Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) Detailed Course Requirements The 2016 Monash University Handbook will be available from October 2015. This document contains interim 2016 course requirements information. Description Majors and minors Course outcomes Course requirements Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) Detailed Course Requirements January 2015 v1.0 Page 1 of 6
Description The Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) is an advanced version of the Bachelor of Science aimed at high-achieving students that is augmented by: (a) the ability to accelerate by more quickly progressing to higher-level units; (b) additional flexibility in subject choices; (c) enhanced opportunities for research projects; (d) research mentoring by leading scientists in your chosen field; and (e) exclusive enrichment programs that are only available to those taking this course. This course will provide you with a broad, general science education, as well as specialist training in one or more science disciplines. The enhancements mentioned above will both deepen and strengthen this training. In addition the course provides practical and theoretical training in planning, undertaking and documenting scientific research projects and culminates in a full year honours research program involving an independent project and thesis. This course is designed for talented students intending to pursue a career as a research scientist. Graduates can expect to find employment in an extraordinarily rich variety of research careers, including scientific research work in both the university and industrial sectors. Such careers can be in areas closely allied with the areas of study pursued in the course, or in areas that make use of the strong generic scientific skills developed during the course. Major and minor areas of study Bachelor of Science listed area of study Availability and location Minor Major Extended major Biological and life sciences Ecology and conservation biology Genetics Plant sciences Zoology Biomedical and behavioural sciences Biochemistry Developmental Biology Human pathology Immunology (Foundation studies in Chemistry required) Microbiology Molecular biology Pharmacology Physiology Psychology Earth and environmental sciences Atmospheric science (Minor in mathematics required) Environmental science Geographical science Geosciences Mathematical and computational sciences Applied mathematics Computational science (Foundation studies in mathematics required) Financial and insurance mathematics Mathematical statistics Mathematics Pure Mathematics Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) Detailed Course Requirements January 2015 v1.0 Page 2 of 6
Physical and chemical sciences Astrophysics (Minor in mathematics required) Chemistry Materials science Physics (Minor in mathematics required) Course outcomes These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and technical skills in at least one area of science, and a basic understanding of science disciplines other than those in which they specialise develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in professional contexts to analyse challenges and to develop effective solutions convey ideas and results effectively to diverse audiences and in a variety of formats, and present scientific work in a potentially publishable way demonstrate understanding of the importance of science to the human endeavour work independently to undertake a scientific literature review, and to design, develop and implement a research project collect, organise, analyse, interpret and present data meaningfully, using mathematical and statistical tools as appropriate to the discipline of specialisation work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen. Course requirements The course is structured in four parts: A. Science specified study (24 points), B. Science listed majors (96 points) and C. Free elective study (24 points) undertaken in the first three years and D. a Honours research program (48 points) in the final year. This includes a minimum of 120 points of science listed study over Part A and Part B. In choosing your 120 points of Bachelor of Science listed study over Part A and Part B, you must ensure that you complete six science listed units (36 points) at level 1 and 10 science listed units (60 points) at levels two and three, with a minimum of four (24 points) at level three. It is recommended that you complete level one sequences first as these lay the foundation for further study. First year students wishing to take level two units should discuss options with their course coordinator. You must also ensure that across the whole course, you complete no more than 10 level one units (60 points), and at least six level three units (36 points). To remain in the program you are required to maintain at least a distinction average (70 per cent) across all science units in each calendar year. If you do not achieve this average you will be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Science. In addition, in order to progress to the fourth year, you must normally complete 144 credit points. You must also achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70 per cent) in 24 credit points of level three units in Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) Detailed Course Requirements January 2015 v1.0 Page 3 of 6
the relevant science discipline, including at least 18 points in the major in which the honours will be undertaken. If you successfully complete the first three years (144 points) of the course but do not meet the academic standard hurdle for the fourth year, you will graduate with the Bachelor of Science. The course progression maps will assist you to plan course requirements to completion. Units are six credit points unless otherwise stated. A. Science specified study (24 points) YEAR ONE Students complete: a) At least two level one approved science sequences (24 points) from the following list. Normally, the units in a level one sequence are required for the completion of your selected majors or minor. The choice of level one sequences will influence your choice of level two and level three units and lay the foundation for your major. Although the requirements in Part A appear to exceed 24 points, at least one typically both of these level one sequences are credited towards your majors or minor (Part B) and not towards this Part. Biological sciences BIO1011 Biology I and BIO1022 Biology II BIO1011 Biology I and BIO1042 Environmental biology Chemistry CHM1011 Chemistry I and CHM1022 Chemistry II CHM1011 Chemistry I and CHM1052 Chemistry II advanced CHM1051 Chemistry I advanced and CHM1022 Chemistry II CHM1051 Chemistry I advanced and CHM1052 Chemistry II advanced Computational science FIT1029 Algorithmic problem solving and FIT1040 Programming fundamentals Geosciences ESC1011 Planet earth: Our space in the universe and ESC1022 Planet earth: Surface processes Geographical science ATS1310 Extreme earth! Natural hazards and human vulnerability and ATS1301 Australian physical environments: Evolution, status and management ATS1310 Extreme earth! Natural hazards and human vulnerability and ATS1309 The global challenge Mathematics and statistics MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MTH2010 Multivariable calculus MTH1030 Techniques for modelling and MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science STA1010 Statistical methods for science and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling Note: Students with a strong mathematics background and an interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and MTH2015 respectively. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Science Student Services office. Physics One pair of PHS1011 Physics and PHS1022 Physics PHS1080 Foundation physics and PHS1022 Physics Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) Detailed Course Requirements January 2015 v1.0 Page 4 of 6
Psychology PSY1011 Psychology 1A and PSY1022 Psychology 1B b) At least one of the following level one mathematics or statistics units* (6 points) if not already taken as part of a level one approved sequence: MTH1020 Analysis of change MTH1030 Techniques for modelling or MTH1035 Techniques for Modelling (advanced) SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning STA1010 Statistical methods for science *Note 1: The unit required in b) will depend on your mathematics background and interests: SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning and STA1010 Statistical methods for science Recommended for students planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences. SCI1020 is for students without a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent). MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling Recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1020 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent). MTH1030 requires students to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020. Students with a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject You could replace the unit MTH1030 with the advanced version MTH1035. You will need to seek permission to enrol in this unit at the Science Student Services office. c) Any additional level one units (usually one or two) required to take the total level one science-listed units to at least 36 credit points*. Science listed units are those under any major, extended major or minor offered in the Bachelor of Science. It is recommended that you consider taking a third level one sequence in your first year to increase your options for choice of major. YEARS TWO AND THREE d) SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced) e) One level three research project unit* chosen from: BIO3990 Biology in action research project BCH3990 Action in biochemistry research project CHM3990 Chemistry project DEV3990 Action in developmental biology research project ESC3200 Earth sciences project FIT3144 Advanced computing project GEN3990 Genetics in action research project HUP3990 Human pathology in action research project IMM3990 Immunology in action research project MAT3000 Mathematics research project level 3 MIC3990 Action in microbiology research project MTH3000 Mathematics research project level 3 PHA3990 Action in pharmacology research project PHY3990 Action in physiology research project PHS3350 Physics research project 1 PHS3360 Physics research project 2 or SCI3990 Science in action research project *Note: This unit is normally taken as part of your major(s). f) Any additional level 2 or level 3 science units required to take the total Bachelor of Science listed units to 120 points over Part A and Part B (inclusive of (a) to (f) and your majors/minor) chosen from the following: Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) Detailed Course Requirements January 2015 v1.0 Page 5 of 6
units listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in the Bachelor of Science SCI3910 Schools science project B. Science listed majors (96 points) Complete two Bachelor of Science listed majors or an extended major plus a minor in a different area of study. A major requires eight units with no more than 2 units at level one (12 points), at least three units (12 points) at level three. An extended major requires twelve units with no more than four units at level one (24 points) and at least four units (24 points) at level three. Ensure that over the course you have completed at least six units of science listed study at level three. Click on the Science listed areas of study (in the table above) for the units required for your chosen major, extended major or minor. It is recommended that you consider completing level-two units in more than one area of Science to maximise your choice of major at level three. You should ensure you complete the specific units required for honours in your chosen major. C. Free elective study (24 points) These elective units may be chosen from units available in the Bachelor of Science course to broaden your science knowledge or to extend your major. Elective units may also be taken from non-science disciplines so long you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment in the units. D. Honours program (48 points) The specific requirements for the honours is dependent on your field of study. All units will be at level four and in general will include advanced coursework and specified assessment tasks, a thesis component and seminars or oral presentations. Details of the units of study are in accordance with the requirements for course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science. Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) Detailed Course Requirements January 2015 v1.0 Page 6 of 6