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.

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

1. demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials and technologies in their relevant discipline;
2. research, develop and evaluate design concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively;
3. apply skills and knowledge to the creation, visualisation and production of design projects;
4. work independently and collaboratively on design projects and respond to project demands;
5. interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences; and
6. recognise and reflect on social, cultural technological, environmental and ethical issues of creative practice and design considering local and international perspectives.

1. develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in educational and professional contexts;
2. use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to problems and issues;
3. convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
4. work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives;
5. exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Admission Requirements

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 multi-strand 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 multi-strand 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 Advanced or equivalent
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced 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 Advanced 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 multi-strand 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.

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:

36 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

DESN2008 Design Thinking: Human-Centred Design Methodologies

DESN3010 Design Studio: Independent Practice

DESN3011 Design Studio: Engagement and Collaboration

A minimum of 6 units from the completion of foundation courses from the following recommended list

ARTV1020 Figure and Life

ARTV1033 Hold Everything: Studio Foundation

ARTV1034 Foundations of Contemporary Arts Practices

DESN1005 Precise Drawing and Model Making

Or any other 1000 level ARTV course.

A minimum of 12 units from the completion of interdisciplinary concepts and theories courses from the following list:

ANTH1002 Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology 

ANTH1003 Global Citizen: Culture, Development and Inequality 

ANTH2005 Traditional Australian Indigenous Cultures, Societies and Environment 

ANTH2009 Culture and Development 

ANTH2017 Culture, Social Justice and Aboriginal Society Today 

ANTH2025 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective 

ANTH2026 Medicine, Healing and the Body 

ANTH2132 Food for Thought: Anthropological Theories of Food and Eating 

ANTH2134 States and Citizens: Anthropological Perspectives 

ARTH1006 Art History and Curatorial Studies 1: Cultures and Meaning

ARTH1007 Art History and Curatorial Studies 2: Vision and Materiality

ARTH2001 Art History and Curatorial Studies In-Country 

ARTH2050 Photography and Art 

ARTH2052 Art of the Multiple 

ARTH2180 Fashion Histories

ARTH2098 Australian First Nations Art and Culture 

ARTH2167 Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design  

ARTH2169 Introducing Asian Modernisms

ARTH2170 Contemporary Asian Art 

ARTH2174 Art and the Body: Gender and Sexuality

ARTH2176 Cross Currents in Australian First Nations and Non-Indigenous Art and Culture 

ARTH3005 Art, Racial Politics, and the Public Sphere 

ARTH3057 Art and Politics of Collecting 

ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability 

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research 

ENVS1004 Australia’s Environment 

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 

GEND2034 Going Public: Sex, Sexuality and Feminism 

GEND2036 Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use 

GEND2057 Relationships, Marriage and Family 

HUMN1001 Digital Culture: Being Human in the Information Age 

HUMN2001 Introduction to Digital Humanities and Public Culture - Tools, Theories and Methods 

INDG1001 Country, Kinship and Continuities: An Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies 

INDG1002 Resilience, Rights and Resurgence

INDG2001 Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management 

MEDN2222 Exquisite Corpse - Insight into the Human Body 

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction 

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking 

PHIL1008 Introduction to Ethics 

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 

PSYC1005 The Wellbeing Formula: The Science and Practice of Making a Good Life 

SOCY1002 Self and Society 

SOCY1004 Economy and Society: Work, Care and Identity

SOCY1006 Society and Technological Change 

A minimum of 24 units from completion of design courses from the following list: 

DESN2001 Digital Form and Fabrication 

DESN2002 Foundations of Creative Code 

DESN2003 Creative Data Visualisation: Representing Data in Visual and Material Form 

DESN2004 Autonomous Agents

DESN2006 Front-End Web: Crafting Online Experience 

DESN2007 Design Fiction: Speculative and Critical Design 

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 

DESN2015 Supporting Bodies: Now that we're here, where do we sit?

A maximum of 18 units from completion of studio courses listed in the:

Visual Arts Practice Minor

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

A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of quantitative research skills courses from the following list, which may contribute towards meeting the requirements of a major, minor or specialisation in the Bachelor of Science:

BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology (6 units)

BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

ENVS2002 Environmental Measurement, Modelling and Monitoring (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods (6 units)

Any 1000-, 2000- or 3000- level course from the subject area MATH- Mathematics or STAT- Statistics, with the exception of MATH1042

The 96 units must include:

48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:

Agricultural Innovation

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Biochemistry

Biodiversity Conservation

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

Indigenous Science and Knowledges

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:

Advanced Chemistry Specialisation

Advanced Mathematics Specialisation

Advanced Physics Specialisation

Advanced Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation

Applied Statistics Minor

Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation

Biochemistry Specialisation

Biodiversity Conservation and Management Minor

Biological Anthropology Minor

Biological Neuropsychology Minor

Biology Minor

Biomedical Science Specialisation

Chemistry Minor

Climate Science and Policy Minor

Climate Science Specialisation

Cognitive Psychology Minor

Computer Science Minor

Developmental Psychology Minor

Earth and Marine Science Minor

Earth Physics Specialisation

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

Marine Science Specialisation

Mathematical Physics Specialisation

Mathematics Minor

Microbiology and Immunology Specialisation

Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation

Nuclear Science Minor

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 major, 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