Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Science requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 12 units must come from completion of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from a major listed in the Bachelor of Science and from courses not previously taken from the following subject areas:

ASTR – Astronomy & Astrophysics

BIOL – Biology

CHEM – Chemistry

EMSC – Earth and Marine Science

ENVS – Environmental Science

HLMD – Health and Medicine

HLTH – Health Science

MATH – Mathematics

MEDN – Medical Science

NEUR – Neuroscience

PHYS – Physics

PSYC – Psychology

SCNC – Science

SCOM – Science Communication

A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of quantitative research skills courses from the following list, which may contribute towards meeting any of the requirements 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 144 units must include:

A minimum of 84 units from completion of courses from the following lists, which must include:

A minimum of 12 units from completion of 1000- level courses from the following subject areas or courses listed below:

ASTR – Astronomy & Astrophysics

BIOL – Biology

CHEM – Chemistry

EMSC – Earth and Marine Science

ENVS – Environmental Science

MATH – Mathematics

PHYS – Physics

SCNC – Science

SCOM – Science Communication

COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving

COMP1110 Structured Programming

COMP1130 Programming as Problem Solving (Advanced)

COMP1140 Structured Programming (Advanced)

COMP1600 Foundations of Computing

COMP1730 Programming for Scientists

FINM1001 Foundations of Finance

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

Human Biology

Mathematical Finance

Mathematical Modelling

Mathematics

Physics

Psychology

Quantitative Biology

Science Communication

Statistics

A minimum of 24 units from completion of courses not previously taken from the following subject areas:

ASTR – Astronomy & Astrophysics

BIOL – Biology

CHEM – Chemistry

EMSC – Earth and Marine Science

ENVS – Environmental Science

HLMD – Health and Medicine

HLTH – Health Science

MATH – Mathematics

MEDN – Medical Science

NEUR – Neuroscience

PHYS – Physics

PSYC – Psychology

SCNC – Science

SCOM – Science Communication

A minimum of 48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU, which may include courses in the lists above not previously taken.

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation. Majors and minors if taken together must have different names. Detailed information on course overlap is available from the College of Science website.

Majors

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

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

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 students.cos@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.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

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.

Employment Opportunities

In a global economy driven by data, technology and innovation, high quality scientists are in demand.

You could become a neurologist, marine or conservation biologist, teacher, journalist, nuclear physicist, astronomer, meteorologist, policy advisor, researcher or maybe even pursue a career that hasn’t been invented yet.

You might also like to undertake further studies at the Honours, Masters or Doctoral level.

See where a Bachelor of Science could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.

Learning Outcomes

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.

Inherent Requirements

Information on the inherent requirement is currently not available for this program

Further Information

Student Advice

What courses should I take in first year?

To complete the BSc you will need to complete a major. To complete the major you will need to select 2 or more 1000-level courses to meet 2000- and 3000-level course prerequisites in the major. Please check the requirements of each major and select your 1000-level carefully to optimise later year enrolment pathways. The First Year Course Guide (subject to change) contains a useful table of majors and their associated first year courses.

How can I satisfy the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving course requirements?

Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving courses can be found using the Programs and Courses search engine. However, many majors will identify in the "Advice for students" section which courses listed in the major will contribute towards this requirement. You can satisfy this requirement through a course/s in the major or as an elective in the core requirements of the degree or through the ANU electives (if in a single degree) - it all depends on how you structure your degree and your other enrolment choices.

What can I do with my electives to maximise my Bachelor of Science degree?

The College of Science offers a range of optional 24 unit minors and specialisations that can give you breadth or depth in your degree. To see the full list, check our First Year Course Guide (subject to change).

Internship opportunities

Information on internship opportunities is available on the College of Science website.

Can I get a study plan to help me map my degree?

Study plans are available on the College of Science website.

Do you want to get a BSc and a Masters degree? Check out the Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD (not available in FDD)

• This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year undergraduate single degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions, please visit: https://science.anu.edu.au/study/double-degrees/vertical-double-degree-pathways or https://health.anu.edu.au/study/double-degrees/vertical-double-degree-pathways
• Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at students.cos@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.
• This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Progression hurdle:

• Students in the Bachelor of Science who have opted for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
• If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

Important fee information for commencing and continuing domestic undergraduate students intending to study psychology as a professional pathway:

Please note that due to changes in Australian government funding from 2021 as a result of the Job Ready Graduates Package, fees for Behavioural Science courses will be invoiced at different rates in the Bachelor of Science.

For more information on the 2021 fee changes to Student Contributions Amounts, please visit: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/student-contributions; and for more information on the Job Ready Graduates Package please visit  https://www.studyassist.gov.au/

APAC accreditation and pathway to Honours in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) when students complete the accredited sequence of psychology courses.

• Students admitted to an ANU BSc, BA or PhB prior to 2023 who wish to be eligible for Honours in psychology must complete the courses from the Psychology major and specialisation in order to satisfy the APAC accredited sequence of courses and achieve the minimum required learning in Psychology. The minimum required learning is achieved by successful completion of PSYC1003 , PSYC1004 , PSYC2001 , PSYC2002 , PSYC2007 , PSYC2008 , PSYC2009 , PSYC3018 , PSYC3025 , PSYC3026 and an additional 2 x 3000 level PSYC courses (or, for PhB students, 3000 level SCNC courses with a psychology supervisor). It is strongly recommended students also complete PSYC2012 and PSYC3020 (PSYC3020 will contribute towards the additional 2 x 3000 level PSYC course requirement).
• Students admitted to an ANU BSc, BA or PhB from 2023 onwards who wish to be eligible for Honours in psychology must complete the courses from the Psychology major and specialisation in order to satisfy the APAC accredited sequence of courses and achieve the minimum required learning in Psychology. The minimum required learning is achieved by successful completion of.PSYC1003 , PSYC1004 , PSYC2001 , PSYC2007 , PSYC2008 , PSYC2009 , PSYC2012 , PSYC3018 , PSYC3020 , PSYC3025 , PSYC3026 and PSYC3202.