a distinction grade average (70 per cent) in 24 points of level three units in the relevant science discipline. These 24 points will normally include at least 18 points in the major in which honours will be undertaken.

This course consists of core and elective units and has five main components:

• foundation studies in at least two different science disciplines
• a set of core units in science which further develop skills in mathematics or statistics, and provide an introduction to the key areas of scientific communication and practice and scientific research methodology
• at least two majors, or an extended major plus a minor, in different science disciplines
• elective units
• an honours program of study including coursework and research in an area of science.

Students cannot take additional units that exceed the 192 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.

Students must complete 192 credit points as follows:

(a.) two 12-point level one science sequences chosen from the following (12 points):

• BIO1011 Biology I, and BIO1022 Biology II or BIO1042 Environmental biology
• CHM1011 Chemistry I or CHM1051 Chemistry I advanced plus CHM1022 Chemistry II or CHM1052 Chemistry II advanced
• ESC1011 Planet earth: Our place in the universe and ESC1022 Planet earth: Surface processes
• MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling, or MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MTH2010 Multivariable calculus, or STA1010 Statistical methods for science and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• PHS1011 Physics and PHS1022 Physics, or PHS1080 Foundation physics and PHS1022 Physics

(b.) at least one level-one mathematics or statistics unit (if not already taken as part of (a.)) from the following (6 points):

• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

The choice of unit will depend on the student's mathematics background and interests:

• The statistics unit STA1010 (Statistical methods for science) is recommended for students planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences.
• 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/).

(c.) at least two majors, or an extended major plus a minor, in different science disciplines (96 points)

These must be chosen from the list in the section Science majors and minors - ClaytonScience majors and minors - Clayton (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/sci-aos-clayton.html) in this Handbook.

(d.) a core unit(6 points):

• SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced)

(e.) one level-three research project unit relevant to the major (6 points)

(f.) an honours program of eight units of level four science units in a science discipline, in accordance with the normal requirements for course 0051 Bachelor of Science (Honours) (48 points).

Notes:

• A maximum of 10 units (60 points) of level one units can be taken overall.
• A maximum of 4 units (24 points) of non-science elective units can be taken overall.
• Students should contact Science Student Services before enrolling in any stage of the course 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/2015handbooks/undergrad/sci.html) section in this Handbook.

Minimum grade for course completion

Distinction average (70 per cent)

Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)