P3O1 Bachelor of Science - Catalyst Program - Courses & Units

The information on this page is for current students. If you are applying for our next intake, please view our active course offerings here.

Overview 2020

Entry Requirements: See entry requirements

Duration: Minimum 3 Years, up to a maximum of 7 Years
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart: Semester 2
Launceston: Semester 2

Commonwealth Supported places available

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

"There's some really interesting people here at the University, studying some interesting stuff. They're very passionate about what they do and it comes across in lectures and classes. It makes a huge difference when you see someone else who is enthused; it really inspires and encourages you."

Laura van Galen
Bachelor of Science graduate

Due to the circumstances around COVID-19, you will begin your studies online. However, when Government guidelines change, on-campus studies will be reintroduced.

Are you a high-achiever with a passion for science?

The Science Catalyst Program combines a Bachelor of Science with extra experiences, activities and opportunities. It was created for outstanding students, just like you.

In addition to the Bachelor of Science units, you can apply for the Overseas Exchange Program and spend a semester learning at one of our international partner institutions. If you're accepted to the program, you'll be automatically supported by a $2,500 scholarship.

You can also apply for a Summer Research Project where you will work with a supervisor on a research topic of your choice. Again, upon being accept for a project you'll be supported by an automatic $3,000 scholarship.

You can even graduate with a custom built, multidisciplinary second degree, the high achiever academic extension Bachelor of Philosophy at no extra cost, by studying just a small number of additional units.

There is a $7,500 relocation scholarship available for domestic interstate students moving to Tasmania, and a $3,000 bursary for Tasmanian students to support the start of University studies.

If you want to get the most out of your University experience, set yourself apart in your chosen field, and give yourself an edge for future employment, the Science Catalyst Program is for you.

Course objectives

The Science Catalyst Program gives you a world-class science education including hands-on research experience and an enriching overseas study exchange.

In addition to a deep understanding of a scientific discipline of your choice (or two if you choose to study two majors), you will learn core knowledge and skills in research and analysis, data handling, entrepreneurship, and professional soft skills such as time and project management, team work skills, and preparing and presenting reports. This core knowledge is designed so that no matter what scientific discipline you focus on, you will be able to apply your skills and knowledge across a range of industries around the world.

The program is also focused on delivering genuine practical experience, with options for field trips, research projects, industry engagement, work integrated learning, and international study opportunities included a core component of your studies. You will be able to apply the scientific method through a range of disciplines, identify problems, gather evidence, and form and communicate your conclusions based on research and experience.

The Bachelor of Science is one of the most sought after degrees by employers. Combined with the wealth of extra opportunities offered by the Science Catalyst Program and you graduate truly prepared to hit the ground running and shape the world.

Learning outcomes

The Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Science are as follows:

1. Articulate the methods of science and explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry.

2. Explain the role and relevance of science in society.

3. Demonstrate well‐developed knowledge in at least one disciplinary area.

4. Demonstrate knowledge in at least one other disciplinary area.

5. Gather, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a range of sources.

6. Design and plan an investigation, evaluating creative solutions where appropriate.

7. Select and apply creative, practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation.

8. Accurately collect, record, interpret and draw conclusions from scientific data.

9. Communicate scientific results, information, or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes, and using a variety of modes.

10. Sustain independent, self‐directed, globally‐relevant learning.

11. Work effectively, responsibly, respectfully and safely in an individual or team context.

12. Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to their disciplinary area and personally practise ethical conduct.

Practical experience

The Science Catalyst Program is built with practical experience in mind. Field trips, research projects, specialist facilities and laboratories, work integrated learning, industry experience, international travel, and more. When you study with us, your learning experience extends well beyond the classroom.

Immerse yourself in our globally unique facilities

The University of Tasmania is the only University in the world to directly control a continental-scale array of world-class radio telescopes. Our researchers, your lecturers, use these in both national and international collaborations including with SpaceX and NASA. Depending on your area of study, even as an undergraduate you can have direct access as part of your studies, literally driving them yourself as you test theories and explore the Universe. Explore some of our facilities through the UniView virtual tour.

Practical experience through specialist laboratories

Several specialist labs operate on-campus that have direct links to industry, delivering real-world practical experience and networking opportunities. The Molecular Genetics Laboratory has contributed to a range of projects in conjunction with CRC Forestry, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Australian Antarctic Division, Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.

Study overseas as part of your current degree

Never mind a gap year when you can travel and study overseas and have it count towards your degree! The University exchange program provides students with the opportunity to gain an international experience as part of their current degree, with 150 partner institutes globally across 30+ countries, there is a program type for everyone offering programs from semester length to just 2 week international stints.

The exchange is typically undertaken in your second year, and you'll be fully supported by our dedicated Student Mobility team all the way. Upon successful application to the semester exchange, Catalyst students automatically receive a $3,000 scholarship to assist with costs. Other financial assistance is available for both domestic and international students.

Find out more by visiting the Student Mobility website.

Summer research project

Regardless if you choose to pursue a career in research, the Summer Research Project is a great way to set yourself apart for your future career. You apply to conduct a six to eight week research program on a topic of your choice during the summer, typically between your second and third year. If your is successful, Catalyst students receive a guaranteed $3,000 to assist with costs!

You have the advantage of working in some of Australia's best facilities, with access to leading researchers in whatever field of study you're interested in. This may become a pre-cursor to an honours year, or a great experience to add to your CV, either way it's putting you ahead when it comes to starting your career

Our world class research is your educational advantage

Our teaching staff bring their cutting-edge, globally connected research to your laboratories and classrooms. You benefit from their amazing work, as our well above world-class* research rankings in analytical and inorganic chemistry, geology, ecology, plant biology, zoology, agriculture, horticulture, clinical sciences, human movement and sport science and neurosciences help deliver you a cutting edge science education.

When you study with us, you’re learning from some of the best in the world. People who are helping solve global health problems and locating missing star clusters, in the same environment where they conduct their world-class research.

As a Science Catalyst Student you’ll receive exclusive invitations to research seminars, meet-and-greets with academics and visiting lecturers, and informal social gatherings. As part of the program, we provide you the opportunity to deeply explore a wide range of scientific disciplines, meet amazing people, and build professional and social networks that will benefit you for years to come.

*Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 National Report

Tasmania is literally a living laboratory

The University of Tasmania has with six diverse ecosystems all within 30 minutes of the Sandy Bay campus, and the world’s second largest temperate rain forest only an hour away. We’re the gateway to Antarctica and, as the birthplace of the green movement, celebrate our biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Your proximity to a wide range of pristine, diverse environments, and the researchers who travel from around the world to work in them, give you unparalleled practical field experience while you study, plus it makes Tasmania an amazing place to live.

Work placement

Students in the Bachelor of Science have many exciting opportunities to participate in work placement. The University of Tasmania has consistently maintained a strong relationship with industries such as agriculture, earth science, and forestry, among others. Through this, many of our students are able to turn practical experience into work experience.

You may also be able to gain practical experience in industry via the Dean's Summer Research Scholarship.

Career outcomes

"The best thing about studying science is that I could follow a passion and change direction as I went, and in doing so I actually opened up even more career options for myself. Studying science doesn’t confine you to a particular career, you could even do something not related to your field of study, using the skills you pick up in research, analysis and communication."

Bun Fu Yu, Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours graduate

The Science Catalyst Program offers outstanding career advantages, giving you an edge over your competitors.

By combining our highly sought after Bachelor of Science degree with a wealth of extracurricular opportunities, you graduate with a combination of knowledge, skills and experience that truly sets you apart.

The Bachelor of Science is one of the most flexible degrees at the University of Tasmania, giving you opportunities to focus on one area of study, or select several areas across both scientific and non-scientific disciplines. As a result, your career options are many and varied.

If you're not sure where your degree might take you, don't worry! Many students start studying a science degree by following a passion, not knowing exactly where they will end up. During your studies, you will meet other students, academics and visiting lecturers, all of whom may spark an idea of where your particular science degree could take you.

In addition, the Bachelor of Philosophy is offered for no additional cost to high achieving students who want to broaden the scope of their education, gain highly sought after and transferable employment skills.

Career Opportunities with Science

While science career options are wide and varied, they typically fall into three main categories:

Specialist knowledge (e.g., geologist, marine biologist, IT systems developer).
Careers where a broad understanding of science is essential (e.g., science teacher, journalism, policy advisor).
Careers using generic skills obtained during your degree (e.g., public relations, business manager, marketing, government and local councils).

At the University of Tasmania, in addition to specialised scientific knowledge and skills, our focus is on giving you the practical and professional skills that are highly sought after by all employers – creative problem-solving, working in a team environment and flexibility of thinking. We teach you how to think, not what to think.

A career in science can be in any industry on earth. It will come to where your passion takes you.

Postgraduate study

If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. Filter the course list by Postgraduate to view the current courses available.

Professional Recognition

Graduates with a Science degree can be eligible for membership of a number of professional organisations, depending on their specialist studies. To be eligible, you'll need to successfully complete the requirements endorsed by that body.

Course structure

A Bachelor of Science component of the Science Catalyst Program normally takes three years to finish and requires the successful completion of 24 units.

The flexibility of this degree allows for many structure options; however, a typical, single major degree will be made up of the following components:

Discipline major (eight units)
Discipline minor (four units)
Core (compulsory for all students) (four units)
Electives (Degree and Student Electives) (eight units) comprising:
- Degree electives (two, paired, first-year science units from a selection)
- Student electives (six units of your choice from anywhere in the University
You can further diversify and improve your career options by using your student electives to complete a double science major, or experience another field of study from another College, like Arts or Business.

Bachelor of Philosophy

The Bachelor of Science and Summer Research Project all contribute to the requirements for the Bachelor of Philosophy. This means that by successfully completing the proposed elements of the Science Catalyst Program, you can be only a small number of units away from attaining a second degree for no additional cost. See Entry Requirements below for important Bachelor of Philosophy eligibility information.

Degree core knowledge compulsory units

Compulsory Units

Year 1

KMA153

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1
Hobart	Semester 2
Launceston	Semester 1
Launceston	Semester 2
Cradle Coast	Semester 1

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Spring school (late)
Launceston	Spring school (late)
Cradle Coast	Spring school (late)

Specialisation	Prerequisite Senior Secondary Studies
Biochemistry	Chemistry
Chemistry	Chemistry
Mathematics	Mathematics Methods
Statistics and Operations Research	Mathematics Methods
Physics	Mathematics Methods and Physics

Bachelor of Science - Catalyst Program (P3O1)

Overview 2020

Entry Requirements

Duration

Duration

Location

Immerse yourself in our globally unique facilities

Practical experience through specialist laboratories

Study overseas as part of your current degree

Summer research project

Our world class research is your educational advantage

Tasmania is literally a living laboratory

Career outcomes

Career Opportunities with Science

Postgraduate study

Professional Recognition

Course structure

Bachelor of Philosophy

Compulsory Units

Data Handling and Statistics 1

The Sciences and Society

Entrepreneurship

Effective Speaking

Data Handling and Statistics 2

Year 1

Biology of Animals

Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution

Year 2

General Microbiology

Data Analysis and Presentation

Seafood Safety and Quality Control

Year 3

Aquatic Animal Feeds and Nutrition

Aquatic Animal Health

Aquatic Animal Physiology and Behaviour

Aquatic Molecular Biology

Ecosystem Assessment for Policy Design

Marine Protected Area Management

Topics In Marine Environmental Studies

Year 1

Chemistry 1A Hobart

Chemistry 1B Hobart

Chemistry 1A

Chemistry 1B

Biology of Animals

Biology of Plants

Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution

Year 2

Biochemistry: Metabolism & Nutrition

Molecular Biology in Health & Disease

Year 3

Molecular Biology and Protein Biochemistry

Techniques in Molecular Biology and Protein Biochemistry

Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Research Project in Health and Disease

Year 1

Chemistry 1A Hobart

Chemistry 1B Hobart

Chemistry 1A

Chemistry 1B

Year 2

Organic and Inorganic Chemistry

Physical and Analytical Chemistry

Year 3

Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry

Catalysis and Sustainable Reaction Processes

Structure and Materials

Advanced Analytical Techniques

Year 1

Programming Fundamentals

Programming

Year 2

ICT Project Management and Modelling

Data Structures and Algorithms

Software Design and Development

Year 3

ICT Project A

ICT Project B

ICT System Acquisition and Integration

Mobile Application Development