Bachelor of Science

2014 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Career opportunities
• Course rules
• Major sequences
• Course structure
• Details of major sequences

Course overview

Deakin's Bachelor of Science allows you to start with a broad science education 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, Information Systems, Law and Teaching (Science).  Approved major sequences within the Bachelor of Science include Animal Biology, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry and Material Science, Environmental Science, Freshwater Biology, Human Biology, Mathematical Modelling, Natural History and Plant Biology.  Please refer 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.  You will also be required to complete a Community Science Project, plus you will have an opportunity to undertake an optional Industry-Based Learning placement, which will provide you with 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.

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
• 8 core science units
• At least one 6 credit point approved Science major sequence
• Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
• Completion of STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point unit)
• Level 1 – up to 10 credit points
• Level 3 - at least 6 credit points (at least 4 must be Science course grouped)

Major sequences

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.


Animal Biology
Cell Biology
Chemistry
Chemistry and Material Science
Environmental Science
Freshwater Biology*
Human Biology
Mathematical Modelling
Natural History
Plant Biology
* The major sequence in Freshwater Biology is only available at the Warrnambool Campus. As such, students wishing to study freshwater biology are required to commence a Bachelor of Science at the Melbourne Burwood Campus or Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus.  After one or two years of study, students must then complete the requirements of the Freshwater Biology major sequence at the Warrnambool Campus.

Course structure

Core Science Units:

* SLE010 and STP010 are compulsory 0-credit point units

Chemistry - choose one from:

^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.

+ Available from 2016

# Must have successfully completed STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point unit)

Details of major sequences

Human Biology - unit set code MJ-S000068

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

This major sequence covers a broad range of areas relevant to human biology, including physiology and genetics, and their relationship to human disease.

plus

Details of major sequences

Mathematical Modelling - unit set code MJ-S000007

Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

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.

Details of major sequences

Plant Biology - unit set code MJ-S000070

Burwood (Melbourne)

This major sequence includes studies on plant morphology, identification, reproduction and evolution, as well as vegetation management and biogeography.

Details of major sequences

Natural History - unit set code MJ-S000069

Burwood (Melbourne)

This major sequence emphasises the biological aspects of natural history, and includes a cross-discipline sequence of units covering the areas of zoology, botany and palaeontology.

Details of major sequences

* Freshwater Biology - unit set code MJ-S000067

Warrnambool

Freshwater biology is the study of freshwater ecosystems and the relationships between freshwater organisms and their physical and chemical environment. Offered as a major sequence within the Bachelor of Science, freshwater biology at Deakin focuses on real-world problem-solving, and addresses the challenges facing Australia’s freshwater systems.

* The major sequence in Freshwater Biology is only available at the Warrnambool Campus. As such, students wishing to study freshwater biology are required to commence a Bachelor of Science at the Melbourne Burwood Campus or Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus.  After one or two years of study, students must then complete the requirements of the Freshwater Biology major sequence at the Warrnambool Campus.

Details of major sequences

Environmental Science - unit set code MJ-S000011

Burwood (Melbourne)

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 and biosphere.

Details of major sequences

Chemistry and Materials Science - unit set code MJ-S000066

Burwood (Melbourne)

This sequence provides a broad grounding in chemistry during the first and second years of study, then specialised training in materials chemistry and electrochemistry during the final year of study.

* prerequisite unit applies (SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences)

Details of major sequences

Cell Biology - unit set code MJ-S000065

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

This Cell Biology major sequence provides an introduction to the molecular and biochemical basis of cell development, function and interactions, and to the molecular basis of disease.

plus

* prerequisite unit applies (SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences)

Details of major sequences

Animal Biology - unit set code MJ-S000064

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

This major sequence provides a broadly focused introduction to different aspects of animal biology and evolution.

plus

Details of major sequences

Chemistry - unit set code MJ-S000009

Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

This major sequence provides an introduction to the synthesis, separation, detection and measurement of chemical substances, their properties and reactions.

* prerequisite unit applies (SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences)