Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) requires completion of 192 units, of which:
A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
A minimum of 36 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list
A minimum of 24 units must come from completion of honours pathway courses from the Science course list
The 192 units must include:
48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:
Biochemistry
Biological Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Environmental and Landscape Science
Geography
Marine Science
Mathematical Economics
Mathematical Finance
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematics
Natural Resource Management
Physics
Science Communication
Statistics
Sustainability Science
Theoretical Physics
Water Science
Either:
24 units from the completion of one of the following Science minors / specialisations:
Abnormal Psychology
Advanced Chemistry Specialisation
Advanced Mathematics Specialisation
Advanced Physics Specialisation
Applied Statistics
Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation
Biochemistry Specialisation
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Biological Anthropology
Biological Neuropsychology
Chemistry
Climate Science and Policy
Cognitive Psychology
Computer Science
Developmental Psychology
Earth and Marine Science
Earth Physics Specialisation
Environmental Policy
Forest Science and Policy
Genetics
Geochemistry and Petrology Specialisation
Geography
Human Ecology
Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
Marine Geoscience Specialisation
Mathematical Physics Specialisation
Mathematics
Microbiology and Immunology
Molecular Biology
Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation
Optics Specialisation
Physics
Plant Science Specialisation
Psychology Specialisation
Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation
Science Communication
Social Psychology
Soil and Land Management
Sustainable Development
Water Science and Policy
24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list
Or:
48 units from completion of a second of the following Science majors:
Biological Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Environmental and Landscape Science
Geography
Marine Science
Mathematical Economics
Mathematical Finance
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematics
Natural Resource Management
Physics
Science Communication
Statistics
Sustainability Science
Theoretical Physics
Water Science
48 units from completion of a Science honours research project
48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements. In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.
Students enrolled in the BSci(Adv)(Hons) must maintain an average of 75% in Science courses each semester to remain in this program. Students who do not maintain 75% will be transferred to the 3 year BSc program but will be allowed to compete for places in Honours.
Honours
Honours Year
No student is guaranteed entry to a particular Honours program or supervisor at the beginning of the degree, rather entry to particular Honours programs will be guaranteed with successful completion of a major at the standard required for continuation in the program.
The work of the Honours year will consist of advanced work in a selected field of study, details of which are given under the individual Schools. The Honours program has specific dates which are advertised in the Honours Handbook. If you complete the requirements for the pass degree at the end of the first semester it is possible, subject to the approval of the School concerned, to commence the Honours program mid-year.
Fields of study in which a degree with Honours may be taken are listed under the previous entry for Bachelor of Science.
Majors
Minors
Specialisations
Elective Study
Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Science Major 1000 level course 6 units | Science elective course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
| Science Major 1000 level course 6 units | Science elective course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units | |
| Year 2 48 units | Science Major 2000 level course 6 units | Science elective course 6 units | Science elective course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
| Science Major 2000 level course 6 units | Science Major 2000 level course 6 units | Science Minor 2000 level course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units | |
| Year 3 48 units | Science Major 3000 level course 6 units | Science 3000 level elective course 6 units | Science Minor 3000 level course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
| Science Major 3000 level course 6 units | Science Major 3000 level course 6 units | Science Minor 2000 level course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units | |
| Year 4 48 units | 4000 level Honours course 24 units | 4000 level Honours course | 4000 level Honours course | 4000 level Honours course |
| 4000 level Honours course 24 units | 4000 level Honours course | 4000 level Honours course | 4000 level Honours course |
Admission Requirements
Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:
• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.
Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.
The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.
Domestic applicant entry requirements
From 2010, the UAI/ENTER/TER will be referred to as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for admission. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ for further information.
Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.
International applicant entry requirements
International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.
- ATAR:
- 95
- QLD Band:
- 4
- International Baccalaureate:
- 37
Prerequisites
There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:
- For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
- CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
- MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
- MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
- MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered
- MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol
- PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major).
Adjustment Factors
The National Access Scheme 2014
ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.
Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.
Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.
How to apply
Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.
Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/eas for more information.
Indicative fees
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $33,168.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
If you are looking for that little bit extra in your degree, the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) provides the same breadth of opportunities as the Bachelor of Science, with the addition of Honours Pathway Options activities. These activities are designed to extend your understanding and introduce you to concepts that are more advanced than standard course activities. For added flexibility, up to a third of your courses can be from other areas of the University, so you can tailor a program to your interests.
Career Options
ANU provides you with more choice for your entrance score by offering the new Flexible Double Degree program.
The ANU Flexible Double Degree lets you build skills for your chosen career without forfeiting your passion. It's your choice to build a double degree partnership that suits your head and your heart.http://students.anu.edu.au/applications/
Employment Opportunities
Employers are increasingly looking for graduates not only with excellent academic results, but also with good communication, interpersonal and analytical skills. Jobs are available in administrative, ecological and technological arenas, but as high quality scientists are in demand, many graduates proceed to further studies (such as at the Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral level) in order to retain a competitive edge in their chosen field. Some graduates undertake specific graduate-level training in areas such as teaching, librarianship or communications to further equip themselves with particular and marketable skills.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program Science graduates will be able to:
- Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic.
- Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
- Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
- Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
- Record original data and apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data when appropriate
Further Information
List of Honours pathway level courses offered by the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment and the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences:
Please note:
An Honours Pathway Option (HPO) is an extra piece of assessment/assignments, assessed at a higher level, attached to a regular course. Students who enrol in certain courses have the option of undertaking this extra piece of assessment and must identify themselves to the course convener at the beginning of the semester so that they can attend the extra classes or submit the extra assignments accordingly. HPOs are usually identified in the handbook or Study@ where there is further information regarding what the assessment entails and how it is graded.
An Honours Pathway Course (HPC) is a course that is inherently taught at a higher level. An HPC is usually identified as such in the Handbook or Study@.
Honours Pathway Option (HPO)
BIOL2121 Genes to Environment
BIOL2131 Population Ecology
BIOL2151 Principles of Genetics
BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression
BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition
BIOL3125 Plants and Global Climate Change
BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity
BIOL3161 Genomics and Applications
BIOL3177 Advances in Molecular Plant Science
CHEM1101 Chemistry 1
CHEM1201 Chemistry 2
CHEM2202 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 1
CHEM2203 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 2
CHEM2209 Physical and Materials Chemistry
CHEM2210 Structural Elucidation in Chemistry
EMSC1008 EARTH: The Chemistry and Physics of our Planet
EMSC2015 Chemistry of the Planet Earth
EMSC2017 Rocks and Minerals
EMSC2019 Geobiology and Evolution of Life on Earth
EMSC2021 Fundamentals of Climate System Science
EMSC3007 Economic Geology
EMSC3024 Magmatism and Metamorphism
EMSC3025 Groundwater
EMSC3027 Paleaoclimatology and Climate Change
ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability
ENVS1003 Environment and Society Research Methods
ENVS1004 Australia's Environment
ENVS1008 Sustainable Development
ENVS2009 Quantitative Environmental Research Methods
ENVS2011 Human Ecology
ENVS2012 Sustainable Environments: Urban
ENVS2013 Society and Environmental Change
ENVS2014 Qualitative Research Methods for Sustainability
ENVS2015 GIS and Spatial Analysis
ENVS2020 Hydrology and Landforms for Natural Resource Management
ENVS2021 Vegetation and Soils: Landscape Co-Evolution and Ecology
ENVS3004 Land and Catchment Management
ENVS3005 Water Resource Management
ENVS3013 Climatology
ENVS3014 Ecological Restoration and Management
ENVS3020 Climate Science and Policy
ENVS3021 Human Futures
ENVS3028 Environmental Policy and Planning
ENVS3040 Solving Complex Environmental Problems
MATH1042 Philosophy of the Cosmos
MATH3062 Fractal Geometry and Chaos Dynamics
MATH3301 Number Theory and Cryptography
MATH3501 Scientific and Industrial Modelling
MATH3511 Scientific Computing
PHYS1101 Physics 1
PHYS1201 Physics 2
PHYS2013 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS2016 Electromagnetism
PHYS3001 Theoretical Physics
PHYS3033 Nuclear Physics
PHYS3034 Physics of Fluid Flows
PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context
PSYC2002 Developmental Psychology
Honours Pathway Courses (HPC)
BIOL3103 Sensory Physiology and Animal Behaviour (not available 2012)
BIOL3132 Field Studies in Behavioural Ecology
BIOL3208 Biology Research Project (6 units)
BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12 units)
CHEM3022 Spectroscopic Techniques in Biophysical Chemistry
CHEM3060 Research Project in Chemistry
MATH1115 Mathematics and Applications 1 Honours
MATH1116 Mathematics and Applications 2 Honours
MATH2320 Analysis 1 Honours: Metric Spaces and Applications
MATH2322 Algebra 1 Honours: Groups, Rings and Advanced Linear Algebra
MATH2405 Maths Methods 1 Honours: Ordinary Differential Equations and Advanced Vector Calculus
MATH2406 Maths Methods 2 Honours: Partial Differential Equations, Fourier Analysis and Complex Analysis
MATH3015 Mathematics of Finance
MATH3029 Probability Modelling with Applications
MATH3104 Applied Algebra 1 Honours: Groups, Rings and Advanced Linear Algebra
MATH3133 Environmental Mathematics
MATH3228 Complex Analysis Honours
MATH3320 Analysis 2 Honours: Topology, Lebesgue Integration and Hilbert Spaces
MATH3325 Analysis 3 Honours: Functional Analysis, Spectral Theory and Applications
MATH3341 Theory of Partial Differential Equations Honours
MATH3342 Differential Geometry H
MATH3343 Foundations of Mathematics Honours
MATH3344 Algebraic Topology Honours
MATH3345 Algebra 2 Honours: Field Extensions and Galois Theory
MATH3349 Special Topics in Mathematics
MATH3351 Topics in Mathematical Physics Honours
MATH3352 Topics in Computational Maths Honours
MATH3353 Topics in Bioinformatics Honours
MATH3354 Algebra 3: Advanced Topics in Algebra
MATH3512 Matrix Computations
MATH3514 Numerical Optimisation
PHYS3002 Advanced Theoretical Physics
PHYS3041 Research Topics in Physics (3 units)
PHYS3042 Research Topics in Physics (6 units)
PHYS3044 Research Topics in Physics (3 units)
PHYS3045 Research Topics in Physics (6 units)
PSYC3002 The Social Psychology of Group Processes and Social Change
PSYC3011 Perception
PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods
PSYC3023 Special Topics in Psychology
Back to the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) page
Please note that if you are commencing your studies in semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. We strongly recommend that you make an appointment with an academic advisor (science.enquiries@anu.edu.au or phoning 6125 2809) to discuss your options. There will also be advisory sessions offered during the week before semester commences.
If you are looking for that little bit extra in your degree, the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) provides the same breadth of opportunities as the Bachelor of Science, with the addition of Honours Pathway Options activities. These activities are designed to extend your understanding and introduce you to concepts that are more advanced than standard course activities. For added flexibility, up to a third of your courses can be from other areas of the University, so you can tailor a program to your interests.
Single degree
- This degree requires 192 units
- A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
- A minimum of 36 units 3000 level Science courses
- One Science major (48 units)
- One Science minor, specialisation or a second Science major (24 units/48 units)
- An average of 75% in Science courses must be maintained to remain in the program
- Completion of at least 4 Honours Pathway Options/Courses in the first 3 years of study
- Other courses from Science or another ANU College (maximum non-science allowed 48 units)
About this degree
In a Bachelor of Science (Advanced)(Honours) single degree program you will study a total of 192 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 one Science major (8 courses) and one Science minor (or specialisation) (4 courses), and four Science electives (4 courses). If you'd like to, you can use your Science electives to extend your Science minor into a second Science major. You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Science subject, such as history or marketing.
In your 4th year of study you will undertake the Honours year in a single discipline usually closely related to your major.
Enrolment Status
It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.
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 SCNC1234.
- 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 one potential Science major
- You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Science minor or a second potential Science major
- 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 single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Science half of the double 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 sixty Science majors, minors and specialisations available for you to study, from Astronomy and Astrophysics to Water Science. A list of these is available here (this will link to the majors and minors page in P&C and come up as a separate page so students can toggle easily).
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.
There are two main ways to choose courses for majors and minors:
- Choose from the list of Science majors and minors and see what first year courses you need to enrol in.
- Choose from the list of first-year Science courses and see what majors and minors they count towards.
The following links will take you to the full lists of Science majors, minors and specialisations:
Majors
Minors
Specialisations
Because there are so many options available, you will need to take your time choosing what you want to study. To help you choose Science courses you can go to the following link to download (and print) the Science First Year Guide:
Electives
While you only need to enrol in courses for one Science major and one Science minor, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Science majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for a Science major, and a Science minor or second Science 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 up to 8 courses from another ANU College at the University.
Study Options
Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours)
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Science (Advanced)(Honours) with one Science Major and one Science minor.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Science Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Science Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Science Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
| Science Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Science Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Science Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
Academic Advice
For further information on prerequisites and Science disciplines you can:
- Download the First Year Science Guide or
- Email science.enquiries@anu.edu.au, 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
