Faculty of Science : Guide to courses
5. Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc)

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5. Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc)
    5.1. Attributes of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science graduate
    5.2. Duration
    5.3. Course requirements
        5.3.1. Science component
        5.3.2. Arts component
        5.3.3. Balance of points

5. Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc)

The BA/BSc combined course provides students with an opportunity to obtain a general education in the humanities, social sciences and the languages and cultures of other people, and also to complete a major in one or more science disciplines.

5.1. Attributes of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science graduate

In arts/science at the University of Melbourne, we expect to educate our students in the fundamental skills of transforming information into knowledge and communicating this knowledge clearly. These outcomes are fully consistent with the University's general ambition for our graduates, and emphasise the transferability of the skills practised in the arts and in science.

Throughout their course, students will find that many of the abilities that they develop are shared by, and so are valued by and are applicable to, activities in all walks of life. In particular, these are the skills that are essential to providing leadership to the science-technology base of the Australian economy and culture.

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees aim to educate and train students in both science and humanities areas of study. The combined course enables students to access a major (specialisation) stream in both the arts and science components of the course, which may be chosen as complementary or independent to each other. In addition, the length of the course allows students to pursue minor studies in other discipline areas beyond their majors. Graduates are therefore aware of and educated in a broad variety of knowledge areas.

Through their scientific training, these graduates have a broad knowledge of science across a range of disciplines, with a higher level of understanding in one or more of these disciplines. They also have an appreciation of the historical background and evolution of scientific concepts. They have the knowledge, skills and attitude to enable them to adapt to scientific, technological and social change and have a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning.

From their exposure to a range of quantitative and qualitative disciplines, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science graduates have strong cognitive, social and communication skills. In particular they are able to:

synthesise and evaluate information from a range of sources and add new ideas to their existing knowledge;
observe, record and evaluate data or evidence appropriately;
make effective use of information to identify and solve problems;
synthesise and integrate disparate elements into a meaningful whole;
express ideas, opinions and judgements and present them effectively in written or oral format that is appropriate to the audience;
question, reflect and clarify;
explain and defend their position on an issue; and
work effectively in group discussions.

Graduates in arts/science are independent and creative thinkers, and are able to approach scientific or social issues creatively. They are used to formulating hypotheses which can be tested for validity. They can extrapolate from the known to the unknown and are comfortable working with analogues rather than needing to deal with literal situations.

Studies in the humanities and social sciences strengthen students' understanding of the need to question and clarify issues surrounding a particular situation before developing a response. By suspending judgement and listening to other points of view, they are able to build on the ideas of others enabling their strong critical analysis skills. These studies also provide graduates with excellent written and oral communication skills.

The science disciplines also value clear reporting. Consequently, the arts/science graduate has developed skills of efficient and effective communication of ideas and results, whether in the accepted modes of scientific report writing or through more informal oral presentations. Graduates recognise the need to present information and ideas in an effective written form that is appropriate to the purpose and the reader.

Having undertaken laboratory and tutorial classes, arts/science graduates are adept at activity planning as well as the application of theory to practice. Some students will have found collaborative learning an efficient tool, while others will find their practical work enhanced by effective teamwork.

The need to manage the multiplicity of tasks (lectures, laboratory and assignment work) means that arts/science graduates are aware of the need to structure and manage time effectively and efficiently, to retain balance and to prioritise their activities. They are able to juggle several tasks simultaneously, take responsibility for their own work, independently or within a group, and to plan their schedule appropriately.

The breadth of the Science @ Melbourne program means that arts/science graduates will have been exposed, directly or indirectly, to thoughts and ideas from a number of bodies of knowledge. These graduates are aware of the breadth and depth of knowledge in areas beyond their specific areas of specialisation.

5.2. Duration

The BA/BSc combined course is normally completed over five years.

5.3. Course requirements

Students enrolled in the BA/BSc combined course must accumulate a minimum (and maximum) of 500 points. Within the 500 points students must satisfy the minimum requirements for both the BSc component and the BA component. These requirements are detailed below.

Subjects offered by the School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies, the Department of History and Philosophy of Science and the Department of Philosophy cannot count toward the science component of the combined course. The only exception is 121-030 Applied Ecology. Students completing 121-030 may receive credit for this subject towards either the science or arts component of the BA/BSc course. Students should advise the Faculty of Science Office if they would like 121-030 to count toward the BSc component of the BA/BSc course..

Students undertaking psychology subjects can receive credit toward either the science or arts component of the combined BA/BSc course. Credit for psychology cannot be split between the two faculties. Students should advise the Faculty of Science Office if they would like psychology to count toward the BSc component of the BA/BSc combined course.

5.3.1. Science component

A minimum of 237.5 science points is required, which must include:

between 75 and 125 science points at the 100-level; and
completion of 50 points of a prescribed science major at the 300-level.

There are no 200-level requirements.

Students who first enrolled in the BA/BSc before 1999 must complete the requirements set out above with the exception that they do not need to complete a prescribed science major, but rather 50 science points at the 300-level of subjects of their choice.

See Science and non-science subjects for discussion of what constitutes subjects earning science points.

5.3.2. Arts component

A minimum of 225 arts points is required, of which:

50 points must be at the 100-level;
75 points must be at the 200-level; and
100 points must be at the 300-level.

Please refer to the Faculty of Arts introduction section for a list of teaching departments. Also refer to Combined arts degree requirements.

5.3.3. Balance of points

The remaining 37.5 points may be taken from subjects offered by either faculty.