Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Science (Honours) Deans Scholars Program | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Accessibility links

Non-production environment - edittest.usc.edu.au
This page was archived on 18 February 2013 and is no longer updated.

Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Science (Honours) Deans Scholars Program

  • Guaranteed pathway to study honours
  • Complete a Bachelor of Science within two years
  • Each student is assigned a senior academic mentor

Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Science (Honours) Deans Scholars Program
Award abbreviation: BSc/BSc(Hons)
QTAC code: 013291
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-4 / Rank-94
Duration: 3 years full-time
Commence: Semester 1 only
Study mode: on campus
Prerequisites: English (4,SA); Maths B or C (4,SA); two of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (4,SA)
Program entry note: Applicants must be outstanding current Year 12 students or those returning to study after a gap year.
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: SC303/SC403
CRICOS code: Not available to international students on a Student Visa.

This double degree is designed specifically for outstanding school leavers or students displaying excellent academic achievement in the Bachelor of Science.

In this program you complete the Bachelor of Science degree and additional honours year in three years of full-time study. You specialise in an area of interest, with studies tailored to individual needs by an academic mentor. Honours is a traditional route of entry into higher degrees by research. Disciplines include biomedical science, biotechnology, environmental science, environmental health, nutrition, health promotion, and sport and exercise science. There is a thesis component.

Majors

Science and health majors: animal ecology; biology; biomedical science; biotechnology; chemistry; clinical measurement; environmental science; geography; health promotion; mathematics; public health; sport and exercise science; sustainability.

Career opportunities

Depending on the major chosen, research and education, waste and pollution control, medical marketing, environmental education, sport and exercise research, biotechnology, environmental protection, community health.

Professional recognition

Students and graduates may become members/associate members of various Australian professional bodies depending on their study specialisations.

Enquiries
  • Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
  • Contact the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering for program advice

Program structure

Bachelor of Science
Core courses (2)

Select 2 courses from:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
COR109 Creativity, Design and Communication Project
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Introductory courses (4)

4 required courses:

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
LFS100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
MTH102 Cell Biology
SCI105 Mathematics Foundations
SCI110 Chemistry

Plus select at least 2 courses from: #

CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
LFS112 Science Research Methods
LFS122 Human Physiology
SCI102 Human Anatomy
SCI107 Biodiversity and Ecology
SUS101 Physics

OR

2 introductory courses from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.

# some majors may require some of these courses.

Advanced courses

Select a major consisting of 8 courses from:

PLUS select at least 2 science courses.

Plus select up to 6 introductory or advanced courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). It is recommended that students in the Deans Scholars Program undertake 48 units of Special Scholarship Projects (SRP) during their degree, under the advice of their mentor.

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) structure is usually as follows:

  • a 24-unit coursework component (consisting of two 12-unit courses), and
  • a 72-unit thesis component
Coursework component
CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
RES401 Foundations of Sustainability
ADR401 Advanced Research Methods

Please note: In RES401 , students will be assessed on the submission of a research proposal and delivery of an oral presentation, in ADR401 students will be assessed on the submission of a literature review.

Thesis component

This is a research project conducted over the full year of enrolment. It comprises a traditional thesis or a manuscript accompanied by an exegesis, as described in guidelines provided to students at the beginning of their enrolment.

The nature and topic of the thesis is determined by the student's interests, the interests of potential supervisors and the availability of appropriate supervision.

The completed thesis is normally 15,000–25,000 words in length. The required length is determined by the precise nature of the research, in consultation with the supervisor and subject to the approval of the Dean.

Program requirements and notes

Students must conform to the requirements of the two component degrees and meet the completion requirements to graduate from the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Deans Scholars Program

Bachelor of Science program requirements and notes
  1. A maximum of 10 introductory (100 level) courses must be chosen, including the core courses.
  2. A minimum of 14 advanced (200 and 300 level) courses must be chosen, 5 of which must be 300 level science courses.
  3. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
  4. Refer to explanation of terms.
  5. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
  6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
  7. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including; namely essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  8. As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Deans Scholars Program rules
  1. Students must progress in a full-time mode in accordance with the requirements set out by the Deans Scholars Program.
  2. Students wishing to move to a part time enrolment may transfer to the standard Bachelor of Science degree that does not have the accelerated pathway.
  3. Students will normally enrol in 5 courses in each semester (60 units) in order to maintain their accelerated progress. However, they may enrol in up to 72 units on the recommendation of their mentor, and with the approval of the Program Leader.
  4. Students must maintain a study overload such that they will complete the Bachelor of Science component in 2.5 years or less in order to remain in the Deans Scholars Program. Students who are not able to maintain the overload will be directed to transfer to the standard Bachelor of Science Program.
  5. Students must maintain a GPA of 5.5 or better each semester, without any grade lower than 4 within the accelerated Bachelor of Science component of the double degree program. Students who fail to meets the GPA requirement will be directed to transfer to the standard Bachelor of Science program.
  6. Where there are exceptional unforeseen circumstances such as in the case of illness, students must apply for special dispensation to the Program Leader.
Completion requirements
  • Completion of 384 units consisting of 288 units for the Bachelor of Science and 96 units for the Bachelor of Science (Honours). The studies completed must be consistent with the structural requirements for both components degrees.
  • On completion of the 288 units in the accelerated Bachelor of Science component, students will be given the option to exit with the Bachelor of Science (SC301) or continue on to complete the Bachelor of Science (Honours)
  • On completion of the double degree, students will be entitled to receive two testamurs – Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours).
 

Back to top