S2000 Bachelor of Science

This is a comprehensive course, structured in three equal parts:

Part A. Science specified study

This will expose you to several science disciplines contributing breadth to your understanding of science and giving you the opportunity to learn more about several disciplines before finalising your choice of major. It will also provide you with the mathematical or statistical foundation for your study of science and address the nature of science and its communication.

Part B. Science listed major

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.

Part C. Free elective study

This will enable you to further develop your knowledge of your chosen major, or the sciences more broadly, or study a second science major. Alternatively, you can select units from across the University in which you are eligible to enrol.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

You must complete units as specified in Parts A, B and C (144 points): a minimum of 96 points of Bachelor of Science listed study over Part A and Part B and 48 points of free electives in Part C.

In choosing the 96 points of Bachelor of Science listed study over Part A and Part B, you must ensure that they complete six science listed units (36 points) at level 1, and ten science listed units (60 points) at levels 2 and 3 with a minimum of four (24 points) at level 3.

You must also ensure that across the whole course, you complete no more than ten level 1 units (60 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise specified.

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 the chosen major (Part B) and not towards this Part.

Year one

You complete:

Approved science sequences

a. At least two level 1 approved science sequences (24 points) from the following list.

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 the choice of level 2 and level 3 units and will lay the foundation for the major. If you are studying a single degree course, it is recommended that you take a third level 1 sequence in the first year to increase your options for choice of major. Generally, if you are completing a double degree course you will not be able to fit in three level 1 sequences unless one of them is mathematics.

Biological sciences

One pair of:

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life and BIO1022 Life on Earth
• BIO1011 Blueprints for life and BIO1042 Life in the environment
• BIO1011 Blueprints for life and ENV1800 Environmental science: A Southeast Asian perspective

Note 1: If you are in the double degree S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science you should replace BIO1011 and BIO1022 with BMS1011 (Biomedical chemistry) and BMS1021 (Cells, tissues and organisms). These units do not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science.

Chemistry

One pair of:

• CHM1011 Chemistry 1 and CHM1022 Chemistry 2
• CHM1011 Chemistry 1 and CHM1052 Chemistry 2 advanced
• CHM1051 Chemistry 1 advanced and CHM1022 Chemistry 2
• CHM1051 Chemistry 1 advanced and CHM1052 Chemistry 2 advanced

Note 2: If you are in the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science undertaking the chemical engineering specialisation you will count CHM1011 or CHM1051 towards the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). This unit does not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science. You are advised to complete CHM1011 or CHM1051 in your first year.

Computational science

• FIT1045 Algorithms and programming fundamentals in python and FIT1008 Introduction to computer science
• FIT1053 Algorithms and programming in python (advanced) and FIT1054 Computer science (advanced)

Earth, atmosphere and environment

• EAE1011 Earth, atmosphere and environment 1 and EAE1022 Earth, atmosphere and environment 2

Geographical science

• ATS1310 Extreme earth! Natural hazards and human vulnerability and EAE1022 Earth, atmosphere and environment 2

Mathematics and statistics

One pair of:

• MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MTH2010 Multivariable calculus
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Note 3: If you have a strong mathematics background and an interest in the subject you could replace the units MTH1030 and/or MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and/or MTH2015 respectively. You will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Science Student Services office.

Note 4: If you are in the double degree S2004 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science and complete MAT1830, and/or take MTH1030 instead of MAT1841 you should count these units towards the Bachelor of Computer Science. These units do not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science.

Note 5: If you are in the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science choose from the following:

• ENG1090 Foundation mathematics and ENG1005 Engineering mathematics
• ENG1005 Engineering mathematics and MTH2040 Mathematical modelling
• ENG1005 Engineering mathematics and STA1010 Statistical methods for science
• ENG1005 Engineering mathematics and MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science

ENG1090 (Foundation mathematics) and/or ENG1005 (Engineering mathematics) do not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science.


Physics

One pair of:

• PHS1011 Classical physics and relativity and PHS1022 Fields and quantum physics
• PHS1001 Foundation physics and PHS1002 Physics for engineering
• PHS1031 Physics for the living world and PHS1002 Physics for engineering

Note 6: If you are in the double degree S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science you should replace PHS1031 with BMS1031 (Medical biophysics). This unit does not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science.

Note 7: If you are in the double degree E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science you should count PHS1001 towards the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). This unit does not count towards the 96 points of science units required for the Bachelor of Science.

Psychology

• PSY1011 Psychology 1A and PSY1022 Psychology 1B

Mathematics and statistics unit

b. At least one of the following level 1 mathematics or statistics units 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
• SCI1022 Introduction to scientific coding
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Note 8: The unit required in b. will depend on your mathematics background and interests: 

SCI1022 Introduction to scientific coding

• Recommended if you want to gain fundamental coding skills that can be applied in a variety of scientific areas. It will be useful for data analysis, modelling of complex systems, data manipulation and visualisation in a scientific context. SCI1022 requires you to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent) or STA1010.

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 for students without 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 to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020. If you have a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject you could replace the unit MTH1030 with the advanced version MTH1035. You will need to seek permission from Science Student Services to enrol in this unit.

Note 9: If you are in the following double degree courses  - B2023 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science, B2016 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Science, E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science, or S2004 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science - you are exempt from completing b. because those courses include a corresponding mathematics requirement, that is: ETC1000 (Business and economic statistics), ENG1005 (Engineering mathematics) and MAT1841 (Continuous mathematics for computer science).

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 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 10: If you are in a double degree course 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 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 the major in Part B.), with at least 24 points at level 3, chosen from:

• SCI2030 Indigenous Science: Science through the eyes of Australia’s first peoples
• 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)

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. or Part C.

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 are intending 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
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.

Part C. Free elective study (48 points)

Elective units may be chosen from remaining units available in the Bachelor of Science course and will enable you to extend your major or to complete a second major or minor(s). 

Elective units may also be taken from non-science disciplines to broaden knowledge or to complete a major or minor(s) from another course as long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment in the units.

Free electives can be identified using the browse units tool and indexes of units in the current edition of the Handbook. Majors and minors can also be identified using the Handbook indexes. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.

Course progression requirements

You must complete the level one sequences at stage one before enrolling in level two science units.