Bachelor of Science
Science is enormously exciting. Think space physics, satellite technology, biotechnology, weather forecasting, climate change, nanotechnology.... the list goes on. So much is happening and yet there is still an enormous amount left to discover and explore.
Many of the academic staff involved with this course are at the forefront of their fields. They are highly respected for their teaching methods and encourage students to develop problem-solving skills and become strategic thinkers.
A Bachelor of Science provides you with the skills and abilities that contribute to the development of scientific knowledge in many areas of technology, industry, agriculture or the information revolution. There are a variety of majors to choose from:
- Biological Science,
- Chemistry,
- Earth Science,
- Geography,
- Marine Science,
- Mathematics,
- Photonics,
- Physics,
- Psychology,
- Statistics
- Sustainable Resource Management.
Graduates can find careers across a diverse range of fields working in private industry and government organisations or as a consultant. Depending on the major chosen graduates find employment in pathology laboratories, chemical analysis, international finance, merchant banking, statistics, product control development or research, telecommunications, fibre-optics, laser technology, medical physics, coal technology, organisational psychology, human resource management, research and data evaluation.
Areas of employment can also include biotechnology, minerals and energy industries, urban and rural planning, social planning, community services, fisheries, environmental authorities and marine parks, national parks and wildlife, land and water management, sustainability and development control.
A Bachelor of Science degree program followed by studies in education may lead to a career in teaching.
Current Australian Year 12 Students:
Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on UAI or equivalent.
Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students:
Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on:
- Previous Year 12 studies and/or
- Higher education, tertiary, post-secondary qualifications and/or
- Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
- Relevant vocational experience.
International Students
International students currently attempting Year 12 in Australia:
Apply for entry through UAC.
Entry based on UAI or equivalent.
All other international students:
Apply direct to International Admissions. Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirement.
Commencing 2008, UAI bonus points will be available to students applying to the Bachelor of Science program to reward them for their highest level of achievement in HSC-level mathematics. Applicants can gain a maximum of 4 UAI points as follows.
- 2 bonus points for a performance in Bands 5 or 6 Mathematics or 2-unit Mathematics (or equivalent); OR
- 4 bonus points for a performance in Bands 3/4 in Extension 1 Mathematics (or equivalent); OR
- 4 bonus points for any band in Extension 2 Mathematics (or equivalent).
A basic understanding of Mathematics (e.g. arithmetic, algebra and geometry) at a level commensurate with a good mark in General mathematics at HSC, or equivalent, is assumed. If you do not have this background you are strongly advised to enrol in a bridging course offered by the Foundation Studies Centre in January / February or June / July.
In addition to Mathematics, HSC Biology and/or Chemistry and/or Physics would be a strong advantage in this program, depending on the major you intend to complete. For the Geography major, HSC Geography, Social Science or Natural Science is desirable.
An Honours year is available to students as a separate program in the form of an additional year to those who meet the entry requirements.
Laboratory or tutorial work is required in each major. Courses in some majors also require fieldwork as a supplement to or in place of laboratory work. Certain majors have a research placement course option.
A major in Chemistry, Mathematics, Photonics or Physics qualifies graduates for membership of the relevant professional organisation. An approved sequence of courses in Psychology followed by an accredited fourth year provides a four-year Australian Psychological Society accredited program, and satisfies the requirements for conditional registration with the NSW Registration Board.
International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an Orientation of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology and the University at the commencement of each semester. Additionally, the Deputy Head of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology has special responsibility for the progress of international students. All students can also access additional learning support mechanisms provided by the Centre Teaching and Leaning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/index.html
Some aspects of the program are practical hands on skills based and may be difficult for students with certain disabilities to undertake. The support structures of the Student Support Unit will be available to assist any students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty and School accepts responsibility, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will draw on the assistance and support provided by the Wollotuka Indigenous Support Unit.
To help students choose courses that match their interests and career aspirations, the Faculty of Science & IT has developed a website http://www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/science-it/degree-programs/pathways/ with suggested study pathways. This site also contains links to career information, job descriptions and details of employers.
It is recommended that students undertake the maths diagnostic quiz prior to enrolment to assist in selecting the appropriate level of maths. A link to the quiz is available at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/science-it/degree-programs/mathsreq.html
Students are encouraged to undertake the highest level of mathematics that they are capable of, and should consult with the Program Convenor &/or Program Officer with reference to their chosen Pathway. Students taking MATH1001, Preparatory Studies in Mathematics, are recommended to do so prior to commencing STAT1070.
The degree is undertaken over three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) and requires students to pass courses totalling 240 units. All courses have a value of 10 units.
In order to qualify for the award these 240 units must comprise of:
- 20 units of Program Core courses plus,
- 10 units of Mathematics Directed courses plus,
- at least one major plus,
- further approved courses to complement the major chosen from other majors in the program or from the list of Other Approved courses.
In addition, students take up to 80 units of electives.
The program must also include:
- At least 60 units of Approved Courses at 1000 level.
- Not more than 100 units of all courses at 1000 level.
- At least 60 units of Approved Courses at 3000 level.
The Mathematics and Statistics majors are co-majors, and can only be taken alongside another major in the Bachelor of Science (i.e. as part of a double major). The Mathematics major cannot be taken alongside the Statistics major (i.e. you cannot take a Mathematics/Statistics double major). Students interested in a Mathematics or Statistics major should also consider enrolment in the Bachelor of Mathematics program.
