Maintaining the balance between our environment and human development is challenging. The future needs you to work on sustainable solutions to issues including increasing biodiversity loss, urbanisation and climate change.
The ANU Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability is a contemporary degree, covering environmental science, policy and social sciences, allowing you to address the complex challenges of sustainability by giving you a broad environmental education.
You’ll learn to link perspectives from the natural and social sciences throughout the degree and deepen knowledge from a selection of specialisations.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability, the 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.
With a myriad of disciplines offered, 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.
Wherever your passion lies, 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
You can choose from a range of careers as diverse as the environment itself.
Many of our graduates are employed in policy making within government, water resources management, environmental management, urban planning and sustainability, international development and climate change adaption consulting.
See where a Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.
You can choose from a range of careers as diverse as the environment itself.
Many of our graduates are employed in policy making within government, water resources management, environmental management, urban planning and sustainability, international development and climate change adaption consulting.
See where a Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate current understandings of environmental and sustainability sciences, and critically analyse a range of response strategies for sustainable resource management and development.
- Integrate and participate in transdisciplinary knowledge from relevant scientific areas and from policy into approaches designed to address complex contemporary environmental issues, in global, national and local contexts.
- Apply a range of written, oral and visual communication skills to effectively convey and discuss information about environmental science, sustainable development and resource management decisions and relevant policies across discipline.
- Engage with ongoing debates on environmental and sustainability issues, demonstrating an understanding of biophysical and socio-political and Indigenous knowledge.
- 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.
Further Information
What 1st year courses should you enroll in?
- ENVS1003 and ENVS1008 and 2 x courses selected from the foundational course list in the first year of study
- Students should note that CHEM1101 requires an ACT major in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry, or equivalent, or successful completion of a bridging course in Chemistry.
Courses in this program that will contribute towards satisfying the transdisciplinary course requirements:
- ENVS1008 Fundamentals of Environment and Sustainability (6 units)
- ENVS3040 Complex Environmental Problems (6 units)
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/vertical-double-degrees
- 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 should seek academic advice before completing 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 Environment and Sustainability 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.
What 1st year courses should you enroll in?
- ENVS1003 and ENVS1008 and 2 x courses selected from the foundational course list in the first year of study
- Students should note that CHEM1101 requires an ACT major in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry, or equivalent, or successful completion of a bridging course in Chemistry.
Courses in this program that will contribute towards satisfying the transdisciplinary course requirements:
- ENVS1008 Fundamentals of Environment and Sustainability (6 units)
- ENVS3040 Complex Environmental Problems (6 units)
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/vertical-double-degrees
- 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 should seek academic advice before completing 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 Environment and Sustainability 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.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 80
- International Baccalaureate:
- 30
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 combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:
- achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
- if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
- applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program
Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability - 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
- $56,120.00
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 Environment and Sustainability flexible double degree component requires the 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 3000-level courses listed in the study requirements or specialisations
The 96 units must consist of:
48 units from completion of Environment and Sustainability courses from the following lists which must include:
36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)
ENVS1008 Fundamentals of Environment and Sustainability (6 units)
ENVS2011 Human Ecology (6 units)
ENVS2025 Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management (6 units)
ENVS3028 Environmental Policy (6 units)
ENVS3040 Complex Environmental Problems in Action (6 units)
12 units from completion of courses from the following list:
ENVS2015 GIS and Spatial Analysis (6 units)
ENVS2018 Environmental Science Field School (6 units)
ENVS3007 Participatory Resource Management: Working with Communities and Stakeholders (6 units)
ENVS3902 Environmental Chemistry and Systems (6 units)
12 units from completion of foundational courses from the following list:
BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (6 units)
CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)
ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability (6 units)
ENVS1004 Australia's Environment (6 units)
EMSC1006 The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science (6 units)
SCOM1001 Science Communication 1: Science and Public Awareness (6 units)
24 units from completion of one of the specialisations listed below:
Biodiversity and Forest: Science, Management and Policy
Sustainability and Future Climate: Science, Management and Policy
Land and Water: Science, Management and Policy
Agricultural Innovation
A maximum of 12 units from completion of 2000- or 3000- level courses from the subject area ENVS- Environmental Science not previously taken
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:
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
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.
A major cannot contribute satisfying the requirements of two degrees.
Majors
Bachelor of Science Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Science Minors
Specialisations
Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability Specialisations
Back to the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability page
Are you concerned about the state of the environment and want to be part of the solution?
With a strong emphasis on getting outside and learning in the field, the ANU Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability will give you a broad environmental education, teaching you to link the natural and social sciences with their applications in environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.
If you enjoy the great outdoors and are passionate about keeping them pristine for future generations, this degree will teach you to be an effective environmental scientist and natural resource manager, helping you to meet the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing us this century.
Note: Advice on this page is indicative only. Where a number of courses has been identified, it assumes that all of your courses are 6-units. If you take a course worth 12-units please refer to the unit-load in the study requirements in the program orders.
This degree can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD).When the Bachelor of Science is combined with another undergraduate degree through a Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time) depending on the duration of the other program.
Semester 2 commencers
Please note that if you are commencing your studies in Semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. If you have concerns, please contact students.cos@anu.edu.au. Advisory sessions will be held the week before semester commences.
Single degree
The Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability 144 units (24 courses), including:
- A maximum of 10 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 5 x 3000-level courses from courses listed in the core requirements and specialisations in the BENSU
- 6 x compulsory courses
- A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the course requirements)
- 2 x courses chosen from ENVS2015. ENVS2018, ENVS3007, ENVS3902
- 2 x courses from the foundational list
- 1 x specialisation listed in the BENSU
- A maximum of 10 courses from the lists in the BENSU not previously taken or other ANU electives
Double degree
The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination eg.
- 4050: 192 units
- 4350, 4569, 4750: 240 units
Of which a minimum of 2 courses must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.
The Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability component of an FDD requires 96 units, including:
- A maximum of 6 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 5 x 3000-level courses from courses listed in the core requirements and specialisations in the BENSU
- 6 x compulsory courses
- A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the course requirements)
- 2 x courses chosen from ENVS2015. ENVS2018, ENVS3007, ENVS3902
- 2 x courses from the foundational list
- 1 x specialisation listed in the BENSU
- A maximum of 2 courses from the lists in the BENSU not previously taken or other ANU electives
About this degree
Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving courses
In this degree, you will
have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as Transdisciplinary
Problem-Solving (TD). TD courses can be identified using the Programs and
Courses search engine.
In the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, this requirement will be satisfied
through ENVS1008 and ENVS3040.
Enrolment Status
Duration
The Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units.
In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken.
- If you combine the Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses) depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree .
Domestic students may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time.
If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete.
International students on a student visa are required to enrol in a
full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer,
Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been
approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.
Maximum time for completion
- The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability degree is ten years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This ten years includes any periods of leave.
- The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is ten years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.
A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will
reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree.
When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end
date for your degree in your credit offer.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
There are 2 compulsory 1000 level courses you must take in your first year:
You will also need to take 2 x courses from the foundational course list. Please note:
- BIOL1003, CHEM1101, ENVS1001, EMSC1006 and SCOM1001 are all offered in Semester 1.
- ENVS1004 is offered in Semester 2.
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 Environment and Sustainability half of the double degree.
Electives
Remember you can choose up to 10 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability program.You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a non-environment subject, such as philosophy, history or computing. The choice is yours.
How do I use my electives?
Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc).
We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.Study Options
Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability – single degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research 6 units | ENVS1008 Fundamentals of Environment and Sustainability 6 units | 1000 level BENSU foundational course list 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units |
| 1000 level BENSU foundational course list 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units | BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units |
Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability - double degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability with another three year degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research 6 units | ENVS1008 Fundamentals of Environment and Sustainability 6 units | Degree B course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units |
| BENSU or ANU elective course 6 units | ANU elective course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units |
Academic Advice
For further information, you can:
- Visit the Fenner School of Environment & Society webpage here, or
- Download the Science first year course guide available here, or
- View the information at our New commencers & first year students page, or
- Email us at students.cos@anu.edu.au, or
- Come and talk to someone - you can make an appointment with an academic advisor here.
Back to the Bachelor of Science page
Note:
Advice on this page is indicative only. Where a number of courses has
been identified, it assumes that all of your courses are 6-units.
If you take a course worth 12-units please refer to the unit-load in the
study requirements in the program orders.
This degree can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD).When
the Bachelor of Science is combined with another undergraduate degree through a
Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with
the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is
expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time)
depending on the duration of the other program.
Semester 2 commencers
Please
note that if you are commencing your studies in Semester 2 there may be
restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. If you have concerns,
please contact students.cos@anu.edu.au.
Advisory sessions will be held the week before semester commences.
Single degree
The Bachelor of Science requires 144 units (24 courses), including:
- *A maximum of 10 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 5 x 3000-level courses which can come from a major and/or other lists in the core requirements of the BSC
- A minimum of 14 courses from the lists specified in the core requirements of the BSC
- A minimum of 2 x transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses
- 1 x quantitative
skills course
- A maximum of 10 courses from the lists in the BSC not previously taken or other ANU electives
The minimum 84 units (14 courses) specified in the core component of the BSC must include:
- A minimum of 2 x 1000- level
courses from the list in the BSC
- 1 x major listed in the BSC
- *A minimum of 4 x 2000-3000 level courses listed in the BSC.
Double degree
The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination eg.
- 4050: 192 units
- 4350, 4569, 4750: 240 units
Of which a minimum of 2 courses must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.
The Bachelor of Science component of an FDD requires 96 units, including:
- *A maximum of 6 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 5 x 3000-level courses which can come from a major and/or other lists in the core requirements of the BSC
- A minimum of 14 courses from the lists specified in the BSC
- 1 x major listed in the BSC
- A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses
- 1 x quantitative
skills course
- A minimum of 2 x 1000- level courses from the list in the BSC
- *A minimum of 4 x course from the lists in the BSC.
- *A maximum of 2 x courses from courses listed in the BSC not previously taken or other ANU electives
About this degree
Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving courses
In
this degree, you will have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as
Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TD). 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. Some majors in the BSC may include TD flagged courses, so if
you enrol in a TD course listed in a major it will contribute towards
satisfying this requirement.
Enrolment Status
Duration
The Bachelor of Science typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units.
In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Science. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken.
- If you combine the Bachelor of Science with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses) depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree .
Domestic students may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time.
If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete.
International students on a student visa are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer, Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.
Maximum time for completion
- The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Science degree is ten years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This ten years includes any periods of leave.
- The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is ten years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.
A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will
reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree.
When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end
date for your degree in your credit offer.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
In your first year, you will enrol in 1000-level courses – these courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code. Eg CHEM1201, PHYS1001, MATH1013.
- You can take a maximum of 10 x 1000-level courses within the single degree, or 6 x 1000-level courses if taking a Bachelor of Science within a double degree. The majority of these courses will be taken in your first year.Many 2000 and 3000 level courses build upon the specific knowledge achieved through 1000-level courses.
- You must complete a minimum of 2 x 1000-level courses as part of your Bachelor of Science. Please check the “Requirements” in the “Study” tab of your preferred major to make sure you enrol in any prerequisites required for the 2000 and 3000 level courses in this major.
There is room in your first year to pick and choose courses depending on your interests but, you must also ensure that you select the 1000-level courses that are prerequisites for 2000 and 3000 level courses. When selecting your courses, please pay close attention to the semester in which it is offered. This is particularly important if you have a preferred major in mind. The 1000- level course that are prerequisites for each major can be found in the:
- Programs and Courses entry for each major.
- Programs and Courses entry for each individual course.
- College of Science first year guide.
Details of the semester/s in which courses are offered can be found in the individual course entries on the Programs and Course website on the Class tab.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
What is a major? What is a minor or a specialisation?
A major is a sequence of 48-units (eight
six-unit courses), usually at 2000 and 3000 level. The major has been
structured to develop relevant skills and knowledge in the discipline and to prepare
you for further study or entry to the workforce. The majors that contribute
towards the core requirements of the Bachelor of Science are listed in the “Program
Requirements” on the “Study” tab.
Minors and specialisations are sequences of 24 units (four six-unit courses).
Minors are typically made up of 1000 and 2000-level courses and can bring
structured breadth to your degree. Specialisations are typically made up of
2000 and 3000 level courses (minimum 2 x 3000-level) and can bring structured depth to your degree.
Specialisations build
upon the knowledge of specific co-requisite majors and must be taken together
with the co-requisite major.
Minors offered by the College of Science:
- Applied Statistics APST-MIN
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management BCAM-MIN
- Biology BIOL-MIN
- Chemistry CHEM-MIN
- Climate Science and Policy CSAP-MIN
- Computer Science CSCI-MIN
- Developmental Psychology DEPS-MIN
- Earth and Marine Sciences EMSC-MIN
- Environmental Policy ENVP-MIN
- Forest Science and Policy FSAP-MIN
- Geography GEOG-MIN
- Human Ecology HECL-MIN
- Mathematics MATH-MIN
- Nuclear Science NCSC-MIN
- Physics PHYS-MIN
- Science Communication SCOM-MIN
- Social Psychology SOPS-MIN
- Soil and Land Management LAND-MIN
- Sustainable Development SUSD-MIN
- Water Science and Policy WSAP-MIN
- Advanced Chemistry CHEM-SPEC
- Advanced Mathematics ADMA-SPEC
- Advanced Physics ADPH-SPEC
- Astronomy and Astrophysics ASAP-SPEC
- Biochemistry BCHM-SPEC
- Biomedical Science BMSC-SPEC
- Climate Science CLSC-SPEC
- Evolution and Ecology EVEC-SPEC
- Genetics GENE-SPEC
- Geochemistry and Petrology GOPT-SPEC
- Marine Science Specialisation MARS-SPEC
- Microbiology and Immunology MBIM-SPEC
- Neuroscience and Physiology NEUR-SPEC
- Plant Science PLNT-SPEC
- Psychology PSYC-SPEC
Electives
How do I use my electives?
Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc).
In the BSc you will also be able to select 24 units from scientific discipline areas. These are often referred to as BSc electives, as they provide some scope for freedom in your studies, but are restricted to content relevant to your science degree.
In your first year, we recommend taking some electives from a range of discipline areas in science to help you get a feel for which major could be the best fit in your second year. This will give you some flexibility to change plans if you find your preferred subject area isn’t what you expected it to be.
We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep
other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and
meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.
You may have noticed that the BSC does not have any specified “compulsory” courses. There are lists of courses,
lists of majors, lists of alpha codes, but no specific course that absolutely
must be taken. A major in the BSC might have compulsory courses, but the
program itself does not.
Instead, the BSC groups
courses in two ways:
- The courses that contribute towards the “core” BSC components of the degree.
- “ANU electives” which are the courses offered by other colleges and are not specifically listed in the study requirements of the BSC (either as specific courses, themed lists, through the alpha code lists or through the study requirements of majors)
While you only need to enrol in courses for one BSC major plus associated 1000-level courses, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other BSC majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for a Science major, you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses per the degree requirements. In this space you could take a Transdisciplinary course or a course from the quantitative course list.
Remember you can choose up to 10 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Science program. You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a non-science subject, such as philosophy, history or computing. The choice is yours.
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. It is advisable that a minimum of four 1000-level courses are taken towards the core requirements of the Bachelor of Science depending on preferences of major/s. Some majors in the Bachelor of Science require more than two 1000-level courses. Guidance on which 1000-level courses to select can be found under the “Study” tab of the major.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | 1000 level BSC course 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU elective 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU elective 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU elective 6 units |
| 1000 level BSC course 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU elective 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU elective 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU 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 Arts (degree B). It is advisable that a minimum of four 1000-level courses are taken towards the core requirements of the Bachelor of Science in first year depending on preferences for majors. Some majors in the Bachelor of Science require more than two 1000-level courses. Guidance on which 1000-level courses to select can be found under the “Study” tab of the major.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | 1000 level BSC course 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU elective 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
| 1000 level BSC course 6 units | 1000-level course BSC or ANU elective 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 the information at our New commencers & first year students page, or
- Email us at students.cos@anu.edu.au, or
- Come and talk to someone - you can make an appointment with an academic advisor here