By combining science with studies in arts, humanities or social sciences this double degree course provides you with powerful communication and critical thinking skills coupled with a strong technological or scientific base.
It offers over 60 study areas to select from. You might pair criminology with chemistry and take human rights or pharmacology as a minor and focus on forensic science, or human geography combined with ecology and conservation biology for a career in the environmental sector. If your focus is more towards the life sciences, you might consider combining psychology with politics and take minors in bioethics or developmental biology and language studies. The choice is yours.
If you're uncertain about which areas of study you like best, our course advisors will help you plan a course of study.
NOTE: For learning outcomes and other relevant information of this double degree, refer to the single degree entries:
The requirements below detail what you must study in order to complete this double-degree course and receive the awards.
Units are 6 points unless otherwise specified. You must complete 192 points:
1. 96 points must be completed in Parts A and B as described below in S2000 Bachelor of Science component, of which:
- at least 30 points and no more than 36 points of level 1 units must be completed
- at least 60 points must be completed at levels 2 and 3
- at least 24 points must be completed at level 3
- you must complete the level one sequences at stage one before enrolling in level two science units
2. 96 points must be completed in Parts A and B as described below in A2000 Bachelor of Arts component, of which:
- no more than 36 points can be completed at level 1
- at least 24 points must be completed at level 3
Science component
Bachelor of Science is a comprehensive course and it will provide you with a broad, general science education, as well as specialist training in one or more science disciplines.
Part A. Science specified study (48 points)
Although the requirements in Part A appear to exceed 48 points, a level 1 sequence is typically counted towards your major (Part B) and not towards Part A.
You must complete:
Level 1 sequences
a. At least two level 1 approved science sequences (24 points)
Normally, the units in a level 1 sequence are required for the completion of a related minor or major. The choice of level 1 sequences will influence your choice of level 2 and level 3 units and will lay the foundation for your major.
Mathematics and statistics unit
b. At least one of the following level 1 mathematics or statistics units (6 points) if not already taken as part of a level 1 approved sequence:
- MTH1020 Analysis of change
- MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
- MTH1035 Techniques for modelling (advanced)
- SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
- STA1010 Statistical methods for science
Note 1: The unit required in b. will depend on your mathematics background and interests.
SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning and STA1010 Statistical methods for science
- 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).
MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
- 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 unit MTH1030 with the advanced version MTH1035, and should seek permission to enrol in this unit at the Science Student Services office.
Additional level 1 units
c. Any additional level 1 units required to take the total level 1 science listed units to either 30 or 36 points. Level 1 science listed units are chosen from units listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in the Bachelor of Science or from the following:
- MTH1010 Functions and their applications
- SCI1200 Humans, evolution and modern society
- SCI1300 Climate change: From science to society
- SCI1400 From Galileo to GPS: How astronomy shapes our lives
- SCI1800 The sustainable planet
Level 2/3 units
d. One unit (6 points) from:
- SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication
- SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced).
e. Any additional units required to make the total level 2 and 3 Bachelor of Science listed units to at least 60 points (inclusive of the unit in d. and the units in your major in Part B), with at least 24 points at level 3, chosen from:
- SCI3910 Schools science project
- SCI3920 Science industry placement
- SCI3930 Career skills for scientists
- units listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in S2000 Bachelor of Science
Part B. Science listed major (48 points)
You must complete one science listed major from those listed below. A major requires eight units with no more than two units at level 1 (12 points) and at least three units (18 points) at level 3. You may replace the major with an extended major by using the elective units available in Part A.
It is recommended that you consider completing level 2 units in more than one area of science to maximise your choice of major at level 3.
If you intend to undertake an honours year you should ensure you complete the specific units required as a pre-requisite for honours in your chosen major area of study.
Minors, majors and extended majors
Note: Psychology is taught by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Refer also to the table of minors and majors by campus which details if an area of study is available as a minor, major or extended major.
Arts component
Bachelor of Arts is a comprehensive course and in the double degree course you complete Arts specified study and an Arts listed Major.
Part A. Arts specified study (48 points)
This will expose you to several arts disciplines areas of study contributing breadth to your knowledge of the arts, humanities and social sciences. It will also give you the opportunity to learn about several areas of study before finalising your choice of major and minor.
You must complete:
a. an arts minor (24 points) with no more than two units (12 points) at level 1
b. a further 24 points of arts units which can be used to:
- broaden your studies in arts
- study a second minor
- add to your minor to create a second major
- add to your major in Part B to create an extended major where available.
You must choose your minor from one of the arts areas of study listed under Part B and any remaining units in this Part must be from those offered by the Faculty of Arts.
It is recommended that you complete level 2 units in more than one area of arts to give you options for finalising your choice of major at level 3.
Part B. Arts listed major (48 points)
This will provide you with a focused program of study that will develop your practical and theoretical skills and knowledge in one Faculty of Arts listed major area of study. You will learn to critically analyse, apply and communicate an advanced level of understanding of the concepts and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of the area of study.
You must complete:
- an arts listed major (48 points) with no more than two units at level one (12 points) and at least three units (18 points) at level three.
You must choose these 48 points from the arts areas of study listed below.
You may add to your major to form an extended major where available by using arts units from Part A.
If you intend to progress to an honours year, you must have completed a major in a related discipline, with a minimum of 24 points of study at level 3 to be eligible.
Arts areas of study
Note: Psychology is taught by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
The table of minors, majors and extended majors by campus details if an area of study is available as a minor, major or extended major.
You may be eligible to exit this double degree course early and graduate with one of the single awards once you have successfully completed all the requirements described above for the single degree component and have completed a total of:
- 144 points to exit with a Bachelor of Science
- 144 points to exit with the Bachelor of Arts
Honours
You may be eligible to apply for a one-year honours course once you have successfully completed this double degree, or have completed all of the requirements for one of the single degrees including a total of 144 points. The following honours courses apply:
- S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- A3701 Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
You are usually eligible to apply for honours if you achieve a distinction grade average (70 percent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level 3. This sometimes also means you need to have completed specific units. Science students should refer to the honours prerequisites table.
Graduate coursework
Students successfully completing the Bachelor of Science may proceed to:
- S5003 Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Malaysia only)
- S6000 Master of Science (from 2019)
- S6001 Master of Financial Mathematics*
- S6002 Master of Environment and Sustainability**
- S6003 Master of Mathematics (from 2019)
