Bachelor of Science
Course summary for current students
B = Melbourne Burwood Campus
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Bachelor of Science |
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| Campus | Offered at Melbourne Burwood Campus, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus |
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| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
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| CRICOS course code | 076198G |
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| Deakin course code | S320 |
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Course sub-headings
Course overview
Deakin's Bachelor of Science allows you to start with a broad program then specialise as you progress through the course, developing your interests and career aspirations.
Science at Deakin is not just about laboratory work, but prepares you for a range of real-life settings in which today's science graduates work. You will gain experience through practical programs undertaken in modern teaching laboratories.
The course is available as a single degree course or as a combined degree course with Arts, Commerce, Engineering, Law and Teaching (Science). Approved major sequences within the Bachelor of Science include Biology, Biological Chemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematical Modelling and Zoology. See below for information on the campus of offer for major sequences.
As part of the course you will complete a Laboratory Safety and Fieldwork Induction Program, as well as Professional Practice/Science Skills units. The Professional Practice stream, plus an optional Industry-Based Learning placement, will allow you to gain valuable work experience, giving you the opportunity to apply and consolidate what you are learning in your course, as well as experience workplace culture and workplace practices, explore career options and develop a professional network.
Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course may find career opportunities in government institutions, in roles such as quality assurance, occupational health and safety, research, planning, management or marketing; science related industries, working in pharmaceutical production or pharmaceutical sales; biomedical science areas such as research or hospital and laboratory science; quality assurance in analytical and diagnostic laboratories; the food industry in quality control; environment and natural resources, teaching, information technology, mathematics or science journalism to name a few.
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Fees and charges
Unit fees can be viewed within individual unit descriptions. You can search for a unit using the Unit Search.
Please be aware:
- Fees are calculated on a per unit basis
- Fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen
- Fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services
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Course rules
The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- at least 16 credit points from science course grouped units (which includes all core and optional core units, all units within the approved science majors)
- 7 core science units
- At least one 8 credit point approved Science major sequence
- Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
- Level 1 – up to 10 credit points
- Level 3 - at least 6 credit points (at least 4 must be Science course grouped)
- Up to 8 cp of electives may be selected from units offered by any area of the University
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Major sequences
Biology (B, G)
Biological Chemistry (B, G)
Chemistry (G)
Environmental Science (B)
Mathematical Modelling (B, G, X)
Zoology (G)
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Course structure
Core Science Units:
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes (B, G, W) |
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment (B, G, W) |
| EES101 | Communicating Science (B, G) |
Chemistry - choose one from:
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World (B, G) ^ |
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (B, G) ^ |
^Note: Students who have not completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent may choose to do SLE133 Chemistry in Our World in Trimester 1. Students who have completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent may choose to do SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences in Trimester 2.
Physics - choose one from:
| SEP122 | Physics for the Life Sciences (B, G) |
| SEP101 | Engineering Physics (G, X) |
Quantitative Skills - choose one from:
| SIT191 | Introduction to Statistics (G, X) |
| SIT194 | Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (B, G, X) |
| HPS201 | Research Methods in Psychology A (B, G, W, X) |
| SLE251 | Research Methods and Data Analysis (B, G, W) |
Professional Practice unit: At least one credit point from:
| SLE390 | Professional Practice in Bioscience (B, G) # |
| SLE314 | Research Project (B, G, W) |
| SLE352 | Community Science Project (B, G) |
| STP321 | Industry Based Learning - Science (X) |
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point unit)
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Details of major sequences
Biology (B, G) - unit set code MJ-S000008
The biology major sequence is suitable for students who wish to obtain experience in a broad range of biological sub-disciplines. It offers the flexibility to choose units from disciplines ranging from human biology to ecology and environment.
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes (B, G, W) |
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function (B, G) |
Plus 6 additional Biology course grouped units from the list below (minimum of 2 at levels 2 and 3)
Level 1
Level 2
| SLE204 | Animal Diversity (B, G) |
| SLE205 | Vertebrate Structure and Function (B, G) |
| SLE206 | Molecular Cell Biology (B) |
| SLE211 | Principles of Physiology (B, G) |
| SLE221 | Anatomy and Physiology (B, G) |
| SLE222 | Biochemical Metabolism (B, G) |
Level 3
| SLE307 | Behavioural Ecology (B) |
| SLE315 | Comparative Animal Physiology (W, X) |
| SLE321 | Molecular Biology Techniques (B) |
| SLE331 | Cellular Physiology (G) |
| SLE334 | Medical Microbiology and Immunology (B, G) |
| SLE339 | Genetics of Disease (B) |
| SLE340 | Genomes and Bioinformatics (G) |
| SLE346 | Molecular Basis of Disease (B, G) |
| SLE397 | Sensory Neurobiology and Behaviour (G) |
| SLE309 | Wildlife Conservation (B) |
| SLE310 | Pest Plants and Animals (B) |
| SLE317 | Australian Vegetation and Its Management (B) |
| SLE350 | Marine Wildlife (B, G, W) |
| SLE372 | Evolutionary Ecology (G) |
Biological Chemistry (B, G) - unit set code MJ-SU00012
The biological chemistry major sequence provides the fundamental language of chemistry and chemistry arithmetic for students wishing to understand the more chemically-oriented facets of modern biology.
Students must complete 8 units from the following (must include a minimum of 2 credit points at level 2 and a minimum of 2 credit points at level 3):
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (B, G) |
| SLE210 | Chemistry the Enabling Science (B, G) |
| SLE214 | Organic Chemistry (B, G) |
| SLE222 | Biochemical Metabolism (B, G) |
| SLE213 | Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles (G) |
| SLE344 | Chemistry Research Project (B, G, W) ^ |
* SLE235 is offered in Trimester 3 in alternate years (even numbered years)
^ Students would normally be expected to have an approved academic standard of distinction average in level 2 chemistry studies. Please contact your Course Advisor prior to enrolling in this unit.
Chemistry (G) - unit set code MJ-S000009
This major sequence provides an introduction to the synthesis, separation, detection and measurement of chemical substances, their properties and reactions.
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (B, G) |
| SLE210 | Chemistry the Enabling Science (B, G) |
| SLE213 | Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles (G) |
| SLE214 | Organic Chemistry (B, G) |
| SLE229 | Introduction to Separation Science (G) |
Plus at least 3 from the following list:
| SLE316 | Analytical Chemistry (G) |
| SLE318 | Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry (G) |
Either:
| SLE311 | Chemical Hazards (X) or |
* SLE235 is offered in Trimester 3 in alternate years (even numbered years)
Environmental Science (B) - unit set code MJ-S000011
This major sequence focuses on the technical science aspects of environmental science, and aims to provide an even balance between environmental studies on the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment (B, G, W) |
| SLE102 | Physical Geography (B, G) |
| SLE202 | Landscape Evolution (B) |
| SHD301 | Creating Sustainable Futures (B) |
One of:
| SLE231 | Hydrology and Water Resources Management (B) |
One of:
| SLE322 | Landscape Ecology (B) or |
| SLE317 | Australian Vegetation and Its Management (B) |
Plus 2 'restricted elective' units from the following list (at least 1 unit from level 2 or 3):
| SLE151 | Biodiversity: A Global Perspective (B) |
| SLE101 | Techniques in Environmental Science (B) ^ |
| SLE239 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (B) |
| SLE204 | Animal Diversity (B, G) |
| SLE231 | Hydrology and Water Resources Management (B) |
| SLE317 | Australian Vegetation and Its Management (B) |
| SLE342 | Risks to Healthy Environments (B) |
^ recommended elective
Mathematical Modelling (B, G, X) - unit set code MJ-S000007
Studies in mathematical modelling provide you with a strong critical knowledge base and develops powers of analysis, logical thinking and problem solving, as well as a high level of numerical ability.
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics (B, G, X) |
| SIT194 | Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (B, G, X) |
| SIT291 | Mathematical Methods for Information Modelling (B, X) |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra and Applications to Data Communications (B, X) |
| SIT396 | Complex Analysis (B, G, X) |
| SIT392 | Public-Key Cryptography (B, X) |
| SIT399 | Advanced Topics in Mathematics (B, X) |
Zoology (G) - unit set code MJ-S000025
Study the biology of animals from several aspects ranging from an understanding of how animals function, their evolution and their relationship with the environment.
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes (B, G, W) |
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function (B, G) |
| SLE204 | Animal Diversity (B, G) |
| SLE205 | Vertebrate Structure and Function (B, G) |
| SLE315 | Comparative Animal Physiology (W, X) |
| SLE397 | Sensory Neurobiology and Behaviour (G) |
And one of:
| SLE372 | Evolutionary Ecology (G) |
