Course and Subject Handbook 2017

Course and Subject Handbook 2017 Courses Undergraduate Courses Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science

Information valid for students commencing in 2017.

Bachelor of Science

Course code	115810
Course type	BAC – Bachelor Pass (AQF level 7)
Professional accreditation status	The Physics major for the Bachelor of Science is seeking accreditation by the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). Graduates will be automatically eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics. The Chemistry major for this course is seeking accreditation by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Graduates will be immediately eligible for non-corporate membership of RACI and, with an additional three years’ experience in chemistry, may be eligible to register as a Chartered Chemist with Corporate Membership of RACI.
Division	Division of Tropical Environments and Societies

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	English, Maths B and Chemistry for all majors except: Preparatory Science (General major) (English only) Physics major (English, Maths B, Chemistry and (Physics OR Mathematics C))
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Post admission requirements	Some majors require attendance at block mode or limited attendance subjects on either the Townsville or Cairns campus. Students may be required to attend block mode classes at a campus other than that at which they are enrolled, at their own expense.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points	72 credit points as per course structure
Additional course rules	A maximum of 30 credit points may be taken at level 1. A minimum of 18 credit points of science subjects must be taken at level 3 or higher. Students may seek permission to enrol in one or more level 5 subjects.
Additional completion requirements	The Preparatory Science Minor is mandatory for all students who do not meet the course entry requirements of Maths B and Chemistry from high school.
Course learning outcomes	The graduates of James Cook University are prepared and equipped to create a brighter future for life in the tropics world-wide. JCU graduates are committed to lifelong learning, intellectual development and to the display of exemplary personal, professional and ethical standards. They have a sense of their place in the tropics and are charged with professional, community, and environmental responsibility. JCU graduates appreciate the need to embrace and be acquainted with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia. They are committed to reconciliation, diversity and sustainability. They exhibit a willingness to lead and to contribute to the intellectual, environmental, cultural, economic and social challenges of regional, national, and international communities of the tropics. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science at James Cook University will be able to: Integrate and apply a coherent body of theoretical and technical knowledge, including underlying concepts and principles, in one or more science disciplines Critically appraise the role and relevance of science in society, particularly in creating sustainable futures in the tropics, worldwide Demonstrate broad understanding of the methods of science, including the creative processes involved in developing scientific knowledge, and its contestable and testable nature Retrieve, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information from a range of sources Plan and conduct reliable, evidence-based laboratory and/or field experiments by selecting and applying methods, techniques and tools, as appropriate to one or more science disciplines Organise, analyse and interpret scientific data using mathematical, statistical and technological skills Convey scientific ideas, arguments and conclusions clearly and coherently through well-developed written and oral communication skills and a variety of media Identify, analyse and generate solutions to unpredictable or complex problems by applying scientific knowledge and skills with initiative and well-developed judgement Critically review regulatory requirements, ethical principles and, where appropriate, cultural frameworks, to work effectively, responsibly and safely in diverse contexts Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes to manage their professional learning needs and performance, autonomously and in collaboration with others

Course Structure

Course Structure - Preparatory Science

CORE SUBJECTS

Level 1

SC1101:03 Science: Nature, Knowledge and Understanding

SC1102:03 Modelling Natural Systems or SC1109:03 Modelling Natural Systems-Advanced

Level 2

SC2202:03 Quantitative Methods in Science or SC2209:03 Quantitative Methods in Science-Advanced

Level 3

SC3008:03 Professional Placement

SC3010:03 Wicked Problems in Science

CORE OPTIONS

Select 6 credit points of specified Level 1 subjects from List 1

Select 3 credit points of specified Level 2 subjects from List 2

PLUS

Select the Preparatory Science Minor from the Inter-Disciplinary Minors list

PLUS

Select a Major from Table A

PLUS

Select a second Minor from Table B or 12 credit points of any undergraduate subjects

Course Structure - Science Majors

CORE SUBJECTS

Level 1

SC1101:03 Science: Nature, Knowledge and Understanding

SC1102:03 Modelling Natural Systems or SC1109:03 Modelling Natural Systems-Advanced

Level 2

SC2202:03 Quantitative Methods in Science or SC2209:03 Quantitative Methods in Science-Advanced

Level 3

SC3008:03 Professional Placement

SC3010:03 Wicked Problems in Science

CORE OPTIONS

Select 6 credit points of specified Level 1 subjects from List 1

Select 3 credit points of specified Level 2 subjects from List 2

List 1

BS1007:03 Introduction to Biodiversity or BZ1006:03 Diversity of Life

BS1001:03 Introduction to Biological Processes or BZ1005:03 Introduction to Ecology

CH1001:03 Chemistry: A central Science or CH1011:03 Chemistry for the Natural Sciences

CH1002:03 Chemistry: Principles and Applications

CP1401:03 Fundamentals of Problem Solving and Programming

EV1005:03 Environmental Processes and Global Change

EA1110:03 Evolution of the Earth

MA1000:03 Mathematical Foundation

MA1003:03 Mathematical Techniques

PH1005:03 Advanced Stream Physics 1

PH1007:03 Advanced Stream Physics 2

List 2

CH2103:03 Analytical Chemistry

CP2404:03 Database Modelling

EV2502:03 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

MA2201:03 Numerical Mathematics

PH2222:03 Sensors and Sensing for Scientists

OPTIONS

Select a single or double Major

Single Major

Select a major from Table A

PLUS

Select a science minor that is different to your major from Table B or 12 credit points of any level 2 or 3 science subjects

PLUS

Select a second minor that is different to your major from Table B or 12 credit points of any undergraduate subjects

Double Major

Select a major from Table A

PLUS

Select a second major from Table A

TABLE A (MAJORS)

Type of major	Mandatory, single or double
Credit points in major	24 credit points

MAJOR	AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Aquaculture Science and Technology	Townsville	The first year of study may be completed in Cairns Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019
Chemistry	Townsville	Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019
Earth Science	Cairns Townsville	Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019
Marine Biology	Townsville	The first year of study may be completed in Cairns Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019
Mathematics	Townsville	The first year of study may be completed in Cairns Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019
Molecular and Cell Biology	Townsville	Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019
Physics	Townsville	The Mathematics minor is compulsory for those students studying the Physics major in the Bachelor of Science. Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019
Zoology and Ecology	Cairns Townsville	Not available to students wanting to complete prior to the end of 2019

TABLE B (MINORS)

Type of Minor	Single
Credit points in minor	12 credit points

MINOR	AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Advanced Chemistry	Townsville
Advanced Mathematics	Townsville
Advanced Physics	Townsville
Aquaculture Science & Technology	Townsville	Due to prerequisites, this minor is only available to those students studying a biological sciences major (Marine Biology or Zoology & Ecology)
Chemistry	Townsville
Environmental Geochemistry	Townsville
Exploration	Townsville
Field Studies in Earth Sciences	Townsville
Fisheries	Townsville
Marine Biology	Townsville	Due to prerequisites, this minor is only available to those students studying a biological sciences major (Aquaculture or Zoology & Ecology).
Marine & Environmental Science and Sensors	Townsville
Mathematics	Townsville	This minor is compulsory for those students studying a Physics major in the Bachelor of Science.
Physical Geography	Cairns Townsville
Physics	Townsville
Zoology and Ecology	Cairns Townsville	Due to prerequisites, this minor is only available to those students studying a biological sciences major (Aquaculture or Marine Biology).
Inter-Disciplinary Minors	Cairns Townsville

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Cairns	Not all Majors and Minors available in Cairns
Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	3 years full time or equivalent part time
Maximum time to complete	10 years
Maximum leave of absence	3 years

Progression

Course progression requisites	Must successfully complete 18 credit points of level 1 and 2 science subjects before attempting any level 3 science subject
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade	3 credit points One PC grade only may be awarded with approval of College or Division examiners meeting, to allow a student to graduate, and that PC grade must not contribute to a core subject or a major.
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Advanced Standing

Eligibility	Students may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing and Articulation policy and associated procedures
Maximum allowed	48 credit points Except where a student transfers from one JCU award to another, then advanced standing may be granted for more than two-thirds of the new award, where there is subject equivalence between the awards
Currency	Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 20 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree.
Other restrictions	A maximum of 6 credit points of advanced standing may be granted at level 3. A maximum of 12 credit points of advanced standing may be granted for subjects outside the Science Schedule of Subjects.

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Approved abbreviation	BSc
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Any major may appear on the testamur (Minors do not appear on the testamur)
Exit with lesser award	Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed 24 credit points of approved subjects may be eligible to receive the award of Diploma of Higher Education Majoring in Science
Course articulation	Not applicable

Honours

Honours availability	Available as an additional 24 credit points of study [end-on]
Eligibility	By invitation of the College Dean Normally a minimum overall GPA of 5.5 (i.e. credit average) is required across the bachelor degree, with credits or better in the discipline specific areas. Quota restrictions on the number of honours places available may apply from time to time as determined by the College Dean.