Bachelor of Science

With a myriad of majors and minors, craft a science degree that is uniquely yours with the ANU Bachelor of Science.You’ll have the opportunity to experiment in our state-of-the-art laboratories while being mentored by leading scientists.

You’ll have the flexibility to go on fieldtrips, take your studies overseas, or try an internship.Whether your passion lies in marine science or mathematics, physics or psychology, you’ll be able to explore your interests and follow your passions with our most flexible science degree.Find out more about our science study areas, degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting ourstudent blog.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Science requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

A minimum of 96 units must come from completion of courses from the Science course list

The 144 units must include:

48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:

Astronomy and Astrophysics Biochemistry Biological Anthropology Cell & Molecular Biology Chemistry Computer Science Earth Science Environmental Science Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology Geography Human Biology Human Evolutionary Biology Marine Science Mathematical Economics Mathematical Finance Mathematical Modelling Mathematics Resource and Environmental Management Physics Psychology Quantitative Biology Quantitative Environmental Modelling Science Communication Statistics Sustainability Studies Water Science

Either:

24 units from the completion of one of the following Science minors / specialisations:

Abnormal Psychology Minor Advanced Chemistry Specialisation Advanced Mathematics Specialisation Advanced Physics Specialisation Advanced Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation Applied Statistics Minor Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation Biology Minor Biochemistry Specialisation Biodiversity Conservation and Management Biological Anthropology Minor Biological Neuropsychology Minor Biomedical Science Specialisation Chemistry Minor Climate Science and Policy Minor Cognitive Psychology Minor Computer Science Minor Developmental Psychology Minor Earth and Marine Science Minor Earth Physics Specialisation Minor Environmental Geology Specialisation Environmental Policy Minor Evolution and Ecology Specialisation Forest Science and Policy Minor Genetics Specialisation Geochemistry and Petrology Specialisation Geography Minor Geophysics and Geology Specialisation Human Ecology Minor Mathematical Physics Specialisation Mathematics Minor Microbiology and Immunology Specialisation Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation Optics Specialisation Philosophy and Science Minor Physics Minor Plant Science Specialisation Professional Science Engagement Specialisation Psychology Specialisation Science Communication Minor Social Psychology Minor Soil and Land Management Minor Sustainable Development Minor Water Science and Policy Minor

24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list

Or:

48 units from completion of a second Science majors, listed above

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements.

In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.

Majors

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biochemistry
• Biological Anthropology
• Cell & Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science
• Environmental Science
• Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology
• Geography
• Human Biology
• Human Evolutionary Biology
• Marine Science
• Mathematical Economics
• Mathematical Finance
• Mathematical Modelling
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology
• Quantitative Environmental Modelling
• Quantitiative Biology
• Resource and Environmental Management
• Science Communication
• Statistics
• Sustainability Studies
• Water Science

Minors

• Abnormal Psychology
• Applied Statistics
• Biodiversity Conservation and Management
• Biological Anthropology
• Biological Neuropsychology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Climate Science and Policy
• Cognitive Psychology
• Computer Science
• Developmental Psychology
• Earth and Marine Sciences
• Environmental Policy
• Forest Science and Policy
• Foundational Science
• Geography
• Human Ecology
• Mathematics
• Philosophy and Science
• Physics
• Science Communication
• Social Psychology
• Soil and Land Management
• Sustainable Development
• Water Science and Policy

Specialisations

• Advanced Chemistry
• Advanced Mathematics
• Advanced Physics
• Advanced Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biochemistry
• Biomedical Science
• Earth Physics
• Environmental Geology
• Evolution and Ecology
• Genetics
• Geochemistry and Petrology
• Geophysics and Geology
• Mathematical Physics
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Neuroscience and Physiology
• Optics
• Plant Science
• Professional Science Engagement
• Psychology

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 - 48 units

Year 2 - 48 units

Year 3 - 48 units

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

→ School leavers will be assessed on: • the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program, • the co-curricular or service requirement, and • any program specific requirements that are listed below.

→ Non school leavers: a) will be assessed on: • the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program, b) Non school leavers who: • complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or • complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or • complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study, will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered 
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol 
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major). 

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

1. develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in educational and professional contexts;
2. use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to problems and issues;
3. convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
4. work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives;
5. exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.