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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

311148 v.5 Bachelor of Science (Science)

BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 061600D
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 3 Years


Course Overview

Bachelor degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.


This course enables students to pursue their interest in science by choosing a major from the following list, as well as one stream where listed associated with that major (options shown in brackets): Chemistry (streams: Biological Chemistry; Analytical & Forensic Chemistry; Geochemistry); Coastal and Marine Science; Computing (streams: Computer Science; Cyber Security; Information Technology; Software Engineering); Environmental Biology; Environmental Science; Extractive Metallurgy; Geophysics; Geographic Information Science; Industrial Optimisation (YUS China students only); Mathematics (streams: Applied Mathematics; Industrial Mathematics; Financial Mathematics); Mine and Engineering Surveying; Mining; Multidisciplinary Science; Physics (streams: Mathematical Physics; Materials Physics; Astrophysics; Environmental Physics)


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.


Please refer to individual majors for specific entry requirements. The Industrial Optimisation major is available to Yanshan University (China) students only. Completion of Year 1, 2 & 3 of the Bachelor of Management (Industrial Management) at Yanshan University, China, plus demonstration of English competency (as per Curtin standard requirements). STAT is accepted for Multidisciplinary Science only. Elements E, V and Q are considered. It is not accepted for any other major. It may be used to meet University English competency requirements combined with other relevant qualifications.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Professional recognition may be granted depending on the area of interest. Please see your major of your choice for further details.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree with honours and some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

A Science & Engineering Enabling Course is available for those students who do not meet Curtin University entrance requirements. This allows students to not only meet Curtin entrance but also to study all pre-requisites required for further study in the areas of engineering, science, health and information technology.



Course Organisation

Bachelor degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.


In the first year, students must choose one of the first year programs/pre-majors listed below, which prepares students for the following majors undertaken in second and third year.Students wishing to study one of the following majors: Computer Science; Cyber Security; Information Technology; Software Engineering are required to choose the Computing pre- major in their first year. Students wishing to study one of the following majors: Extractive Metallurgy; Mine and Engineering Surveying; Mining are required to choose the Mining Science pre- major in their first year. Students wishing to study one of the following majors: Coastal and Marine Science; Environmental Biology; Environmental Science are required to choose the Environment pre- major in their first year. Students wishing to study one of the following majors: Chemistry; Geophysics; Physics are required to choose the Physical Sciences pre- major in their first year. Students wishing to study Geographic Information Science major are required to choose the Geographic Information Science pre- major in their first year. Students wishing to study Mathematics major are required to choose the Mathematics pre- major in their first year. Students wishing to study Multidisciplinary Science major are required to choose the Multidisciplinary Science pre- major in their first year.(This may be as a pathway to other pre-majors/majors.) Students articulating from Yanshan University (China) will enrol directly into the Industrial optimisation major.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. gain knowledge and experience in science, learning skills and professional practice and understand the theoretical basis of their chosen area of study.

2. apply scientific principles and methodology to the solving of scientific problems, thinking creatively to develop innovative solutions.

3. access and competently use information technology and a variety of tools to retrieve, manipulate, transform and present data and information.

4. communicate effectively, in writing and orally, using language and visual representation appropriate to purpose and audience.

5. understand the constructs of the scientific method and apply these principles in representative exercises using new technologies.

6. develop independent study and time-management skills that will enhance their learning capabilities in subsequent years of study and their professional life.

7. be aware of the diversity of international perspectives associated with the sciences, and how these impact on practice the practice of science

8. understand and appreciate cultural diversity and how it impacts on the practice of science.

9. display a very high standard of professional behaviour, both independently and as a team member, through the use of ethical practices in the scientific field.


Duration and Availability

Three years full time or the equivalent part time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      
2014 Sri Lanka Inst Info Tech Semester 1   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1
313539 v.2   Environment Pre-major (BSc Science) 200.0
  OR  
314640 v.1   Mining Sciences Pre-major (BSc Science) 200.0
  OR  
313542 v.2   Physical Sciences Pre-major (BSc Science) 200.0
  OR  
314638 v.1   Geographic Information Science Pre-Major (BSc Science) 200.0
  OR  
313799 v.2   Computing Pre-major (BSc Science) 200.0
  OR  
313661 v.1   Multidisciplinary Science Pre-major (BSc Science) 200.0
  OR  
313541 v.2   Mathematics Pre-major (BSc Science) 200.0
  200.0
Year 2
314639 v.1   Geographic Information Science Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
313675 v.2   Chemistry Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
314645 v.1   Extractive Metallurgy Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
313558 v.2   Coastal and Marine Science Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
314646 v.1   Mine and Engineering Surveying Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
314644 v.1   Mining Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
313674 v.2   Mathematics Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
313628 v.2   Multidisciplinary Science Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
313562 v.2   Environmental Biology Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
314523 v.1   Environmental Science Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
314661 v.1   Geophysics Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
313679 v.2   Physics Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  OR  
313313 v.2   Computing Major (BSc Science) 400.0
  400.0



Further Information

Contact the Career Consultant, Faculty of Science and Engineering on (08) 9266 4816, email: careers@curtin.edu.au or visit our website: http://scieng.curtin.edu.au.


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.