Bachelor of Science (Honours)

The program can be completed over one year of full-time study or part-time equivalent. Courses are offered on a semester basis, i.e. two semesters per year. The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is offered at Callaghan and Ourimbah Campuses.

Please note that specialisations are not available at both campuses.

The specialisations of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Science, Forensic Science, Geography and Environmental Studies, Photonics, Physics and Psychology are available to students at the Callaghan campus.

The Marine Science and Sustainable Resource Management specialisations are available at the Ourimbah campus only.

The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) approved sequence in Psychology is not available for students who commenced the Bachelor of Science program from 2012. Any students who commenced prior to 2012 and who are studying the accredited sequence in Psychology, please review the Transition Arrangements section.

Honours gives you a competitive advantage. According to Graduate Careers Australia (GCA, 2006) "many employers will now prefer or even stipulate that candidates have at least an Honours degree when recruiting". The advanced skills and knowledge you gain in Honours are respected and sought after.

In Honours you work one-on-one with an academic on a research project. Academics are excited about their research. You will get personal attention. You will participate in the research culture of the School. You can contribute to the development of knowledge in your particular area.

Graduates can find careers across a diverse range of fields working in private industry and government organisations or as a consultant. Depending on the specialisation chosen graduates find employment in pathology laboratories, chemical analysis, 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. An Honours degree can also lead to a research career in academia or elsewhere.

All domestic students can now enrol in an undergraduate Diploma in Languages alongside their main degree program. This diploma will enhance proficiency in another language or languages, and will increase international career opportunities. Subject to course availability, this additional program will generally add an extra year to studies, and students will graduate with a Diploma in Languages as well as their other degree. Please note that all language courses are held on campus (face to face) at Callaghan.

International students cannot enrol concurrently in the Diploma in Languages alongside their primary program unless they can complete both programs within the duration of their primary program CoE. For more information please contact the ESOS Student Compliance Unit ESOS@newcastle.edu.au.

Applicants must have successfully completed the Bachelor of Science or an equivalent program with a minimum GPA of 5.0 (credit grade average) calculated from:

• Across the entire degree program; or
• Across a major in the proposed discipline of study, if the degree program includes such a major; or
• Across 80 units of 3000 level courses (which must include at least 40 units of 3000 level courses in the major where a major exists); or
• Where the applicant has completed less than 80 units at 3000 level, a GPA of 5.5 calculated from at least 60 units of 3000 level courses (which must include at least 40 units of 3000 level courses in the major where a major exists).

In exceptional circumstances, the above requirements may be varied with permission of the Head of School and Pro-Vice Chancellor.

No more than two years must have elapsed since completion of the undergraduate degree.

• To apply for entry to this Honours program you will need to apply directly to the Faculty of Science and Information Technology.

  You need to download and complete two forms:

  • Direct Admissions Application form; and
  • Faculty of Science and Information Technology Honours Application Form (End-On Honours).

  Application forms and instructions on how to apply are available at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/student-forms/

No credit permitted for Honours.

There are three classes of Honours: Class I, Class II and Class III. Class II will have two divisions, namely Division 1 and Division 2. The grading and marking of End On Honours programs is defined in the Structure for Model 1 Honours Programs Policy (Policy 000643) at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000643.html

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All students can also access additional learning support mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/index.html

The support structures of the Student Support Unit will be available to assist any students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty 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 can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.

Students seeking to complete the Bachelor of Science (Hons) with a specialisation in Psychology, must have completed:

• PSYC1010 and PSYC1020;
• 40 units of accredited Psychology at 2000 level, including STAT200;
• 60 units of accredited Psychology at 3000 level, including PSYC3000.

Entry to the Honours program in Psychology is limited and competitive. Applicants compete on the basis of their results in their prior APAC accredited 3 year undergraduate degree and students with an overall GPA of 5.5 (in their APAC accredited degree of 240 units) will be granted automatic entry. With respect to other disciplines, and in exceptional circumstances, this requirement may be varied with the approval of the Pro Vice-Chancellor.

Students are encouraged to consider joint supervision across specialisations and the disciplines of Mathematics and Statistics. Joint supervision enhances the flexibility of students, opening up additional opportunities where skills in both areas are sought after.