Single degree

Degree structure

• This degree requires 144 units
• Completion of the Sustainability Science major (48 units)
• One other minor, specialisation or a second major from a provided list (24units/48 units)
• At least 24 units from outside the colleges of Science (which may be your minor or second major, or electives)
• Other elective units from Science or other Colleges

Double degree

The BISS cannot be taken as part of a double degree, as it already allows you to work across the university.

About this degree

In a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree program you will study a total of 144 units.  Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 courses across your whole degree.

You'll need to take the Sustainability Science major (8 courses) and one other minor (or specialisation) (4 courses), and four electives (4 courses).  If you'd like to, you can use your electives to extend your second minor into a second major. The majors and minors available to BISS students are listed at [http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/BISSU#program-requirements]. You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU.  You can use these electives to explore other areas or to take another major or minor from anywhere around the university, such as a language.

Enrolment Status

While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses.  These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ENVS1234.

• A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.
• You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
• You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
• You need to enrol in courses for at least the Sustainability Science major, including ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability and at least one of 5 other 1st  year courses listed
• You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential minor or a second potential major from the BISS list.
• You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.  But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your degree.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

A course can only ever be counted toward one major or minor.

Exception: A maximum of 12 units of 1000 level courses can count toward two majors that share common first year requirements.

There are over 23 majors, and 39 minors and specialisations available for you to study, from Anthropology to Environmental Policy.  A list of these is available here.

Majors

http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/Search?Source=Catalogue&FilterByMajors=true&CollegeName=CMBE_CPS

 Minors

http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/Search?Source=Catalogue&FilterByMinors=true&CollegeName=CMBE_CPS

 Specialisations

http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/Search?Source=Catalogue&FilterBySpecialisations=true&CollegeName=CMBE_CPS

If you aren’t sure what you want to study for your whole degree, that’s fine. You don’t need to commit to majors or minors until after your first year.  Using electives can help to keep your options open.

When you choose a major, it's a good idea to check the prerequisites electives that interest you.  You can use your electives to enrol in any prerequisite courses. 

There are two main ways to choose courses for majors and minors:

• Choose from the list of BISS majors and minors and see what courses you need to enrol in.
• Choose from the list of first-year courses that interest you and see what majors and minors they count towards.

Because there are so many options available, you will need to take your time choosing what you want to study. Advice is always available.

Electives

While you only need to enrol in courses for the Sustainability Science major and one other minor, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other majors or minors. That way you keep your options open.  Once you've selected courses for your Sustainability Science major, and a minor or second major, you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses. 

To find 1000-level courses, use the catalogue finder.  Remember you can choose from 5 different ANU colleges under the BISS degree.

Study Options

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability)

This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with the required Sustainability Science Major and one Arts minor.

Study Options

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability)

This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with the required Sustainability Science Major a second Science major, with Arts units to contribute to the required non-science component.

Study Options

Academic Advice

For further information on this degree you can:

• Contact the Fenner School of Environment and Society fennerschool@anu.edu.au or
• Download the First Year Science Guide or
• Come and talk to someone face-to-face. You can make an appointment with an academic advisor by emailing science.enquiries@anu.edu.au or phoning 6125 2809.

Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?

Contact Science.Enquiries@anu.edu.au