Bachelor of Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Science course is a vocationally-oriented course that produces graduates with a sound knowledge base in physical science and specialised studies in a number of majors.

The Bachelor of Science is a general science course with current majors in Analytical Chemistry, Mathematics, Spatial Science, Biology, Microbiology and Forensic Chemistry. It provides students with an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of much of modern scientific investigation, and produces highly employable graduates.

Learning facilities

To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:

  • state-of-the-art laboratories which include mass spectrometry and chromatography
  • GIS/remote sensing facilities with two airborne digital imaging systems and GPS equipment
  • modern PC2 glass-houses for plant biotechnology experiments
  • fully-equipped laboratories for molecular analysis
  • computer-aided mathematics software packages to assist students.

Your course is recognised by industry

Students completing the Analytical Chemistry major must complete a minimum of six weeks industrial work experience to qualify for membership in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Students completing the Forensic Chemistry major, who take MTH101 and MTH102, and complete the six weeks industrial work experience, will also qualify for membership in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Credit

Credit packages are available, e.g: NSW TAFE Diploma of Chemical Technology (Chemistry major).

More information about credit and pathways.

Residential school

Distance education students usually study two subjects per session. Many subjects in this course have optional and/or compulsory residential school requirements. Most residential schools are of two to four days duration.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Career opportunities

Chemistry graduates find ready employment in industry, government departments and authorities, and research laboratories. Their work may involve research, development and design of new products and processes, sample testing and analysis, quality control and laboratory management.

Employment opportunities for Mathematics graduates include forecasting and risk analysis in the finance and insurance industries; modelling of environmental and industrial systems; optimisation - transport industries, urban and regional planning, data analysis; government and business; signal and image processing; astronomy, remote sensing and GIS; technical programming and teaching.

A graduate in Spatial Science could expect to find employment in the expanding industries of resource monitoring, mapping and planning. Areas such as agriculture, geology and environmental studies are all seeking graduates with image analysis, GIS and computing skills to support both project and research work. Jobs are found at all levels of federal, state and local government as well as the private sector.

Graduates in Biology will have a broad grounding in the biological sciences and can expect to find employment in a variety of government and semi-government organisations as well as in industry and teaching.

Graduates in Forensic Chemistry will be proficient in general forensic science, crime scene management and fire science. Subjects studied will cover crime scene management, scene contamination and preservation, evidence detection, combustion science, explosives, electricity, fire/arson investigation, and separation and identification of unknown compounds. Supporting studies will explore the general areas of chemistry, statistics, Australian business law, biomedical sciences and information technology. The combination of studies ensures forensic study is embedded in a more general degree and so prepares graduates for employment in a cross-section of careers including chemistry disciplines as well as forensic science.

The course comprises a set of core subjects, a major, a minor, and a number of restricted electives:

  • The core subjects are common to all combinations of majors and minors. There are six core subjects composed of four set subjects (STA201 STA308 SCI101 and SCI201 and two additional subjects to be chosen from BIO100 CHM108 MTH105 GEO164 PSC102 and MCR101. These subjects will broaden the basic scientific knowledge of graduates and therefore cannot align with the disciplines studied in their major or minor. They can however be a component of a second major and/or minor.
  • The major must contain a minimum of 64 points (the equivalent of eight standard subjects) with at least 48 points at Level 2 or higher and at least 24 points at Level 3 or higher;
  • The minor must contain a minimum of 32 points (the equivalent of four standard subjects) with at least 16 points at Level 2 or higher;
  • Restricted electives - at least 50% of the restricted electives must be completed at Level 2 or above
  • • The major and minor areas of studies must align with the majors and minors described in this document. Students can replace a subject suggested in a major and minor described in this document upon approval by the Courses Director or designated course administrator in order to retain the integrity of the disciplines. In exceptional cases, a student will be allowed to design a major and/or minor that is not described in this document. This major or minor must satisfy the rules defined in this documents and the nature of the discipline must be clearly identified before studies are undertaken. Design of the major or minor must be approved by the Courses Director or designated course administrator.


Restrictions to majors: analytical Chemistry requires a minimum of 96 credit points major (including 16 credit points in Mathematics MTH101 and MTH102 . See Courses Director for details.

A restricted elective is any subject offered by the University (subject to any pre-requisites being met). A student may choose to complete a second minor provided the minimum requirements for majors and minors (as set out above) are met. In such cases and where the total point value of the major and two minors is less than 192 points, the number of restricted electives that would be required to complete course requirements will also be undertaken, with at least 50% of the subjects taken in the second minor and any restricted electives combined being at Level 2 or above.

Majors
The majors offered at CSU include Analytical Chemistry, Conservation Biology, Spatial Science, Mathematics, Microbiology and Plant Science.

Minors
The majors offered at CSU include Chemistry, Biology, Spatial Science, Mathematics, Microbiology, ITC, Statistics and Physics.

Conservation Biology Major
BIO100 Concepts of Biology
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
BIO203 Animal Systematics
HRT202 Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
BIO416 Conservation Biology
BIO430 Avian Biology
BIO328 Restoration Ecology

Maths Major
MTH101 Computer Aided Mathematics 1
MTH102 Computer Aided Mathematics 2
MTH218 Multivariable Calculus
MTH219 Linear Algebra
MTH220 Ordinary Differential Equations
MTH328 Complex Analysis
MTH307 Mathematical Modelling
MTH418 Topics in Calculus

Analytical Chemistry Major (this Major is accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute)
CHM104 Chemistry 1 A
CHM107 Chemistry 1 B
MTH101 Computer Aided Mathematics 1 with Applications
MTH102 Computer Aided Mathematics 2 with Applications
CHM213 Analytical Chemistry
CHM214 Physical Chemistry
CHM215 Inorganic Chemistry
CHM216 Organic Chemistry
CHM321 Lab Management
CHM323 Instrumental Chemistry 1
CHM324 Instrumental Chemistry 2
CHM335 Analytical Chemistry Industry Experience

Spatial Science Major
GEO164 Earth System Processes
SPA215 Principles of GIS
SPA512 Cartography and Data Visualisation
SPA405 Image Analysis
SPA406 Applied GIS
SPA414 Current Issues in GIS
SPA313 Advanced GIS and Modelling
SPA412 Integrated Remote Sensing and GIS

Microbiology Major
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
BMS240 Human Molecular Genetics
BMS241 Molecular Cell Biology
FDS202 Food Microbiology
BMS339 Virol, Mycol & Parasitol
BMS308 Immunology
SCI300 Biotechnology and Industry
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology

Plant Science Major
CHM104 Chemistry 1 A
CHM107 Chemistry 1 B
BCM210 Foundations of Biochemistry OR AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology
PSC102 Botany
PSC215 Plant Physiology
PSC208 Plant Metabolism
PSC371 Plant Pathology
HRT202 Plant Taxonomy & Systematics
AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology
HRT301 Plant Propagation
BIO262 Vegetation Ecology
AGR402 Readings in Science and Agriculture

Chemistry Minor
CHM104 Chemistry 1A
CHM107 Chemistry 1B
CHM213 Analytical Chemistry
CHM215 Inorganic Chemistry OR CHM216 Organic Chemistry

Biology Minor
BIO100 Concepts of Biology
BIO112 Principles of Ecology
BIO203 Animal Systematics
HRT202 Plant Taxonomy and Systematics

Information Technology Minor
ITC114 Database Management Systems
ITC161 Introduction to Information Technology
ITC242 Introduction to data communication
ITC200 Database administration

Maths Minor
MTH101 Computer Aided Mathematics 1
MTH102 Computer Aided Mathematics 2
MTH203 Numerical Methods
MTH218 Multivariable Calculus or MTH219 Linear Algebra

Microbiology Minor
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
BMS339 Virol, Mycol & Parasitol
BMS338 Clinical Bacteriology

Statistics Minor
STA201 Scientific Statistics
STA308 Experimental Design and Analysis
SPA402 Spatial Statistics OR STA347 Multivariate Statistical Analysis OR STA427 General Linear Models
SPA402 Spatial Statistics OR STA347 Multivariate Statistical Analysis OR STA427 General Linear Models

Spatial Science Minor
GEO164 Earth System Processes
SPA215 Principles of GIS
SPA512 Cartography and Data Visualisation
SPA405 Image Analysis

Physics Minor
PHY101 Mechanical and thermal Physics
PHY102 Electricity and Waves
PHY215 Scientific Instrumentation (Electronics) OR PHY299 Introduction to Astronomy
PHY216 Modern Physics

Enrolment pattern

Because of the flexibility of the course requirements, there is no prescribed enrolment pattern. Students may choose the order in which they undertake subjects, depending upon the availability of subjects and the meeting of pre-requisites, particularly in the students' chosen major/minors.
Students are strongly encouraged to undertake SCI101 in their first session of study; SCI201 in their second year of study; STA201 in their second session of study (or later) and STA308 in their last year of study (equivalent full time).

Admission requirements

Successful applicants who believe they do not have an appropriate high school chemistry, physics or mathematics background are strongly recommended to undertake the subjects offered in the University's STUDY LINK supplementary program prior to commencing study in the course. Contact info.csu on 1800 334 733 for details

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

  • the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
  • a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
  • an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
  • completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

  • voluntary or paid work experience;
  • performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
  • participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
  • completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply through UAC for Session 1

Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1 or Session 2

Admission code: 215854

Apply online

Admission code: On campus - KSSC
Distance education - ESSC

International students

Apply online

Admission code: On campus - ISCQ
Distance education - JSCQ

Recruitment agent

Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

More information:

Consider also:

info.csu

Prospective Student Inquiries

Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).

info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.

within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001