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: science specified study, science listed majors, free elective study and a substantial honours research program.

Part A. Science specified study

This will expose you to several science disciplines contributing breadth to your understanding of science, giving you the opportunity to learn more about several disciplines before finalising your choice of majors. It will also 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 B. Science listed majors

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 C. Free elective study

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. Science specified study (30 points), Part B. Science listed majors (96 points), Part C. Free elective study (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.

In choosing your 126 points of science listed study over Part A and Part B, you must ensure that you 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 units (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). It is recommended that you complete level 1 sequences first as these lay the foundation for further study. If you're a first-year student considering enrolling in level 2 units, it is recommended that you consult your course coordinator to explore suitable options.

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.

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

In addition, in order to progress to the fourth year, you must normally complete 144 points. You must also achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70%) in 24 points of level 3 units in your intended honours discipline.

If you successfully complete the first three years (144 points) of the course but do not meet the academic standard for the progression to the fourth year, you will graduate with the Bachelor of Science.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Science specified study (30 points)

Although the requirements in Part A appear to exceed 30 points, the two level 1 sequences are typically credited towards your majors or minor (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 your choice of level 2 and level 3 units and will lay the foundation for your major. If you are a first-year student and wish to take level 2 units you should discuss options with your course coordinator.

Biological sciences

One pair of:

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life and BIO1022 Life on Earth
• BIO1011 Blueprints for life and BIO1042 Life in the environment

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

Computational science

One pair of:

• FIT1045 Introduction to programming and FIT1008 Fundamentals of algorithms
• FIT1053 Introduction to programming (Advanced) and FIT1054 Fundamentals of algorithms (Advanced)

Earth, atmosphere and environment

• EAE1011 The Earth System: From the core to the atmosphere and EAE1022 The Earth System: changing environments and climates

Geographical science

• ATS1310 Extreme earth! The geography of disasters and EAE1022 The Earth System: Changing environments and climates

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 1: Students with a strong mathematics background and an interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and/or MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and/or MTH2015 respectively. You will need to seek permission from ask.monash to enrol in this unit.

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

Psychology

• PSY1011 Foundations in psychology and PSY1023 Introduction to psychological inquiry

Mathematics and statistics unit

b. At least one of the following level 1 mathematics and statistics units (6 points) if not already taken as part of a level 1 approved sequence. If you have already completed 6 credit points of the following units as part of a level 1 approved sequence, you must replace the mathematics and statistics unit with a level 1 science unit (6 credit points).  You must complete this within the first 48 points of your course. It is in your best interest to ensure that you have met pre-requisites for your chosen level 1 mathematics and statistics unit.

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

• SCI1022 Introduction to scientific coding
• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling or MTH1035 Techniques for modelling (advanced)
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Note 2: 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 a raw study score of at least 25 in VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent) or STA1010.

STA1010 (Statistical methods for science):

• Recommended if you plan to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences. STA1010 requires VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent), or SCI1020 or MTH1010. 

MTH1020 (Analysis of change) and MTH1030 (Techniques for modelling)

• Recommended if you have an interest in astrophysics, some streams of climate and atmospheric science, computational science, mathematics and/or physics. MTH1020 requires a raw study score of at least 25 in VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent). MTH1030 requires a raw study score of at least 30 in 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 must enrol in this unit manually via the online Enrolment Amendment form.

Additional level 1 units

c. Any additional level 1 units (usually one or two) required to take the total level 1 science listed units to at least 36 points. 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 or from the following:

• CLI1100 Climate change: A wicked problem
• CLI1200 Climate change: Impacts and adaptations
• SCI1200 Humans, evolution and modern society

It is recommended that you consider taking a third level 1 sequence in your first year to increase your options for choice of major.

Core communication

d. The following unit (6 points):

• SCI1005 Scientific research and communication

Research in practice

e. The following unit (6 points):

• SCI1015 Research first project

Years two and three

f. One level three research project unit (6 points) chosen from:

• 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

Note 3: The research project unit chosen from above is normally taken as part of your chosen major(s).

g. Any additional level 2 or level 3 science units required to take the total science listed units to 126 points over Part A and Part B (inclusive of a. to f. and your chosen majors/minor). Science listed units are chosen from the following:

• 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*
• units listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in S2000 Bachelor of Science

*Note that, for the purpose of 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.

Part B. Science listed majors (96 points)

Complete two science listed majors or an extended major plus a minor in a different area of study.

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. An extended major requires twelve units with no more than four units at level 1 (24 points) and at least four units (24 points) at level 3. You should ensure that over the course you have completed at least four units (24 points) of science listed study at level 3.

Refer to the science listed areas of study below for the units required for your chosen major, extended major or minor.

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.

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

Minors, majors and extended majors

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

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.

Part C. Free elective study (18 points)

These 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.

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

Part D. Honours program (48 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).