*Please note that there is no intake into this course at the Warrnambool Campus in 2016. The Bachelor of Science will be offered at the Warrnambool Campus in 2017.
Science at Deakin is a flexible degree that allows you to explore a diverse range of science-related study areas before you choose to specialise in at least one area of interest as you progress through the course. The degree is about more than just laboratory work, and prepares you for a diverse range of real-life settings in which today's science graduates work. Specialisations are available in Animal Biology, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, Environmental Science, Human Biology, Mathematical Modelling, Natural History and Plant Biology.
Throughout the course you’ll gain experience through practical programs undertaken in modern teaching laboratories, complete a Community Science Project and have an opportunity to undertake an Industry-Based Learning placement, which will provide you with valuable work experience before you graduate.
This course is available as a single degree or as a combined degree course with Arts, Commerce, Law and Teaching.
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, fisheries resource management, aquaculture management, teaching, information technology, mathematics or science journalism to name a few.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Science, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The 24 credit points include 8 core units (these are compulsory), 10 elective units (you can choose which ones to study) and 6 units from a major study (you will be required to complete at least one major).
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. Students must complete at least one major from the following areas:
The major sequences in Fisheries and Aquaculture and Freshwater Biology are only available at the Warrnambool Campus. Warrnambool students may also complete the Mathematical Modelling major which is offered cloud (online). Students who wish to complete the freshwater biology or fisheries and aquaculture major may commence their study at Melbourne Burwood Campus or Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus and then relocate to the Warrnambool Campus to complete the requirements of these majors.
^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.
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point unit)
Course structure
Electives
Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. In some cases you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
Details of major sequences
Details of major sequences
Fisheries and Aquaculture
(not available in 2016)
Campus
Warrnambool
Unit set code
MJ-S000072
Overview
This major sequence provides you with comprehensive training in fisheries resource management, aquaculture management, and fisheries biology, with a focus on environmental sustainability, particularly renewable resource exploitation and culture of marine and freshwater species. You will learn about fisheries and aquaculture from a global perspective, including topics such as fish markets, nutrition and farm certification processes, the history of Australian fisheries, fisheries methods and impacts of fishing.
This major sequence is ideally suited to those interested in botany and includes studies in plant morphology, identification, reproduction and evolution, as well as vegetation management and biogeography.
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.
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, including physiology and genetics, and their relationship to human disease.
Freshwater biology is the study of freshwater ecosystems and the relationships between freshwater organisms and their physical and chemical environment. Focused on understanding and managing rivers, lakes and wetlands, you will develop the knowledge and skills to manage freshwater ecosystems and resources, whilst participating in fieldwork opportunities and industry placements. 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.
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.
This major sequence provides students with an initial grounding in chemistry and builds towards specialised skills in materials chemistry (which involves the study and design of new materials) and electrochemistry (which deals with the interaction between electrical energy and chemical change).
* prerequisite unit applies (SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences)
Details of major sequences
Natural History
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne)
Unit set code
MJ-S000069
Overview
Natural history involves the study of plants and animals in their natural environment, and leans more towards observational than experimental study methods. This major sequence emphasises the biological aspects of natural history, and includes studies in zoology, botany and palaeontology.
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)
Details of major sequences
Cell Biology
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Unit set code
MJ-S000065
Overview
This major sequence provides an introduction to the molecular and biochemical basis of cells, including their physiological properties, development, function and interaction with their environment. Students will also learn about the molecular basis of disease.
* prerequisite unit applies (SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences)
Details of major sequences
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.
