Objectives
Deakin's Bachelor of Science allows you to start with a broad program then specialise as you progress through the course, developing your interests and career aspirations. The course is available as a single degree course or as a combined degree course with Arts, commerce, Engineering, Law and Teaching. Approved major sequences within the Bachelor of Science include Biology, Biological Chemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Forensic Biology, Information Technology, Mathematical Modelling, Multimedia Technology, Nanotechnology, Psychology and Zoology. See below for which major sequences are offered at which campus. As part of the course you are required to complete a Laboratory Safety Induction Program, as well as Professional Practice/Science Skills units. The Professional Practice stream, plus an optional Industry-Based Learning placement will allow you to gain valuable work experience, giving you the opportunity to apply and consolidate knowledge gained in your course, experience workplace culture and workplace practices, explore career options and develop a professional network.
Course description
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of Deakin's Bachelor of Science you may find work in government institutions in roles such as quality assurance, occupational health and safety, research, planning, management or marketing; in science related industries, working in pharmaceutical production or pharmaceutical sales; in biomedical science areas such as research or hospital and laboratory science; in quality assurance in analytical and diagnostic laboratories; in the food industry in quality control; in environment and natural resources, in teaching, information technology, mathematics or in science journalism to name a few.
Course rules
To be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree, a student must pass 24 credit points, of which 16 must be selected from science course-grouped units as set out below by campus:
Geelong students
* three compulsory Science Skills units
* completion of SBS010 Laboratory Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
* at least one 8 credit point Science major sequence
* three Professional Practice units
* up to 4 credit points of Industry-based Learning (IBL) (STP201, STP202, STP302) is optional
* out of the remaining 10 credit points, 8 may be selected from units offered by any area of the University.
Core Science Skills units
SBB111 Cells, Genes and Diversity
SBC131 Principles of Chemistry
SEP122 Physics for the Life Sciences
Professional Practice units
Choose one unit from:
SIT191 Introduction to Statistics
SEB121 Management Fundamentals for Engineers and Scientists
SBS251 Research Methods and Data Analysis *
Plus
EES200 Communicating Science
Plus choose one unit from:
SEB323 The Professional Environment for Engineers and Scientists
SBS253 Science in Industry
* SBS251 not offered in 2009 on the Geelong Campus, will be re-offered in 2010
Melbourne students
* At least one 4 credit point Science minor sequence (2 credit points at level one and 2 credit points at level two)
* completion of SBS010 Laboratory Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
* at least one 8 credit point Science major sequence
* three Professional Practice units
* up to 4 credit points of Industry Based Learning (IBL) (STP201, STP202, STP302) is optional
* out of the remaining 9 credit points, 8 may be selected from units offered by any area of the University.
Professional Practice units
Choose one unit from:
SBS251 Research Methods and Data Analysis
SIT191 Introduction to Statistics
HPS201 Research Methods in Psychology A
Plus
EES200 Communicating Science
and
SBS350 Community Science Project
Science Minor Study
Students must complete four units from within one of the Bachelor of Science major sequences, including at least two units from each of levels 1 and 2.
Of the 24 credit points required for the degree, up to 10 credit points may be taken at level 1, at least 14 credit points must be taken over levels 2 and 3, and there must be at least 6 credit points at level 3 of which at least 4 must be in science course-grouped units.
Units that count towards the science course-grouped units are based on the Bachelor of Science major sequences and Professional Practice units. In summary, all units commencing with the following codes are science course-grouped: SBB, SBC, SBF, SBS, SEK, SEP, SIT, SQA, SQB, SQE, SQP, STP and HPS. Students should seek advice from their enrolment officer for specific details.
The course structure offers students the flexibility to articulate into a combined Bachelor of Science course, such as the Bachelor of Teaching (Science)/Bachelor of Science at Melbourne after the first or second year of the course.
The Professional Practice stream, plus the optional industry-based learning placement allows students to gain valuable work experience, giving them the opportunity to apply and consolidate knowledge gained in their course, experience workplace culture and workplace practices, explore career options and develop a professional network.
Major sequences
Biology (B, G)
Biological Chemistry (B)
Biotechnology (G)
Chemistry (G)
Earth Science (B)
Environmental Science (B)
Forensic Biology (G)
Information Technology (B, G)
Mathematical Modelling (B, G)
Multimedia Technology (B)
Nanotechnology (G)
Psychology (B, G)
Zoology (G)
The various science majors may also be taken as part of any other course allowing 8 credit points of elective units.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants should have successfully completed VCE or equivalent. Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au
Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
The Faculty may give credit towards a BSc for previous tertiary study and other approved forms of post-secondary study or experience. This previous study need not have led to a complete qualification; for example, a student may be given credit after completing the first year of a course at another institution. All applications for advanced standing must be made initially to the Selection/Enrolment Officer who will advise students of the necessary procedures.
All applications are considered on merit and usually no credit will be given for subjects/courses/units completed more than seven years prior to the request. For the BSc the maximum advanced standing that can be granted is 16 credit points. This may include up to 8 credits for non-science studies.
How to apply
Applications for on and off campus study must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).
Further study
Students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent and who have a good academic record may apply to undertake an honours year. Normally an overall level of academic performance at 65% or greater is required to be eligible to join the honours program. The Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree includes a combination of coursework assignments and a research project. Each student will work with a member of staff who is experienced in research and who can assist the student to gain an insight into research and independent investigation. Each honours student must have a suitable research project and a supervisor. Adequate resources must also be available for supporting the student's research.
Students wishing to apply for honours should seek advice in the first instance from their Enrolment Officer.
