Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science
2021 – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
This course has been discontinued - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
Majors for Bachelor of Arts [2021]:
AdvertisingCreative Writing and LiteratureCriminologyEnvironmental SustainabilityGames and InteractivityGlobal StudiesHistoryIndigenous StudiesJournalismMedia Industries PhilosophyPolitics and International RelationsProfessional Writing and EditingSocial MediaSociologyMajors for Bachelor of Science:
Applied MathematicsBiochemistryBiotechnologyChemistryEnvironmental SciencePhysicsThe Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science offers students a general understanding of contemporary social and cultural developments through a range of study areas, as well as a capacity to understand complex scientific information in a specialised field.
You'll develop a range of key humanities and scientific skills and knowledge related to current and projected industry needs.
Drawing on the expertise of leading teachers, researchers and industry experts, the course allows you to design a degree to develop a unique range of interdisciplinary skills.
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This double degree has two units where you’ll have the opportunity to work on industry-linked projects. In Grand Challenges: Making a Difference (ART30001), you’ll work in teams and develop valuable collaborative skills as you research innovative solutions to contemporary issues facing society, and in Grand Challenges in Science (NPS30003), you’ll work on an individual research project to develop valuable research and development skills.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 1 March 2021
- Semester 2 - 2 August 2021
VTAC codes
- 3400210131 (CSP)
- 3400210133 (IFP)

As part of my degree, I participated in two panels at the PAX Gaming Festival. Using my presentation skills, I gained from my arts classes, I presented the history of video games in certain parts of the world. The biggest takeaway: take advantage of the industry contacts the lecturers at Swinburne have. It'll help you get the foot in the door for future work or projects.
Joshua
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science (majors in Cinema and Screen Studies (now available as Screen Studies and Popular Culture), and Applied Mathematics)

Swinburne students work with ACMI
Swinburne’s Bachelor of Arts students created new experiences called Constellations for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) visitors as part of its $40 million transformation.
The Constellation is a large-scale, data-driven exhibit that connects visitors to films, TV series, artworks and video games outside ACMI.
As ACMI’s Major Academic Partner, Swinburne supports the Swinburne Studio – an available to hire multi-purpose function space – home for ACMI’s many diverse festivals and events, as well as a programming collaboration space between the two organisations.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science [2021] requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Grand Challenges: Dystopian Present-Utopian Futures | ART10002 | 12.5 |
Concepts of Biology | BIO10001 | 12.5 |
Either Chemistry 1 | CHE10001 | 12.5 |
or Introduction to Chemistry | CHE10004 | 12.5 |
Either Preliminary Mathematics | MTH00007 | 12.5 |
or Foundations of Statistics | STA10003 | 12.5 |
or Digital and Data Systems | ENG10004 | 12.5 |
Introduction to E-Science | NPS10001 | 12.5 |
Either Energy and Motion | PHY10001 | 12.5 |
or Introduction to Physics | PHY10002 | 12.5 |
Grand Challenges: Skills and Strategies for Social Change | ART20001 | 12.5 |
Communication for Scientists * | NPS20005 | 12.5 |
Grand Challenges: Making a Difference * | ART30001 | 25 |
Research Skills in Science * | NPS30002 | 12.5 |
Grand Challenges in Science * | NPS30003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Choose a major:
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Other studies
4 units (50 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Behavioural Science | BEH20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities | SOC20019 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Science
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Science | NPS20003 | 25 |
Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Science | NPS20004 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Science
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Science | NPS20003 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts graduates will be able to:
- systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/or social sciences
- formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of inter-disciplinarity for generating solutions
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science graduates will be able to:
- articulate the methods of science, explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and explain the role and relevance of science in society.
- exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one science disciplinary area.
- critically analyse and solve scientific problems by evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation, selecting and applying practical and theoretical techniques for that investigation and collecting, recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data.
- effectively communicate science by presenting information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes using a variety of modes.
- adopt ownership of their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively and safely in an individual or team context, demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory framework relevant to the disciplinary area and practising ethical conduct.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Digital Advertising Technology major will be eligible for membership of the Australasian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA).
Graduates of the Journalism major will be eligible to apply for membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
Fees
Find out more about fees.

Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to apply
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.