Seeking advice and help

All students enrolled in science courses and units are encouraged to see their tutors or lecturers about any academic issues they may have. Monash Connect provide course and unit enrolment advice at any stage of your course.

Course requirements

The course requirements in this Handbook apply to students who are admitted to a course in 2026. Students whose first year of study in their course was before 2026 can view their commencing year by using the filter for courses on the Advanced search page in the current Handbook, or consult with Monash Connect to determine the requirements that apply to their course.

Course progression and enrolment

Normal full-time load

The normal full-time load for undergraduate science courses is 24 credit points per semester, or four 6 credit point units. Undergraduate units are available at levels one, two and three, as indicated by the first number in the unit code.

Normally students in science courses may not undertake any level two science units until they have successfully completed at least 36 credit points of units at level one.

Approval to exceed a normal full-time load in any semester

Students must seek permission to enrol in more than the normal full-time load in any semester, i.e. more than 24 credit points in first and second semester and 18 credit points in summer semester. Students are normally not permitted to overload in their first year of study.

For more information refer to the study load page and the Enrolment Procedure – sections 1.7 to 1.17 (pdf).

Unit prerequisites, corequisites and prohibitions

The unit entries in this Handbook often include prerequisites, corequisites and prohibitions:

• 'Prerequisite' units must have been completed successfully prior to undertaking the unit for which they are listed.
• 'Corequisite' units either must have been completed previously or may be taken concurrently in the same semester.
• Units listed with a 'prohibition' to another unit usually have significant content overlap and students are not allowed to enrol in both units.

Responsibility for unit choice

It is important that students are familiar with the requirements for the course in which they are enrolled, which includes corequisites and prerequisites of current level study and for progression to the next level. Assistance is available for students with planning their studies and through Monash Connect.

When choosing level one units, students should aim to keep options open for the choice of level two and level three units at a later stage of their course. Students should peruse the units available in later years and check on the corequisites and prerequisites listed in the unit entries, but should also be aware that not all units are offered every year. Most majors have certain prerequisite units for progression to the next level.

Timetable constraints may influence unit choice. The faculty aims to minimise timetable clashes between appropriate unit combinations, however students are encouraged to consult the timetable prior to finalising unit selection.

Choosing the appropriate level one mathematics and statistics unit

Students are required to complete a level 1 mathematics or statistics unit, depending on their mathematics background and interests. This requirement must be completed within the first 48 credit points of the science course, or within the first 72 credit points of the science double degree course.

Students are advised to refer to this guide when choosing the appropriate level one mathematics and statistics unit for their course.

Double counting units towards majors, minors and extended majors

No more than 12 credit points can be credited towards two majors, or a major and a minor, within a course (including a double degree course). The same credit points cannot be credited towards more than one minor. Exceptions can be approved by the dean (or delegate) of the managing faculty. (See 2.12.7 of the Course Design Procedure).

No more than 12 credit points can be credited towards both a specialisation and a major or minor within a course (including a double degree course). The same credit points cannot be credited towards more than one minor. Exceptions can be approved by the dean (or delegate) of the managing faculty. (see 2.13.6 of the Course Design Procedure).

Course maps

Course maps are available to help students plan their course.

Credit for non-Monash units

There are specific limits on the amount of credit that students can count for units not completed at Monash. Refer to the University credit procedure (pdf).

Enrolment over and above degree requirements

Students have a responsibility to complete course requirements as outlined in this Handbook and not exceed the specified number of credit points required to complete their course. Unit enrolments not meeting the requirements of this policy will be charged on a single unit fee basis unless the Deputy Dean Education or nominee has verified that the additional studies are required to complete a student's course requirements due to having changed their major.

For more information, see the Enrolment Procedure – sections 3.10 to 3.11 (pdf).