Choosing between two areas that interest you can be hard, so this double degree course enables you to make the most of your talents and study both science and music.
Physics, mathematics and music have been related for millennia in the art and science of acoustics but the links are much more extensive. The latest developments in physics, psychology, human biology, materials science, information science and statistical analysis all give us new answers to ancient questions about music - what it is, why we make it, how we make it, why we listen to it and how it is changing.
Whether your music specialisation is in composition music technology, ethnomusicology and musicology or performance, a broad understanding of science will illuminate and enrich the experience.
And if your main focus is science, music expertise will offer interesting opportunities not available to everyone - perhaps working on treatments for auditory conditions or mapping sound to interaction.
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.
The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-s2005.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.
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 Bachelor of Science component, of which:
- you complete six science listed units (36 points) at level 1
- ten science listed units (60 points) at levels 2 and 3
- a minimum of four (24 points) 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, B and C described below in Bachelor of Music component, of which:
- no more than six arts units (36 points) completed at level 1
- at least 36 points completed at level 3 of which at least 24 points must be arts units.
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 chosen major (Part B) and not towards Part A.
Year one
You must complete:
Approved science sequences
a. At least two level 1 approved science sequencesapproved science sequences (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/sci-level-1-sequences.html) (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 if you are planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences. SCI1020 is recommended if you do not have a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 requires you to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
- Recommended if you have an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1020 requires you to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent). MTH1030 requires you have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020.
If you have a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject you
Additional level 1 units
c. Any additional level 1 units (usually one or two) required taking the total level 1 science listed units to 36 credit 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 level 1 mathematics and statistics units listed above or from the following:
- MTH1010 Functions and their applications
- SCI1200 Humans, evolution and modern society
- SCI1300 Climate change: From science to society
- SCI1800 The sustainable planet
Note 2: You can replace one level 1 science listed unit with a level 2 or level 3 science listed unit.
Years two and three
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 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:
- SCI2400 From Galileo to GPS: How astronomy shapes our lives
- SCI3910 Schools science project
- SCI3920 Science internship
- 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)
This will provide you with a focused program of study that will develop your expertise in one discipline area. You will learn to develop, apply and communicate an advanced level of understanding of the concepts and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of the discipline.
Complete at least 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 prerequisite 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 campusminors and majors by campus (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/undergrad/sci-bsc-minor-major-extended-major.html) which details if an area of study is available as a minor, major or extended major.
Music component
Bachelor of Music is a specialist course that develops through the themes of music specialist study, music theory and ear training, and music context study.
Part A. Music specialist study (36 points)
This sequence of units will provide you with specialist skills to undertake a final examination either through performance with your chief instrument or voice, or through a folio of composition and music technology media or written work. Performance and other applied electives are also available.
You must complete the specified six units for one of the following specialisations. To avoid exceeding the standard three year course duration you must enrol in the music specialist study 1 and 2 units in your first year of study, then progress to the music specialist study 3 to 6 units in the following years. You must pass each unit sequentially.
Composition and music technology
- ATS1046 Composition and music technology 1: Introduction to composition genres
- ATS1047 Composition and music technology 2: Composition and recording materials
- ATS2127 Composition and music technology 3: Composition and mixing techniques
- ATS2128 Composition and music technology 4: Music for screen and other media
- ATS3140 Composition and music technology 5: Interactive composition
- ATS3141 Composition and music technology 6: Final project
Ethnomusicology and musicology
a. One of the following pairs of units:
b. The following units:
- ATS2804 From the erotic to the exotic: Music in the nineteenth century
- ATS2805 Music, identity and place
- ATS3144Not offered in 2019 Music research in the digital age
- ATS3153Not offered in 2019 Music research project
Music performance
Part B. Music theory and ear training (24 points)
This will integrate the development of aural skills with the theoretical understanding of music through listening, analysis, performance, notation and composition.
You must complete:
- ATS1899 Music theory and ear training 1
- ATS1900 Music theory and ear training 2
- ATS2901 Music theory and ear training 3
- ATS2902 Music theory and ear training 4
Part C. Music context studies (36 points)
These studies will expose you to the study of music and music making in various cultural, historical, social and professional settings through introductory units and a capstone experience.
You must complete:
- ATS1345 Music and history
- ATS1346 Music and culture
- ATS2333 Jazz history or ATS2900 Writing about music: Headlines and hashtags or ATS2331Not offered in 2019 Music - overseas study program 1 or ATS2332 Music - overseas study program 2
- ATS2687 The ethnomusicology of improvisation or ATS2060 The art of teaching music performance
- ATS3061 Music in Australia
- ATS3094 The music business: How to be successful in the music industry
You may be eligible to exit the double degree program and graduate with either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Music after three years, depending on the units studied.
If you wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science prior to the completion of the double degree you must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the requirements in Part A and Part B for the Bachelor of Science degree.
If you wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Music prior to the completion of the double degree you must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the requirements in Part A, B and C for the Bachelor of Music degree.
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)
- A3702 Bachelor of Music (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. If you are a Science student you should refer to the honours prerequisites table.
Graduate coursework
If you successfully complete 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)
