The Bachelor of Arts and Science requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). Students are required to complete two major sequences - one in arts and one in science. Students who wish to complete two majors in either arts or sciences should transfer to the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science respectively.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
Course aims
The Bachelor of Arts and Science provides students with the broadest range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University. Majors can be taken within the Colleges of: Education, Psychology and Social Work; Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Science and Engineering; and Business, Government and Law.
The course aims to provide students with:
- a sound basis of knowledge in both an arts and a science discipline
- the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired
- the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways including to all forms of audience
- an appreciation of the multidisciplinary aspect of both science and arts disciplines and an ability to engage positively with people and ideas beyond their own discipline area
- appreciate the role of science in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises
- the ability to work both independently and collaboratively; and
- the skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the three-year Bachelor of Arts and Science degree students will have:
- in-depth knowledge in a science and an arts areas of study
- a body of knowledge across a range of disciplines
- an ability to analyse, synthesise and communicate knowledge in two very different areas of study
- an appreciation of the relationships and connections between different science and arts disciplines and understand such relationships and connections in respect of the disciplines they have studied
- skills in the application of knowledge, and in collaborating across boundaries
- independent and lifelong learning skills
- an appreciation of ethical values.
Students should:
- be familiar with theories, factual content and research procedures in their major fields of study
- be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas and solve problems
- understand the processes through which current knowledge was developed
- understand the relationships and connections between different fields of study.
Within their fields of study students will have developed:
- communication and presentation skills (oral, written, electronic and graphic)
- teamwork and interpersonal skills (including an understanding of cultural diversity)
- management and planning skills (including self-management skills)
- intellectual and creative skills.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Arts and Science, a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.
The 108 units must includes a minimum:
- 36 units comprising one Arts major sequence selected from the list of major sequences listed under the Bachelor of Arts* or the Archaeology major;
- First year science topics as required by the Science major sequence;
- 36 units upper year topics required by the Science major sequence selected from the list of areas listed under the Bachelor of Science*;
- 13.5 units of core topics;
- elective topics to bring the total to 108 units and to satisfy prerequisite requirements of the majors chosen.
*Students choosing the BSc Geography major cannot undertake the BA Geography and Environmental Studies major.
No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree.
Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
COMS1001 Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 units) (See note 1)
NMCY1001 Academic and Professional Numeracy (4.5 units) (See note 2)
9 units from one Arts major or the Archaeology major
9 units from one Science major
9 units of electives (See notes 3, 4)
Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
13.5 units from one Arts major or the Archaeology major
18 units from one Science major
4.5 units of electives (See note 4, 5)
Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) (See note 6)
13.5 units from one Arts major or the Archaeology major
18 units from one Science major
Notes
1. Under certain conditions COMS1001 may be replaced with an alternative topic. See the topic information for COMS1001 for further details.
2. Students should be aware that certain science major sequences require or assume a higher level of mathematics than that covered by NMCY1001. NMCY1001 may therefore be replaced with any of the following topics as appropriate:
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A
MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A
PSYC1106 Research Methods 1
Students who have completed SACE Mathematical Studies or SACE Specialist Mathematics (or IB equivalent topics) may choose an alternative topic.
3. Some science majors require specific additional first year topics to progress to later year topics. Please consult the selected major for advice.
4. Any topics offered by the University may be chosen to complete the 108 units, provided course and prerequisite requirements are met. In choosing topics, students must pay attention to the assumed knowledge requirements specified for those topics and the requirements of later year topics.
5. The Psychology major requires that this topic be chosen from PSYC2019 and PSYC2021. This choice affects the available Year 3 topics. Please consult with Psychology for advice.
6. For students completing the Psychology major, STEM3001 will be replaced by PSYC3007.
