Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Social Science

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Social Science

Abbreviation:

BSocSc

UOW Course Code:

344

CRICOS Code:

081145A

Total Credit Points:

144

Duration:

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Social Sciences

Intake Session(s):

Autumn/ Spring

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 755300
Batemans Bay / 755302
Bega / 755303
Shoalhaven / 755301

Additional Information:

Course Finder

Overview

Social Sciences helps transform the lives of individuals, families and communities by understanding, explaining, predicting and changing human behaviour and environments. To do this Social science students engage in interdisciplinary study about human behaviour, including foundations in psychology, social policy, sociology, human geography, research methodology, social justice and social determinants of health and wellbeing.

Each student has the opportunity to build a unique study pathway. From a strong common foundation of compulsory core social science subjects in first year, students then choose and complete a specialised major, which is then complemented by either (a) elective subjects or (b) a minor in another Social Science area or from any General Schedule Minor.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Social Science will be able to:

  1. Integrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and social science practice.
  2. Consolidate and synthesise theoretical and practical knowledge of the dynamics of social systems and practices in different settings and apply this to their chosen speciality.
  3. Inquire into the dynamics of particular social problems and practices using established social science protocols consistent with their speciality.
  4. Inquire into and address ongoing learning needs.
  5. Analyse unpredictable, complex problems, issues and situations; apply creative, logical and critical thinking skills; and form evidence-based judgements regarding possible solutions.
  6. Articulate ideas using a wide range of techniques effective with different audiences, including experts and non-experts.
  7. Work collaboratively with a range of people in different cultural, cross-cultural and regional contexts to best effect desired and desirable social change.
  8. Recognise the importance of ethical practice, social responsibility, social justice and civic awareness when acting to resolve conflicts, address problems and respond to social and environmental challenges.

 

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Social Science requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects including:

  1. 66 credit points from core subjects;
  2. a Social Science major; and
  3. either,

a) a social science minor, or minor from the General Schedule of Minors in the General Course Rules; and/or

b) elective credit points. 

No more than 60 credit points of 100 level subjects shall be completed.

Core subjects

All students must complete the following core subjects. In Year 1 Spring semester, HAS220 can be deferred, and a pre-requisite subject for a major or minor taken instead. In this case, HAS220 should be taken in the second year (it will be available in both Autumn and Spring sessions). Students contemplating majors in Criminology (psychology pathway), Indigenous Studies or Social Marketing are strongly advised to complete the major prerequisite subject in Year 1. Students contemplating other majors should carefully look at the pre-requisites required for subjects to be taken in Years 2 and 3.

Subject Codesubject NameCredit PointsSession(s)
Year 1
Autumn
PSYC101Introduction to Behavioural Science6Autumn, Summer 2015/2016
GEOG121Human Geography I: life in a globalising world6Autumn
HAS 130Social Determinants of Health6Autumn
SOC 103Introduction to Sociology6Autumn
Spring
PSYC123Research Methods and Statistics6Spring
GEOG122Human Geography II: Living in a Material World6Spring
HAS 121Human Development in Social Context6Spring
HAS 220Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies6Spring
Year 2
Autumn
HAS 200Social Justice in a World of Inequality6Not offered in 2015
GEOG221Population Geography: a global perspective on people and place6Autumn
Spring
HAS 202Introduction to Social Policy6Not offered in 2015

Majors (and delivery locations)

All students must complete one of the following majors:

Some delivery locations offer only first and second year subjects, or a limited range of subject choices. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Minors (and delivery locations)

A minor is not compulsory for students who enrolled in 2015, but is recommended if there is sufficient space in the student’s degree program. Students may choose minors from this recommended list, or from the General Schedule of Minors.

  • Criminology (Wollongong)
  • Community, Culture & Environment (Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Human Geography (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Indigenous Studies (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Public Health (Wollongong, Shoalhaven)
  • Social Marketing (Wollongong)
  • Social Policy (Wollongong)
  • Sociology (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Work Health & Safety (Wollongong)

Electives

Electives may be selected from any subject listed in the core, major and minor tables for the Bachelor of Social Science, or from the General Elective Subjects list. 

The following career readiness electives are recommended:

Subject Codesubject NameCredit PointsSession(s)
CRLP200Career Ready Learning & Practice6Autumn, Spring
CRLP201Career Ready Learning & Practice8Autumn, Spring
HAS 201Work Health & Safety6Spring
HAS 333Social Sciences Project8Spring

Dean's Scholar

A Dean's Scholar program is available. More information can be found on the Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar) page.

Honours

There is currently no Honours program for 2015.

The Faculty has proposed an Honours program that will commence in 2017.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 11 September, 2015