Be a visionary science leader

Like the Bachelor of Science (Honours), our direct-entry Bachelor of Science (Advanced)(Honours) is ideal if you haven’t yet chosen an area of science to specialise in, but—once you have—want to follow that path well beyond step one.

The program again builds on our Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and lets you explore your scientific curiosity before specialising. But at every stage, you’ll be challenged by even greater academic demands. Ultimately, you’ll emerge as a clear future leader in your field.

What will you do?

Your first year is all about discovery. You’ll investigate a number of scientific fields, before choosing a major to focus on in years two and three (see Bachelor of Science (Advanced) for choices).

During this time you’ll enjoy the same fantastic opportunities offered to all Bachelor of Science (Advanced) students. That includes developing advanced research skills, making real-world connections through internships, and potentially gaining global experience with international study. In your honours year, you’ll then advance along either a disciplinary research or professional skills pathway.

The disciplinary research path is the most research-intensive. Working with a specific researcher or research group, you’ll undertake a major research project, together with advanced coursework, in one of the following study areas:

• Agricultural science
• Animal behaviour
• Animal science
• Chemistry
• Ecology and evolutionary biology
• Energy geoscience
• Environmental geoscience
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Molecular and biomedical science
• Physics
• Plant science
• Soil science
• Wine science

Search for an honours supervisor  

Where could it take you?

Depending on your study choices, you could emerge well-prepared for senior and leadership roles in a specific scientific discipline or as a science generalist, in the public or private sector. Or perhaps you’ll aim higher still and go on to Masters or PhD-level research. Wherever you want to go, you’ll be perfectly placed.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Bachelor of Science (Advanced)( Honours) [Direct Entry]

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) [4 Years], the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 96 units, comprising:

Courses to the value of 72 units from the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) including:

• Core courses to the value of 6 units.
• Elective courses up to the value of 42 units.
• Broadening Electives to the value of 9 units.
• Level I courses not exceeding 30 units.
• Level III Science courses to the value of at least 24 units.

One major to the value of at least 24 units from the following:

• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Chemistry
• Ecology and Environmental Science
• Evolutionary Biology
• Experimental and Theoretical Physics
• Genetics
• Geology
• Geology and Earth Resources
• Geology and Geophysics
• Geology and Palaeontology
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Palaeontology
• Palaeontology and Evolution
• Physics
• Physics and Geophysics
• Plant Biology
• Pure and Applied Chemistry
• Soil Science
• Theoretical Physics

Note: In addition to completing one major in the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) degree, students may, without exceeding the maximum units for the degree, choose to undertake a second major from the available majors in the Bachelor of Science degree, or Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences degree, as outlined in the corresponding Academic Program Rules.

Courses to the value of 24 units, chosen from the Bachelor of Science (Honours).

• For Professional Pathway students, Level IV courses must include Core Courses (12 units) and Professional Research Project (12 units) that is more applied than those in the Research pathway and may provide the opportunity to work with industry on an applied discipline project or in science communication, science education, science innovation, science policy or Project Management.
• For Research Pathway students, Level IV courses must include Core Courses and Research Project with unit value dependent upon specialisation area:

• • Agricultural Science
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Animal Science
  • Chemistry
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Environmental Geoscience Geology
  • Geophysics
  • Energy Geoscience
  • Molecular and Biomedical Science
  • Physics
  • Plant Science
  • Soil Science
  • Wine Science

Areas of Specialisation

Majors can be chosen in the following areas:

• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Chemistry
• Ecology & Environmental Science 
• Evolutionary Biology
• Experimental and Theoretical Physics
• Genetics
• Geology
• Geology and Earth Resources
• Geology and Geophysics
• Geology and Palaeontology
• Microbiology and Immunology 
• Palaeontology
• Palaeontology and Evolution
• Physics
• Physics and Geophysics
• Plant Biology
• Soil Science
• Theoretical Physics

Example Study Plan

To satisfy the requirements for Core Courses students who have chosen a Professional Honours pathway must complete courses to the value of 18 units while students who have chosen a Research Honours pathway must complete courses to the value of at least 12 units dependent upon their specialisation area.

Career Readiness

The scientific approach to problem-solving, maturity and self-discipline gained during the Honours year equips our graduates for a wide variety of careers.  Examples of the jobs that our Honours graduates find are: policy advisors, consultants, science communicators, analysts and researchers in universities, hospitals, government and industry.   

Further Study
Honours graduates may choose to continue their research training with postgraduate study such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). A PhD is usually a 3 year program that provides students with the opportunity to carry out an original research project and explore in great detail a specific area of science.

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.
 

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Palaeontologist;  Plant Scientist;  Public Health Scientist;  Research and Development Manager;  Toxicologist;  University Lecturer;  Wildlife Conservationist;  Geospatial Scientist;  Atmospheric Chemist;  Ecotour Operator ...

Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject.

IELTS: Overall 6.5 (Reading 6, Listening 6, Speaking 6, Writing 6); TOEFL: Internet-based: Total score of 79 with a minimum of 21 in Writing, 18 in Speaking and 13 in Reading and Listening; TOEFL Paper-based: Total score of 577 with a minimum of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE); Pearsons: Overall 58 (Reading 50, Listening 50, Speaking 50, Writing 50); Cambridge: Overall 176 (Reading 169, Listening 169, Speaking 169, Writing 169).