Part 6 Faculty of Science    

Science degrees

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Chemistry

Computer Science

Genetics

Law and the Environment

The School of Life Sciences

 Division of Botany and Zoology

Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

 Science in Context

Materials Science

Mathematics

Physics and Theoretical Physics

Psychology

Centre for the Public Awareness of Science

Resource Management and Environmental Science, The School of (SRMES)

 Forestry

 Geography

  Human Ecology

 Geology

Statistics and Econometrics

The Faculty of Science

Dean: Professor R M Pashley
Sub-Deans: Dr M J Aston, Dr H M Kennett

Faculty Organisation

Academic areas responsible for teaching and research within the Faculty are:

Departments of
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics and Theoretical Physics

Schools of
Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Botany and Zoology
Psychology
Resource Management and Environmental Science
Forestry
Geography
Geology

The following departments also make a significant contribution to the teaching activities of the Faculty:

 Computer Science
Statistics and Econometrics

Courses Offered

Course Prerequisites

Bachelor of Science

There are no formal course prerequisites and most first-year science units assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:

• CHEM1014: at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in Chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Completion of CHEM1014/ 1015 is essential for all later-year units in chemistry, the biological streams of biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, some units of botany and genetics.
• CHEM1016: at least an ACT major in Chemistry or 3/4 unit in NSW, or equivalent, is required.
• COMP1100: at least an ACT Advanced Mathematics major or 2 unit Mathematics in NSW, or equivalent, is required.
• MATH1003/MATH1005 Mathematics AM1, AM3: at least an ACT major in Advanced Mathematics or 2 unit Mathematics in NSW, or equivalent, is required.
• MATH1006 Mathematics AM4: at least an ACT Mathematics T major or equivalent, is required
• MATH1013 Mathematics AA1: at least an ACT major/minor in Advanced Mathematics Extended or 3 unit Mathematics in NSW, or equivalent, is required.
• MATH1115 Mathematics AA1H: at least an ACT double major in Advanced Mathematics Extended or 4 unit Mathematics in NSW, or equivalent, is required.
• PHYS1001: at least an ACT major in Physics or 2 unit Physics in NSW, or equivalent is required, together with an ACT major/minor in Advanced Mathematics Extended or 3 unit Mathematics in NSW.
• PHYS1011: at least an ACT major/minor in Advanced Mathematics Extended or 3 unit Mathematics in NSW, or equivalent, is required, together with an ACT Physics major or equivalent.

Bachelor of Science (Forestry)

There are no formal course prerequisites although students are advised to complete a major course in mathematics and at least a minor in biology and chemistry.

Bachelor of Science (Resource and Environmental Management)

There are no formal course prerequisites.

Combined Courses

Please see the appropriate Faculty entry for prerequisites for degree courses combined with the above.

Unit Level

Science units are grouped by level. Units of Group A are available to students commencing a degree course whereas, with a few exceptions, Group B units have prerequisites in Group A and Group C units have prerequisites in Group B. A student is expected to obtain a grade of Pass in prerequisite units. However, prerequisites may be waived in special circumstances on the written recommendation of the Head of Department/Division concerned.

Quotas

There are quotas on enrolments in some units and selection is based on academic merit. If a quota applies to a particular unit, it is normally indicated in the unit description.

Degree Structures

You will note that undergraduate degrees are now being expressed in terms of credit points, on the basis of a normal full-time load of 48 credit points per year. For a full explanation of the changes to course structures, credit point values and course legislation, please see the General Information section of this Handbook.

The structure of undergraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Science is outlined below. Sub-Deans are available to discuss with students, matters related to degree structures and choice of units.

Unit Group

Science units are classified as Group A, B, C and D units; the individual unit descriptions indicate the Group to which the unit belongs.

The following units offered by other Faculties are also classified as Science units:

Units from the Australian National Internships Program

The Australian National Internships Program (see Chapter 4 of this Handbook), which is a part of the Asia-Pacific School of Economics and Management, offers three Internships units which are available to later-year students in a number of degrees.  Students apply separately to the Program for selection and admission to these units, but should also enrol in them in the normal way on re-enrolment forms.  At the time of application to the Program, students should consult the appropriate Faculty Office to determine precisely how the unit will fit within their degree course requirements.

NOTE: The above units cannot be taken as part of the Science component of a combined course

Bachelor of Science

(course code 3600)

Undergraduates usually specialise in one main area while studying certain parts of others as auxiliary to their main interest. Such specialisation can be associated with particular careers as set out in the departmental and school entries. While science may be considered in terms of broad areas associated with the departments and divisions of the Faculty of Science, other areas of study include astronomy and astrophysics, biological chemistry, biotechnology, evolution and ecology, genetics, geochemistry, geophysics, geographic inform- ation systems, environmental studies, human sciences, microbiology, resource management, neuroscience and scientific communication.

The structure of the degree of Bachelor of Science provides students with a wide choice of curricula, so they may, if they so desire, spread their studies over a range of interests. Units from other faculties can be included in the degree, thus providing a measure of flexibility in the tailoring of a course best suited to a students needs. (The attention of international students is drawn, in particular, to the units ACEN1001 English in Academic Contexts, and ACEN1002 Advanced English in Academic Contexts, offered by the Linguistics Department of the Faculty of Arts.)

Course requirements

The degree requires completion of at least 144 credit points.

The course must contain at least 84 credit points of Group A, B, C and D units offered by a science-related department ie Department or Division in the Faculty of Science or the Departments of Computer Science or Statistics & Econometrics, and must include:

• at least 36 credit points of Group A units
• at least 16 credit points of Group B units
• at least 32 credit points of Group C units, of which at least 16 credit points must be for units offered by a science-related department
• additional units to bring the total value of units passed to at least 144 credit points

You cannot count towards your degree

• more than 44 credit points of units offered by a Faculty other than the Faculty of Science and not defined as Group A, B, C or D, of which, no more than 12 credit points may be at first-year level
• more than 60 credit points at first-year level

At least 36 credit points of Group A units must be completed before you may enrol in Group C units.

The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree course; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.

Choosing units

As the choice of first-year units may restrict later-year choices, decide which third year (Group C) units you may be interested in taking, note the prerequisites for taking those units, and work backwards to determine which first-year units you need to do.

Science ¾ typical course pattern of a full-time student

Bachelor of Science (Resource and Environmental Management)

(course code 3603)

The degree of BSc (Res & Env Man) offers students the opportunity to develop an individually-structured program which best meets their interests in the environmental sciences and resource management. It integrates scientific study of the environment with applications and management in educating students for careers in resource and environmental management, environmental science, nature conservation, environ- mental impact assessment, natural resource monitoring, and resource and environmental planning.

The course spans the biological, ecological, social and earth sciences, within which a number of streams and specialisations are available.

Among these are agroecology, environmental change, fire management, forest science, geographic information systems, the management and conservation of soils, land, vegetation and wildlife, sustainable agriculture, urban policy and population studies. Units available deal with these themes both in western industrialised nations and in developing countries. Normally, a student would study two such specialisations.

Course requirements

The degree requires completion of at least 144 credit points including

• at least 36 credit points of Group A units, including SREM1002 and SREM1004 and at least two of FSTY1003, GEOG1006 and GEOL1002
• at least 16 credit points of Group B units with ECOS, FSTY, GEOG, GEOL or SREM prefixes
• at least 32 credit points of Group C units with ECOS, FSTY, GEOG, GEOL or SREM prefixes
• in addition to the 48 credit points of Group B and C units, one of FSTY2102, GEOG2014, ECOS2002, ECOS2004 and one of LAWS3103, GEOG3010, FSTY3059.

You cannot count towards your degree

• more than 44 credit points of units offered by a Faculty other than the Faculty of Science and not defined as Group A, B, C or D, of which, no more than 12 credit points may be at first-year level
• more than 60 credit points at first-year level

At least 36 credit points of Group A units must be completed before you may enrol in Group C units.

The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree course; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.

Resource and Environmental Management ¾ typical course pattern of a full-time student*

* See course requirements for particular units which must be included in years 1, 2 and 3

**Students who wish to take BIOL1003 and units for which it is a prerequisite should enrol in STAT1003 in second semester and undertake STAT1004 in second semester of second year.

*** Must include one of ECOS2002, 2004, FSTY2102, GEOG2014

****Must include one of LAWS3103, GEOG3010, FSTY3059

Bachelor of Science (Forestry)

(course code 4601)

The 4-year BSc(Forestry) degree offers students a challenging education in forest science and forest resource management, with wide application in environmental science and resource management in Australia and abroad. The curriculum is based on knowledge of the basic physical and biological sciences relevant to forest ecosystems, of the applied sciences and technologies which support sustainable forest management, and of their application in the context of the political, economic and social dimensions of resource use. Consequently, the degree emphasises field-based learning, and combines a broadly-based education with specific professional development and opportunities for specialisation. Like the BSc, the BSc(Forestry) also provides training in learning and communication skills.

The degree is directed primarily to educating forest scientists and professional foresters, but its graduates are also attractive to a wide range of employers in environmental science and resource management.

Students who have completed satisfactorily one year of an approved course at another university may apply through UAC to transfer to this University for the final three years of the forestry course. It should be noted, however, that the content of some first-year units at ANU is particularly suitable for forestry students and that there is therefore some benefit in undertaking the full course at this University. Moreover, students taking the first year at another university must take STAT1004 and SREM1004 in the second year of the course. This will mean that there will be less flexibility in choice of optional units.

Details of the Forestry program, and the normal sequence of units for the degree, are presented in the Department of Forestry Handbook, available free on request from the Department.

Course requirements

The degree requires completion of at least 207 credit points, including the following compulsory units:

SREM1004    Resource Biology
FSTY1003    Ecological Measurement
CHEM1022; or CHEM1014  and 1015     Chemistry A12; or Chemistry A14 and A15
SREM1002    Earth Systems
STAT1003    Statistical Techniques 1
STAT1004    Statistical Techniques 2
FSTY1102    Field Studies 1
SREM2005    Australian Soils
FSTY2004    Fire in the Australian Environment
FSTY2005    Trees and Forests
FSTY2009    Forest Measurement & Modelling
FSTY2102    Natural Resource Economics
FSTY3014    Forest and Woodland Ecosystems
FSTY3015    Silviculture
FSTY3016    Forest Products
FSTY3017    Forest Operations
FSTY3112    Field Studies 2a
FSTY3122    Field Studies 2b
FSTY4001    Resource Management
FSTY4002    Plantation Management
FSTY4003    Forest Planning
FSTY4106    Forest Policy and Politics
FSTY4102    Field Studies 3

You cannot count towards your degree

• more than 44 credit points of units offered by a Faculty other than the Faculty of Science and not defined as Group A, B, C or D, of which, no more than 12 credit points may be at first-year level
• more than 60 credit points at first-year level

At least 36 credit points of Group A units must be completed before you may enrol in Group C units.

The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree course; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.

Choosing units

In planning their first-year enrolment students should consider carefully the optional subjects chosen as this may determine their ability to take later-year units in these subjects.

Forestry ¾ typical course pattern of a full-time student

+ Field work
FSTY1102 about 5 days in June/July, Year 1
FSTY3112 about 9 days in February normally, in Year 3
FSTY3122 about 8 days in the second week of the mid-semester break of first semester
FSTY4102 about 8 days during May vacation, Year 4
* The units CHEM1014 and 1015 may be undertaken instead
** Optional units
*** Students who wish to take BIOL1003 and units for which it is a prerequisite should enrol in STAT1003 in second semester andundertake STAT1004 in second semester of second year

The Degree with Honours

Students who attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree may be admitted to the honours year to become candidates for the degree with honours.

Fields of study in which a degree with honours may be taken are:

MATH or PHYS4001 Astronomy and Astrophysics*
BIMB4001    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
BOZO4001    Botany and Zoology
CHEM4001    Chemistry
COMP4001    Computer Science
FSTY4051 or 4061 or 5151 Forestry**
GEOG4001    Geography
GEOL4001    Geology
ECOS4001    Human Ecology
MATH4001    Mathematics
NEUR4001    Neuroscience
PHYS4001    Physics
PSYC4001    Psychology
SREM4001 or 4011    Resource and Environmental Management***
SCCO4001    Science in Context
SCOM4001    Scientific Communication
STAT4001    Statistics
PHYS4002    Theoretical Physics

* The code depends on whether the honours year is undertaken in the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Physics & Theoretical Physics

** The code depends on whether the honours year is taken as part of the BSc, BSc(Res&EnvMan) or BSc(Forestry) degrees. Concurrent honours is also possible in the fourth year of the BSc (Forestry) degree

***The code depends on whether the honours year is undertaken in the Department of Forestry or the Department of Geography

The above honours year codes apply to students undertaking full-time honours in the one year. The honours year codes applying to students commencing honours in midyear have the numerical code 4005, except in the case of Forestry and Theoretical Physics.

The minimum requirement set by Faculty for admission to an honours course other than BSc(Forestry) (Hons) is as follows:

(a) the successful completion of at least 48 credit points of Group B, Group C or later-year Group D units relevant to the proposed field of honours study, of which at least 16 credit points must be for Group C units;

(b) the attainment of an average of 2 for the 48 credit points, where HD = 4, D = 3, CR = 2, P = 0;

(c) on the recommendation of the Head of Department/ Division concerned, in the light of availability of resources and appropriate supervision.

Departments may have additional entry requirements and intending honours students should contact the relevant honours convener.

Both concurrent and fifth year honours are available in the course for the degree of Bachelor of Science (Forestry). For concurrent honours, students must have completed all first-year units; maintained at least a Credit average in Group B, C and D units; demonstrated superior achievement (D, HD) in subjects relevant to the topic in which they propose to undertake honours; and are in the fourth year of the BSc(Forestry) degree. For fifth year Forestry honours, the minimum entry requirement is at least three grades of Distinction and six grades of Credit in relevant Group B, C and D units with an overall minimum average of 65%.

The work of the honours year will consist of advanced work in a selected field of study, details of which are given under the individual departments or school divisions. The honours course extends over ten months. The course normally commences on the first Monday in February, although there is some flexibility in this. Students who complete the requirements for the pass degree at the end of the first semester, if admitted to honours, may, with the approval of the department or school concerned, commence the course mid-year.

Graduates of other universities may be accepted for admission to honours candidature provided that the undergraduate course and performance in the course are of a standard comparable to that applying in the relevant Department/Division.

Combined Courses

For students who desire to widen their fields of study for academic or professional reasons, the University offers courses combining science and arts, science and asian studies, science and commerce, science and economics, science and science(forestry), science (forestry) and economics, science and law, and science and engineering. Detailed information about the combined courses is provided in the Combined Courses section of this Handbook.

Students with Disabilities

A height adjustable electric wheelchair is available for students with disabilities who may need to access high benches and fume cupboards in any department of the Science Faculty.

For further information, please contact the Disability Adviser (02) 6249 5036

Maximum Workloads

Normally, students may not undertake more than 24 credit points in any one semester of their degree course. The Faculty may permit students with at least a Credit average in their previous University studies to undertake a heavier load.

Status

Status towards undergraduate degree courses of the Faculty may be granted for studies completed elsewhere. Students should consult the Status Working Rules of the Faculty of Science which may be found on the Faculty’s web site; a copy of the Working Rules is also available on request from the Faculty Office. Requests for status are assessed individually in the light of the provisions of the Working Rules; the following is a brief summary of the major provisions:

Graduates

Graduates who have completed a bachelors degree at this or another university may be granted up to 72 credit points of status towards the 144 credit point Bachelor of Science degree course. The balance of the course must comprise science units completed at this University and must not include units which are substantially equivalent to units completed in any previous degree. Status towards the Bachelor of Science (Forestry) degree course is assessed on a case by case basis because of the prescribed nature of this course.

Associate Diploma, Diploma or Advanced Diploma Holders

Holders of approved Associate Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas or Diplomas in a science-related field are granted a minimum of 36 and a maximum of 48 credit points of first-year status towards the 144 credit point Bachelor of Science degree course. Status towards the Bachelor of Science (Forestry) degree course is assessed individually.

No status is granted for nursing qualifications.

Incomplete Degrees

Up to 96 credit points of status is granted towards the Bachelor of Science degree course on the basis of an incomplete degree from another tertiary educational institution; at least 48 later-year science credit points, including 32 Group C credit points, must be completed at this University. Each application for status is considered on its merits, but in general, the Faculty recognises units from other tertiary institutions which are equivalent to units offered in this university, and may recognise science units which are not prescribed for the BSc degree provided that they are not incompatible with the degree course requirements. Status towards the Bachelor of Science(Forestry) degree course is assessed individually.

Status is not granted in relation to a unit where a period of 10 years or more has elapsed from the date of first enrolment in the unit and the date of the application for status in respect of that unit.

Status is not granted for units for which a grade of conditional pass or equivalent has been obtained.

Leave of Absence

Undergraduate students of the Faculty of Science are required to seek formal approval for leave of absence from a course. Leave of absence is granted for no more than one year in the first instance; absence of more than two academic years in succession will not normally be approved. Periods of leave of absence are included in the maximum time limit prescribed for the course.

Students wishing to return to studies after a period of absence which has not been approved will be required to apply for readmission to the course.

Conditions for Completion of Degree at another University

A student leaving this University before completing an undergraduate degree course of the Faculty must, in order to qualify for the ANU degree

• have passed later-year science units in this university to the value of 48 credit points, of which at least 24 credit points must be from Group C;
• complete units at another university which have been approved by the Faculty as fulfilling the degree requirements.

Distinguished Scholar Program in Science

This innovative and flexible program is designed to stretch the abilities of high-achieving students to the limit. It provides customised undergraduate training for outstanding high school students from throughout Australia. Distinguished Scholars will normally be in the top 2% in their state or territory, or have shown outstanding achievement in, for example, the Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics Olympiads. Alternatively, students who show potential during their undergraduate courses may, with the support of the relevant Department, seek entry at a later stage.

The Distinguished Scholar Program is available only to students enrolled in the standard BSc degree course; students enrolled in courses combined with the BSc are precluded.

In consultation with the Head of the relevant Department/Division, scholars select a member of the academic staff to be their mentor within the Program. The mentor will, in consultation with the scholar, plan a course tailored to the scholar’s needs and interests to maximise academic potential. The mentor will also encourage and monitor the scholar’s progress and development and facilitate the interaction and involvement of the scholar with the relevant Department.The program can consist of existing units, special lecture courses, reading courses and/or special research projects from both the Faculty and the Research Schools.

Application forms are available from the Admissions Office, telephone (02) 6249 5594/3046 or e-mail admiss.enq@anu.edu.au

or from the Faculty of Science ¾
telephone (02) 6249 2809 or World Wide Web
http://www.anu.edu.au/science

Applications close 31 October each year.

Candidates should also be aware that they may apply for an ANU National Undergraduate Scholarship.