Bachelor of Science

Overview

Students may gain a comprehensive education in Science by selecting a major study and a range of elective subjects. The major studies areas are Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Geology and Geosciences. Other interdisciplinary majors are Biotechnology, Ecology, Environment, Land and Heritage Management, Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology.

The flexible structure of the major and electives allows students to design their study program to meet their particular interests and abilities. Students may combine their chosen Science major with a second major in Science, or a major chosen from outside the Faculty, or with a range of elective subjects.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

New South Wales HSC University Admission Index (UAI) of 75 (or equivalent). The UAI is reviewed each year.

Assumed Knowledge: Mathematics and any two units of Science. Students who have not completed Chemistry and/or Biology at the HSC are strongly recommended to enrol in bridging courses offered in February each year. Students without at least HSC Mathematics Band 4 (or equivalent) are required to take a special Mathematics subject (MATH151) in the first year.

Mid-year entry for the Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences) must be in consultation with the Head of the School of Biological Sciences.

Course Requirements

Bachelor of Science requirements fall into one of three categories, as follows:

1. At least one major chosen from disciplines located in the Faculty of Science. A major study consists of at least 90 credit points from the Science Schedule (see list of subjects) of which at least 60 credit points are from one of the Faculty of Science disciplines: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Geology, Geosciences.
The balance of 54 credit points (to a degree total of 144) may be chosen from either the Science Schedule or General Schedule and may include a second major or a selection of complementary or contrasting subjects, or other subjects with the approval of the Dean or Associate Dean. A minimum of 32 credit points at 300-level is required.

2. One major from within the Faculty of Science and a co-major from outside the Faculty. Approved co-majors are: Computer Science, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Mathematics/Applied Statistics, Nutrition, Physics, and Psychology. In this category, where an approved major is combined with a Science major, the requirement of at least 90 credit points from the Science Schedule is waived.

Note: Students wishing to undertake a major program involving a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science as in 2 above, must first obtain the approval of the Head of the relevant Department or School and verify their planned study program. Recommended major programs can be obtained from the Faculty of Science Office in Room 41.258.

3. One of the six interdisciplinary, prescribed majors, as follows (see separate course entry for each): Biotechnology, Ecology, Environment, Land and Heritage Management, Medicinal Chemistry, Nanotechnology
For the Bachelor of Science (Physics): Refer to the Faculty of Engineering.

Note: The Science Schedule list of subjects is provided at the end of this degree entry. The General Schedule is provided in at the end of the Handbooks.

Honours

Students with a good academic record, particularly in third year, are encouraged to proceed to the Honours year in the discipline of their major. The Honours year is a fourth year of study that provides training in independent research.

Major Study Areas

Biological Sciences

Biotechnology

Chemistry

Ecology

Environment

Geology

Geosciences

Human Geography

Land and Heritage Management

Medicinal Chemistry

Nanotechnology

Physical Geography

Last reviewed: 22 June, 2007