Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1037-0919
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
+ organise ideas systematically;
+ carry out problem-solving methods and experimentation, either as solitary investigators, or in a team environment;
+ test and investigate a particular scientific problem or set of problems singly or in complex interactions.
Students will be encouraged to be initiators and, where individual skills may be deficient, to develop interpersonal skills which can lead to the solving of problems by group effort in appropriate cases.
Students will acquire sufficient skills to disseminate the results of investigation, by oral, written, or electronic means, or in some cases all three. Graduates will exhibit leadership qualities; they will have scientific skills and confidence in their ability as scientists and will be able to interact easily with colleagues and with the general community. They will also be scientifically responsible, trained in scientific disciplines and entitled, where appropriate, to membership of learned societies and professional associations.
In a fourth year leading to the award of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree, in addition to the above, students will be expected to display a higher level of independent analysis and research in their chosen field of expertise. This higher level of experience has vocational aims but also provides a preparation for study by coursework and/or research for the higher degrees of Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy.
For the purposes of qualifying for the degree students are not able to count (i) a subject or part of a subject more than once, (ii) more than eighteen points at first and second-year level combined, or more than twelve points at third-year level, or more than twenty-four points over all three years, with a grade of PII.
To satisfy a second-semester prerequisite, students must obtain a grade of PII or better in the first-semester subject.
In second semester at least three of the disciplines must be continued. Up to twelve points at first-year level may be taken from subjects offered by the faculties of Arts, Business and Economics, Computing and Information Technology or Law, subject to meeting any entry requirements of those faculties.
With the exception of mathematics subjects, students taking only thirty-six points from the BSc schedule may not take more than two subjects from the same discipline. Students taking more than thirty-six points from the schedule may enrol in three subjects from the same discipline.
Students are not permitted to take more than twelve points of computer science or geography and environmental science subjects. Students are not permitted to take more than twenty-four points per semester.
Students may not enrol in more than thirty points per semester. To enrol in second year, students must already have passed at least twelve points within one discipline at first-year level. Except with the permission of faculty board, students may not count more than twenty-four points of geography and environmental science towards second year.
Students may not enrol in more than thirty points per semester. To enrol in third year, students must have passed at least thirty-six points from first-year level subjects.
Students who have failed a twenty-four point subject may, on the recommendation of the chief examiner, be granted credit for a subject in the same discipline with fewer points.
Except with the permission of faculty board, students may not count more than twenty-four points of geography and environmental science, or more than twenty-four points of psychology at third-year level towards the degree.
The work to be completed shall be that prescribed by the head of department. In some cases the student may be required to pass a course in an approved foreign language.
The details of one student's honours program in a discipline may be significantly different from those in another program in the same discipline. Departments at this level are able to cater substantially for the interests of individual students, although there may be compulsory elements to be completed by all students in the one discipline. The relevant regulation simply states that the work to be completed by a candidate will be as prescribed by the relevant head of department.
Course coordinator: Associate Professor Neil Cameron
The structure of the course allows students the option either to study mathematics intensively with the aim of developing knowledge and skills to lead to further mathematics study at the honours level and beyond, or to combine mathematics and computing and qualify then for further study in either discipline area.
The subjects taken at each level are designed to encourage students to obtain an expert knowledge in particular areas of mathematics and computing prior to advancing to a higher level.
Apart from the emphasis on mathematics and computing, the course allows for students to study in other areas (eg biomedical science, economics, environmental science, languages, law, philosophy), subject to entry or quota requirements of any relevant faculty.
The objective is to equip successful students with advanced mathematical and computational skills which will enable them to progress further in areas of research involving mathematics and computing, or in related fields such as economics, engineering or environmental science.
There are also two special subjects, MAT2000 (Mathematics research project level 2) and MAT3000 (Mathematics research project level 3), which are available for students undertaking this course. Permission from the coordinator must be obtained for either of these to be taken.
+ At least one of MAT1130 and MAT1240 but both are recommended.
+ The remaining twenty-four points must conform to the BSc requirements except that the requirement to take laboratory-based subjects is waived. Students in the computing stream must select CSC1011 and CSC1030 from this category.
+ At least sixteen points from applied mathematics, pure mathematics or mathematical statistics
+ The remaining twenty-four points must conform to BSc requirements. Students in the computing stream must select CSC2040 and CSC2050, together with at least two of CSC2010, CSC2020 and CSC2030 from this category.
+ The remaining twenty-four points must conform to BSc requirements. Students in the computing stream must take twenty-four points of computer science subjects from this category.
For those students who wish to concentrate their studies in mathematics, it is possible to take thirty points of the required forty-eight points at first year and all forty-eight points in each of second and third year in mathematics.
Course coordinator: Professor John Bradshaw
+ provide students with a fundamental understanding of psychology as a scientific discipline with biological, social and cognitive aspects;
+ provide detailed knowledge in a cross-section of the major sub-areas of the discipline, covering both theoretical and professional issues;
+ enable students to develop a good understanding of the research and evaluation methods that underlie behavioural sciences;
+ provide students with a detailed understanding of areas of psychology that are particularly relevant in contemporary scientific and applied psychology;
+ develop skills in the development of research and evaluation designs, the application of statistical techniques and computer-based statistical packages.
The course is designed for students who already have a well-developed career goal of specialising in psychology. Lectures are principally based at the Clayton campus but a sequence of appropriate subjects is also taught at the Caulfield and Peninsula campuses. On completion of the course students will be eligible to apply for accredited fourth-year courses in psychology - either honours or post-graduate diploma programs. Completion of an accredited fourth-year program in psychology satisfies the academic requirements for registration as a psychologist in Victoria.
+ BIO1011 and BIO1022
+ One semester of MAT (must include statistics)
+ The remaining eighteen points must conform to BSc requirements)
+ The remaining thirty-two points must conform to BSc requirements
At second year level a series of optional proseminars will be presented on recent developments in the discipline.
+ up to a further twenty-four points from PSY3011, PSY3022, APY3011, or APY3022
+ Remainder: student choice but must conform to BSc requirements.
Course coordinator: Professor Colin Gibbs
+ achieved a rigorous education in biomedical sciences, starting from a broad fundamental base, leading to advanced studies in focused discipline areas, that should provide a sound foundation for future employment or further training;
+ gained a knowledge and understanding of key facts and concepts in the biomedical area;
+ acquired practical skills in the laboratory that will underpin their own future training and development;
+ developed an appreciation of the nature of scientific literature and the ability to evaluate critically topics in the biomedical area;
+ acquired skills in writing effectively on scientific topics in the biomedical area and their applications to current issues in biology and medicine of community relevance;
+ an ability to communicate verbally on topics of a scientific nature, particularly on aspects of biomedical sciences, including their importance for community well-being;
+ developed an appreciation of the nature and value of research in the biomedical area and its practical application.
Teaching methods in each subject will normally include (i) a lecture program; (ii) a practical program; (iii) small group teaching and learning, involving tutorials and syndicate sessions; (iv) computer interactive learning and self-assessment; (v) tasks requiring library work in preparing essays, summary papers and poster presentations on topics in scientific and professional literature.
Individual subjects may also incorporate other activities including research projects, field trips and visits to other professional institutes and organisations.
+ CHM1011and CHM1022
+ Six points of MAT (statistics unit)
+ The remaining twelve points must conform to BSc requirements
+ The remaining points (up to sixteen) of level 2 subjects from the BSc schedule.
+ The remaining points (up to twenty-four) of level 3 subjects from the BSc schedule.
Course coordinator: Associate Professor Frank Burden
Students are encouraged to take a broad selection of environmental science subjects in first year. In second and third year, while still taking a broad selection of subjects, they should begin to identify a stream that will constitute a major field of study at third-year level.
The program aims to provide students with a sound background in the key environmental science and environmental management disciplines, and at the same time work towards a focus in one discipline. Graduates should thus be in a position to use an interdisciplinary approach to solving environmental science problems. Professional specialisations in one environmental science discipline can be developed through fourth-year honours, or postgraduate masters or PhD studies.
Subjects within the program will vary in their teaching format. Some will involve lectures and tutorials, others lectures and laboratory classes, and others will also involve fieldwork and field site visits. All students should choose a significant number of practical (laboratory, field) based subjects to develop expertise in practical or applied aspects in environmental science.
+ create an awareness of the importance of environmental science as a scientific discipline;
+ provide students with a comprehensive interdisciplinary course program in environmental sciences;
+ develop analytical and critical evaluation skills as well as the efficient assimilation of essential facts, theories and concepts;
+ introduce students, through field trips and site visits, to field methods, approaches and problem resolution;
+ enable students to read the relevant scientific literature and evaluate critically, environmental topics and issues.
The course is a specifically tailored program for students who want a distinctively identified qualification in the environmental sciences.Teaching methods will include lectures, practical classes, tutorials, field trips and site visits and assignments.
The five streams are:
+ Atmospheric science (host department: Mathematics)
+ Ecology (host department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)
+ Environmental chemistry (host department: Chemistry)
+ Environmental geoscience (host department: Earth Sciences)
+ Geography (host department: Geography and Environmental Science)
Students must do eight six-point subjects in first year. Of these, students must select three combinations of two six-point, first-year level subject sequences from three of the five streams and in the case of the atmospheric stream must include GES1020.
The subjects associated with the streams are MAT1010, MAT1020, MAT1050, MAT1060, MAT1240, MAT1372, BIO1011, BIO1042, CHM1011, CHM1022, GES1000, GES1020, ESC1011, ESC1022.
Any remaining points must be taken from other subjects listed in the BSc (Environmental) list, at first-year level unless otherwise approved by the course coordinator.
A field trip will be incorporated into the first-year program with credit being given towards practical work associated with the environmental chemistry, ecology and environmental geoscience streams.
In addition, students must select at least one sixteen-point sequence of second-year level from the BSc (Environmental) list of subjects. The remaining twenty-four points of second-year level subjects must be selected from the BSc (Environmental) list unless otherwise approved by the course coordinator, bearing in mind the prerequisites for third year. No more than twenty-four points (not counting the core subjects) may be taken from any one stream.
Students must select a main twenty-four point sequence at third-year level from the BSc (Environmental) list of subjects. The remaining eighteen points must be selected from the BSc (Environmental) list of subjects at third-year level, unless otherwise approved by the course coordinator. At least twelve points must be selected from a single stream other than the stream containing the main (twenty four point) sequence except in the case of the atmospheric stream.