Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science |
| Deakin course code | D311 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 085868M 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
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Gain a competitive edge in the job market by studying the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science double degree. Complement your understanding of science with invaluable skills like critical thinking and strong communication and open a world of exciting career options once you graduate.
You do not need to have a defined career path mapped out when you start this combined course. Choose from a wide range of science and arts study areas and discover what disciplines you love as you progress.
The freedom to create your own study journey is a highlight of this course. So too is the extensive practical experience on offer. There are opportunities to gain a global perspective of arts with a range of international experiences. Plus, you will get hands-on training in world-class science labs, and plenty of industry experience through community science projects and professional placements.
Want to secure your future with a combined course that prepares you for work in any industry?
More than just a qualification that demonstrates your expertise across a broad spectrum of fields, the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science lets you create a unique degree that highlights your skills and passions.
In the arts stream, you will develop specialist knowledge in your chosen disciplines and learn how to apply creative and strategic thinking to solve real-world issues. You will also develop transferable skills such as communication, research, critical thinking, and problem-solving, making you highly employable within a range of industries.
Learning from teaching staff who are active in their fields and recognised as leading practitioners, you will gain hands-on experience relevant to your chosen disciplines in our world-class purpose-built facilities.
Benefit from the many work placements we offer and graduate ready to take your studies beyond the classroom and into the real world. Advance your job-readiness and gain a competitive edge by undertaking a study tour, internationally focused internship in Australia or overseas, language study, or longer study abroad exchange experience.
The science stream will train you to be a scientific explorer, ready to solve tomorrow’s global issues through science and discovery. You’ll build your foundational knowledge through a range of science-related study areas before focusing on one of eight majors:
- animal biology
- cell biology and genomics
- chemistry
- environmental science
- food science
- human biology
- mathematical modelling
- plant biology.
Best of all, learning extends beyond the classroom. Throughout your science units, you will gain practical experience through programs in modern science laboratories and by completing a Community Science Project or an industry-based learning placement. All of this prepares you for real-life science environments and scenarios, so you can confidently enter the workforce with the industry experience needed to thrive.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Science (Chemistry major) has been professionally accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Graduates of this course are encouraged to apply for membership of the respective local branch of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Career opportunities
Deakin’s Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science allows you to explore the relationships among various areas of study, combining them in innovative ways to prepare yourself for a broad range of career opportunities in industry, government and research. The types of opportunities available will depend on the major sequences taken within the course. For more detailed information on career outcomes for this combined course, see the entries for the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
You may be required to complete units in Trimester 3 depending on your chosen major. Please refer to the Handbook for unit offering patterns.
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.
Alternative exits
Course Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science students must pass 32 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
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Arts
- 1 Arts major (8 credit points)
- remaining credit points, which may comprise of:
- 1 additional arts major
- 1 additional arts minor
- open electives
- Employability sequence
- a combination of the above
- a minimum of 4 credit points of Arts coded units at level 3
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Science
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
- SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- 9 credit points of core Science units
- 1 Science major (6 credit points)
- a minimum of 4 credit points of Science coded units at level 3
- Course requirements for both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science must be satisfied
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.
Course structure
Bachelor of Arts Majors and Minors
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
One (1) approved Arts major sequences of 8 credit points selected from A310 Bachelor of Arts Major/Minor listing, the remaining credit point(s) may be used to undertake a Bachelor of Arts minor sequence or to take additional elective units chosen from the Bachelor of Arts. A minimum of 4 credit points at level 3 of Arts coded units.
- Animation (Minor)
- Anthropology (Major and Minor)
- Arabic (Major and Minor)
- Chinese (Major and Minor)
- Criminology (Major and Minor)
- Design Thinking (Minor)
- Education (Major and Minor)
- English - Children's Literature (Major and Minor)
- English - Creative Writing (Major and Minor)
- English - Literature (Major and Minor)
- Film and Television Studies (Major and Minor)
- Gender and Sexuality Studies (Major and Minor)
- Global Challenges (Minor)
- History (Major and Minor)
- Indigenous Studies (Major and Minor)
- Indonesian (Major and Minor)
- International Relations (Major and Minor)
- Media and Communication (Major and Minor)
- Media Studies (Major and Minor)
- Middle East Studies (Major and Minor)
- Performing Arts (Major and Minor)
- Philosophy (Major and Minor)
- Politics and Policy Studies (Major and Minor)
- Public Relations Studies (Major and Minor)
- Religious Studies (Major and Minor)
- Social Media (Major and Minor)
- Sociology (Major and Minor)
- Spanish (Major and Minor)
- Sport and Society (Minor)
- Sport Journalism (Major and Minor)
- Strategic Advertising (Major and Minor)
- UX* Design (Minor)
- Visual Arts and Photography (Major and Minor)
- Visual Communication Design (Major and Minor)
- Web Design (Minor)
*UX refers to User Experience
Employability sequence
| AWL100 | Your Future Direction |
Plus 1 credit point from:
| AWL200 | Leadership and Transformation |
| AWL201 | Communication and Persuasive Presentation |
| AWL202 | Entrepreneurial Mindset |
| AWL203 | Expand Your Experience |
Plus 1 credit point from:
| AWL300 | Internship |
| AWL301 | Enhance Your Experience |
| AWL302 | Your Professional Story |
Bachelor of Science 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.
Bachelor of Science Majors and Minors
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*
*Enrolment in a Trimester 3 study period is compulsory
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.