Bachelor of Science with Honours

Why study the Bachelor of Science with Honours at UNE?

Honours in Science is an intensive year-long program that enables students to research a topic they are passionate about. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own original project and conduct research under the guidance of a supervisor who is a specialist in the relevant field. This is the final year of undergraduate study for most students and provides an avenue into postgraduate study and improves career prospects. Students who complete an honours year can demonstrate to future employers that they have advanced science skills and the ability to manage and independently produce high quality work.

Programs are available in a wide range of areas in the Sciences and include Agronomy, Animal Science, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computational Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, Genetics, Geography, Geoscience, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Physiology, Psychology and Zoology.

The Bachelor of Science with Honours requires completion of a thesis and students also undertake a discipline based learning program, which is designed in consultation with the supervisor, comprising coursework/direct reading/seminar presentation.

Please note that admission to Honours in Psychology is only available in Trimester 1.

For Psychology Honours only - Applications close EST 11.59pm on Wednesday 31st October 2018.

Career Opportunities

Exciting research career options are possible in industry, government, universities and research organisations such as CSIRO, Australian Nuclear Service and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). There are also opportunities in the departments of primary industries, resource management, water and land resources, environmental protection authorities, forestry commissions, national parks and wildlife services, water and soil conservation. Other career opportunities include positions in computing, consulting, botanical gardens, museums, herbaria and zoos, manufacturing, electronics, mining (rehabilitation, waste control and treatment) and in the oil industry.

Need assistance?

Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2019 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

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

Official Abbreviation BSc(Hons)
Course Type Bachelor Honours
CRICOS Code 000469G
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
Armidale Trimester 3 On Campus
Course Duration
  • 1 Year Full-time
  • 2 Years Part-time
Fees CSP / International
For fee information, click here
Total Credit Points 48
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

1. A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Science from the University of New England or an equivalent AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline; and

(b) have achieved a GPA of 5.5 or better in the undergraduate degree; or a credit average in at least 24 credit points at 300-level in Science units from an area releated to the major/discipline area.

2. Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Bachelor of Science Honours Course Coordinator in consultation with the relevant Head of School.

3. Readmission to the Bachelor of Science with Honours will only be permitted with the approval of the Course Coordinator and will only be considered where a completely new research topic is proposed.

Additional Requirements

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

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing shall not be granted for the thesis component.

Academic Colours

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 Science with Honours in 2019.

Admission to Candidature

1. A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Science from the University of New England or an equivalent AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline; and
(b) have achieved a GPA of 5.5 or better in the undergraduate degree; or a credit average in at least 24 credit points at 300-level in Science units from an area related to the major/discipline area.
2. Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Bachelor of Science Honours Course Coordinator in consultation with the relevant Head of School.
3. Readmission to the Bachelor of Science with Honours will only be permitted with the approval of the Course Coordinator and will only be considered where a completely new research topic is proposed.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

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

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Advanced standing shall not be granted for the thesis component.

Period of Candidature

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

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points at 400-level, including a thesis plus discipline-based components, in one of the approved majors.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study comprising:

Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 48 cps
Total 48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Agronomy
Animal Science
Archaeology
Biochemistry
Botany
Chemistry
Computational Science
Ecology
Environmental Science
Genetics
Geography
Geoscience
Mathematics
Microbiology
Physics
Physiology
Psychology
Zoology

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Science with Honours.

Classes of Honours

There shall be three classes of honours, namely Class I, Class II and Class III. Class II shall have two divisions, namely Division 1 and Division 2.
An exceptionally distinguished candidate who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.

Submission of Thesis

Submission of the thesis will be 39 weeks from the commencement of the trimester in which a candidate is enrolled.

Examination of Thesis

1. The thesis will be assessed by at least two examiners with expertise in the area of study neither of whom will be the candidate's supervisor. One of the examiners should be external to the University of New England.
2. In case of dispute, the supervisor and Honours Course Coordinator, generally in consultation with appropriate academic staff, will determine the appointment of the examiners. Examiners will be required to submit a written report along with a completed 'Examiners Assessment Form'.
In all matters relating to examiners, the Head of School shall have the final decision.
3. The thesis examination process is described in the Bachelor of Science with Honours Handbook.

Calculation of Honours Results

The ratio of assessment component will equal the ratio of marks within the final grade.

Suspensions and Extensions to Candidature

1. Except for candidates completing the Psychology major, the school concerned may grant an extension or suspension of candidature, or a combination of both, to full-time candidates for up to six months or to part-time candidates for up to 12 months as follows:
(a) to compensate by way of extension of candidature, a candidate for time lost by ill-health or unforeseeable and unavoidable difficulties; or
(b) to compensate by way of suspension of candidature, a candidate who produces evidence that he/she shall not be in a position to pursue work towards the Bachelor of Science with Honours.
2. Candidates completing the Psychology major may be granted up to 12 months extension or suspension of candidature to compensate time lost by ill-health or unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances.

Re-enrolment

Except for candidates completing the Psychology major:
1. A full-time candidate may be granted special leave by the school concerned to re-enrol in a subsequent year if he or she withdraws from candidature by the census date of the teaching period in which they commenced.
2. A part-time candidate may withdraw from candidature up to the census date of the teaching period in which they commenced in the first year of enrolment without prejudice to the right to re-enrol in a succeeding year.
3. A part-time candidate who withdraws later than the census date in the second year of enrolment but prior to two months before the submission of the thesis as required by the relevant head of school may re-enrol in the same subject for the degree, provided that:
(a) two years will have elapsed before such re-enrolment;
(b) the topic of study undertaken within the thesis is different from that of the original enrolment.
4. A candidate who is deemed to have failed may, after a lapse of three years, be permitted to apply for re-admission to the course, provided the proposed work is in a different topic of study within the thesis from that of the originial enrolment.

For candidates completing the Psychology major:
5. Candidates who withdrew from their course will not be permitted to re-enrol except with the permission of the Head of School and only under exceptional circumstances.
6. A candidate who withdraws later than the census date from PSYC402H or PSYC403H but prior to two months before the submission of the dissertation, may with Head of School permission re-enrol in PSYC402H or PSYC403H in the subsequent year, provided that the topic of study undertaken within the dissertation is different from the original enrolment.
7. Candidates who are deemed to have failed may, after a lapse of two years, be permitted to apply for re-admission to the course, provided the proposed dissertation work is in a different topic of study from that of the original enrolment.

For all candidates:
8. A candidate who withdraws later than two months prior to the date on which the thesis is required shall be deemed to have failed.
9. Unless a candidate shows good cause why such action should not be taken, the relevant Head of School may withdraw a candidate on the grounds of having failed to meet the requirements of the course and deem them to have failed in it.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Science with Honours offers students the opportunity to undertake advanced study and research in a broad range of disciplines across The Sciences. The course prepares students for postgraduate study and establishes a sound basis for a successful future career.

The course aims to encourage students to have an understanding that -

· 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.

· 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.

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

· 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.

· Science is embedded within a context that reflects both the history of scientific endeavor 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:
  1. demonstrate, through their own practice, an advanced understanding of the methods and processes of science as a creative endeavour and that current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry;
  2. exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating advanced knowledge in one or more disciplinary areas, demonstrating the potential to make original contributions to scientific knowledge and integrating their own research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms;
  3. conduct a research investigation under supervision in a research or professional environment by critically analysing a challenging complex or multi-faceted problem, identifying research questions, designing and planning a project, selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools to address a research question and analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating research findings;
  4. be effective communicators of science by communicating scientific ideas and research findings to informed professional audiences using a variety of modes; and
  5. be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by demonstrating initiative and intellectual independence, collaborating effectively, and complying with regulatory frameworks and practising professional ethics relevant to their disciplinary area.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Graduates will demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts relevant to their discipline(s) and knowledge of research principles and methods and will possess a global perspective on the developments over time relevant to their field(s) of study and their discipline(s). In addition, they will have the capacity to understand the implications of international events for their area(s) of study.

Communication Skills

Graduates will have high level communication skills, oral and written, to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences.

Global Perspectives

Graduates will possess a global perspective (both national and international) on the developments over time relevant to their field(s) of study and their discipline(s) and a capacity to understand the implications of international events for their area(s) of study.

Information Literacy

Graduates will be able to recognise pertinent information and will have the advanced cognitive skills to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access, critically analyse and interpret information. They will have technical skills to plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence.

Life-Long Learning

Graduates will have cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding as well as responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice.

Problem Solving

Graduates will have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence. They will exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding.

Social Responsibility

Graduates will be aware of their professional responsibilities and will demonstrate understanding and practice of the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with their discipline or profession. This includes an understanding of their own ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community and the environment.

Team Work

Graduates will be able to exercise responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others within broad parameters.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

For more information, click here

Contact Us

Please select whether you are a current student or a future student:

Other Channels

Live chat Phone

Request Contact

Please contact me via

As a current student you need to send your enquiry through AskUNE.

Please click here to access your AskUNE account