Course

Bachelor of Science

Approved Abbreviation: BSc

Western Sydney University Course Code: 3640.3

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 041144M

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is 2011 or later.

Please be advised that this course is replaced by 3675 - Bachelor of Science from 2012.

Commencement Year 2010 - 3640.2 Bachelor of Science

Commencement Year 2009 - 3640.1 Bachelor of Science

A Bachelor of Science prepares students for a professional career in science. Fundamental to this degree are the skills necessary for quantification and analysis, the capacity for critical analysis, problem solving, and independent thinking. Students must choose either a discipline-specific Key Program, or the No Key Program otherwise. Units from a range of scientific and other disciplines may be combined to suit a student's interests and educational aims. Students complete a core of basic science units, to which other science units and, if desired, non-science electives can be added.

Study Mode
Three years full-time.

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and the Bachelor of Science (Geochemistry) is accredited by The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Incorporated (RACI).

Admission

Local students will normally be admitted through UAC. The following sets of Assumed Knowledge and Recommended Studies apply.

Agricultural Science - Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English and any two units of science. Recommended studies: One or more of Biology, Chemistry or Agriculture.

Animal Science- Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English and any two units of science. Recommended studies: One or more of Biology, Chemistry or Agriculture.

Biological Science - Recommended studies: Mathematics and Chemistry.

Chemistry - Recommended studies: Chemistry.

Climate Change - Recommended studies: Mathematics, any two units of science and any two units of English.

Environmental Science - Assumed knowledge: Any two units of English and any two units of science (Biology or Chemistry recommended). Recommended studies: Geography.

Food Science - Recommended studies: Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Geochemistry - Recommended studies: Chemistry and Mathematics.

Mathematical Science- Recommended studies: Mathematics.

Medical Nanotechnology - Recommended studies: Mathematics and Chemistry.

Nutrition and Food - Assumed knowledge: Mathematics and Biology. Recommended studies: Chemistry and Food Technology.

Science (No Key Program) - Assumed knowledge: At least two of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/international/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualifying for this award requires successful completion of 240 credit points within the following rules:

Level 1

a maximum of 180 credit points at Level 1 and Level 2 units (including electives)
at least 60 credit points must be core units from your Key Program
the core units must span three of the following discipline areas: Mathematics/Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geoscience, Physics or Integrated Science
at least one must be in Mathematics or Statistics

Level 2

completion of the core Units from your Key Program

Level 3

at least 60 credit points must be at Level 3 or above
40 credit points must be from core units in your Key Program
one must be a capstone unit which draws the program together.

Students who do not select a discipline-specific Key Program must choose the No Key Program and must select Units within the No Key Program to complete one of the Majors listed in the Handbook entry for the Bachelor of Science.

Key Program in Agricultural Science

KT3054

Agricultural Science

This key program equips graduates with specialised knowledge and understanding of agronomy, animal science and soil science underpinned by a sound background in biology, chemistry and biometry. Graduates will understand how agriculture impacts on the structure and function of production ecosystems in the context of nutrient, water and energy flows, carbon sequestration and use of introduced and genetically modified organisms.

Key Program in Animal Science

KT3055

Animal Science

This key program recognises the increased demand for knowledge of how to best care for and protect our animals, including scientific knowledge of companion animals, production animals and their products, as well as knowledge related to our native animals.

Key Program in Biological Science

KT3056

Biological Science

This key program focuses on the areas of biology that are most relevant to industry and research: biochemistry, microbiology and molecular biology. Other areas of study include anatomy and physiology, environmental science, biotechnology, human biology and plant biology.

Key Program in Chemistry

KT3057

Chemistry

This key program consists of core studies in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. A major in geochemistry will prepare you for a career in the minerals and mining industries. A sub-major in biochemistry or microbiology will prepare you for a career in the pharmaceutical, health or food industries.

Key Program in Climate Change

KT3058

Climate Change

This program equips people to work in the emerging and challenging area of climate change. A solid grounding in the underlying science is essential for people intending to work in this field, who will need to integrate across a range of disciplines, to devise solutions spanning the scientific and social issues involved.

Key Program in Environmental Science

KT3060

Environmental Science

This key program provides a strong background in key analytical techniques that have contemporary applications such as the handling and interpretation of data and the modelling of real world problems such as global warming.

Key Program in Food Science

KT3061

Food Science

This key program recognises that the manufacture of food is vital to Australia in terms of investment, export income and jobs growth. Within this framework there is a strong demand for practical food scientists who have skills in chemistry and microbiology and who can apply this knowledge to food processing, ensuring a safe, nutritious and appetising food supply.

Key Program in Geochemistry

KT3059

Geochemistry

This program recognises the relevance of geochemistry in our rapidly expanding mining and minerals industries, and its importance in the understanding of related environmental issues.

Key Program in Mathematical Science

KT3062

Mathematical Science

The key program in Mathematical Sciences will prepare you to meet the growing demands from industry and business for highly-skilled problem-solvers. This program offers you a thorough grounding in the main areas of Mathematics and its applications, where you can specialise in mathematics, statistics or a combination of both.

Key Program in Medical Nanotechnology

KT3031

Medical Nanotechnology

This Key Program prepares students for professional careers in the multidisciplinary field of nanotechnology, covering biological, chemical and physical processes at the nanoscale. Students will develop fundamental skills in the technology of advanced imaging and characterisation techniques for seeing and manipulating of atoms/molecules, creating chemical and biological nanomachines, smart materials, biomaterials and biodevices, molecular mimics and fabrication of nanostructured devices through the specialised units in this program.

Key Program in Nutrition and Food

KT3064

Nutrition and Food

Healthy eating is a vital part of good health. Nutrition and Food covers a range of subjects from the nutritional benefits of particular foods to food safety and medical conditions affected by diet, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Science (no Key Program)

KP3005

Science (No Key Program)

Intended for students who do not wish to specialise in a single key area of study, but who want a versatile and flexible course of study in science, this program includes a core of basic science units including biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. You can then add units from a range of scientific and other disciplines to suit your interests and career aspirations.

Majors

M3016

Animal Science

M3038

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

M3019

Chemistry

M3023

Computational Decision Making

M3035

Conservation Biology

M3033