Undergraduate courses offered by the faculty
Bachelor of Science (SBS) – Melbourne (Bundoora)
The Bachelor of Science is a general degree program that provides students with flexibility to combine studies in their chosen areas of science (subject to satisfying the relevant prerequisites). Areas of study available in the faculty are:
- agricultural science
- biochemistry
- botany
- chemistry
- computer science
- electronics
- genetics
- mathematics
- microbiology
- physics
- psychology1
- statistics
- zoology.
- Key: 1 Enrolment in psychology is subject to students achieving the minimum ENTER requirement for entry into the Bachelor of Psychological Science degree.
After a broad first year of study, students may take major studies in any of these areas through to third year. Students who qualify for entry are eligible to proceed to an Honours year in their relevant area of science.
Course structure
To qualify for the Bachelor of Science, students must complete units to the value of 360 credit points, normally 120 credit points at each of first, second and third year levels. Up to a total of 130 credit points may be taken outside the faculty. Specific requirements for each year level are given below. Students must establish at least one major area of study in science by taking a sequence of at least 30 credit points at first year level, 40 credit points at second year level and 60 credit points at third year level. Within these requirements, unit selection is limited only by timetable clashes, prerequisite and co-requisite needs, quotas, and specific exclusions relating to incompatible units.
Students who commenced this degree before 2005 must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement in order to graduate. To satisfy this requirement, students should contact the Language and Academic Skills unit to arrange an appointment for an individual assessment of their English proficiency. For students commencing their degree from 2005, the requirements have been met within the course structure.
First year
Students choose units to the value of 90 credit points from science units, with the remaining 30 credit points selected from first year units offered by the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, or by other faculties of the University. Students must choose units at first year level that will lead to the completion of a major area of study in science (60 credit points) at third year level.
Second year
Students choose 80 credit points from units offered by the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering which should include 40 credit points from one area of study. The remaining 40 credit points are selected from second year units offered by this or other faculties.
Third year
Students choose units to the value of 60 credit points in one of the areas of study, with the remaining 60 credit points selected from third year units offered by this or other faculties.
Honours
Honours degree students are selected based on their performance in the final year of the pass degree course. Students must obtain a minimum average of 60% across all of their third year units and obtain at least 65% in units germane to the Honours discipline to the value of 60 credit points. Some departments may set higher entrance standards than these. An Honours year may be taken in any of the departments contributing to the pass degree course for which they have the appropriate prerequisites.
Specialisations
Students who include the compulsory units detailed below for one of the specialisations available within the Bachelor of Science, will have their academic record and testamur annotated accordingly, eg, Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Viticulture.Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Environmental Science:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a specialisation in Environmental Science:
This specialisation is based on the physical sciences and addresses environmental problems relating to air, water, land, and energy. The specialisation aims to develop a wide knowledge base, a multidisciplinary view of environmental problems, a critical assessment of scientific information, skills in the analysis of problems and an ability to report on environmental problems. The specialisation focuses on current environmental issues such as water pollution, waste disposal, soil degradation, salination, greenhouse, and teaches the science related to these issues. Seminar, workshop, and project components are included in second and third year and provide vehicles for application of the science in the course and a stimulus for wider investigation. They also encourage the development of skills required to work as an environmental scientist.
Structure:
The specialisation requires students to take 90 credit points at first year level, 70 credit at second year level and 60 credit points at third year levels respectively.
First year (90 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Processes that Shape the Earth | GEO1PRO | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Physics for Life Sciences A | PHY1LSA | 15 |
Choose one first-semester chemistry unit. Students who have passed VCE Chemistry, Units 3 and 4 or equivalent, must choose CHE1GEN.
| TE-SEM-1 | Basic Chemistry | CHE1BAS | 15 |
| or | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | General Principles of Chemistry | CHE1GEN | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Applications of Chemistry | CHE1APL | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Physics for Life Sciences B | PHY1LSB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Earth Structure, Resources and History of Life | GEO1ERS | 15 |
Second year (70 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Environmental Enquiry A | ENV2ESA | 5 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Surface/Groundwater Flow and Chemistry | GEO2EGW | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Statistics for Life Sciences | STA1LS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Environmental Enquiry B | ENV2ESB | 5 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Chemistry of Water Qualify | CHE2CWQ | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Imaging and Materials Characterisation | PHY2IMC | 10 |
Third year (60 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Environmental Analytical Chemistry A | CHE3EAA | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Water Resource Management | ENV3WRM | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Environmental Research | ENV3ENV | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change | PHY3GRE | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Landscape and Climate Change | GEO3EGL | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Remote Sensing and GIS | GEO3EGR | 10 |
Honours
Honours degree students are selected based on their performance in the final year of the three-year degree. To be eligible, students must obtain a minimum average of 60% across their third year units and obtain at least 65% in the third year environmental science units. Students enrol in ENV4HNA and ENV4HNB.
Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Space Science:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a specialisation in Space Science:
This specialisation provides students with an understanding of basic principles in areas of space science, including astronomy, relevant to industries using space technology and prepares them for admission to higher degrees in space science and other areas of physical science and mathematics. Students are educated in a broad range of space sciences that includes astronomy, remote sensing, GPS techniques, space weather, and the geospace environment. The specialisation includes basic mathematics and physics, and students can take options from a wide range of units including computer science and electronics.
Structure:
The specialisation requires students to take 75 credit points at first year level, 100 credit at second year level and 70 credit points at third year levels respectively. At second year level a further mathematics unit (MAT2MEC) is strongly recommended.
First year (75 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Calculus and Number Systems | MAT1CNS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Principles of Physics A | PHY1SCA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Astronomy and Space: The Infinite Frontier | PHY1AST | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Calculus and Linear Algebra | MAT1CLA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Principles of Physics B | PHY1SCB | 15 |
Second year (100 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Astronomy and Astrophysics | PHY2ASA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Principles of Physics A | PHY2SCA | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Vector Calculus | MAT2VCA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Linear Algebra | MAT2LAL | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Principles of Physics B | PHY2SCB | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Space Science Instruments | PHY2SPI | 15 |
The following unit is highly recommended:
| TE-SEM-2 | Mechanics | MAT2MEC | 15 |
Third year (70 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Principles of Physics A | PHY3SCA | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Principles of Physics B | PHY3SCB | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Remote Sensing | PHY3REM | 10 |
Honours
Honours degree students are selected based on their performance in the final year of the three-year degree. To be eligible, students must obtain a minimum average of 60% across their third year units and obtain at least 65% in relevant third year units comprising at least 60 credit points. Students enrol in PHY4HNA and PHY4HNB and undertake a space physics project.
Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Statistics:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a specialisation in Statistics:
Statistics play a crucial role in providing the tools necessary for the understanding of scientific, engineering, and economic data. Demand for statisticians is currently high. This specialisation consists of the major in statistics accredited by the Statistical Society of Australia Inc. This major entitles the holder to Graduate Statistician status. The specialisation provides the opportunity to combine significant studies in other disciplines with statistics. Students should see a Statistics Advisor of Studies each year to see how their interests in other disciplines are best combined with statistics.
The specialisation requires the completion of 15 credit points at first year level, 30 credit points at second year level and 60 credit points at third year level. Students taking this specialisation need to have completed maths methods at VCE level. The first year mathematics unit MAT1CNS is recommended.
First year (15 credit points)
Students choose one unit from the following list:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Statistical Science | STA1SS | 15 |
| or | |||
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Statistics for Life Sciences | STA1LS | 15 |
| or | |||
| TE-SEM-2 | Statistics for Psychology | STA1PSY | 15 |
The following unit is recommended:
| TE-SEM-1 | Calculus and Number Systems | MAT1CNS | 15 |
Second year (30 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Modern Applied Statistics | STA2AS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Models for Data Analysis | STA2MD | 15 |
Third year (60 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Statistical Inference | STA3SI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Biostatistics | STA3BS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Applied Statistics | STA3AS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Analysis Based on linear Models | STA3LM | 15 |
Honours
Suitably qualified students may be permitted to enrol in an Honours year in statistics. An Honours year consists of units with a total value of 120 credit points and must include a thesis. There is the flexibility to include coursework material from related disciplines and to select a thesis project reflecting a desired vocational orientation.
In a statistics Honours year, a limited number of third year units and/or a limited number of units in related disciplines may be taken subject to the approval of the Honours Coordinator.
Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Viticulture:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a specialisation in Viticulture and Wine Production:
The three-year specialisation is designed to provide professional scientific training in all aspects of viticultural science plus practical experience in vineyard operations, with experience in commercial vineyards and wineries and a major placement with a commercial winemaker.
If an honours year is also undertaken, then wine production, winemaking and marketing and oenology and are included.
It is expected that graduates will be employed within a wide range of positions in the grape and wine industries.
Industry experience
In the viticulture specialisation within the three-year Bachelor of Science, industry experience in viticulture is required in each of three different climatic regions. In the Honours year, if undertaken a major placement in one or two commercial wineries is required.
The first year of the specialisation covers the basic sciences microeconomics, management of grapevines and palate training. The second year of the specialisation covers advanced sciences, statistics, agribusiness, vineyard operations, and wine appraisal. The agribusiness unit MGF1240 is taught by Monash University and is taken during the winter break as a one-week residential unit. The third year of the specialisation covers advanced sciences plus specialist studies in viticultural science, case studies in viticulture and wine and wine appraisal. In the case studies, students solve problems on real issues in viticulture and winemaking. Entry to a fourth (Honours) year will be based on academic achievement in the prerequisite units AGR3WPT and AGR3VTS.
First year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Microeconomics | ECO1IMI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Organisation and Function of Cells and Organisms | BIO1OF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Vine Production, Propagation and Establishment | AGR1VPE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Applications of Chemistry | CHE1APL | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Physics for Life Sciences B | PHY1LSB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Plant Science | BIO1PS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Vineyard Cultivation and Maintenance | AGR1VCM | 15 |
Choose one first-semester chemistry unit. Students who have passed VCE Chemistry, Units 3 and 4 or equivalent, must choose CHE1GEN.
| TE-SEM-1 | Basic Chemistry | CHE1BAS | 15 |
| or | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | General Principles of Chemistry | CHE1GEN | 15 |
Second year (105 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Introduction to Agribusiness1 | MGF1240 | 15 | |
| TE-SEM-1 | Biochemistry for Agricultural Sciences | AGR2BAS | 20 | |
| TE-SEM-1 | Introduction to Land and Soil Management | AGR2ILM | 20 | |
| TE-SEM-1 | Plant Molecular Biology, Physiology and Nutrition | BOT2MPN | 20 | |
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Statistics for Life Sciences | STA1LS | 15 | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Vineyard Operations | AGR2VO | 15 | |
Third year (90 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Plant Pests and Diseases | AGR3PPD | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Wine Production Technology | AGR3WPT | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Viticulture and Wine Production Issues A | AGR3VWA | 5 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Crop and Vine Agronomy | AGR3CVA | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Land and Soil Management | AGR3LSM | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Viticulture and Wine Production Issues B | AGR3VWB | 5 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Viticultural Science | AGR3VTS | 20 |
Fourth (Honours) year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Wine Making Issues and Marketing | AGR4WMM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Wine Production Technology | AGR4WPT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Wine Appreciation Project A2 | AGR4WAA | 5 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Wine Industry /Oenology Project A3 | AGR4WIA | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Wine Appreciation Project B2 | AGR4WAB | 5 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Wine Industry/Oenology Project B3 | AGR4WIB | 35 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Oenology – Wine Science and Analysis | AGR4OEN | 15 |
- Key: 1 Monash University subject. See structure above for full details.
- 2 Linked units: normally taken in the one academic year.
- 3 Linked units: both units must be taken in the one academic year.