Bachelor of Science (Advanced)(Honours)

  • 95
    Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR
  • Duration

    4 years full-time
    (or part-time equiv.)
  • Start Dates

    February and July
  • Location

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:

  • 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
  • Nuclear and Radiation Physics**
  • Palaeontology
  • Palaeontology and Evolution
  • Physics
  • Physics and Geophysics
  • Plant Biology
  • Pure and Applied Chemistry
  • Soil Science
  • Theoretical Physics

**Please note the Nuclear and Radiation Physics major is only available to ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlogn Citizens.

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.



Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.

  • Ranked 124 in world for natural science
  • Five star rating for student support in science*
  • Early access to honours level research opportunities

^QS World ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog Rankings by Subject, 2022
*Good Universities Guide, 2021

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 354111
2024 CSP ATAR 95
2024 CSP IB 39
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 95
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 38.25
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Prerequisites None, however Stage 2 Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Physics or Specialist Mathematics are prerequisites for some first year courses.
Assumed Knowledge SACE Stage 2; Chemistry, Physics and Mathematical Methods
Additional Entry Requirements
Year 12 applicants must obtain an ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlogn Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 95 or higher (or equivalent), including any applicable adjustment factors.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 87
Median ATAR to receive an offer 97.05
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.85
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 95.2
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 98.95
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 90
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    5 21.7%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study n/a N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    18 78.3%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 23 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,815

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog, visit:

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

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 ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog 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;  ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog Lecturer;  Wildlife Conservationist;  Geospatial Scientist;  Atmospheric Chemist;  Ecotour Operator ...

Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The is a comprehensive handbook of the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog'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
  • Nuclear and Radiation Physics
  • 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.

Level I
All of the following courses must be completed:  SCIENCE 1300 Principles and Practice of Research (Advanced) I
Level II
All of the following courses must be completed:  SCIENCE 2300 Principles and Practice of Research (Advanced) II
Research Project 
Research Pathway students must complete courses to the value of at least 12 units taken from the appropriate Specialisation Area in the Bachelor of Science (Honours)

The ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024