S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)

This is an advanced comprehensive course. It includes all the requirements of the Bachelor of Science, but with the requirement of two majors or an extended major and a minor from two different listed areas of study, and culminates with an honours research program in the fourth year.

The course is structured in four parts: Major studies, Specified studies, free elective studies and a honours research program.

Part A. Major studies

This will provide you with practical and theoretical skills and knowledge of two science listed areas of study. 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 two disciplines.

Part B. Specified studies

This will provide you with the mathematical or statistical foundation for your study of science and introduce you to the key areas of scientific research methodology.

Part C. Free elective studies

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

Part D. Honours research program

This will extend your discipline knowledge and provide you with a higher level of expertise in critical writing, thinking and independent analysis and research.

Course progression map

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

Please refer to this guide when choosing the appropriate level one mathematics and statistics unit.

The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Major studies (96 points), Part B. Specified studies (30 points), Part C. Free elective studies (18 points) undertaken in the first three years, and Part D. Honours research program (48 points) in the final year. This includes a minimum of 126 points of science listed study over Part A and Part B.

To satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) you must complete 192 credit points as specified in the course requirements, including:

• a maximum of 60 credit points at level 1, of which at least 42 credit points must be science units; and
• a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or higher; and
• a minimum of 24 credit points at level 3 and 24 credit points at level 4 or higher required for this course or your science major.

Furthermore, you must complete 126 credit points of science studies over Part A and Part B, including:

• a minimum of 36 credit points at Level 1; and
• a minimum of 60 credit points at Levels 2 and 3, of which at least 24 credit points must be at Level 3.

Note 1: This course is intended to be taken on a full-time basis, and as such a full-time study load will ensure you have a better cohort experience.

Note 2: Academic requirement: To remain in the course you are required to maintain at least a distinction average (70%) across all units in each calendar year. If you do not achieve this average you will be required to transfer to S2000 Bachelor of Science.

Note 3: Progression requirement: In order to progress to the fourth year of studies, you must have completed 144 credit points. You must also achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70%) in 24 credit points of level 3 units in your intended honours discipline. If you do not meet this standard you will graduate with the Bachelor of Science (S2000).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Major studies (96 points)

You must complete 96 credit points comprising:

• two majors; or
• one extended major and one minor from the list below.

A major consists of eight units (48 credit points), comprising:

• a maximum of two units at Level 1 (12 credit points), and
• a minimum of three Level 3 units (18 credit points)

A minor consists of four units (24 credit points), comprising:

• a minimum of two units at Level 1 (12 credit points)

An extended major consists of twelve units (72 credit points), comprising:

• a maximum of three units at Level 1 (18 credit points), and
• a minimum of four units at Level 3 (24 credit points)

Note 1: 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.

Note 2: You should ensure you complete the specific units required for honours in your chosen major.

Note 3: A maximum of 12 credit points can be counted toward any combination of majors, extended majors and minors.

Note 4: The Psychology extended major (APAC accredited level 1 sequence of units) is only offered in the single degree Bachelor of Science (S2000) or in the double degree Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts (S2006). The Psychology extended major (APAC accredited level 1 sequence of units) is required if you intend to progress to honours in Psychology.

Minors, majors and extended majors

Refer also to the table of minors, majors and extended majors by campus which also details if an area of study is available as a minor, major or extended major.

Part B. Specified studies (30 points)

You must complete five units (30 credit points), comprising:

• two units of Core studies (12 credit points);
• two units of Research studies (12 credit points); and
• one unit Additional science studies (6 credit points)

Note: Although the requirements in Part B appear to exceed 30 points, units completed as part of your chosen majors or minor (Part A) do not count towards this Part. 

Core studies (12 credit points)

You must complete two units (12 credit points) from the following list, comprising:

• SCI1005 Scientific research and communication (6 credit points); and
• One unit (6 credit points) from the following mathematics and statistics units.

Note 1: Before enrolling in your Level 1 mathematics and statistics unit, please refer to this guide to assist you to select the appropriate level 1 core studies (mathematics or statistics) unit. The unit you select will depend on your mathematics background and interests.

https://www.monash.edu/students/handbooks/faculty-info/undergrad/science/Table-level-one-maths-and-stats-2026.pdf

Note 2: If you have already completed one of the following level 1 mathematics and statistics units as part of your major studies you must replace the mathematics and statistics unit with a Level 1 science unit (6 credit points).

• SCI1005 Scientific research and communication
• SCI1022 Introduction to scientific coding
• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• MTH1035 Techniques for modelling (Advanced)
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Research studies (12 credit points)

You must complete two units (12 credit points) from the following list, comprising:

• SCI1015 Research first project (6 credit points); and
• One unit (6 credit points) from the following discipline specific research project units.

Note: The research project unit is normally taken as part of your chosen major(s). The computational science project is 12 credit points and consists of FIT3161 and FIT3162. These units do not form part of the computational science major but are part of the extended major. If you major in computational science and want to complete FIT3161 and FIT3162 as your Level 3 research project course requirement, then they will not count towards your major in computational science. 

• SCI1015 Research first project
• BIO3990 Biology in action research project
• BCH3990 Action in biochemistry research project
• CHM3980 Chemistry study abroad
• CHM3990 Chemistry project
• DEV3990 Action in anatomy and developmental biology research project
• EAE3000 Earth, atmosphere and environment research project
• FIT3161 Computer science project 1 or FIT3162 Computer science project 2
• GEN3990 Genetics in action research project
• HUP3990 Human pathology in action research project
• IMM3990 Immunology in action research project
• MIC3990 Action in microbiology research project
• MTH3000 Mathematics research project level 3
• PHA3990 Action in pharmacology research project
• PHY3990 Action in physiology research project
• PHS3350 Physics and astronomy research project 1
• PHS3360 Physics and astronomy research project 2
• PSY3062 Research methods and theory - 6 credit points
• SCI3990 Science in action research project

Additional science studies (6 credit points)

You must complete one unit (6 credit points) from:

• The following list of units; or
• Any additional level 1 science unit required to take the total level 1 science listed units to at least 36 credit points.; or
• Any additional level 2 or level 3 unit required to take the total science listed units to 126 points over Part A and Part B.

Note 1: Science listed units are those under any major, extended major or minor offered in S2000 Bachelor of Science, or level 1 mathematics and statistics units listed above

Note 2: To increase your options when choosing a major, it is recommended that you consider taking level 1 units from another area of study in your first year

Note 3: In this course, MTE4235 is counted as a level 3 science elective and cannot be used towards the requirement of the 4th year of the course. 

• CLI1100 Climate change: A wicked problem
• CLI1200 Climate change: Impacts and adaptations
• SCI1200 Humans, evolution and modern society
• SCI2030 Indigenous Science: Science through the eyes of Australia’s first peoples
• SCI2400 Creative methods at the intersections of science and art
• SCI3920 Science internship
• SCI3925 Science internship (Extended)
• SCI3930 Career skills for scientists
• MTE4235 Nuclear energy: Science, technology and society

Part C. Free elective studies (18 credit points)

You may choose elective units may be chosen from units available in S2000 Bachelor of Science course to broaden your science knowledge or to extend your major.

Elective units may also be taken from non-science disciplines as long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment in the units. 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.

Note: You cannot take the units SCI2010 or MTH1010 within this course. 

Part D. Honours research program (48 credit points)

The specific requirements for the honours year are dependent on your field of study. All units will be at Level 4 and in general will include advanced coursework and specified assessment tasks, a thesis component and seminars or oral presentations. Details of the units of study are in accordance with the requirements for course S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours).