Fast-track your science studies with this accelerated double degree.
This accelerated science program allows you to complete a double degree in just three years and is designed for outstanding school leavers or current Bachelor of Science students with excellent academic achievement.
This accelerated science program allows you to complete a double degree in just three years and is designed for outstanding school leavers or current Bachelor of Science students with excellent academic achievement.
This program is tailored to your needs by your very own senior academic mentor. Your mentor will introduce you to research, encourage you to carry out research projects, and help you refine your honours topic.
You’ll complete a three-year Bachelor of Science degree in two years through a combination of increased load in semesters and studies during the summer and winter teaching periods. You’ll study the Honours degree in the standard one-year full-time.
You can choose to study either two science majors, or one science major plus two science minors from a different discipline area to your major. You also have the flexibility to tailor your studies to your personal interests and career ambitions with four elective courses.
Major areas include Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics – traditional fields that give you depth and breadth of scientific knowledge, and also Biotechnology, Ecology, and Food and Biosecurity – fields that address future scientific directions, national and regional scientific imperatives and align with USC’s research strengths. Minor areas of study include: Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Ecology, Food Security, Genetics, Mathematics, and Microbiology.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of this accelerated program, you can pursue a career in research, education, industry or government.
If you plan to pursue a career in research, achieve a high grade point average and participate in Special Research Project (SRP) opportunities while completing your Bachelor of Science program. After graduating from the double degree, you can continue your studies with a higher degree by research.
To pursue a career in education, you should study at least one and preferably two of the traditional science majors during your Bachelor of Science program, then undertake postgraduate studies in education.
If you plan to enter a career in industry or government, take advantage of Work Place Learning (WPL) opportunities, especially with prospective employers, while completing your Bachelor of Science program.
Membership
Eligibility for memberships depends on areas of specialisation.
Program structure
Bachelor of Science
Introductory courses (8)
5 required courses:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Communication and Thought | |||
| LFS100 Cell Biology | |||
| MTH102 Mathematics Foundations | |||
| SCI105 Chemistry | |||
| SCI110 Science Research Methods |
Plus select one (1) of the following courses:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SET111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability |
OR one (1) introductory course from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Plus select at least 2 courses from: #
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| LFS112 Human Physiology | |||
| LFS122 Human Anatomy | |||
| SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology | |||
| SCI107 Physics | |||
| SUS101 Foundations of Sustainability |
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:
- Animal Ecology
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Clinical Measurement
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Health Promotion
- Mathematics
- Public Health
- Sustainability
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
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| RES401 Advanced Research Methods | |||
| ADR401 Advanced Discipline Readings |
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 Executive Dean.
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
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
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete no more than 10 introductory (100 coded) courses, including COR109 Communication and Thought
- Complete a minimum of 14 advanced (200 and 300 coded) courses.
- Select and complete a Major from the Science and Health Major study area.
- Register your selected Major with your Faculty.
- Complete the Honours coursework and thesis components.
Program notes
- International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including; essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues
Program rules
- Students must progress in a full-time mode in accordance with the requirements set out by the Deans Scholars Program.
- 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.
- 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 Coordinator.
- 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.
- 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.
- Where there are exceptional unforeseen circumstances such as in the case of illness, students must apply for special dispensation to the Program Coordinator.
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).