Science

2024 Program Changes

Why is the Faculty of Science making these changes?

In 2021-2022 we conducted a review of our undergraduate degree programs, with an aim to improve the educational experience for our students and ensure our graduates have the knowledge and skills required and expected in today’s job market.

We consulted extensively with science graduates, employers, industry and current students throughout this process. The outcome of this consultation was a clear emphasis on retaining the discipline vigour while giving students more workplace experience, developing their communication skills and making sure our graduates are job ready.

All of the 2024 changes are designed to directly address the 13 recommendations of the Program Review. 

Student FAQ

    • Launching SciConnect, a new platform for student support and connections

    • An Orientation module has been added (SCIF0000) 

    • A new core first year course has been introduced (SCIF1000)

    • New cross-disciplinary optional minors have been added  

    • Science Majors are now more consistent in size / UoC

    • New Graduation portfolio introduced (SCIF3010)

    • New major in Climate Systems Science

    • Suite of new minors included in the program from science as well as languages and select complimentary minors from ADA and Business. 

    • Increased flexibility & space for students to take experience courses (eg work integrated learning)

    • Launching SciConnect, a new platform for student support and connections

    • An Orientation module has been added (SCIF0000) 

    • Existing core first year course (SCIF1131) has been replaced by SCIF1001 

    • New Level 2 core course (SCIF2001) group research project  

    • New cross-disciplinary optional minors have been added 

    • Advanced Science majors are now more consistent in size / UoC

    • New Graduation portfolio introduced (SCIF3010)

    • Vision Science major no longer offered (it can still be done in Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Vision Science) 

    • Climate Dynamics major no longer offered as separate major due to lack of demand – climate dynamics can be studied within the Climate Systems Science major.

    • Suite of new minors included in the program from science as well as languages and select complimentary minors from ADA and Business.

    • Increased flexibility & space for students to take experience courses (eg work integrated learning, research internships etc)

  • The Bachelors of Life Sciences, Science and Business, and Science (International) programs will no longer be accepting new enrolments from 2024 onwards.  Existing students in these programs will not be impacted and can continue in their program (including all majors/minors) as planned.

    The perception from employers, industry and prospective students is that a Bachelor of Science is  widely recognised and these programs are considered equivalent to a BSc. With the flexibility to study a range of majors, optional minors in language or Business, and the ability to take advantage of UNSW’s extensive partner network to study overseas on exchange, the new Bachelors in Science and Advanced Science (Honours) now feature many of the opportunities available in these 3 programs. 

  • Follow the 2023 Handbook and Progression Plans

  • That’s ok – you can still change your major, but you’ll follow the rules from the year you started your science program

  • No courses have been cancelled as a result of these program changes. All existing (pre-2024) science students will be able to complete their programs and majors as planned. 

  • You may already have heard about SciConnect, a Microsoft Teams site available for science students to connect with one another.  The 2024 version of SciConnect is a standalone digital platform that is bigger and better in so many ways, and will allow students to: 

    • Transition to uni life

    • Be guided on choosing a science major and navigating your program

    • Monitor your progress through your science program  

    • Track your extra-curricular activities

    • Connect with science student communities or even make your own

    • Summarise and articulate all the great skills you’ve gained in your program when it comes time to graduate

    The all-new SciConnect will be rolled-out to current students throughout 2024 and will host the Orientation and Graduation modules for Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) students 

  • Head to Student Opportunities to explore our Work Integrated Learning courses, research internships, Career Launchpad and Graduation Portfolio module. Not sure how to fit these into your program? Contact the Nucleus: Student Hub

  • If you are already enrolled in a Science program and are transferring into another one (eg. from BSc to BAdvSc(Hons)), you will follow the Handbook rules of the year you commenced studying Science. 

    However, if you’re enrolling in a science program for the first time in 2024, you’ll follow the 2024 Handbook.

    Confused? Contact the Nucleus: Student Hub for specialist program advice on your individual circumstance.

  • Yes, depending on the UoC you have remaining in your program though, you may have to complete additional UoC.  We strongly recommend you map out the courses needed, and which term each is offered so you do not unnecessarily delay your progression. 

    Minors/majors can be declared in myUNSW>Stream Declaration

    Note: if you are a dual degree student and you want to choose one of the new Language Minors, you will be unable to declare this since your program is designed to take a Major and Science electives only with no General Education/Free Elective spaces available. As the new Minors generally do not fall under Science Electives, there is no room in the program to accomodate for a minor

  • Yes. Your eligibility to graduate is checked against the Handbook rules of the year you commenced your program. This includes the specialisation (major/minor) structure. If you started your program in 2022, you need to do all the courses that are required for your major in the 2022 Handbook.  Contact the Nucleus: Student Hub if you have specific requests relating to your program.

  • The Graduation Portfolio SCIF3010 is a fully online module that will be available from 2025 onwards. It is aimed at giving Science students the tools to track your achievements against the program learning outcomes, and be able to articulate your skills and knowledge to potential employers. It is intended for students in their final term prior to graduation or starting honours.

    You enrol in this course via myUNSW, and it will appear on your academic statement, graded as Satisfactory Pass/Fail. It is 0 Units of Credit and free of charge. It is compulsory for students commencing from 2024 onwards, and optional for pre-2024 students. 

  • Yes, you can, as long as there are no excluded courses* preventing it. SCIF1000 will have no exclusions, SCIF1001 will have SCIF1131 as an exclusion.

    * Exclusions are courses students are excluded from taking, generally because they have content in common with courses for which the student has previously passed or been granted credit for.

  • The following 26 new optional minors are now available in the single Bachelor of Science (3970) and Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (3962) programs, as well as their dual degree versions. Here’s the list of newly established minors in addition to the currently available list of science minors:

    • Astronomy

    • Behavioural Economics

    • Biology and Biodiversity 

    • Business Analytics

    • Advanced Chinese Studies

    • Chinese Studies

    • Climate Systems Science 

    • Communication and Journalism

    • Data Analysis

    • Ecology and Conservation

    • Environmental Humanities 

    • Advanced French Studies

    • French Studies

    • German Studies

    • Global Development 

    • Information Systems

    • Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship

    • Advanced Japanese Studies

    • Japanese Studies 

    • Advanced Korean Studies

    • Korean Studies

    • Marine and Coastal Science

    • Policy, Power and Government 

    • Politics and International Relations

    • Professional Workplace Practice

    • Spanish Studies
    • The Welcome Guide – designed for commencing students to better understand their program requirements. All student can access this resource.
    • Program Store – detailed information on the different Majors, Minors and Electives you can take in your Science or Advanced Science program
    • UNSW Science Persona Quiz – find out which Science persona you are and which clubs and societies may interest you

Still have questions?

Contact The Nucleus: Student Hub

A team of Science Program experts is available to help you in the Nucleus: Student Hub

We recommend making an in-person appointment or calling the Science and Medicine team in the Nucleus: Student Hub If you have a question about the 2024 program changes that isn’t answered here. Alternatively, you can also submit your question here