Program Overview

Bachelor of Science (Physical Sciences)

The Physical Sciences provide a foundation for innovation across science, engineering, and technology. The Bachelor of Science (Physical Sciences) offers students majors in Chemistry and/or Physics. The knowledge gained from these majors is essential to providing solutions to how we can live on Earth in a sustainable manner.

Overview

The BSc (Physical Sciences) has been designed to allow students to combine digital simulation and modelling tools with laboratory-based learning in order to deeply explore how Chemistry and Physics can lead to practical solutions to issues in health, repairing environmental degradation, developing natural resources, and producing and utilising next-generation technologies.

Admission Requirements

• Special requirements: Students completing the major externally should note that access to a suitable computer and software packages is required for some of the units.
• Entry requirements (onshore): Some units in this course require a final scaled score of 55% or more in ATAR Mathematics Methods (or equivalent); Students who do not meet this requirement can enrol in the course but will be required to complete MAS164 as an elective or additional unit.
• English language requirements: Equivalent of an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.

Learning Outcomes

1. Acquire an understanding of the breadth and depth of the physical sciences, while specialising in at least one of the physical sciences sub-disciplines.
2. Apply experimental and quantitative principles, concepts, and methods in discipline-specific and interdisciplinary contexts.
3. Apply discipline-specific principles, concepts, and experimental, computational, and mathematical techniques to investigate problems, and critically appraise the generality and limits of the approach.
4. Formulate quantitative descriptions for scientific, natural, or technological phenomena or processes.
5. Identify and apply suitable numerical methods for the study of processes or problems, and use appropriate software to implement scientific computational analyses.
6. Communicate discipline knowledge effectively and accurately to technical and non-technical audiences in oral or written form in ways that conform to professional standards.
7. Develop effective teamwork and independent learning skills to respond to a diverse range of perspectives and contexts, and use self-guided learning to tackle problems beyond the current level of ability.
8. Demonstrate behaviour that conforms to ethical and professional standards in dealing with quantitative data, results, and methods, and their dissemination and application in real-world situations.

Structure

The course consists of 72 credit points, including:

• Spine: 9 credit points
  • Required Units: 3 credit points
    • MSP100: Career Learning: Managing Your Career
  • Specified Elective Units: 6 credit points
    • Select TWO of the following units:
      • MSP200: Building Employability Skills
      • MSP201: Real World Learning
      • MAS300: Quantitative Projects and Consulting
• Course Core: 15 credit points
  • Required Units: 12 credit points
    • PEN100: Transitioning Through Time and Space
    • PEN203: Scientific Computing and Visualisation
    • CHE144: Foundations of Chemistry
    • PEN200: The Quantum Realm
  • Specified Electives: 3 credit points
    • Select ONE of the following units: Students who have completed ATAR Mathematics Specialist with a final scaled score of 55% or higher or equivalent should select MAS161. Other students should select MAS182. Students who select MAS182 should consider completing MAS161 as an elective.
      • MAS182: Introductory Calculus with Applications
      • MAS161: Calculus and Matrix Algebra
• Major: 24 credit points
  • Select from the following majors:
    • MJ-CHE: Chemistry
    • MJ-PHY: Physics
• Options: 24 credit points
  • Recommended Majors: 24 credit points
    • MJ-PHY: Physics
    • MJ-CHE: Chemistry
    • MJ-AMST: Applied Mathematics and Statistics
    • MJ-FCTX: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
  • Available Majors: 24 credit points
    • These majors are available to be taken alongside your primary major
  • Recommended Minors: 12 credit points
    • MN-FC: Forensic Chemistry
  • General Elective Units: 24 credit points
    • You may select up to 24 points of General Elective Units

Additional Information

• Research areas: Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Physical Sciences, Technology
• Course version: 10
• Version start date: 31/12/2025
• End date: 31/12/2025
• Owning college: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• Owning school: Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry, and Physics
• Duration in years: 3
• Enrolment pattern(s): Part Time, Full Time
• Credit points: 72
• Award title: Bachelor of Science
• AQF level: Level 7 - Bachelor Degree