Planning your first year in Science
Planning your first year in Science
Thinking about studying Science with us? Start planning your first year.
Not sure how a Science degree works? Wondering what majors you can choose—or even what a major is? Curious about what your first-year subjects might look like or what the course requirements are? This page is here to help! Explore how to structure your course, discover the units you can take, and start shaping your Science journey before you even begin.
Choosing what to study
At Monash Science, you don't need to decide on your areas of study straight away! If you already know what you want to focus on, that's great! But if you're still not sure, that's ok too - you have plenty of flexibility to explore different study areas before making a decision.
As a first year Science student, you’ll need to study a minimum of two first year (level one) Science sequences. Each sequence consists of two units that provide the foundational knowledge for a range of majors. The sequences you choose will determine which majors and minors you’re eligible to study from second year onwards.
You can select from:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth, atmosphere and environment
- Mathematics
- Physics and astrophysics
- Computational science
- Psychology
Understanding your course
In the Bachelor of Science you have the flexibility to build your course around your love for Science. You must complete at least one Science major or extended major.
Additionally, you have the option to complete a minor and/or a second major, or electives. Yes, you can jam-pack your whole degree with Science units! Alternatively, you can broaden your studies by choosing certain non-Science majors or electives.
Terminology
| Minor | A series of 4 units studied within the same discipline and is usually studied over two years. |
|---|---|
| Major | A series of 8 units studied sequentially to form your main field or specialisation, and is studied for the duration of your degree. |
| Extended major | An extended version of a major, where you complete 10 or 12 units. The number of units is dependent on the extended major. |
| Double major | Completion of two separate majors within the same single degree. This is different from a double degree where you pursue two distinct degrees simultaneously. In the Bachelor of Science, you could complete two Science majors or one Science and one non-science major. |
| Electives | Your course may require you to complete some Science specific electives - you can pick from a range of Science units. Your course may also allow you to complete "free electives" whereby you can pick almost any unit at Monash. Please note some unit have certain entry requirements you must meet to be eligible to enrol in that unit - these are referred to as prerequisites, corequisites or prohibitions. If you have enough electives, you may be able to form another major or minor. |
Science majors, minors and extended majors
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Course maps
Course maps help you to select units by providing a visual outline of the course structure with units and electives.
Compulsory units
There are a range of compulsory units within the Bachelor of Science.
Additional opportunities
Take your degree further! Choose from a range of optional units to deepen your knowledge and expend your opportunities.
Choosing what to study
At Monash Science, you don't need to decide on your areas of study straight away! If you already know what you want to focus on, that's great! But if you're still not sure, that's ok too – you have plenty of flexibility to explore different study areas before making a decision.
As a first year Science student, you’ll need to study a minimum of two first year (level one) Science sequences. Each sequence consists of two units that provide the foundational knowledge for a range of majors. The sequences you choose will determine which majors and minors you’re eligible to study from second year onwards.
You can select from:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth, atmosphere and environment
- Mathematics
- Physics and astrophysics
- Computational science
- Psychology
Understanding majors, minors, extended majors and electives
| Minor | A series of 4 units studied within the same discipline and is usually studied over two years. |
|---|---|
| Major | A series of 8 units studied sequentially to form your main field or specialisation, and is studied for the duration of your degree. |
| Extended major | An extended version of a major, where you complete 10 or 12 units. |
| Electives | Your course may require you to complete some Science specific electives - you can pick from a range of science units. Your course may also allow you to complete "free electives" whereby you can pick almost any unit at Monash. Please note some unit have certain entry requirements you must meet to be eligible to enrol in that unit - these are referred to as prerequisites, corequisites or prohibitions. |
In the Bachelor of Science - Advanced Research (Honours), you must complete two majors or an extended major and minor.
Science majors, minors and extended majors
View
Compulsory units
In your Science degree there are a range of compulsory units.
Additional opportunities
Take your degree further! Choose from a range of optional units to deepen your knowledge and expend your opportunities.
Choosing what to study
At Monash Science, you don't need to decide on your areas of study straight away. If you already know what you want to focus on, that's great! But if you're still not sure, that's ok too - you have plenty of flexibility to explore different study areas before making a decision.
As a first-year Science student, you’ll need to study two first year (level one) Science sequences. Each sequence consists of two units that provide the foundational knowledge for a range of majors. The sequences you choose will determine which majors and minors you’re eligible to study from second year onwards.
You can select from:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth, atmosphere and environment
- Mathematics
- Physics and astrophysics
- Computational science
- Psychology
Understanding majors, minors, extended majors and electives
| Minor | A series of 4 units studied within the same discipline and is usually studied over two years. |
|---|---|
| Major | A series of 8 units studied sequentially to form your main field or specialisation, and is studied for the duration of your degree. |
| Extended major | An extended version of a major, where you complete 10 or 12 units. |
| Electives | Electives are units outside of your major or minor studies. Your course may require you to complete some Science specific electives - you can pick from a range of science units. Your course may also allow you to complete "free electives" whereby you can pick almost any unit at Monash. Please note some unit have certain entry requirements you must meet to be eligible to enrol in that unit - these are referred to as prerequisites, corequisites or prohibitions. If you have enough electives, you may be able to form another major or minor. |
In the Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours), you must complete one major or extended major. You also have the option to complete a Science minor and electives.
Science majors, minors and extended majors
View
Compulsory units
In your Science degree there are a range of compulsory units.
Additional opportunities
Take your degree further. Choose from a range of optional units to deepen your knowledge and expend your opportunities.
*Students who have completed VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 with a raw study score of at least 30 (or equivalent) should take MAT1830 in Year 1, Semester 1. All other students should take MTH1020.
Additional opportunities and electives
Take your degree further. Choose from a range of optional units to deepen your knowledge and expend your opportunities.
You are required to complete two electives. Electives give you an opportunity to choose additional units in areas of interest. Your course allows you to complete "free elective" where you can pick from a range of units across the university.
Please note some units have certain entry requirements you must meet to be eligible to enrol in that unit - these are referred to as prerequisites, corequisites or prohibitions.
Choosing what to study
Science degree
At Monash Science, you don't need to decide on your areas of study straight away! If you already know what you want to focus on, that's great! But if you're still not sure, that's ok too - you have plenty of flexibility to explore different study areas before making a decision.
As a first year Science student, you’ll need to study two first year (level one) Science sequences. Each sequence consists of two units that provide the foundational knowledge for a range of majors. The sequences you choose will determine which majors and minors you’re eligible to study from second year onwards.
You can select from:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth, atmosphere and environment
- Mathematics
- Physics and astrophysics
- Computational science
- Psychology
In the Bachelor of Science component of your double degree, you must complete at least one major or extended major.
You also have the option to complete a minor or science electives.
Partner degree
You must fulfil the requirements of your partner degree in addition to those of the Bachelor of Science. Each double degree has specific course rules, unit selections, and progression requirements that you need to follow. For detailed information on your specific double degree, including its structure and requirements, please refer here.
Understanding majors, minors, extended majors and electives
| Minor | A series of 4 units studied within the same discipline and is usually studied over two years. |
|---|---|
| Major | A series of 8 units studied sequentially to form your main field or specialisation, and is studied for the duration of your degree. |
| Extended major | An extended version of a major, where you complete 10 or 12 units. |
| Electives | Your course may require you to complete some Science specific electives - you can pick from a range of Science units. Your course may also allow you to complete "free electives" whereby you can pick from a range of units across the university. Please note some unit have certain entry requirements you must meet to be eligible to enrol in that unit - these are referred to as prerequisites, corequisites or prohibitions. If you have enough electives, you may be able to form another major or minor. |
Science majors, minors and extended majors
View
Compulsory units
In your Science degree there are a range of compulsory units. You may also be required to complete compulsory units in the partner degree.
Additional opportunities
Take your degree further! Choose from a range of optional units to deepen your knowledge and expend your opportunities.