Combine your love of science and the arts
A combined arts and science degree provides you with a strong scientific base and powerful communication talents, allowing you to explain scientific principles to a broad audience. Tailor your degree to suit your interests while earning two degrees in four years instead of six.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
A combined arts and science degree provides you with a strong scientific base and powerful communication talents, allowing you to explain scientific principles to a broad audience. Tailor your degree to suit your interests while earning two degrees in four years instead of six.
You can choose from more than 20 specialisations in a wide range of areas including humanities, social sciences and science. Combine your interests in community work and public health, environment and heritage and environmental science, and many more. Build your scientific knowledge with strong communication and critical thinking skills.
In this program you will:
- Develop a niche skill set for a career you’re interested in.
- Learn how to communicate scientific language to a broad audience.
- Make industry contacts through hands-on work experience.
- Choose from a wide range of career options when you graduate.
Majors
Arts majors: A broad range of arts majors are available from disciplines in social sciences, communication and languages. Please refer to Program Structure.
Science and health majors: Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity; Mathematics.
Career opportunities
Refer to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science.
Membership
Eligibility for memberships depends on areas of specialisation.
Program structure
Introductory courses (1) 12 units
COR109 Communication and Thought
Arts courses
Major courses (8) 96 units
Select 8 courses (96 units) from your chosen major study area:
- Creative Writing and Publishing
- English
- Geography
- History
- Japanese
- Journalism
- Politics and International Relations
- Psychology*
- Screen Media
- Sociology
- Sustainability - Society
- Theatre and Performance
Minor courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 courses (48 units) from your chosen minor study area:
- Creative Writing and Publishing
- English
- Geography
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Japanese
- Politics and International Relations
- Public Policy
- Screen Media
- Sociology
- Sustainability
- Theatre and Performance
Elective courses (3) 36 units
Select 3 elective courses (36 units) from the School of Creative Industries or School of Social Sciences.
Science courses
Required courses (6) 72 units
LFS100 Cell Biology
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Science Research Methods
SCI113 Discovering Science
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics Δ
MTH103 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
MTH104 Introductory Calculus
Major courses (8) 96 units
Select 8 courses (96 units) from your chosen major study area:
Elective course (2) 24 units
Select 2 elective courses (24 units) from the School of Education, School of Health and Sport Sciences, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine or School of Science and Engineering.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Δ refer to program notes
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program Requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 192 units of introductory level courses in total, including the core course*
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- MTH103 and MTH104 assume you have successfully completed a Years 11-12 mathematics subject (or equivalent), and preferably at least Mathematics B. Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 coded mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH103 and MTH104 to meet prerequisite requirements.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Δ MTH100 not being offered in 2019