Example first year study plans by broad area of science
These study plans provide you with suggested combinations of level one units to maximise your choice of science specialisations. The plans also provide a strong science foundation to allow you to progress to later stages of your course.
Please note that when considering your selection of level one units you need to satisfy the level one requirements for your course.
- BIOLOGICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
- BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE
- CHEMICAL SCIENCES
- EARTH, CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
- MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE
- PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS
 | BIOLOGICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major required sequence | Recommended sequence | Core science units | Science or non-science electives | |
| Semester 1 | BIO1011 | CHM1011 or CHM1051 |
One level-one mathematics or statistics unit from:
SCI1020 or STA1010 is recommended | Another science sequence is recommended |
| Semester 2 | BIO1022* or BIO1042 | CHM1022 or CHM1052 | SCI1000 Science communication to influence change | A unit to complete that science sequence or STA1010 if not already taken |
| Note: By completing another level one science sequence you will have more options to specialise at stages two and three. *Some of the majors require BIO1022. Science majors matched with this course plan include:
| ||||
 | BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major required sequence | Recommended sequence | Core science units | Science or non-science electives | |
| Semester 1 | BIO1011 | CHM1011 or CHM1051 |
One level-one mathematics or statistics unit from:
SCI1020 or STA1010 is recommended | PSY1011, or another science sequence is recommended |
| Semester 2 | BIO1022 | CHM1022 or CHM1052 | SCI1000 Science communication to influence change | PSY1023, or a unit to complete that science sequence, or STA1010 if not already taken |
| Note: By completing another level one science sequence you will have more options to specialise at stages two and three. Science majors matched with this course plan include:
| ||||
 | CHEMICAL SCIENCES | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major required sequence | Suggested science sequence | Core science units | Science or non-science electives | |
| Semester 1 | CHM1011 or CHM1051 | BIO1011 or another level one science sequence | One level-one mathematics or statistics unit from: | A science elective or another science sequence, for example in Biological sciences, Computational science, Earth, atmosphere and environment, Geographical science, Mathematics or Psychology |
| Semester 2 | CHM1022 or CHM1052 | BIO1022 or BIO1042 or a unit to complete another level one science sequence | SCI1000 Science communication to influence change | A unit to complete that science sequence or an elective |
| Note: By completing additional level one science sequences you will have more options to specialise at stages two and three. Science majors matched with this level-one recommended course plan include: | ||||
 | EARTH, CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major required sequence | Recommended sequence | Recommended additional science units/core science unit | Science or non-science electives/core science unit | |
Semester 1 | EAE1011 | CHM1011 (For a major in Climate and atmospheric science complete MTH1020 Analysis of change or MTH1030 Techniques for modelling (depending on VCE or equivalent background) for some level three units)* | ||
Semester 2 | EAE1022 | BIO1042 | SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning (For a major in Climate and atmospheric science complete MTH1030 (if not taken) or MTH2010 for some level three units)* | SCI1000 Science communication to influence change |
| Note: * Climate and atmospheric science major: EAE3121 and EAE3152 (core units for weather and climate stream and elective units for general stream) have mathematics prerequisites. They both rely on the successful completion of MTH1030 and MTH2010. By completing additional level one science sequences you will have more options to specialise at stages two and three. Science majors matched with this level-one recommended course plan include: | ||||
 | MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major required sequence | Suggested science sequence | Core science units | Science or non-science electives | |
Semester 1 | MTH1020 Analysis of change or MTH1030 Techniques for modelling or MTH1035 Techniques for modelling (advanced) (depending on VCE or equivalent background) | A sequence in Biological sciences, Chemistry, Computational science or Physics | A science elective or another science sequence is suggested, for example in Biological sciences, Chemistry, Computational science, Earth, atmosphere and environment, Geographical science, Physics or Psychology | |
Semester 2 | MTH1030 (if not taken) or MTH2010 Multivariable calculus or MTH2015 Multivariable calculus (advanced) | A unit to complete that science sequence | SCI1000 Science communication to influence change | A unit to complete another science sequence or an elective |
| Note: If you have a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in mathematics you could replace the units MTH1030 and MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and MTH2015. By completing additional level one science sequences you will have more options to specialise at stages two and three. Science areas of study matched with this level-one recommended course plan include:
| ||||
 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major required sequence | Major required sequence | Recommended additional science units/core science unit | Suggested science sequence | |
Semester 1 | (depending on VCE or equivalent background and interests) | MTH1020 Analysis of change or MTH1030 Techniques for modelling or MTH1035 Techniques for modelling (advanced) (depending on VCE or equivalent background) | Science elective | Another science sequence is recommended in Astronomy, Biological sciences, Chemistry, Earth, atmosphere and environment, Geographical science, or Computational science |
Semester 2 | (depending on VCE or equivalent background and semester one Physics unit) | MTH1030, or if MTH1030 has already been taken then one of MTH2010 (or MTH2015), MAT1830 , SCI1022 or STA1010 | SCI1000 Science communication to influence change | A unit to complete that science sequence |
Note: If you have a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in mathematics you could replace the units MTH1030 and MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and MTH2015. By completing additional level one science sequences you will have more options to specialise at stages two and three. Science majors matched with this level-one recommended course plan include:
| ||||