Overview

The Bachelor of Science is a three-year program at pass level. A separate four-year program at Honours level (Program Code 4513) is also available for eligible applicants. Science is the understanding of the physical universe (from sub-atomic particles and microbes through to the planet’s environment and the origin of the … For more content click the Read More button below. Pass-level students in Science should complete their programs within three years. Honours students who are RAN midshipmen or RAAF officer cadets continue with their programs at UNSW Canberra at ADFA and complete their programs at the end of the fourth year. Army officer cadets, however, at the end of the third year transfer to the Royal Military College, Duntroon. After completing a year of military training they are commissioned as lieutenants and those who are continuing with Honours return to the Academy to complete their program. A Bachelor of Science program will develop students’ lifetime skills including creativity, problem-solving ability, critical thinking and communication skills that will be useful not only in a scientific environment but in all professions. It will prepare students to deal with technical and management issues that will often require scientific knowledge and the intellectual and practical problem-solving skills developed through studies in physical, environmental and mathematical sciences, and information technology.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate a broad and deep theoretical and technical knowledge of their scientific disciplines.
  • Global citizens
  • Scholars
2.
Demonstrate the technical skills required by their discipline including problem solving, field work, and experimental laboratory work.
  • Scholars
3.
Be able to create new concepts and understanding through the process of scientific inquiry, critical analysis, problem solving, and research.
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
4.
Be able to take responsibility for and demonstrate commitment to their own learning, motivated by curiosity and an appreciation of the value of lifelong learning.
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
5.
Critically reflect upon broad ethical principles and codes of conduct in order to behave responsibly, respectfully, ethically, and with integrity.
  • Professionals
  • Global citizens
6.
Demonstrate respect and value of social, cultural, and personal diversity.
  • Global citizens
  • Leaders
7.
Demonstrate a capacity for entrepreneurship and be able to recognise opportunities to develop ideas into practical applications.
  • Scholars
  • Leaders
8.
Demonstrate a capacity for self-management, teamwork, and leadership to achieve common goals.
  • Leaders
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens
9.
Make appropriate and effective use of information and information technology relevant to their discipline.
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
10.
Effectively communicate scientific concepts and results to broad and diverse audiences.
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens

Program Structure

Students must complete 144 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Disciplinary Component:
Students must complete (96 UOC) for the disciplinary component including two specialisations. Either:

1. A Major specialisation (48 UOC)
2. A Minor specialisation (36 UOC)
3. Upper-level Science Electives (12 UOC)

OR

  1. A Major specialisation (48 UOC)
  2. A second Major specialisation (48 UOC)

Students must also complete: 

  1. Prescribed Elective Courses - 12 UOC
  2. Free Elective Courses - 24 UOC
  3. General Education Courses - 12 UOC

Specialisation Combinations:

The recommended specialisation combinations (with either discipline able to be taken as Major) are:

Aviation / Chemistry
Aviation / Geography
Aviation / Mathematics
Aviation / Oceanography
Aviation / Physics
Chemistry / Geography
Chemistry / Mathematics
Chemistry / Physics
Computer Science / Mathematics
Geography / Mathematics
Geography / Oceanography
Mathematics / Oceanography
Mathematics / Physics
Oceanography / Physics

Please refer to the Specialisation Combination Study Plans for further information:
https://unsw.sharepoint.com/sites/unswcanberrastudenthub/SitePages/Degree%20Plans.aspx#bachelor-of-science

Disciplinary Component96 Units of Credit:
Prescribed Electives12 Units of Credit:
Free Electives24 Units of Credit:
General Education12 Units of Credit:
Program Rules and Dictionary

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

Admission Requirements

Special Admission Requirements

Other

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

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

Associated Programs

Honours Pathway

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - BSc (Hons)4513 - Science (Honours)

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal
Award of Pass with Distinction

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:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)