Single degree

The Bachelor of Political Science requires 144 units (24 courses), including: 

• A maximum of 60 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 10 x 6 unit courses)
• A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000 level courses (i.e. 3 x 6 units courses) 
• Two compulsory courses  
• A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses)

Double degree

The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination e.g.

• Flexible Double Degree - Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Science (4050): 192 units 
• Flexible Double Degree - Law (Honours) (4350), Flexible Double Degree PhB Advanced Arts Social Sciences Business & Science (4569), or Flexible Double Degree - Engineering and Advanced Computing (Honours) (4750): 240 units

Of which a minimum of 12 units (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses) must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.

The Bachelor of Political Science component of an FDD requires 96 units, including: 

• A maximum of 36 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 6 x 6 unit courses)
• A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000 level courses (i.e. 3 x 6 units courses) 
• Two compulsory courses  
• A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses)

Enrolment Status

Duration 

The Bachelor of Political Science typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four x 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 Political 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 Political 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 on a full-time basis.

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 Political Science degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This 10 years includes any periods of leave.
• The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is 10 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 typically enrol in 1000-level courses – these courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code. E.g. POLS1002, POLS1009. Many 2000 and 3000 level courses build upon the specific knowledge achieved through 1000-level courses.

You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.  But remember you can’t count more than 10 x 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or 6 x 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Political Science half of the double degree. In your first year, you will typically enrol in 1000-level courses – these courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code. E.g. POLS1002, POLS1009. Many 2000 and 3000 level courses build upon the specific knowledge achieved through 1000-level courses. 

You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.  But remember you can’t count more than 10 x 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or 6 x 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Political Science half of the double degree. 

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

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 Bachelor of Political Science, you can select a minimum of 48 units and a maximum of 72 units of electives. You can try a range of courses such as computing, history, or marketing. The choice is yours. 

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 Political Science - single degree

For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans

Study Options

FDD

For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans

Study Options

Disciplines

Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Courses (TD)

Transdisciplinary courses at the ANU are?courses that encourage students to collaborate across different disciplines and perspectives to solve complex problems. These courses help students develop skills to synthesise knowledge from different fields. 

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, and are also listed in the 'overview' tab of this program. 

You can satisfy this requirement through a course/s listed in the program or through the ANU electives it all depends on how you structure your degree and your other enrolment choices.

Academic Advice

Course credit

If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.

For further information on prerequisites and Arts and Social Science disciplines you can:

• Email us at?students.cass@anu.edu.au, or 
• Come and talk to someone - you can attend a drop in session with an academic advisor here  

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.
  

*With careful enrolment choices, these courses can be used to complete an optional second major or a minor or specialisation. The College of Science offers a range of optional minors and specialisations as listed further down on this page.

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

*With careful enrolment choices, these courses can be used to complete an optional minor or specialisation. The College of Science offers a range of optional minors and specialisations as listed further down on this page.

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?
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.

What is a minor or a specialisation?
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.

You do not need to take a second major or a minor/specialisation towards your degree. But you may have enough electives to do this if you wish. This is optional not compulsory. Majors and minors if taken together must have different names. Detailed information on course overlap is available from the College of Science website.


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

Specialisations offered by the College of Science:

• 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:

1. The courses that contribute towards the “core” BSC components of the degree.
2. “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

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

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

If you need help on any aspect of university life, our "Need Help" webpage is a good place to start and can link you to services across the University.