Bachelor of Science

Course B-SCI (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

This is a
New Generation course
, part of the
Melbourne Model
and is available from 2008
Year and Campus: 2011 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 002153M
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 300 credit points taken over 36 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

The Program Director for the Bachelor of Science is Associate Professor Michelle Livett

Contact

Eastern Precinct Student Centre
The Eastern Precinct (building 138)
(between Doug McDonell building and Eastern Resource Centre)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The Bachelor of Science (BSc) course is designed to provide excellent science education across a broad range of science and technology areas of study and equip students with a range of knowledge and skills to enhance their science studies. The degree will provide flexible pathways to employment, research higher degrees and many professional postgraduate programs.
Objectives: The Bachelor of Science has the objective of preparing graduates who embody the University of Melbourne graduate attributes, as well as additional attributes more specific to the BSc. These BSc-specific attributes are incorporated into the University graduate attributes summary (see 'Graduate Attributes') and are indicated in italics.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

Students commencing the BSc from 2011 onwards

Successful completion of 300 points comprising:

  • 225 points of science subjects including:
    • At least 62.5 points at Level 1
    • At least 62.5 points at Level 2
    • At least 75 points at Level 3 (including 50 points of a prescribed science major at Level 3)
  • 50 points of breadth subjects including at least 12.5 points at Level 2 or Level 3
  • 25 points (either science subjects or breadth subjects) at Level 1, 2 or 3


Additional requirements:

  • No more than 125 points at Level 1 may be included in the BSc
  • No more than 37.5 points of breadth at Level 1 may be included in the BSc
  • Progression: Students must normally complete 50 points of study at one subject year level before proceeding to the next subject year level.
  • Diversity of Level 1 science study: Students must complete Level 1 subjects from at least two different areas of study. A maximum of 37.5 points at Level 1 from any single area of study may be completed. The areas of study available are: Biology; Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Engineering Systems; Geography and Environments; Informatics; Mathematics and Statistics; Physics; Psychology; Vision Sciences

Science points.

Subjects attracting science points in the BSc are listed below.

Special Arrangements:

In the case of the study area of History and Philosophy of Science (HPS), students who seek to undertake further subjects in order to complete the equivalent of a major in HPS will be permitted to take up to 25 points of additional breadth study in HPS, replacing 25 points of the science requirements of the BSc. These students will be required to satisfy all other completion requirements of the BSc.

Students who commenced the BSc prior to 2011

Successful completion of 300 points comprising:

225 points of science subjects including:

  • between 62.5 and 100 points at Level 1;
  • at least 125 points across Level 2 and Level 3;
  • completion of 50 points of a prescribed science major at Level 3.
Plus either
  • 75 points of breadth subjects including:
    • between 12.5 and 37.5 points at Level 1;
    • at least 12.5 points at Level 3.
Or
  • 50 points of breadth subjects including at least 12.5 points at Level 2 or Level 3 and
  • 25 points (either science subjects or breadth subjects) at Level 1, 2 or 3
Additional requirements
  • Students may complete no more than 37.5 points of breadth at Level 1;
  • Students must complete between 75 and 125 points at Level 1 across both components (science and breadth subjects);
  • Students must complete at least 75 points at Level 3 as part of the Bachelor of Science.
  • Progression: Students must complete at least 50 science points at Level 1 before proceeding to Level 2 science subjects;
  • Diversity of Level 1 science study: Students must complete Level 1 subjects from at least two different areas of study. A maximum of 37.5 points at Level 1 from any single area of study may be completed. The areas of study available are: Biology; Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Engineering Systems; Geography and Environments; Informatics; Mathematics and Statistics; Physics; Psychology; Vision Sciences.

Science points.

Subjects attracting science points in the BSc are listed below

Special Arrangements

In the case of the study area of History and Philosophy of Science (HPS), students who seek to undertake further subjects in order to complete the equivalent of a major in HPS will be permitted to take up to 25 points of additional breadth study in HPS, replacing 25 points of the science requirements of the BSc. These students will be required to satisfy all other completion requirements of the BSc.

Majors/
Minors/
Specialisations

Completion of 50 points of study at third year level.

A number of these science majors include specialisations. Descriptions of the specialisations are located within the majors.

Majors/Minors/Specialisations:
Subject Options:

The following lists of subjects are available for science credit with this course.

Subjects are arranged under headings for identified discipline study areas. A subject is listed only once in this section. Refer to related headings for alternative locations of a subject's listing.

Agricultural Science
Anatomy
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology (Level 1)
Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science and Software Engineering
Domestic Animal Science (includes subjects leading to the Animal Science and Management major)
Earth Sciences
Ecology
Engineering
Environments (Level 1)
Environmental Science
Food Science
Genetics
Geography
Geomatics
Informatics
Mathematics and Statistics
Microbiology and Immunology
Neuroscience
Pathology
Pharmacology
Physics
Physiology
Plant Science
Psychology
Science (General)
Science (Research)
Science Informatics
Veterinary Science
Vision Science (Level 1)
Zoology

Agricultural Science

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Anatomy

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Biology (Level 1)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Biotechnology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50

Cell Biology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Chemistry

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
January, Semester 2
12.50
Summer Term, Semester 2
12.50

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Domestic Animal Science

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50

Earth Sciences

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Ecology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Engineering

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
January, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Environments (Level 1)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Environmental Science

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Food Science

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Genetics

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Geography

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Geomatics

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Informatics

Additional subjects are listed under 'Science informatics'.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Mathematics and Statistics

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50

Microbiology and Immunology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Neuroscience

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Pathology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Pharmacology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Physics

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Physiology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Plant Science

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
January
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
December
12.50

Psychology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Science (General)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Science (Research)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Science Informatics

Additional subjects are listed under 'Informatics'.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50

Veterinary Science

A number of Level 3 Veterinary Science subjects will be quota-restricted.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Vision Science (Level 1)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Zoology

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Breadth Options:

Breadth subjects offer you the opportunity to choose additional subjects from outside your major study area (learn more about breadth subjects) .

View breadth subjects for this course.

Breadth Tracks:

Available Breadth Tracks

Entry Requirements:

For the most up-to-date admission requirements, go to:

http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au

Core Participation Requirements:

The Bachelor of Science welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.

The Bachelor of Science requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require:

(1) the ability to comprehend complex science, technology and/or engineering systems related information;

(2) the ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, technology and engineering systems principles and practices during assessment tasks;

and in some areas of study:

(3) the ability to actively and safely contribute in clinical, laboratory, and fieldwork/excursionactivities.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
There are additional inherent academic requirements for some major studies and subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these majors and subjects.
Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit:
http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Major‐specific core participation requirements

Agricultural Science Major
Specific Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork and Practicals
The sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheelchair accessible and require students to traverse broken ground. Visual observation and interpretation of the sites is also an essential component, as is specimen and microscope work.

Animal Health and Disease Major (Veterinary Bioscience Specialisation)
Specific Core Participation requirements: Practical classes
This major requires all students to actively, independently and safely participate in all practical classes, utilising a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioural and social skills. Visual acuity, muscle coordination, balance, and sensory tactile perception are essential for participation. Details of the participation requirements can be found at http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqs.pdf

Animal Health and Disease Major (Animal Disease Biotechnology Specialisation)
Specific Core Participation requirements: Practical classes
This major requires all students to actively, independently and safely participate in all practical classes, utilising a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioural and social skills. Visual acuity, muscle coordination and balance are essential for participation. Details of the participation requirements can be found at http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqsBSc.pdf

Animal Science and Management Major
Specific Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork, practicals and laboratory experiments
The sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheel chair accessible and may require students to traverse broken ground. Students are also required to undertake experiments including specimen and microscope work with assessment reliant on careful observation and visual interpretation of results. Practicals may also involve handling and working with animals.

Chemical Systems
Specific Core Participation requirements: Laboratory experiments
This major requires students to undertake experiments using specialist software with assessment reliant on careful observation and visual interpretation of results.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major
Specific Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork
The sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheelchair accessible and require students to traverse broken ground. Visual observation and interpretation of the sites is also an essential component.

Food Science Major
Specific Core Participation requirements: Laboratory experiments
This major requires students to undertake experiments using specialist software with assessment reliant on careful observation and visual interpretation of results.

Geology Major
Specific Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork
The sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheelchair accessible and require students to traverse broken ground. Visual observation and interpretation of the sites is also an essential component, as is specimen and microscope work.


Further Study:

The Bachelor of Science degree provides pathways to honours, graduate professional entry degrees or, upon completion of appropriate research training preparation following the BSc, research higher degrees.

Honours
Depending on the major undertaken, students may apply for an Honours program upon completion of the Bachelor of Science. Further details are available on the BSc website:

http://www.bsc.unimelb.edu.au/pathways/honours

Graduate Professional Entry Degrees
For students who wish to continue professional studies at graduate level, the degree provides a pathway into a range of graduate professional entry programs, some of which also provide research training.

http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/grad/grad-programs/professional-entry

Research Higher Degrees
For students who wish to explore science research questions in greater depth, there will be opportunities to proceed to Research Higher Degrees at masters and doctoral level. Research training preparation within the Honours year, Postgraduate Diploma or a Masters degree will be required as preparation for a research higher degree.

Graduate Attributes:

The Melbourne Experience enables our Bachelor of Science graduates to become:

Academically excellent
Our graduates will be expected to:

  • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
  • have a broad knowledge of science across a range of fields, with an in-depth understanding in one or more scientific disciplines
  • understand the methods of science, and the history and evolution of scientific concepts
  • be intellectually curious and apply a rigorous, critical and logical approach to enquiry
  • understand the principles of sound project and experimental design, including data analysis
  • reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
  • apply outstanding analytical, quantitative and technical skills to problem solving and, where relevant, design
  • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
  • be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
Knowledgeable across disciplines
Our graduates will be expected to:
  • examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
  • expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
  • have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
  • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment, including:
    • excellent organisational, planning and time management skills
    • ability to access, evaluate and utilise information from diverse sources
    • ability to communicate their ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats to both specialists and non-specialists
    • knowledge, skills and attitude that enable adaptation to scientific, technological and social change.

Leaders in communities
Our graduates will be expected to:

  • initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
  • have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
  • mentor future generations of learners
  • engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
Attuned to cultural diversity
Our graduates will be expected to:
  • value different cultures
  • be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
  • have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
  • respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
Active global citizens
Our graduates will be expected to:
  • accept social and civic responsibilities
  • be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
  • have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics
Generic Skills: A detailed description of the generic skills expected of a graduate of the Bachelor of Science is contained within the University graduate attributes summary (see 'Graduate Attributes').

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