Bachelor of Science

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.

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.

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, beneath the information about Majors and Specialisations.

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. For a BSc student, the equivalent of a major in HPS is the completion of 100 points of HPS subjects (25 points at Level 1, 37.5 points at Level 2 and 37.5 points at Level 3 including HPSC30035 Knowledge in the Making. These students will be required to satisfy all other completion requirements of the BSc. This arrangement is only available to students who have not completed any other breadth subjects for credit in the BSc. In order to complete the 112.5 points required at Level 3 within this arrangement (i.e. across science and HPS studies), students should consider undertaking a Level 3 HPS subject in the second year of their course.

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, beneath the information about Majors and Specialisations.

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. For a BSc student, the equivalent of a major in HPS is the completion of 100 points of HPS subjects (25 points at Level 1, 37.5 points at Level 2 and 37.5 points at Level 3 including HPSC30035 Knowledge in the Making. These students will be required to satisfy all other completion requirements of the BSc. This arrangement is only available to students who have not completed any other breadth subjects for credit in the BSc.

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.

N.B.

• The Microbiology, Infection and Immunology major has been replaced by the Immunology major and the Microbiology and Immunology major from 2014. Students who commenced their course prior to 2014 have the option to complete any of these majors. However they should contact the Science Student Centre for advice on appropriate subject selection.
• Students who commenced their course prior to 2014 who were planning to complete other majors that are no longer offered, for example Computer Science, should consult the handbook entry for the year they commenced their course and may then contact the Science Student Centre if they require further advice on major and subject selection.

Subjects available for science credit

A full list of subjects available for science credit for the new generation Bachelor of Science course (B-SCI).

See reference (above) to 'Subjects available for science credit'.

Refer to the 'Find Breadth Subjects' section of the Handbook for advice on breadth subject options in the Bachelor of Science.

Available Breadth Tracks

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

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

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/excursion activities.

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.

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. Refer to the course entry for further details:

https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/current/BH-SCI

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.

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

Please see the handbook entry for the following majors for details of their level of professional accreditation:

• Psychology
• Computing and Software Systems

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').