P4O1 Bachelor of Science with Honours - 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 4 Years, up to a maximum of 9 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

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

This course is in teach-out. If you're interested in starting studies in this degree, there is a replacement course below:

Commencing students, please see P3O1 - Bachelor of Science (Catalyst Program).

Continuing students, please see previous years for this degree with the selector above.

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 with Honours 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.

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.

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.

Overseas Study Exchange

Never mind a gap year when you can study for a semester overseas, have it count towards your degree, and receive a guaranteed scholarship to do it! The University of Tasmania have over 100 English-speaking partner institutions across 30 countries, and for the exchange will help you find a location that specialised in your area of interest. The exchange is typically undertaken in your second year, and you'll be fully supported by our dedicated Student Mobility team all the way.

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 conduct a six to eight week research program on a topic of your choice during the summer, typically between your second and third year, and to help we give you 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.

*2015 Excellence in Research Australia (ERA)

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 rainforest 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!

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 with Honours 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 with Honours 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. Some jobs and industries include:

Agricultural science and food innovation
Biochemist
Biologist
Biomedicine, vaccines & disease control
Biosecurity
Chemist
Data analyst
Data scientist
Developmental & functional biologist
Ecologist
Environmental geologist
Environmental sustainability manager

Evolutionary ecologist
Forensic scientist
Genetics
Geologist
Geophysicist
Information technologist
Management and administration
Marine biologist
Mathematician
Medical physicist
Meteorologist
Mining and mineral exploration
Nuclear technician

Optical astronomer
Phylogeneticist
Plant scientist
Policy development
Quantum computing
Radio astronomer
Science journalism
Scientific research & development
Seismologist
Spatial scientist
Teacher
Zoologist

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 units endorsed by that body. Specific details of possible membership are available online under individual majors and disciplines.

The organisations are as varied as the scientific disciplines they cover, and include:

Australian Computer Society
Ag Institute
Australian Institute of Biologists
Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology
Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
Australian Institute of Mining and Matallurgy
Australian Institute of Physics
Australian Marine Sciences Association
Australian Mathematical Society
Australian Psychological Society
Australian Science Teachers Association
Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Australian Society for Medical Research
Australian Society for Microbiology
Australian Society for Operations Research
Australian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany
Australian Society of Plant Scientists
Australian Systematic Botany Society
Ecological Society of Australia
Genetic Society of Australia
Institute of Australian Geographers
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Royal Australian Chemical Institute
Royal Society of Tasmania
Statistical Society of Australia Inc
Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute

Course structure

A Bachelor of Science with Honours component of the Science Catalyst Program normally takes four years to finish and requires the successful completion of 24 units and an honours year.

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

Your first three years

Discipline major (eight units)
Discipline minor (four units)
Degree core knowledge (three mandatory units and one breadth unit of your choice from a selection)
Experience and engagement (eight units) comprising:
- Degree electives (two paired science oriented units from a selection)
- Student electives (four units of your choice from anywhere in the University)
- Breadth unit (one unit of your choice from a selection)
- Experience and Engagement unit (one unit of your choice from a selection providing genuine E&E experience such as work-integrated learning, research, fieldwork, or overseas exchange)

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 Faculty, like Arts or Business.

Fourth honours year

Applied Honours is a new form of honours that enables students to apply their knowledge through interdisciplinary, team-based projects solving ‘real-world’ industry or community problems locally, nationally or internationally. It may include internships, placements and student exchange at an appropriate level.

Research Honours is the traditional honours pathway comprising a full year research project. You will need to maintain at least a credit average for your degree to be offered honours, in which case you will have a choice between research and applied honours pathways.

Bachelor of Philosophy

The Bachelor of Science with Honours and Summer Research Project all contribute to the requirements for the Bachelor of Philosophy. This means that by successfully completing the Science Catalyst Project you can be only six units away from attaining a second degree for no additional cost.

Degree core knowledge compulsory units

Degree Core Knowledge

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)

Bachelor of Science with Honours - Catalyst Program (P4O1)

Overview 2020

Entry Requirements

Duration

Duration

Location

Immerse yourself in our globally unique facilities

Practical experience through specialist laboratories

Overseas Study Exchange

Summer Research Project

Our world class research is your educational advantage

Tasmania is literally a living laboratory

Career outcomes

Career Opportunities with Science

Professional Recognition

Course structure

Your first three years

Fourth honours year

Bachelor of Philosophy

Year 1

Data Handling and Statistics 1

Understanding Science

Year 2

Professional Skills

Working with Communities

Forensic Science in Society

Resilience in the Face of Emergencies

Natural Hazards and Disasters

Interdisciplinary Social Research

Art-Science Data Visualisation

Year 3

Social Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age

Human Rights and Global Justice

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