Handbook - Advanced Science (Honours)

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Overview

The Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) is the degree of choice for innovative thinkers with exceptional scientific knowledge and skills. It's designed for talented students and offers the flexibility to tailor the degree in a way that works for them. The degree offers students access to advanced level courses and includes an Honours year. Students will study foundation courses, which may include subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics and maths, before choosing a major (or two) and really explore what inspires them most. In their fourth year, students undertake an Honours year which involves a supervised research project and in some cases, advanced coursework. Outstanding Honours students may continue their studies in a higher research degree.

Learning Outcomes

Effective and appropriate communication in both professional (intra and inter disciplinary) and social (local and international) contexts.

Professionals
Global citizens
Leaders
Scholars

Teamwork, collaborative and management skills including the ability to recognise opportunities and contribute positively to collaborative scientific research, and to demonstrate a capacity for self management, teamwork, leadership and decision making based on open-mindedness, objectivity and reasoned analysis in order to achieve common goals and further the learning of themselves and others.

Professionals
Global citizens
Leaders
Scholars

Information literacy including the ability to make appropriate and effective use of information and information technology relevant to their discipline.

Professionals

Appreciation and respect of the social, cultural and global context of science with an ability to communicate across cultures and to develop an international professional network.

Global citizens
Professionals

Independently identify and formulate solutions to complex problems with intelligence, initiative and judgement in scholarship that demonstrates advanced knowledge and critical thinking of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines, and knowledge of research principles and methods.

Scholars
Professionals
Global citizens
Leaders

Capability and motivation for intellectual development; including capacity for creativity, critical evaluation, entrepreneurship and demonstrating a commitment to their own learning, motivated by personal autonomy, accountability, curiosity and an appreciation of the value of learning.

Scholars
Leaders

Research, enquiry and high level analytical thinking abilities including the ability to construct new concepts or create new understanding through the process of enquiry, critical analysis and problem solving, including constructing a research project, that demonstrates technical skills in research and design.

Professionals
Scholars

Ethical, social and professional understanding including the ability to critically reflect upon broad ethical principles and codes of conduct in order to behave consistently with a personal respect and commitment to ethical practice and social responsibility, multicultural, cultural and personal diversity.

Professionals
Global citizens

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 192 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Students in the Advanced Science (Honours) program are expected to complete the following requirements.

156 UOC of Science courses:
- At least one approved Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) major
- SCIF1131
- 48 UOC Honours year
- Science elective courses. Science courses are defined in "Table 1" in the Additional Information section.

24 UOC Free Electives. These courses can be taken from any Faculty of the University at any stage of your program.
12 UOC General Education courses. Please see the rules regarding General Education below. These courses can be taken at any stage in your program.

Please click the Sample Programs link below to view a typical enrolment pattern for this program.

Disciplinary Component144 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 144 UOC of the following to satisfy the core requirements of this degree

Core Courses6 Units of Credit:

Majors

Students must complete at least one Science major selected from the list below.

When offered in a particular major, students must take higher versions of any Level 2 or 3 courses. Any variation to this must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) or nominee.

Bioinformatics is a 96 UOC major, students will not be able to complete this major as part of a double degree within the minimum UOC. This major will involve extra time and costs to meet the degree requirements and may have visa implications for international students. Contact the Science Student Centre for more details.

Minors

Students may choose to complete an optional minor in one of the following areas, using their Science and/or free electives

Double Counting

Honours Specialisations

Students must complete at least one Science Honours stream selected from the list below.

Science Electives

Students need to complete 144 UOC to meet the core requirements for the Advanced Science (Honours) program. If SCIF1131 plus your choice of specialisation(s) requires less than 144 UOC you are required to complete additional Science elective courses from the following list to meet the 144 UOC requirement.

Maximum Level 1 UOC

Minimum Level 1 Science UOC

Students must complete a minimum of 24 UOC of the following courses.

any level 1 course offered by Faculty of Science
any level 1 Computer Science (COMP) course
any level 1 Food Technology (FOOD) course
any level 1 Anatomy (ANAT) course
any level 1 Neuroscience (NEUR) course
any level 1 Pathology (PATH) course
any level 1 Pharmacology (PHAR) course
any level 1 Physiology (PHSL) course
any level 1 Medical Science (SOMS) course

Minimum Level 3 Science UOC

Students must complete a minimum of 30 UOC of the following courses.

any level 3 course offered by Faculty of Science
any level 3 Computer Science (COMP) course
any level 3 Food Technology (FOOD) course
any level 3 Anatomy (ANAT) course
any level 3 Neuroscience (NEUR) course
any level 3 Pathology (PATH) course
any level 3 Pharmacology (PHAR) course
any level 3 Physiology (PHSL) course
any level 3 Medical Science (SOMS) course

Science Electives

Students taking Advanced Science (Honours) as a stand-alone program are required to take an additional 12 UOC of Science elective courses in addition to the minimum core requirements. Students may use these electives to complete a second major or optional minor

General Education12 Units of Credit:

Excluded General Education Courses

Free Electives

Students can take up to a maximum of 24 UOC of the following courses.

These courses are recommended for students who wish to develop their research skills.

- SCIF2041 - Research Internship A (6 UOC)
- SCIF3041 - Research Internship B (6 UOC)
- BABS3301 - Biomolecular Science Laboratory Project (Advanced) (6 UOC)
- CHEM3997 - Special Project in Chemistry 3 (12 UOC)
- CHEM3998 - Special Project in Chemistry 2 (6 UOC)

Course Information Rule

Program Constraints

Maturity Rule

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

UNSW Students may be granted Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) which may or may not reduce the amount of learning required to achieve a degree at UNSW. Generally, RPL is only granted based on the completion of tertiary-level studies, but in exceptional circumstances may also include non-formal or informal learning such as professional experience. RPL will not be granted based on partly completed tertiary courses. All applications for RPL at UNSW are subject to UNSW Recognition of Prior Learning (Coursework Programs) Policy and Procedures. Students seeking credit for courses completed at another university are required to submit documentary evidence (course outlines, academic transcripts) to support their application, and to nominate the course(s) for which they seek credit. In addition, the following conditions apply for all UNSW Science programs (including the Science component of dual award programs): Specified course credit, i.e. credit granted for an exact or near exact equivalence to a course at UNSW, will not be granted when more than 7 years has elapsed from the successful completion of the course (or other learning) and the student’s commencement in the Science program. Where this time period is shorter it will be stipulated in the individual rules for the relevant program. Unspecified course credit (e.g. General Education or free electives) will not be granted when more than 10 years has elapsed from the successful completion of the course (or other learning) and the student’s commencement in the Science program. Students may only receive credit of up to a maximum of 50% of the coursework component of their Science program, excluding Honours. For most undergraduate programs this will be 72 UOC. For dual award programs that include a Science component, it will be a maximum of 50% of the Science component of the dual degree, excluding Honours. Credit for the other program will be assessed by the Faculty that administers that program. Applications for RPL will only be assessed for students who have accepted a place to study in a UNSW Science program. Students must formally apply for RPL unless they become a UNSW student as part of a formal Articulation Agreement. Applications for RPL should be made as early as possible in the student’s program. Students who are readmitted into a Science program after a period of unapproved absence or deferment, or after exclusion, will not necessarily retain credit for all units completed at UNSW prior to the absence if the date of completion of the units of study is greater than the 7 and 10-year rules outlined in points 1 and 2 above. In these cases, the credit retained will be decided by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) in consultation (when necessary) with the Program and/or Course Authority.

Special Admission Requirements

Other

Some Schools within the Faculty may grant students exemption from completing particular first year courses. Where an exemption is given this is not added to a student's academic record and hence does not reduce the total units of credit the student must complete for the program. The exemption merely grants a student the ability to undertake higher level courses (such as second year courses) that require the exempted course as a prerequisite. Students with an exemption will need to be manually enrolled in higher year courses by administrative staff.

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Progression to Stage 4 (the honours year) of this program is subject to academic performance.

Where students successfully complete a total of 144 UoC and all the requirements of the first three stages of the program, including Level I/II/III, major, and general education requirements, they can apply for entry into the Stage 4 honours component. Entry criteria for honours in each School can be found here https://www.science.unsw.edu.au/study-us/undergraduate/honours-degrees/honours-how-apply

If a student is not permitted to progress in the Advanced Science (Honours) they will be required to transfer to, and graduate from, program 3970 Bachelor of Science. Students should be aware that not all Advanced Science (Honours) majors are available in 3970, meaning that graduation in 3970 may occur in a less specialised major. Entry to Honours may still be possible by application to enter program 4500 Bachelor of Science (Honours).

Students enrolled in the Advanced Science (Honours) program who wish to take out the Bachelor of Science award at pass level without proceeding to Honours, are required to transfer to the Science program (3970). Applications to transfer should be lodged with Science Student Services no later than the census date for the term in which the student expects to satisfy requirements. Students applying after that date may not be able to graduate in the next round of ceremonies.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Similar Program

Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) - BBiotech(Hons)3053 - Biotechnology (Honours)

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - BPsych(Hons)3632 - Psychology (Honours)

Bachelor of Science and Business - BSc&Bus3925 - Science and Business

Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) (Honours) - BSc(AdvMath)(Hons)3956 - Advanced Mathematics (Honours)

Bachelor of Science - BSc3970 - Science

Bachelor of Science (International) - BSc(International)3987 - Science (International)

Related Double Degree

Bachelor of Economics - BEc
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)3566 - Economics / Advanced Science (Honours)

Bachelor of Commerce - BCom
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)3593 - Commerce / Advanced Science (Honours)

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - BE (Hons)3762 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Engineering (Honours)

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Science - BSc3782 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Computer Science

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA3922 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Fine Arts

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Social Sciences - BSocSci3924 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Social Sciences

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Arts - BA3948 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Arts

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Laws - LLB3997 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Law

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Honours Classes

Students completing Honours will be considered for the award of Honours according to the following scale (based on performance in Stage 4 and the calculation described in the particular discipline area):

Honours Class 1: mark or weighted average of 85 or greater;
Honours Class 2 Division 1: mark or weighted average from 75 to 84;
Honours Class 2 Division 2: mark or weighted average from 65 to 74;
Honours Class 3: mark or weighted average below 65;

A student's Honours Grading is calculated only on their performance in the final year of the program. Each School has its own method for calculating Honours gradings and this is clearly articulated at a stream level in the Handbook.

Additional Information

University Medal

Nominees for the University Medal will be determined by Schools within the Faculty of Science in accordance with UNSW University Medal policies and procedures.

Definition of 'Science' courses

Courses that are classified as 'Science' can be found under Table 1 on the Science Terminology page.

Talented Students' Program and Accelerated Progression

The Science Talented Students' Program (TSP) introduces high performing students - entering the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - to the Faculty of Science and helps them develop specific skills during their degree. The program offers these students exposure to research within the Faculty and provides a degree that is flexible and tailored to suit students' needs and talents.

Invitation to participate in the TSP is made by the Dean of Science on the basis of superior secondary education performance (ATAR or equivalent), all incoming students are assessed for eligibility including non-high school leavers. High performing current UNSW Science students, in the BSc or BAdvSci(Hons), will be invited to join at the end of their first year. Contact the Science Student Centre for more details.

Faculty of Science Rules

The Faculty of Science has some rules that relate to all students enrolled in programs offered by the Faculty in relation to recognition for prior learning, general education, course exclusions, study load, and cross-institutional study. All students should read the information contained on the Faculty General Rules and Requirements page.

Science Handbook Rules and Editions

Students must follow the program rules and requirements in the UNSW Handbook published in the year they commence their studies with the Faculty of Science.

Students who transfer from another UNSW Faculty into Science (for example, from a Bachelor of Arts into a Bachelor of Science) must follow the program rules and requirements in the UNSW Handbook published in the year of their transfer.

Students, who are readmitted to UNSW after a period of unapproved absence or deferment, or after exclusion, must satisfy the program rules in the Handbook published in the year of their readmission. In addition, these students may be subject to restrictions on which courses taken at UNSW may be counted on their return. In some cases, students returning from an unapproved absence may be required to repeat courses. See the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Advanced Standing sections above for more details. Students who take approved leave or deferment will follow the Handbook for the year of their original commencement unless otherwise approved by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs).

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Additional Expenses and Resources

This depends on the courses taken. Some courses may require the purchase of notes, textbooks, manuals, laboratory equipment such as lab coats, or have field trip expenses.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)

Faculty
Faculty: The primary academic unit in which related disciplines of teaching and research are conducted.

Campus

Sydney

Study Level
Study Level refers to the academic level of a program, specialisation or course.

Undergraduate

Typical duration:

4 Year(s)

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

192

AQF Level

Level 8

Award Type

Bachelor (Honours) (Embedded)

Award(s)
Award(s): Qualification upon completion (all awards offered by UNSW are accredited by UNSW and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework).

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)

UAC Code

429350

CRICOS Code

088842G