Science - Undergraduate courses

Bachelor of Science


UTS course code: C10166 UAC code: 607011 Testamur title: Bachelor of Science Abbreviation: BSc Course Director: Associate Professor Rod Buckney Course fee: HECS (local); $8,250 per semester (international) Total credit points: 144 Overview Course aims Admission requirements Advanced standing Attendance Course duration Course structure Course program Majors Assessment Professional recognition Other information Overview This course is designed for future scientists wanting to develop skills and knowledge in a range of scientific disciplines. Students enrol in introductory subjects in many areas of science and may later focus on a specific area of interest. This program is flexible enough to allow students to nominate their own first-year subjects if they so wish and guidance is provided to assist in this process. Students are encouraged to undertake a professional/industrial experience program that leads to the award of the Diploma in Scientific Practice¹. Study for the Diploma consists of a minimum of 30 weeks industrial training and two 6-credit-point subjects. For further information, see the separate entry for the Diploma in Scientific Practice. Footnotes: 1. The Diploma in Scientific Practice is not available to international students. Course aims This course aims to produce professional scientists with highly adaptable and practical scientific and field skills, accompanied by a thorough grounding in theory. Graduates can expect to find employment in a range of areas depending on their chosen specialisations. Graduates can expect to work in positions such as scientific officers with government agencies such as: the CSIRO; Environment Protection Authority; Sydney Water; Department of Urban Affairs and Planning; Department of Land and Water Conservation; Department of Fisheries; National Parks and Wildlife Service; and museums and herbaria. They may also work with local government authorities; as technical and research officers with universities and colleges; or as biotechnologists, communications specialists, pathologists and laboratory scientists or biological scientists in private enterprise. Admission requirements Australian students are required to apply for admission through the NSW University Admissions Centre (UAC). For school leavers, admission is based on UAI scores. We recommend that HSC studies include the following subjects: HSC Mathematics, English and at least one science subject. Non-current school leavers should apply through UAC in addition to submitting a Personal Statement to UTS. Applications are taken from September to December each year. International students should contact the UTS International Office for application procedures. In addition to academic requirements, students are required to meet English language proficiency requirements. Further details are available from the International Office. Advanced standing UTS recognises prior tertiary level learning, including that from other universities and TAFE (Associate Diploma and Diploma only). Once a student's application to study has been accepted, they may apply to receive recognition of successful prior learning, and may therefore be able to complete the course in less than the standard time. Applications for credits and exemptions should be made to the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Science. Attendance Full-time attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week at the University. This enables a full stage of the course to be completed in one semester. Part-time attendance involves approximately 12 hours each week at the University. This form of attendance allows students to complete a full stage in one year. It is expected that employers will release part-time students for at least one half-day per week for attendance at classes. Course duration Students can complete the course in: three years, full time six years, part time four years, full time with successful completion of the Diploma in Scientific Practice, or four years, full time with Honours. Other patterns of attendance may also be permitted. Contact the Course Director for advice. Course structure Subjects currently offered by the University have been classified as Introductory (normally taken in Stages 1 and 2), Intermediate (Stages 3 and 4) and Advanced (Stages 5 and 6 or later). In the Bachelor of Science, students are required to complete: a minimum of 12 credit points of Mathematics/Statistics and Computing subjects, normally in their first year, and at least another 96 credit points of Science subjects, of which 24 credit points must be at Advanced level, and an additional 12 credit points of Advanced level subjects from any area. These three general constraints ensure that graduates complete sufficient Science subjects to be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and sufficient Advanced level subjects to provide credible depth of intellectual development for the award of a degree. Students' choice of Introductory level subjects is meant to be flexible. However, the Faculty recommends four Introductory level programs, designed for students who identify their areas of interest as the Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Materials Technology and related areas), Environmental Sciences (Biology, Earth Sciences), Medical and Molecular Biosciences (Medical and Biomedical Science, Biotechnology) and Computational Science. The recommended Introductory subjects are indicative, not prescriptive, and those recommended allow seamless transfer to the named Science degrees. In addition to the 12 credit points of Mathematics/Statistics and Computing subjects, all students in the program, apart from those interested in mathematics, are expected to enrol in at least 6 credit points (12 credit points is recommended) of Chemistry in their first year. Progression in many areas of Science is problematic without introductory chemistry. Students may take science specialisations after completion of Stage 2. These are defined as science subject sequences of at least 48 credit points at Intermediate and Advanced level, normally with 24 credit points at Advanced level, all focused on a particular area of Science. Typically, any one student could attempt two science specialisations. The Faculty recommends the adoption of at least one Science specialisation, but does not prevent any student from developing a truly multidisciplinary study program that fits timetable constraints and the general constraints defined above. A second and third year program that satisfies the minimum science component of the Bachelor of Science is shown below (see Recommended program: Stage 3–6). Specialisations Examples of Science specialisations available to students in this program are shown below (see Majors). Students are free to nominate their own subject sequences for specialisation, provided that their chosen program meets subject prerequisite requirements, the three general constraints identified above, and can be timetabled. Specialisation areas are not identified on students' testamurs. Electives As indicated in the Recommended program: Stage 3–6, the Bachelor of Science allows for up to 48 credit points of electives, of which 12 credit points are Science electives for a student taking any of the Recommended Introductory programs. The other electives may be taken from anywhere in the University or, with approval, from elsewhere. Students wishing to take electives from another Faculty must obtain that Faculty's permission. Some subjects or subject areas are not available to students in this program. These include subjects from the Forensic Science, and Traditional Chinese Medicine programs in the Faculty of Science and subjects designated by other faculties. The above structure is recommended, rather than prescriptive. Students with sound academic reasons for choosing other pathways to the award of the Bachelor of Science should contact the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning). Provided that the above constraints are met and a student's proposed program can be timetabled, approval will be granted for variation from the above 'typical' structure. Part-time students can take subjects at about half the rate specified above. Students are advised to think carefully about their choice of Advanced subjects during their first year of study. The prerequisites of Advanced-stage subjects are generally at a much higher level than basic stage subjects. Consequently, Advanced level subjects effectively define Intermediate level subjects which students will need. Students who meet, or anticipate, prerequisite 'blockages' should consult with the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) or other academic staff to identify areas of assumed knowledge that the prerequisite subjects provide. Majors: generic Bachelor of Science program A major is defined as a fixed suite of subjects totalling 48 credit points. Twenty-four credit points are taken in each of the second and third years of the degree, though there is scope to vary that prescription by 6 credit points. The benefits to students of formal majors include: the Faculty provides direction in the choice of subjects, so the variety and complexity of programs is diminished a greater clarity in defining a graduates' capabilities, compared to a situation where choice of subjects is totally free, and students receive a testamur that identifies their area or areas of study. The Faculty of Science will, from time to time, approve the offering of named majors within the Bachelor of Science. Students who have completed at least 36 credit points of Introductory-level subjects may, on re-enrolment, apply to enrol in one or two majors. Majors are identified on each student's testamur. In the case of overlap between majors (i.e. when one or more subjects are essential for two majors in which a student is enrolled), the total number of credit points must be made up from subjects offered by the Faculty of Science. The Faculty does not guarantee that any one major can be timetabled with all other majors, so not all combinations are possible if a student wishes to complete in minimum time. Course Directors can advise on the timetable compatibility of major combinations. Students who were enrolled in the Bachelor of Science prior to 2003 and who satisfy the requirements for a major will be enrolled in that major upon application to the Faculty. Course program A typical full-time program that includes the minimum science component is shown below. Recommended Introductory programs: Stages 1–2 Students who identify their area of interest as Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Medical and Molecular Biosciences or Computational Science are advised to enrol as follows in their first (full-time) year. Physical Sciences Stage 1 33190 Mathematical Modelling for Science 6cp 65101 Chemistry 1C 6cp 67101 Introduction to Materials 6cp 68101 Foundations of Physics 6cp Stage 2 33290 Computing and Mathematics for Science 6cp 65201 Chemistry 2C 6cp 67303 Mechanical Properties of Materials 6cp 68201 Physics in Action (Physics 2) 6cp Environmental Sciences Stage 1 65012 Chemistry 1A 6cp 66102 Introduction to Earth Systems 6cp 91101 Cells, Genetics and Evolution 6cp 91151 Plants, People and Environment 6cp Stage 2 33109 Statistics for Environmental Biologists 6cp 91102 Animal Function and Diversity 6cp 91152 Contemporary Environmental Issues 6cp 91153 Catchment Ecosystems 6cp Medical and Molecular Biosciences Stage 1 33116 Statistical Design and Analysis 6cp 65012 Chemistry 1A 6cp 91101 Cells, Genetics and Evolution 6cp 91701 Medical Science 1 6cp Stage 2 65022 Chemistry 2A 6cp 91313 Biochemistry 1 6cp 91702 Medical Science 2 6cp 68041 Physical Aspects of Nature 6cp or 91102 Animal Function and Diversity 6cp Computational Science Stage 1 35101 Mathematics 1 6cp 35170 Introduction to Computing 6cp 68101 Foundations of Physics 6cp xxxxx Elective 6cp Stage 2 35102 Mathematics 2 6cp 68201 Physics in Action (Physics 2) 6cp 68491 Introduction to Computational Science 6cp xxxxx Elective 6cp Recommended program: Stages 3–6 Stage 3 xxxxx Science specialisation subjects 12cp xxxxx Electives¹ 12cp Stage 4 xxxxx Science specialisation subjects 12cp xxxxx Electives¹ 12cp Stage 5 xxxxx Science specialisation subjects 12cp xxxxx Electives^{1, 2} 12cp Stage 6 xxxxx Science specialisation subjects 12cp xxxxx Electives^{1, 2} 12cp Footnotes: 1. At least 12 of these total 48 credit points of electives are normally from the Faculty of Science. 2. At least 12 of these total 24 credit points of electives are normally at Advanced level (see below). Majors Listed below are the subject sequences for majors within the Bachelor of Science. The majors are grouped under the following areas of interest: Physical Sciences; Environmental Sciences; and Medical and Molecular Biosciences. 1. Physical Sciences Analytical Chemistry Stage 3 65202 Organic Chemistry 1 6cp 65621 Environmental Chemistry 6cp Stage 4 65306 Analytical Chemistry 1 6cp 65411 Inorganic Chemistry 1 (Transition Metal Chemistry) 6cp Stage 5 65307 Physical Chemistry 1 6cp 65409 Analytical Chemistry 2 6cp 65509 Inorganic Chemistry 2 (New Inorganic Materials) 6cp or 65508 Organic Chemistry 2 (Structure Elucidation and Synthesis) 6cp Stage 6 at least one of the following 65606 Analytical Chemistry 3 6cp 65607 Physical Chemistry 2 6cp Industrial Chemistry Stage 3 65202 Organic Chemistry 1 6cp 67305 Polymer Science 6cp Stage 4 65410 Chemical Safety and Legislation 6cp 65411 Inorganic Chemistry 1 (Transition Metal Chemistry) 6cp Stage 5 65509 Inorganic Chemistry 2 (New Inorganic Materials) 6cp 65508 Organic Chemistry 2 (Structure Elucidation and Synthesis) 6cp or 65521 Applied Organic Chemistry 6cp Stage 6 67510 Surface Processes 6cp plus one of the following 65062 Extractive Metallurgy/Metallurgical Chemistry 6cp 67606 Corrosion and Degradation of Materials 6cp Applied Physics Stage 3 68315 Imaging Science 6cp 68316 Applied Electronics and Interfacing 6cp Stage 4 68413 Quantum Technology 6cp 68415 Measurement and Analysis of Physical Processes 6cp Stage 5 60504 Research, Technology and Innovation 6cp 68513 Optics and Nanophotonics 6cp Stage 6 68412 Energy Science and Technology 6cp 68606 Solid-state Science and Nanodevices 6cp Materials Technology Stage 3 67305 Polymer Science 6cp 67306 Industrial Ceramics 6cp Stage 4 67408 Industrial Metallurgy 6cp Stage 5 60103 Nanosciences 1 6cp 67407 Physical Properties of Materials 6cp Stage 6 65062 Extractive Metallurgy/Metallurgical Chemistry 6cp 67510 Surface Processes 6cp 67606 Corrosion and Degradation of Materials 6cp 2. Environmental Sciences Animal Sciences Stage 3 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp 91154 Ecology 6cp Stage 4 91309 Biodiversity 6cp 91363 Animal Behaviour and Physiology 6cp Stage 5 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 91121 Aquatic Ecology 6cp Stage 6 91122 Environmental Management 6cp 91xxx Environmental elective 6cp Earth Sciences Stage 3 66306 Foundations of Solid Earth 6cp 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp Stage 4 66410 Surface Dynamics and People 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp Stage 5 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 665xx Earth Sciences elective 6cp Stage 6 91122 Environmental Management 6cp 665xx Earth Sciences elective 6cp Earth Sciences electives 66511 Comparative Planetology 6cp 66512 Environmental and Groundwater Geology 6cp 66513 Oceanography and Palaeoclimates 6cp Urban Horticulture/Plant Sciences Stage 3 91233 Plant Production and Growing Systems 6cp 91270 Plant Physiology and Ecophysiology 6cp Stage 4 91234 Australian Plants and Biotechnology 6cp 91237 Plant Pathology 6cp Stage 5 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 91250 Management of Plants in Landscapes 6cp Stage 6 91122 Environmental Management 6cp 91249 Plant Population Genetics and Biodiversity 6cp Plant Biotechnology Stage 3 91233 Plant Production and Growing Systems 6cp 91314 General Microbiology 6cp Stage 4 91132 Molecular Biology 1 6cp 91234 Australian Plants and Biotechnology 6cp Stage 5 91142 Biotechnology 6cp 91250 Management of Plants in Landscapes 6cp Stage 6 91249 Plant Population Genetics and Biodiversity 6cp 91335 Molecular Biology 2 6cp Ecology Stage 3 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp 91154 Ecology 6cp Stage 4 91109 Microbial Ecology 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp Stage 5 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 91121 Aquatic Ecology 6cp or 91116 Wildlife Ecology 6cp Stage 6 91122 Environmental Management 6cp 91117 Freshwater Ecology 6cp or 91126 Coral Reef Ecosystems 6cp Environmental Science Stages 3 and 4 Choose 24 credit points from the following 91109 Microbial Ecology 6cp 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp 91154 Ecology 6cp 91270 Plant Physiology and Ecophysiology 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp 91363 Animal Behaviour and Physiology 6cp Stages 5 and 6 Choose 24 credit points from the following 91113 Pollution Ecology 6cp 91116 Wildlife Ecology 6cp 91117 Freshwater Ecology 6cp 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 91121 Aquatic Ecology 6cp 91122 Environmental Management 6cp 91126 Coral Reef Ecosystems 6cp 91370 Semi-arid Ecology 6cp 91371 Forest and Mountain Ecology 6cp Marine Sciences Stage 3 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp 91270 Plant Physiology and Ecophysiology 6cp or 91xxx Environmental Science elective 6cp Stage 4 66513 Oceanography and Palaeoclimates 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp Stage 5 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 91121 Aquatic Ecology 6cp Stage 6 91122 Environmental Management 6cp 91126 Coral Reef Ecosystems 6cp Groundwater Management Stage 3 66512 Environmental and Groundwater Geology 6cp 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp Stage 4 91109 Microbial Ecology 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp Stage 5 66036 Identifying Groundwater-dependent Ecosystems 6cp 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp Stage 6 66037 Ecosystem Vulnerability and Valuation 6cp 91122 Environmental Management 6cp Ecosystem Management Stage 3 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp 91154 Ecology 6cp Stage 4 91109 Microbial Ecology 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp Stage 5 91113 Pollution Ecology 6cp 91121 Aquatic Ecology 6cp Stage 6 91122 Environmental Management 6cp 91117 Freshwater Ecology 6cp or 66037 Ecosystem Vulnerability and Valuation 6cp 3. Medical, Health and Molecular Biosciences Occupational Health and Safety Students must take 12 credit points of approved electives plus the following subjects by stage. Stage 3 69312 Occupational Hazard Analysis 6cp 69336 Evaluating Occupational Health and Safety (Construction Industry) 6cp Stage 4 69323 Human Factors/Ergonomic Design 3cp 69332 Chemical Safety (Management) 3cp 69342 Legal Aspects of Occupational Health and Safety 3cp Stage 5 69338 Biological Hazards and Toxicology 6cp 69345 Occupational Health and Safety Management 3cp Stage 6 69335 People and the Physical Environment 3cp 69341 Risk Management 6cp Applied Microbiology Stage 3 91142 Biotechnology 6cp 91314 General Microbiology 6cp Stage 4 91132 Molecular Biology 1 6cp 91330 Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology 6cp Stages 5 and 6 91338 Clinical Bacteriology 6cp 91352 Parasitology 6cp 91368 Bioreactors and Bioprocesssing 6cp 91369 Biobusiness and Environmental Biotechnology 6cp Health Science Stage 3 91320 Biochemistry 2 6cp 91703 Physiological Systems 6cp Stage 4 91704 Behavioural Sciences 6cp 91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics 6cp Stage 5 91706 Neuroscience 6cp 91707 Pharmacology 1 6cp Stage 6 91708 Psychophysiology 6cp 91709 Pharmacology 2 6cp Cell and Molecular Biology Stage 3 91314 General Microbiology 6cp 91320 Biochemistry 2 6cp Stage 4 91132 Molecular Biology 1 6cp plus at least 12 credit points from the following 91326 Analytical Biochemistry 6cp 91330 Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology 6cp 91351 Immunology 1 3cp 91355 Haematology 1 3cp Stages 5 and 6 91335 Molecular Biology 2 6cp xxxxx Biomedical Science electives 12cp Laboratory Pathology Stages 3 and 4 91314 General Microbiology 6cp 91351 Immunology 1 3cp 91354 Anatomical Pathology 6cp 91355 Haematology 1 3cp Stages 5 and 6 91129 Transfusion Science 6cp 91358 Haematology 2 6cp and either 91130 Cytopathology Part A 6cp 91131 Cytopathology Part B 6cp and xxxxx Biomedical Science electives 6cp or xxxxx Biomedical Science electives 18cp Medical Biochemistry Stage 3 91314 General Microbiology 6cp 91320 Biochemistry 2 6cp Stage 4 91132 Molecular Biology 1 6cp 91326 Analytical Biochemistry 6cp Stages 5 and 6 91344 Medical and Diagnostic Biochemistry 6cp 91345 Biochemistry, Genes and Disease 6cp 91355 Molecular Biology 2 6cp xxxxx Biomedical Science elective 6cp Medical Microbiology Stages 3 and 4 At least 24 credit points from the following 91314 General Microbiology 6cp 91330 Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology 6cp 91332 Molecular Biology 1 6cp 91351 Immunology 1 3cp 91355 Haematology 1 3cp 91354 Anatomical Pathology 6cp Stages 5 and 6 91338 Clinical Bacteriology 6cp 91352 Parasitology 6cp xxxxx Biomedical Science electives 12cp Pharmacology Stage 3 91320 Biochemistry 2 6cp 91703 Physiological Systems 6cp Stage 4 91326 Analytical Biochemistry 6cp 91704 Behavioural Sciences 6cp or 91132 Molecular Biology 1 6cp Stage 5 91706 Neuroscience 6cp 91707 Pharmacology 1 6cp Stage 6 91709 Pharmacology 2 6cp xxxxx Medical Science elective 6cp Physiology Stage 3 91703 Physiological Systems 6cp 99636 Essentials of Pathophysiology 6cp Stage 4 91704 Behavioural Sciences 6cp 91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics 6cp Stages 5 and 6 91706 Neuroscience 6cp 91708 Psychophysiology 6cp xxxxx Bio/Medical Science elective 12cp Recommended double major combinations *1. Computational Science (Mathematics and Physics)* Stage 3 Computational Mathematics major 35212 Linear Algebra 6cp 35363 Stochastic Models in Operations Research 6cp Computational Physics major 68315 Imaging Science 6cp xxxxx Mathematics or Physics elective 6cp Stage 4 Computational Mathematics major 35232 Advanced Calculus 6cp 35281 Numerical Methods 6cp Computational Physics major 68414 Particles and Fields 6cp xxxxx Elective 6cp Stage 5 Computational Mathematics major 35231 Differential Equations 6cp 35383 High Performance Computing 6cp Computational Physics major 68510 Advanced Physics 6cp xxxxx Mathematics or Physics elective 6cp Stage 6 Computational Mathematics major 35335 Mathematical Methods 6cp xxxxx Mathematics or Physics Elective 6cp Computational Physics major 68413 Quantum Technology 6cp 68xxx Visualisation and Project 6cp *2. Earth and Environmental Science* Stage 3 Earth Science major 66306 Foundations of Solid Earth 6cp xxxxx Approved elective 6cp Environmental Science major 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp 91111 Pollution Assessment 6cp Stage 4 Earth Science major 66410 Surface Dynamics and People 6cp xxxxx Approved elective 6cp Environmental Science major 91112 Ecological Principles and Modelling 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp Stages 5 and 6 Earth Science major 66511 Comparative Planetology 6cp 66512 Environmental and Groundwater Geology 6cp 66513 Oceanography and Palaeoclimates 6cp xxxxx Approved elective 6cp Environmental Science major 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 91122 Environmental Management 6cp plus two of the following 91119 Terrestrial Ecosystems 6cp 91121 Aquatic Ecology 6cp 91250 Management of Plants in Landscapes 6cp 79004 Environmental Law and Science 6cp *3. Environmental and Urban Horticulture¹* Stage 3 Urban Horticulture major 91233 Plant Production and Growing Systems 6cp 91270 Plant Physiology and Ecophysiology 6cp Environmental Science major 91110 Experimental Design and Sampling 6cp 91111 Pollution Assessment 6cp Stage 4 Urban Horticulture major 91234 Australian Plants and Biotechnology 6cp 91237 Plant Pathology 6cp Environmental Science major 91112 Ecological Principles and Modelling 6cp 91309 Biodiversity 6cp Stage 5 Urban Horticulture major 91120 Mapping and Remote Sensing 6cp 91250 Management of Plants in Landscapes 6cp Environmental Science major 91119 Terrestrial Ecosystems 6cp 91121 Aquatic Ecology 6cp Stage 6 Urban Horticulture major 91249 Plant Population Genetics and Biodiversity 6cp 79004 Environmental Law and Science 6cp Environmental Science major 66611 Engineering and Groundwater Geology 6cp 91122 Environmental Management 6cp Footnotes: 1. Students wishing to take this specialisation are strongly urged to take 91246 Plant Structure, Function and Culture and 91247 Landscape Design and Plant Culture in their first year. Assessment Depending on the subjects chosen, students can expect to undergo a variety of assessment types before completion of this course including formal and informal examinations, assignments and essays, seminar presentations and reports based on field and laboratory work. Assessment tasks may be based on individual or group work. For further details on individual subjects, see the Subject Descriptions section, or contact the subject's coordinator. Professional recognition Depending on the subjects and specialisations chosen, graduates may be eligible to join the relevant professional and industry associations. Contact the Course Director for further details. Other information All students are encouraged to consult the Faculty website at: www.science.uts.edu.au All academic inquiries, including advice on subject and specialisation selection, exemptions and variations in program, should be made to: Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) Associate Professor Rod Buckney telephone (02) 9514 4044 fax (02) 9514 4095 email Rod.Buckney@uts.edu.au