Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science at UNE?

This combined degree allows students to pursue interests in both the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Physical Sciences.

Students can study an arts major/extended major and a science major of their choice in preparation for a wide range of careers. The degree combines excellent communication and analytical skills in scientific knowledge and has been developed in response to increasing student demand and employer preference for recruitment of combined degree graduates. It offers breadth of learning and multi-skilling across disciplines recognising that graduates are required to demonstrate skills in critical analysis, research, communication and technological expertise.

The Bachelor of Arts component equips students with creative, critical and analytical skills ideal for lifelong learning. The degree offers flexibility in career options and can provide a solid foundation for further studies. The Bachelor of Arts fosters a global perspective and equips students with core work and academic skills as well as the fundamental generic skills insisted on by employers: critical thinking, research capability ethical practice, creativity, independence, autonomy, initiative, innovation, effective communication (oral, written and electronic), presentation skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills, management and planning skills, computer literacy, and cultural awareness. These skills are introduced in foundation units and developed in disciplines and/or areas of study.

The Bachelor of Science component provides students with the skills and techniques necessary for solving problems associated with a range of issues. The extensive range of majors available in established and emerging, generalist and specialist sciences, are all underpinned by cutting edge research. In first year students are encouraged to establish a broad science base which allows for flexibility in choosing an appropriate major. Career options may include small to large businesses, industry, government, teaching and research. Research and postgraduate study are other common pathways for student completing the Bachelor of Science component, particularly after the completion of a 4th, or Honours, year of study (Bachelor of Science (Honours)).

Graduates of the program are awarded a combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts component advances the accumulation of knowledge and the development of a diverse set of skills essential to the formation of an independent thinker and empowering the individual to create a new future, new career prospects and the ability to meet the challenges of the modern workplace. Examples of career paths include management, public relations, public service, education, business, human resources, research and analysis, and creative industries. The employability of Arts and Science graduates is a reflection of the skills they acquire during their study.

The Bachelor of Science component provides exciting career options possible in small to large business, industry, government, teaching and research. Examples include positions in the departments of primary industries, resource management, water and land resources, CSIRO, environmental protection authorities, forestry commissions, national parks and wildlife services and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Industry opportunities include positions in computing, consulting, botanical gardens and museums, manufacturing, electronics, mining and oil. Teaching is also an option after completing a Graduate Diploma in Education.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

4 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2017 ATAR / OP

72.55 / 12

2018 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Online

Official Abbreviation

BA/BSc

Course Type

Undergraduate

CRICOS Code

049931G

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Online
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	Online
Armidale	Trimester 2	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 3	Online

Course Duration

4 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

2017 ATAR

72.55

2017 OP

Fees

CSP / International

Total Credit Points

192

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures); or

(b) hold an AQF Level 5 Diploma in Arts from UNE or equivalent; or

Assumed knowledge: any two units of English plus, depending on degree subjects chosen Chemistry, Mathematics.

Recommended studies: Biology and/or Physics.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Specified or Unspecified Advanced Standing based on their Admission to Candidature.

Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted a maximum of 72 credit points of Specified or Unspecified Advanced Standing based on their Admission to Candidature.

Advanced standing will not be granted for units SCI395 or WORK300.

Scholarships

The University offers a number of Faculty/College and country scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Academic Colours

White (BCC 1) and Straw (BCC 51)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures); or
(b) hold an AQF Level 5 Diploma in Arts from UNE or equivalent; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Arts from UNE or equivalent.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Specified or Unspecified Advanced Standing based on their Admission to Candidature.
Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted a maximum of 72 credit points of Specified or Unspecified Advanced Standing based on their Admission to Candidature.

Advanced Standing will not be granted for units SCI395 or WORK300.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) four years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 192 credit points comprising:
Bachelor of Arts component – 96 credit points including 12 credit points of Core Units and either one Minor and one Major, or an Extended Major. The Bachelor of Arts component shall include not more than 36 credit points at 100-level, at least 36 credit points at 300-level and not more than 12 credit points at 400-level.
To continue in the course a candidate must successfully complete 12 credit points of Core Units in the Arts component within the first 48 credit points of attempted units, excluding advanced standing. Candidates who fail to meet this course progression requirement will be asked to show cause as to why they should not have conditions placed on their continued enrolment or be discountinued from the course; and
Bachelor of Science component – 96 credit points including one Major with not more than 36 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 300-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure	Credit Points	Credit Points
*Bachelor of Arts component:*		96 cps
Core Units	12 cps
ONE Minor totalling 24 credit points, and ONE Major totalling 48 or 60 credit points; OR ONE Extended Major	72 or 84 cps OR 72 cps
Elective Units The number of credit points will vary depending on whether candidates undertake ONE Minor and ONE Major, or ONE Extended Major	0 or 12 cps
*Bachelor of Science component:*		96 cps
Core Units	36 to 42 cps
ONE Major	42 to 48 cps
Listed Units	12 to 18 cps
Total		192 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Students with a weak background in Chemistry are advised to complete CHEM100 before enrolling in CHEM110.

Students who have not completed Year 12 HSC Mathematics, or equivalent, are strongly advised to complete either MTHS100 and MTHS110 or MTHS110 only before enrolling in MTHS120 or STAT100.

MTHS120 and MTHS130 assume that students have completed Year 12 HSC Mathematics Extension 1, or equivalent, and are designed for those completing majors in the Physical Sciences.

Students with a weak background in Physics are advised to complete PHYS100 before enrolling in PHYS131.

Approved Majors

Bachelor of Arts component:
Ancient History
Archaeology
Australian History
Chinese
Classical Languages
Criminology
English
French
German
History
Human Geography
Indigenous Studies
Indonesian
International History
Islamic Studies
Italian
Japanese
Linguistics
Music
Peace Studies
Philosophy
Physical Geography
Political and International Studies
Psychology
Screen and Media Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Studies in Religion
Theatre and Performance
Writing

Bachelor of Science component:
Applied Physics
Biochemistry/Biotechnology
Biodiversity
Botany
Chemistry
Computational Science
Forensic Science
Genetics
Geoscience
Mathematics
Medicinal Chemistry
Microbiology
Neuroscience
Physiology
Zoology

Exit Pathways

Subject to Advanced Standing rules, candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with either the Diploma in Science on completion of 48 credit points or the Advanced Diploma in Science on completion of 72 credit points towards the Science component.
Subject to Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted under Rule (a) who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with either the Diploma in Arts on completion of 48 credit points including 12 credit points of Core Units or the Advanced Diploma in Arts on completion of 72 credit points, including 12 credit points of Core Units and a 24 credit point Minor towards the Arts component.
Subject to meeting Advanced Standing Rules, candidates admitted under Rule (b) who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Advanced Diploma in Arts on completion of 24 credit points including a Minor.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Arts component provides students with a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies from across the University, with a strong focus on aspects of human culture and achievement. The Bachelor of Arts can also be undertaken in conjunction with a range of other degrees in the University.

The course aims to provide students with:

(i) a depth and breadth of knowledge in their chosen areas of study;

(ii) the ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired;

(iii) skills in critical analysis, critical thinking and critical enquiry;

(iv) self-reliance, especially in regards to the acquisition of information, the ability to assess evidence, convey complex ideas and answer complex questions;

(v) the ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways;

(vi) the ability to work both independently and collaboratively;

(vii) the diverse skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries;

(viii) an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour; and

(ix) the essential skills demanded by employers in a global jobs market enabling them to achieve exciting and rewarding career outcomes.

The Bachelor of Science component provides students with an understanding that:

(i) Science encompasses both a body of knowledge and a reliable process of discovery. It is founded upon the recognition of fundamental laws that make nature systematic and reproducible.

(ii) Scientists observe, measure, classify and perform experiments upon the natural world. They employ scientific methods to test hypotheses, and use empirical evidence to support or refute their hypotheses. The natural variability, or uncertainty, inherent in the natural world means that scientific conclusions are reliable but contestable: they may be revised or modified as new evidence emerges. Scientists are curious about the natural world and are creative in formulating hypotheses and in designing approaches to problem solving.

(iii) Mathematics is used in science to model real-world systems and scientific data are often analysed using statistical methods.

(iv) Science operates within a paradigm of peer review and replication that provides a collective responsibility for the reliability of scientific knowledge. Scientists have a responsibility to communicate the outcomes of their work accurately and without bias to their peers and to society.

(v) Science is embedded within a context that reflects both the history of scientific endeavour and the culture of present society. Scientists generate and build knowledge, develop technologies, investigate and solve problems.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

BA component: demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in core disciplines and areas of study in the arts, humanities and social sciences and apply that knowledge in diverse contexts;
demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of theories, factual content and research procedures and ethical practice in their major or extended major and other fields of study;
analyse, critically evaluate and communicate ideas and solve problems with intellectual independence in their major or extended major and other fields of study including the ability to exhibit key employment and lifelong learning skills;
act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars; and
display highly developed communication skills and, in the case of those students undertaking a language major or extended major, read, write and speak another language with fluency and understand its cultural context.
BSc component: demonstrate a coherent understanding of science by articulating the methods of science and explaining why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and the role and relevance of science in society;
exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one disciplinary area with an ability to extend knowledge into one other disciplinary area;
critically analyse and solve scientific problems by gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation and selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation thereby collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data;
be effective communicators of science by communicating scientific results, information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes and using a variety of modes; and
be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners; working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context; demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to their disciplinary area and personally practising ethical conduct.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline

BA component: Graduates will possess depth and breadth of knowledge relevant to their fields of study, and have a well developed understanding of the key principles, practices, and boundaries of their discipline. They will also understand the need to adopt transnational and multicultural approaches to the understanding of issues in these fields. BSc component: Graduates will understand ways of scientific thinking and the nature of science as a broad discipline. They will also have specialised knowledge in at least one sub-disciplinary area of science. They will understand and be able to articulate, aspects of the place and importance of science in the local and wider community.

Communication Skills

BA component: Graduates will have skills that enable them to investigate, synthesise and communicate the ideas and information acquired from their areas of study, including, where applicable, the possession of these skills in languages other than English. Students will recognise the importance of continuing to develop their communication skills, and be able to use appropriate communication technologies. BSc component: Graduates will be able to communicate scientific results, information or arguments, to a range of audiences and for a range of purposes.

Problem Solving

BA component: Graduates will have a sound understanding of key problem solving strategies in their fields of study and be able to apply these skills to develop their own responses to particular problems on diverse topics and issues in a range of different environments. BSc component: Graduates will be able to investigate and solve problems by using recognised methods of science and appropriate practical techniques and tools. Also, by formulating hypotheses, collecting valid and reliable data, and incorporating quantitative evidence into arguments.

Information Literacy

BA component: Graduates will be taught how to recognise relevant information and to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access and use information. They will learn how to critically evaluate the sources, values, and validity of information, as well as to use information in critical and creative thinking. BSc component: Graduates will be able to communicate scientific results, information or arguments, to a range of audiences and for a range of purposes. They will also be able to synthesise and evaluate information from a range of sources, using a range of technologies.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

BA component: Graduates will be taught to understand and practise the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with their discipline or profession. They will understand and be open-minded about social, cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia and the world, and appreciate their ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community, and the environment. BSc component: Graduates will be able to take social responsibility by recognising the relevant ethical frameworks within which science is practised and show a capacity for working responsibly and safely in both individual and team environments.

Lifelong Learning

BA component: Graduates will have the skills to continue to research, critically evaluate and discuss issues and as well acquire further learning. The development of intellectual capacity and critical thinking skills will enable students to be able to research, write about and discuss a range issues. These skills are transferable and essential lifelong skills. BSc component: Graduates will be able to take personal responsibility for lifelong learning by demonstrating a capacity for self-directed learning.

Independence and Collaboration

BA component: Graduates will develop skills in independent study as well as the ability to work collaboratively. They will learn the importance of participating in discussions in a professional, respectful and ethical manner. BSc component: Elements of each unit in the program of study require students to work independently. The units in this program, with a practical component, may require students to work collaboratively as part of a team.