Bachelor of Science
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Science |
| Deakin course code | S320 |
| Course Credit Points | 24 |
| Course version | 4 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2015 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 083996G Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Articulated courses
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Majors
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of major sequences
- Other learning experiences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Prepare to enter the exciting world of scientific discovery with Deakin’s Bachelor of Science. Choose from a wide range of disciplines and forge your own path towards a career that aligns with your passions and goals. More than just laboratory work, this industry-led degree prepares you for the diverse, innovation-driven environments where today’s science graduates thrive. Follow your curiosity into any area of science that inspires you.
You will explore a range of science disciplines at the beginning of your degree, before specialising in the one you enjoy most. Deakin science graduates enter the workforce with confidence thanks to the extensive practical experience built into the course. Gain hands-on training in our advanced science labs, and apply your skills in real-world settings through industry placements and community science projects.
Ready to see how far your curiosity can take you?
The Bachelor of Science trains you to be a scientific explorer, ready to solve tomorrow’s global issues through science and discovery. Graduates are increasingly expected to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, and this degree equips you with the ability to find creative solutions to everyday problems. You will build your foundational knowledge by studying a diverse range of science-related study areas before focusing on a major of your choosing.
Our broad spectrum of majors allows you to tailor your degree to your unique career aspirations. Follow a lifelong passion and get more out of your degree by exploring the subjects that matter most to you.
Best of all, learning isn’t confined to the classroom. Throughout the course, you will gain practical experience through programs undertaken in modern teaching laboratories, completing a community science project or undertaking an industry-based learning placement.
All of this prepares you for real-life science environments and scenarios, meaning you can confidently enter the workforce with the industry experience needed to thrive.
Importantly, you will be guided every step of the way by experts who are leaders in their field. Our teaching staff are active contributors to the science industry, placing them at the forefront of scientific research and ensuring they pass on the skills most valued by employers.
The Bachelor of Science is available as a single degree or as part of a range of double degrees that let you combine your interests and boost your employability. Explore options like our Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching (Secondary) to broaden your career possibilities.
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lecturers, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Science (chemistry major) has been professionally accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Graduates are encouraged to apply for membership with their local RACI branch.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course can pursue various career paths in both public and private sectors. You might explore opportunities in government institutions, where roles span across quality assurance, occupational health and safety, research, planning, management and marketing. Additionally, you could find positions in science-related industries, specialising in pharmaceutical production or sales. Other avenues include biomedical science, involving research or working in hospital and laboratory settings.
Quality assurance roles are available in analytical and diagnostic laboratories, while the food industry offers positions in quality control. Opportunities extend to environmental and natural resources sectors. Graduates might also consider careers in teaching, information technology, mathematics or science journalism, among others.
Participation requirements
You may be required to complete units in Trimester 3 depending on your chosen major. Please refer to the Handbook for unit offering patterns.
Elective units may be selected that may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Articulated courses
| Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) (S494) | |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) (S400) |
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply a broad and coherent knowledge of the scientific disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and the environment within the chosen major area(s) of study to demonstrate a deep understanding of scientific facts, scientific practices and the edifice of science. Apply technical knowledge and skills and use them in a range of activities, in a professional and/or academic setting within the major area(s) of study; this application of technical knowledge and skills being characterised by demonstrable in-depth knowledge of scientific methods and tools, and demonstrable proficiency in the utilisation of chosen major area(s) knowledge. Use hypotheses, laws, facts and theories to investigate, test, analyse, and evaluate scientific data and demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility to argue about characteristics and aspects of scientific theory in the advancement of science. |
| Communication | Demonstrate listening skills and the ability to use a range of communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer audience questions. Articulate the boundaries or limits of scientific information, experimental or field data, discuss error, probability, uncertainty, conclusions and arguments. Judge how well to present essential details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Use well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate scientific literature, information, data and results. |
| Critical thinking | Locate and evaluate scientific information from multiple sources and use scientific methods and frameworks to structure and plan observations, experimentation or fieldwork investigations. Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement to analyse, synthesise and generate an integrated knowledge, formulate hypotheses and test them against evidence-based scientific concepts and principles. |
| Problem solving | Use initiative and creativity in planning, identifying and using multiple approaches to recognise, clarify, construct and solve problems taking into account relevant contextual factors. Advocate scientific methodologies, hypotheses, laws, facts and principles to create solutions to authentic real-world problems. |
| Self-management | Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing professional science contexts to develop autonomy as learners and evaluate own performance. Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices. |
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively as a team to contribute towards achieving team goals and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts. |
| Global citizenship | Apply scientific knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability in collaboration with others to articulate the place and importance of science in the local and global community. |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Science students must pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 9 credit points of core units
- 1 major (6 credit points)
- 9 credit points of open elective units
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3 (including a minimum of 4 Science SLE* units)
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Majors
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Students must complete at least one major from the following areas:
- Animal Biology*
- Cell Biology and Genomics
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
- Human Biology
- Mathematical Modelling
- Plant Biology*
Students wishing to gain credit for a double major combination in the BSc cannot count more than 2 units in common for both majors.
*Enrolment in a Trimester 3 study period is compulsory
Course structure
Core Units
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment |
| SLE115 | Essential Skills in Science |
| SLE123 | Physics for the Life Sciences |
| SLE209 | Science and Society |
| SLE200 | Communicating Science Ideas # |
Choose one from:
| SLE352 | Community Science Project # or |
| SLE301 | Professional Practice # |
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)
∼ Mathematics - choose one from:
| SIT190 | Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs |
| SIT191 | Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis |
∼ Please note:
- It is recommended that students intending to take the Chemistry, Human Biology, Cell Biology and Genomics, Animal Biology, Plant Biology or Environmental Science majors undertake SIT191 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis.
- students intending to take the Chemistry major and who have not previously completed VCE Maths Methods (units 3 and 4) are advised to alternatively undertake SIT190 Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs.
- students intending to take the Mathematical Modelling major who have not completed VCE Maths Methods (units 3 and 4) are strongly advised to first complete SIT190 Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs.
Students intending to take the Mathematical Modelling major are not required to complete SIT190 Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs or SIT191 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis, however, they are able to undertake SIT190/ SIT191 as electives.
Chemistry - choose one from:
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences ^ |
^Assumed knowledge: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
Please note: SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences is a required prerequisite when undertaking the Cell Biology and Genomics and Chemistry majors.
Electives
Select from a range of open elective units, you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
Work experience
You will have the opportunity to undertake a discipline-specific industry- based learning placement as part of your course. This valuable experience allows you to apply and consolidate what you are learning, gain insight into workplace culture and practices, explore career options and develop a professional network before you graduate. Explore the SEBE WIL program.
Animal Biology*
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000064
Overview
This major sequence provides an introduction to different aspects of animal biology, including animal structure and function, evolution and evolutionary biology.
Units
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function |
| SLE204 | Animal Diversity |
| SLE205 | Vertebrate Structure and Function |
| SLE350 | Marine Wildlife (Tri-3) |
| SLE370 | Evolution |
A choose one unit from
| SLE307 | Behavioural Ecology (Tri-1, B) |
| SLE397 | Sensory Ecology (Tri-1, G) |
*Enrolment in a Trimester 3 study period is compulsory
Cell Biology and Genomics
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000077
Overview
This major sequence provides an introduction to the nature of genes, genomes and the molecular and biochemical basis of cells – including their physiological properties, development, function and interaction with their environment. You will also learn about DNA sequencing and analysis, as well as how an understanding of genomics relates to human health and wellbeing . Students will also learn about the molecular basis of disease.
Units
| SLE212 | Biochemistry ^ |
| SLE254 | Genetics and Genomics |
| HMM202 | Molecular Diagnostics |
| SLE357 | Advanced Cell Biology |
| SLE339 | Human Genetics and Genomics |
| SLE340 | Genomes and Bioinformatics |
^ prerequisite unit applies (SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences)
Chemistry
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000009
Overview
This major sequence provides an introduction to the synthesis, separation, detection and measurement of chemical substances, their properties and their reactions.
Units
| SLE210 | Chemistry the Enabling Science * |
| SLE213 | The Analytical Chemist's Toolbox |
| SLE214 | Organic Chemistry |
| SLE361 | Inorganic Chemistry |
| SLE316 | Analytical Chemistry and the Environment |
| SLE318 | Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry |
* prerequisite unit applies (SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences)
Environmental Science
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne)
Unit set code
MJ-S000011
Overview
This major sequence focuses on the technical aspects of environmental science and aims to provide a balance between environmental studies on the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
Units
| SLE102 | Physical Geography |
| SLE245 | Marine Geographic Information Systems |
| SLE231 | Hydrology and Water Resources Management |
| SLE202 | Landscapes and Their Management |
| SLE317 | Australian Vegetation and Its Management |
| SLE395 | Earth Environments and Climate Interpretation |
Food Science
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne)
Unit set code
MJ-S000098
Overview
The food science major equips students with the necessary skills for a career in the food industry. It covers various aspects such as food composition, quality and safety, and consumer and sensory evaluation – finishing with a product development project.
Units
| HSN010 | Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety |
| HSN106 | Food Fundamentals |
| HSN206 | Food Analysis and Quality Assurance |
| HSN204 | Food Safety |
| HSN223 | Sensory Evaluation of Food |
| HSN315 | Food Manufacturing and Process Innovation |
| HSN320 | Trends in Product Development |
Human Biology
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000068
Overview
This major sequence enables you to discover how the body works and why it works that way through studies covering a broad range of areas relevant to human biology. This includes physiology and genetics, and their relationship to human disease.
Units
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| SLE254 | Genetics and Genomics |
| SLE211 | Principles of Physiology |
| SLE221 | Systems Physiology |
| SLE323 | Applications of Biomedical Science |
| SLE339 | Human Genetics and Genomics |
Mathematical Modelling
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online, Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000007
Overview
Studies in mathematical modelling provide you with a strong critical knowledge base and develop powers of analysis, logical thinking and problem solving, as well as a high level of numerical ability.
Units
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics |
| SIT194 | Introduction to Mathematical Modelling |
| SIT291 | Mathematical Methods for Information Modelling |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra for Data Analysis |
| SIT396 | Complex Analysis |
| SIT399 | Optimization Modelling and Decision Analysis |
Mathematical Modelling sub-major sequence for D304 Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching (Secondary)
For students who have completed VCE Mathematical Methods 3 & 4
| SIT191 | Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis |
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics |
| SIT194 | Introduction to Mathematical Modelling |
| SIT291 | Mathematical Methods for Information Modelling |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra for Data Analysis |
or
| SIT281 | Cryptography |
For students who have not completed VCE Mathematical Methods 3 & 4
| SIT191 | Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis |
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics |
| SIT190 | Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs |
| SLE251 | Research Methods and Data Analysis |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra for Data Analysis |
or
| SIT281 | Cryptography |
Plant Biology*
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne)
Unit set code
MJ-S000070
Overview
This major sequence is ideally suited to those interested in botany. It includes studies in plant morphology, identification, reproduction and evolution, as well as vegetation management and biogeography.
Units
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function |
| SLE203 | Environmental Botany |
| SLE237 | Biogeography (Tri-3) |
| SLE317 | Australian Vegetation and Its Management |
| SLE332 | Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Scientists |
| SLE366 | Bushfire Management |
*Enrolment in a Trimester 3 study period is compulsory
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Other course information
In addition to student contribution fees, students may be required to meet their own expenses in connection with travel, food and accommodation while on fieldwork.
Other learning experiences
To broaden your experience of the world, you will have an opportunity to participate in overseas placements and study tours as an elective option in your course.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students fees website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin.