Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) requires completion of 192 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 36 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

A minimum of 24 units must come from completion of honours pathway courses from the Science course list

The 192 units must include:

48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:

Biochemistry

Biological Anthropology

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

Earth Science

Environmental and Landscape Science

Geography

Marine Science

Mathematical Economics

Mathematical Finance

Mathematical Modelling

Mathematics

Natural Resource Management

Physics

Science Communication

Statistics

Sustainability Science

Theoretical Physics

Water Science

Either:

24 units from the completion of one of the following Science minors / specialisations:

Abnormal Psychology

Advanced Chemistry Specialisation

Advanced Mathematics Specialisation

Advanced Physics Specialisation

Applied Statistics

Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation

Biochemistry Specialisation

Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Biological Anthropology

Biological Neuropsychology

Chemistry

Climate Science and Policy

Cognitive Psychology

Computer Science

Developmental Psychology

Earth and Marine Science

Earth Physics Specialisation

Environmental Policy

Forest Science and Policy

Genetics

Geochemistry and Petrology Specialisation

Geography

Human Ecology

Integrative Methods in Environment and Society

Marine Geoscience Specialisation

Mathematical Physics Specialisation

Mathematics

Microbiology and Immunology

Molecular Biology

Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation

Optics Specialisation

Physics

Plant Science Specialisation

Psychology Specialisation

Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation

Science Communication

Social Psychology

Soil and Land Management

Sustainable Development

Water Science and Policy

24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list

Or:

48 units from completion of a second of the following Science majors:

Biological Anthropology

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

Earth Science

Environmental and Landscape Science

Geography

Marine Science

Mathematical Economics

Mathematical Finance

Mathematical Modelling

Mathematics

Natural Resource Management

Physics

Science Communication

Statistics

Sustainability Science

Theoretical Physics

Water Science

48 units from completion of a Science honours research project

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements. In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.

Students enrolled in the BSci(Adv)(Hons) must maintain an average of 75% in Science courses each semester to remain in this program. Students who do not maintain 75% will be transferred to the 3 year BSc program but will be allowed to compete for places in Honours.

Honours

Honours Year

No student is guaranteed entry to a particular Honours program or supervisor at the beginning of the degree, rather entry to particular Honours programs will be guaranteed with successful completion of a major at the standard required for continuation in the program.

The work of the Honours year will consist of advanced work in a selected field of study, details of which are given under the individual Schools. The Honours program has specific dates which are advertised in the Honours Handbook. If you complete the requirements for the pass degree at the end of the first semester it is possible, subject to the approval of the School concerned, to commence the Honours program mid-year.

Fields of study in which a degree with Honours may be taken are listed under the previous entry for Bachelor of Science.

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis, taking into account all relevant academic qualifications. If you hold more than one qualification, admission will be based on your overall record. Tertiary qualifications are generally weighted more heavily than secondary. If you have completed an approved tertiary preparation course or alternative entry scheme, you will be assessed on the results of that scheme alone, unless you have undertaken subsequent study.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission pathways.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

From 2010, the UAI/ENTER/TER will be referred to as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for admission. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ for further information.

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:

- For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au

- CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au

- MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent

- MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent

- MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered

- MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol

- PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major).

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.  Please note that Bonus Points do not apply to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program.

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas for more information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Employment Opportunities

Employers are increasingly looking for graduates not only with excellent academic results, but also with good communication, interpersonal and analytical skills. Jobs are available in administrative, ecological and technological arenas, but as high quality scientists are in demand, many graduates proceed to further studies (such as at the Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral level) in order to retain a competitive edge in their chosen field. Some graduates undertake specific graduate-level training in areas such as teaching, librarianship or communications to further equip themselves with particular and marketable skills.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program Science graduates will be able to:

• Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic.
• Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
• Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
• Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
• Record original data and apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data when appropriate

Further Information

List of Honours pathway level courses offered by the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment and the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences:

Please note:

An Honours Pathway Option (HPO) is an extra piece of assessment/assignments, assessed at a higher level, attached to a regular course. Students who enrol in certain courses have the option of undertaking this extra piece of assessment and must identify themselves to the course convener at the beginning of the semester so that they can attend the extra classes or submit the extra assignments accordingly. HPOs are usually identified in the handbook or Study@ where there is further information regarding what the assessment entails and how it is graded.

An Honours Pathway Course (HPC) is a course that is inherently taught at a higher level. An HPC is usually identified as such in the Handbook or Study@.

Honours Pathway Option (HPO)

BIOL2121  Genes to Environment

BIOL2131  Population Ecology

BIOL2151  Principles of Genetics

BIOL2161  Genes: Replication and Expression

BIOL2171  Biochemistry and Nutrition

BIOL3125  Plants and Global Climate Change

BIOL3141  Infection and Immunity

BIOL3161  Genomics and Applications

BIOL3177  Advances in Molecular Plant Science

CHEM1101  Chemistry 1

CHEM1201  Chemistry 2

CHEM2202 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 1

CHEM2203 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 2

CHEM2209  Physical and Materials Chemistry

CHEM2210  Structural Elucidation in Chemistry

EMSC1008  EARTH: The Chemistry and Physics of our Planet

EMSC2015  Chemistry of the Planet Earth

EMSC2017  Rocks and Minerals

EMSC2019  Geobiology and Evolution of Life on Earth

EMSC2021 Fundamentals of Climate System Science

EMSC3007  Economic Geology

EMSC3024  Magmatism and Metamorphism

EMSC3025  Groundwater

EMSC3027  Paleaoclimatology and Climate Change

ENVS1001  Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability

ENVS1003  Environment and Society Research Methods

ENVS1004  Australia's Environment

ENVS1008 Sustainable Development

ENVS2009  Quantitative Environmental Research Methods

ENVS2011  Human Ecology

ENVS2012  Sustainable Environments: Urban

ENVS2013  Society and Environmental Change

ENVS2014  Qualitative Research Methods for Sustainability

ENVS2015  GIS and Spatial Analysis

ENVS2020  Hydrology and Landforms for Natural Resource Management

ENVS2021  Vegetation and Soils: Landscape Co-Evolution and Ecology

ENVS3004  Land and Catchment Management

ENVS3005  Water Resource Management

ENVS3013  Climatology

ENVS3014  Ecological Restoration and Management

ENVS3020  Climate Science and Policy

ENVS3021  Human Futures

ENVS3028  Environmental Policy and Planning

ENVS3040  Solving Complex Environmental Problems

MATH1042  Philosophy of the Cosmos

MATH3062  Fractal Geometry and Chaos Dynamics

MATH3301  Number Theory and Cryptography

MATH3501  Scientific and Industrial Modelling

MATH3511  Scientific Computing

PHYS1101  Physics 1

PHYS1201  Physics 2

PHYS2013  Quantum Mechanics

PHYS2016  Electromagnetism

PHYS3001  Theoretical Physics

PHYS3033  Nuclear Physics

PHYS3034  Physics of Fluid Flows

PSYC1003  Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour

PSYC1004  Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context

PSYC2002  Developmental Psychology

Honours Pathway Courses (HPC)

BIOL3103  Sensory Physiology and Animal Behaviour (not available 2012)

BIOL3132  Field Studies in Behavioural Ecology

BIOL3208  Biology Research Project (6 units)

BIOL3209  Biology Research Project (12 units)

CHEM3022  Spectroscopic Techniques in Biophysical Chemistry

CHEM3060  Research Project in Chemistry

MATH1115  Mathematics and Applications 1 Honours

MATH1116  Mathematics and Applications 2 Honours

MATH2320  Analysis 1 Honours: Metric Spaces and Applications

MATH2322  Algebra 1 Honours: Groups, Rings and Advanced Linear Algebra

MATH2405  Maths Methods 1 Honours: Ordinary Differential Equations and Advanced Vector Calculus

MATH2406  Maths Methods 2 Honours: Partial Differential Equations, Fourier Analysis and Complex Analysis

MATH3015  Mathematics of Finance

MATH3029  Probability Modelling with Applications

MATH3104  Applied Algebra 1 Honours: Groups, Rings and Advanced Linear Algebra

MATH3133  Environmental Mathematics

MATH3228  Complex Analysis Honours

MATH3320  Analysis 2 Honours: Topology, Lebesgue Integration and Hilbert Spaces

MATH3325  Analysis 3 Honours: Functional Analysis, Spectral Theory and Applications

MATH3341  Theory of Partial Differential Equations Honours

MATH3342  Differential Geometry H

MATH3343  Foundations of Mathematics Honours

MATH3344  Algebraic Topology Honours

MATH3345  Algebra 2 Honours: Field Extensions and Galois Theory

MATH3349  Special Topics in Mathematics

MATH3351  Topics in Mathematical Physics Honours

MATH3352  Topics in Computational Maths Honours

MATH3353  Topics in Bioinformatics Honours

MATH3354  Algebra 3: Advanced Topics in Algebra

MATH3512  Matrix Computations

MATH3514  Numerical Optimisation

PHYS3002  Advanced Theoretical Physics

PHYS3041  Research Topics in Physics (3 units)

PHYS3042  Research Topics in Physics (6 units)

PHYS3044  Research Topics in Physics (3 units)

PHYS3045  Research Topics in Physics (6 units)

PSYC3002  The Social Psychology of Group Processes and Social Change

PSYC3011  Perception

PSYC3018  Advanced Research Methods

PSYC3023  Special Topics in Psychology