Bachelor of Scientific Studies

This course is suitable for students who do not have an educational background in Sciences.

The first year of study provides academic foundation knowledge and skills and achievement at introductory level.

Students are able to exit with a Diploma in Science on completion of the first year and may articulate into other Science-based Bachelor degrees.

Course Aims

To have an understanding that· Science is the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the natural world following a systematic methodology based on evidence.· Scientists are curious about the natural world and are creative in formulating hypotheses and in designing approaches to problem solving. Scientists employ scientific methods to test hypotheses and use empirical evidence to support or refute their hypotheses.· Science includes a broad spectrum of disciplinary areas. Mathematics is used in science to model real-world systems and scientific data are often analysed using statistical methods.· Scientists have a responsibility to communicate the outcomes of their work accurately and without bias to their peers and to society.· Scientists generate and build knowledge, develop technologies, investigate and solve problems. Science is embedded within a context that reflects both the history of scientific endeavour and the culture of present society.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of science, including evidence-based systematic methodology involved in acquiring knowledge, and the relevance this has for society; demonstrate the ability to apply recognised methods of science, appropriate practical techniques and tools for processes of discovery and inquiry; critically analyse and solve scientific problems by gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from different sources, and selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques in order to conduct an investigation; be effective communicators of science by communicating scientific information or arguments, to a range of audiences, including peers and the general community; and be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context, and personally practising ethical conduct.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will understand ways of scientific thinking and the nature of science as a broad discipline. Communication Skills Graduates will be able to communicate scientific information or arguments to a range of audiences. Problem Solving Graduates will be able to investigate and solve problems by using evidence-based systematic methods of science. Information Literacy Graduates will be able to communicate scientific information or arguments to a range of audiences. In doing so they will be able to synthesise and critically evaluate information from a range of sources, using a range of technologies. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will be able to take social responsibility by recognising the relevant ethical frameworks within which science is practised and demonstrate a capacity for working responsibly and safely in both individual and team environments. Lifelong Learning Graduates will be able to take personal responsibility for lifelong learning by demonstrating a capacity for self-directed learning. Independence and Collaboration Elements of each unit of study require students to work independently or to work collaboratively as part of a team.