Digital + Material
Innovation + Engagement
Combine cutting-edge digital practices with internationally-renowned art and craft studio disciplines in the Bachelor of Design.
Design students will benefit from deep immersion in digital, manual and theoretical studies and a wide overview of creative practices. From coding, to making, to manufacture, students apply hands-on design to digital and physical materials. Students delve into web design, data visualisation, and interaction design, and experiment in studios to develop expertise in the latest digital form and fabrication processes.
This degree prepares students with transferable knowledge and skills required to make their mark on a rapidly changing world.
With a myriad of majors and minors, craft a science degree that is uniquely yours with the ANU Bachelor of Science.
You’ll have the opportunity to experiment in our state-of-the-art laboratories while being mentored by leading scientists. You’ll have the flexibility to go on fieldtrips, take your studies overseas, or try an internship.
Whether your passion lies in marine science or mathematics, physics or psychology, you’ll be able to explore your interests and follow your passions with our most flexible science degree.
Find out more about our science study areas, degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.
Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Design may find careers in fields including object design, visual communication, data visualisation, user experience design, graphic design, web design, interface design, design thinking and strategic design.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Design may find careers in fields including object design, visual communication, data visualisation, user experience design, graphic design, web design, interface design, design thinking and strategic design.
Learning Outcomes
demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials and technologies in their relevant discipline;
research, develop and evaluate design concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively;
apply skills and knowledge to the creation, visualisation and production of design projects;
work independently and collaboratively on design projects and respond to project demands;
interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences; and
recognise and reflect on social, cultural technological, environmental and ethical issues of creative practice and design considering local and international perspectives.
- develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in educational and professional contexts;
- use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to problems and issues;
- convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
- work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives;
- exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 80
- International Baccalaureate:
- 29
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 (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
- MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
- MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor 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
Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded.
You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:
- applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
- undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
- achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
- not previously attempted tertiary study.
Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Design - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Science - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $48,384.00
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.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Design flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 42 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
DESN1002 Visual Communication: Design and Production
DESN1003 Contemporary Design in Context
DESN1004 The Past as Prototype: History, Ethics and Concepts for Design in the Twenty-First Century
12 units from completion of DESN3010 Design Practice: Engagement, Internship and Entrepreneurship, which must be completed twice with a different topic each time
A minimum of 12 units from completion of foundation courses from the following list:
ARTV1020 Figure & Life
ARTV1021 Image and Object
ARTV1033 Hold Everything: Studio Foundation
DESA1021 Precise Drawing and Model Making
6 units from completion of theory courses from the following list:
ANTH2005 Traditional Australian Indigenous Cultures, Societies and Environment
ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space
ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning
ARTH2043 After the Bauhaus: Design from the Interwar Period to the Age of Climate Crisis
ARTH2162 Art in the Digital Age
ARTH2167 Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design
ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability
ENVS1008 Sustainable Development
GEND1001 Sex, Gender and Identity: An Introduction to Gender Studies
GEND1002 Reading Popular Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Studies
GEND2023 Gender, Sex and Sexuality: An Introduction to Feminist Theory
HUMN1001 Digital Culture: Being Human in the Information Age
HUMN2001 Digital Humanities: Theories and Projects
INDG1001 Indigenous Peoples, Populations and Communities
PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction
PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking
PHIL1007 What is Humanity?
PHIL1008 Introduction to Ethics
PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context
SOCY1002 Self and Society
SOCY1004 Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology
A minimum of 12 units from completion of design courses from the following list:
DESN2002 Foundations of Creative Code
DESN2003 Creative Data Visualisation: Representing Data in Visual and Material Form
DESN2004 Dynamic Design and Generative Systems
DESN2006 Front-End Web: Crafting Online Experience
DESN2001 Digital Form and Fabrication
DESN2005 Form and Fabrication in Context
DESN2007 Design Fiction: Speculative and Critical Design
DESN2008 Design Thinking: Human-Centred Design Methodologies
DESN2009 Typography in Context: digital typographic design
DESN2010 Making Creative and Critical Technologies: physical computing for art and design
DESN2012 The Ethics of Making: Design for Reuse and Repair
A minimum of 18 units from completion of studio courses from the following list:
ARTV1101 Ceramics: Introduction to Clay Forming and Technology
ARTV1102 Ceramics: Throwing & Surface Decoration
ARTV1201 Furniture: Shape/Structure
ARTV1202 Furniture: Elevate/Surface
ARTV1301 Glass Hot Forming Introduction: Fundamentals for Contemporary Practice
ARTV1302 Glass Kiln Forming Introduction: Fundamentals for Contemporary Practice
ARTV1403 Jewellery & Object: Introduction to Precise Miniature Construction
ARTV1404 Jewellery & Object: Maker, Wearer, Viewer, User
ARTV1501 Painting: Introducing Painting
ARTV1502 Painting: Composition & Space
ARTV1601 Hyperanalogue: the alchemy of darkroom photography
ARTV1610 PhotoVideo: Interrogating the Camera
ARTV1611 Expanded Studio Practice: Constructing Worlds
ARTV1612 Video Art: Editing & Montage
ARTV1613 Foundations of Animation
ARTV1614 Post-Digital Photography: bending the image
ARTV1703 Drawing into Print: Etching and Relief
ARTV1704 Drawing into Print: Screen Printing and Stencils
ARTV1803 Supports: conceptual and material
ARTV1804 Place, time, and wood
ARTV1901 Textiles: Plants & Place
ARTV1902 Textiles: Pattern & Print
ARTV2027 Professional Practice: Economies and Ecologies in the Australian Cultural Sector
ARTV2038 Workshop Atelier
ARTV2057 Hands On: Material Language
ARTV2059 Immersive Media
ARTV2060 Contexts of Making: Globalisation and Change
ARTV2061 Contexts of Making: Materiality and Value
ARTV2117 Ceramics: Glaze & Colour Development
ARTV2119 Ceramics: Experimental Methods and Meanings
ARTV2120 Ceramics: Designing for the Table and Home
ARTV2124 Ceramics: Surface, Form and Connectivity
ARTV2125 Ceramics: Moulding, Casting & Digital Technologies
ARTV2206 Furniture: Bend/Curve
ARTV2207 Furniture: Support/Body
ARTV2208 Furniture: Contain/Display
ARTV2209 Furniture: Collect/Treasure
ARTV2313 Glass Kiln Casting for Contemporary Practice
ARTV2314 Glass Blowing for Contemporary Practice: Materiality and Form
ARTV2315 Glass Kiln Forming for Contemporary Practice
ARTV2316 Glass Blowing for Contemporary Practice: Utility and Narrative
ARTV2401 Jewellery & Object: Making with machines
ARTV2402 Jewellery & Object: Utility as Context
ARTV2410 Jewellery & Object: Experimenting with process
ARTV2421 Jewellery & Object: Hollow Construction
ARTV2506 Painting: Approaches to Abstraction
ARTV2507 Painting: Painting in the Photo Digital Age
ARTV2508 Painting: Taking Your Own Direction
ARTV2509 Painting: Approaches to Composition and Colour
ARTV2605 The Photographic Document: Materiality and Form
ARTV2607 Photomedia: Large Format Photography
ARTV2608 Photomedia: Experimental Processes
ARTV2609 Animation and Video: Visual Storytelling
ARTV2610 Animation and Video: Character development
ARTV2613 Animation and Video: Landscape and Environment
ARTV2614 Animation and Video: Non-linear Forms
ARTV2706 Printmedia and Drawing: Drawing Beyond the Line
ARTV2707 Printmedia and Drawing: Extended Etching and Relief Printing
ARTV2708 Printmedia and Drawing: Construct Meaning with Drawing
ARTV2715 Printmedia and Drawing: Typography
ARTV2717 Printmedia and Drawing: The Book as Art
ARTV2723 Printmedia and Drawing: Extended Screen Printing
ARTV2727 Printmedia and Drawing: Lithography
ARTV2801 Socially Engaged Art Practice: Authorship, Dialogue and Community
ARTV2802 Politics of Memory: Video Installation, Sculpture, Documentary and Monuments
ARTV2810 Politics of Bodies: Sculpture, Figure Modelling, Performance and Choreography
ARTV2820 Politics of Spaces: Installation, Sculpture and Spatial Practice
ARTV2821 Posthuman Sculpture Practice with Active Materials: Bronze Casting, 3D Modelling and Bio Art
ARTV2830 Automation and Autonomy: Process, Accident, Sculpture
ARTV2906 Textiles: Approaches to Drawing for Craft and Design
ARTV2907 Subverting Stitch
ARTV2908 Woven Worlds
ARTV2909 Social Fabric: Crafting Communities
ARTV2911 Spatial/Temporal Methods
ARTV2921 Environment Studio: field based research and studio practice in visual arts
ARTV3507 Painting: Open to Influence Studio Research
ARTV3508 Painting: Materiality and Meaning
ARTV3510 Painting: Critical Analysis and Reflection in the Studio
The Bachelor of Science flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list
The 96 units must include:
48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:
Agricultural Innovation
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Biochemistry
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Biological Anthropology
Cell & Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Climate Science
Computer Science
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology
Geography
Human Biology
Human Evolutionary Biology
Marine Science
Mathematical Economics
Mathematical Finance
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematics
Resource and Environmental Management
Physics
Psychology
Quantitative Biology
Quantitative Environmental Modelling
Science Communication
Statistics
Sustainability Studies
Water Science
Either:
24 units from the completion of one of the following Science minors / specialisations:
Abnormal Psychology Minor
Advanced Chemistry Specialisation
Advanced Mathematics Specialisation
Advanced Physics Specialisation
Advanced Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation
Applied Statistics Minor
Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation
Biology Minor
Biochemistry Specialisation
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Biological Anthropology Minor
Biological Neuropsychology Minor
Biomedical Science Specialisation
Chemistry Minor
Climate Science and Policy Minor
Cognitive Psychology Minor
Computer Science Minor
Developmental Psychology Minor
Earth and Marine Science Minor
Earth Physics Specialisation Minor
Environmental Geology Specialisation
Environmental Policy Minor
Evolution and Ecology Specialisation
Forest Science and Policy Minor
Genetics Specialisation
Geochemistry and Petrology Specialisation
Geography Minor
Geophysics and Geology Specialisation
Human Ecology Minor
Mathematical Physics Specialisation
Mathematics Minor
Microbiology and Immunology Specialisation
Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation
Optics Specialisation
Philosophy and Science Minor
Physics Minor
Plant Science Specialisation
Professional Science Engagement Specialisation
Psychology Specialisation
Science Communication Minor
Social Psychology Minor
Soil and Land Management Minor
Sustainable Development Minor
Water Science and Policy Minor
24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list
Or:
48 units from completion of a second Science majors, listed above
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.
Majors
Bachelor of Science Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Science Minors
Bachelor of Design Minors
Specialisations
Bachelor of Science Specialisations
Back to the Bachelor of Science page
Do you have boundless
interests you can't pin down? Are you curious about parasites and planets and
everything in between?
Explore the endless possibilities of astronomy and astrophysics, biological anthropology, biology, chemistry, climate science, computer science, earth science, environmental policy, evolution and ecology, genetics, geography, immunology, marine science, mathematics and statistics, natural resource management and sustainability, physics, plant science, psychology and neuroscience, and science communication (just to name a few).
Whatever you choose to study, you will gain transferrable skills in critical thinking, analysis, investigation and evidenced-based decision making.
With the ANU Bachelor of Science you have the flexibility to explore all your interests, tailoring a program for the direction you choose to take science.
Single degree
- This degree requires 144 units
- A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
- A minimum of 30 units 3000 level Science courses
- One Science major (48 units)
- One Science minor,
specialisation (24 units) or a second Science major (48 units)
- Other courses from Science course list or another ANU College (maximum non-science allowed 48 units)
Double degree
- The Bachelor of Science in a double degree requires 96 units Science courses
- A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
- A minimum of 30 units 3000 level Science courses
- One Science major (48 units)
- One Science minor, specialisation or a second Science major (24units/48 units)
- Other courses from the Science course list
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Science single 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 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 (science or non-science courses). 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.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of Science double degree program you will study a total of 96 units of Science course. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Science degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
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.
The maximum period for completion of the degree program is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the program. The 10 years includes periods of leave.
Where there is mention of Science courses, majors, minors and specialisations this refers to courses, majors, minors and specialisations that are offered by the College of Health and Medicine and College of Science as well as some that are offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Business and Economics and College of Arts and Social Sciences as listed below.
Courses offered by College of Health and Medicine and College of Science include any courses commencing with the following codes:
ASTR BIOL CHEM EMSC ENVS MATH NEUR PHYS PSYC SCNC SCOM VCUGCourses offered by other ANU Colleges can be found on the Science Course List.
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.
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. You can find all the possibilities on our Program and Courses website.
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.
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.
Remember you can choose up to 8 courses from another ANU College at the University if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Science program.
Study Options
Bachelor of Science - single degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Science with one Science Major and one Science minor.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | 1000 level course Science Major 6 units | 1000 level Science elective or minor course 6 units | Science or non-science elective 6 units | Science or non-science elective 6 units |
| 1000 level course Science Major 6 units | 1000 level Science elective or minor course 6 units | Science or non-science elective 6 units | Science or non-science elective 6 units |
Bachelor of Science - double degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Science (degree A) with another three year degree, such as the Bachelor of Science (degree B).Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | 1000 level course Science Major 6 units | 1000 level Science elective or minor course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
| 1000 level course Science Major 6 units | 1000 level Science elective or minor course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
Academic Advice
For further information on prerequisites and Science disciplines you can:
- Download the Science first year course guide available here, or
- View our program presentation videos located on our New commencers & first year students page, or
- Email us at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au, or
- Come and talk to someone face-to-face. You can make an appointment with an academic advisor here or by calling Science Central on 6125 2809.
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact Science.Enquiries@anu.edu.au