Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

Overview

With a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science combine a science specialisation with a deep understanding of the world for a broad scope of exciting careers. With this combination of degrees, you’ll equip yourself with the skills required to work in a range of professional scientific environments and grow your knowledge as you unpack what drives social change in contemporary society.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course 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 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 areas of expertisecommunicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience
• 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
• 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.

Career opportunities

Career outcomes are dependent on selected areas of study, but may include employment in advertising, advocacy, anti-corruption, astrophysics, biochemistry, biotechnology, consultancy, communications, community activism, community development, cultural services, climate change, data analysis, education, environmental sustainability, food processing, forensic science, entertainment, ethics, film distribution, government relations, healthcare, human rights, intelligence and security, mathematics, meteorology and climate modelling, ministerial liaison, NGO/aid work, political campaigning, pathology, public administration, policy development, physicist, scientific research, R&D, stakeholder relations, new media, research and development, writing, and youth work.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science students must complete 400 credit points comprising:

• twelve [12] core units of study (150 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from an Arts discipline major (100 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from a Science discipline major (100 credit points)
• four [4] units of study comprising an advanced minor or minor or electives (50 credit points)

Professional placements

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement. This option is not available to International Students. Professional Placements Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process.

Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 475 credit points comprising:

• eleven [11] core units of study (150 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from an Arts discipline major  (100 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from a Science discipline major (100 credit points)
• four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)
• two [2] units of study comprising electives (25 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 437.5 credit points comprising:

• twelve [12] core units of study (150 credit points) 
• eight [8] units of study from an Arts discipline major  (100 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study from a Science discipline major  (100 credit points)
• two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points)
• three [3] units of study comprising electives (37.5 credit points)

Professional Accreditation

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science with a major in Physics and a maths minor are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics (MAIP).  

Undergraduate students studying physics are eligible to apply for Student  Associate Membership of the AIP.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science is 200 credit points (normally 16 units), 100 credit points maximum from each discipline.

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years.

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English and applicants who do not meet the Mathematics prerequisite can sit the STAT Multiple Choice or successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program.

Mathematics study scores or prerequisites older than five years are not considered to have met course prerequisite requirements. STAT results are valid for two years.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English and applicants who do not meet the Mathematics prerequisite can sit the STAT Multiple Choice or successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program.

Mathematics study scores or prerequisites older than five years are not considered to have met course prerequisite requirements. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English and applicants who do not meet the Mathematics prerequisite can sit the STAT Multiple Choice or successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program.

Mathematics study scores or prerequisites older than five years are not considered to have met course prerequisite requirements. STAT results are valid for two years.