Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science offers students a general understanding of contemporary social and cultural developments through a range of study areas, as well as a capacity to understand complex scientific information in a specialised field.

It combines a range of key humanities and scientific skills and knowledge related to current and projected industry needs.

Students learn how to communicate their knowledge in ways that address the issues facing humanity and the planet.

Students also develop analytical, communication and research skills designed to facilitate their personal and professional development.

Drawing on the expertise of leading teachers, researchers and industry experts, the course allows students to design a degree to develop a unique range of interdisciplinary skills.

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated. View course rules and special requirements

Core studies

11 units (150 credit points)

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

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Major for Bachelor of Arts

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose a major:

Choose a major Advertising Chinese Cinema and Screen Studies Creative Writing and Literature Criminology Digital Advertising Technology Environmental Sustainability Games and Interactivity Global Studies History Indigenous Studies Japanese Journalism Media Industries Philosophy Politics and International Relations Professional Writing and Editing Social Media Sociology

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Major for Bachelor of Science

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose a major:

Choose a major Applied Mathematics Biochemistry Biotechnology Chemistry Environmental Science Physics

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Other studies

4 units (50 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Advanced minor Minors Elective units Signature Series

Advanced minor (50 credit points)

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors - more information will be available soon.

Minors (50 credit points)

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

• Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
• Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
• One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
• See the course planner for an example degree structure

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts graduates will be able to:

• systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/or social sciences
• formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
• critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of inter-disciplinarity for generating solutions
• define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
• apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
• interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
• coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science graduates will be able to:

• articulate the methods of science, explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and explain the role and relevance of science in society.
• exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one science disciplinary area.
• critically analyse and solve scientific problems by evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation, selecting and applying practical and theoretical techniques for that investigation and collecting, recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data.
• effectively communicate science by presenting information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes using a variety of modes.
• adopt ownership of their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively and safely in an individual or team context, demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory framework relevant to the disciplinary area and practising ethical conduct.