Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

[Akirus]

http://www.monash.edu.au/study/coursefinder/course/1120/

Is anyone here doing this/has anyone done it?

[excal]

My partner is; what's your query?

[Akirus]

Just wanted some general comments about it, i.e. what you enjoyed/disliked, work load (particularly if you plan on finishing it within 2 years), flexibility, etc. Basically, anything I couldn't infer from the handbook on the Monash website.

It seems like an ideal course to me thus far, so I'm particularly interested to know of any noteworthy drawbacks. I'm looking at doing the course with a major in theoretical physics/astrophysics or mathematics. That I can focus solely on that area without other core requirements/breadth subjects is very appealing, not to mention the possibility of completing a BSc in 2 years.

[hard]

far if i could complete a degree in 2 years id be 19 when i finish undergrad

[/0]

Huh, it says 3 years? o.O

[m@tty]

I think they give you a lot of freedom, and if you want you can complete your degree in ~2.5 years

[QuantumJG]

I'm looking at doing the course with a major in theoretical physics/astrophysics or mathematics.

Physics/Maths majors ftw.

[Mao]

Just wanted some general comments about it, i.e. what you enjoyed/disliked, work load (particularly if you plan on finishing it within 2 years), flexibility, etc. Basically, anything I couldn't infer from the handbook on the Monash website.

It seems like an ideal course to me thus far, so I'm particularly interested to know of any noteworthy drawbacks. I'm looking at doing the course with a major in theoretical physics/astrophysics or mathematics. That I can focus solely on that area without other core requirements/breadth subjects is very appealing, not to mention the possibility of completing a BSc in 2 years.

Entry requirement is a high ENTER, which roughly translates to 'high competence', not necessarily high level knowledge. Whilst completing a course within a shorter time-frame is notable, you do run the risk of rushing things and missing out on a lot of fundamental and specialist knowledge.

It is a very good degree, but you most probably will stay there for the full three years, the choice of what to learn can get overwhelming, and you'll realise 2 years is very short for what you want to achieve. Have a look here for some idea.

You will also find that, if you want to continue on to research, the wall that separates different disciplines of science becomes small, and you start wishing you have studied a broad range of disciplines rather than a strong specialization from the start.

Try to think of this degree as... a scholarship, more lenient course progression and a greater degree of interaction with the academic staff.

[humph]

I think they give you a lot of freedom, and if you want you can complete your degree in ~2.5 years

Not including the honours year at the end of it (I have a friend who's halfway through his honours year, having finished the rest in two and a half years).

[Akirus]

As for the 2 year thing:

Depending on students' previous studies and interests, in some cases students may complete the degree in two years by taking an accelerated program, or to undertake enrichment studies while completing the degree in three years.

Mao:

I was aware of the high ENTER req (99.25 clearly-in for the previous year), but if anything, that's just a bonus.

I am curious as to what you said regarding the research, subjects and time though. Do you mean to say I should look to picking up subjects in areas like chemistry/biology/etc, or breadth within the discipline of physics/mathematics? I'm not that interested in chemistry and I hate biology and environmental sciences. I thought it would be better to achieve greater depth within the area of study I'm interested in (i.e. physics). I went through the website and made a quick draft of what the subjects I want to do may look like:

Major: Mathematics (Astrophysics) - 48 points

Level one - 12 points

MTH1020 - Analysis of change (core)
MTH1030 - Techniques for modelling (core)

Level two - 12 points

MTH2010 - Multivariable calculus (core)
MTH2032 - Differential equations with modelling (pre-requisite)

Level three - 24 points

MTH3110 - Differential geometry (core)
MTH3360 - Fluid dynamics (major)
ASP3012 - Stars and galaxies (major)
ASP3051 - Relativity and cosmology (major)

Major: Theoretical Physics - 48 points

Level One - 12 points

PHS1011 - Physics (core)
PHS1022 - Physics (core)

Level two - 12 points

PHS2011 - Quantum concepts and technologies (core)
PHS2022 - Electromagnetism, light and entropy (core)

Level three - 24 points

PHS3031 - Foundations of contemporary physics (core/major)
PHS3131 - Theoretical physics (major)
PHS3142 - Theoretical physics II (major)
ASP3222 - Physics for astrophysics (major)

Total: 96 points (another point: the scholar program only requires you to pass with 96 points whereas a standard Bachelor of Science requires 144)

On another note, if I do go through with this course, I intend to get honors and then a PhD, so that is certainly a factor. Did I mention the prospect of having a PhD at 24 is pretty cool?

[zzdfa]

I am curious as to what you said regarding the research, subjects and time though. Do you mean to say I should look to picking up subjects in areas like chemistry/biology/etc, or breadth within the discipline of physics/mathematics? I'm not that interested in chemistry and I hate biology and environmental sciences. I thought it would be better to achieve greater depth within the area of study I'm interested in (i.e. physics). I went through the website and made a quick draft of what the subjects I want to do may look like:
e)

Are you in year 12 in 2010?

Your draft of units is not ideal. If you want to finish in 2 years you will have to skip all the first year intro subjects to make room for real subjects. Otherwise just take the extra year, it's not a big deal, noone cares whether you get your phd at 24 or 25.

You should treat it as mao said, 'a  scholarship, more leanient course progression and a greater degree of interaction with the academic staff.'

[Akirus]

I am curious as to what you said regarding the research, subjects and time though. Do you mean to say I should look to picking up subjects in areas like chemistry/biology/etc, or breadth within the discipline of physics/mathematics? I'm not that interested in chemistry and I hate biology and environmental sciences. I thought it would be better to achieve greater depth within the area of study I'm interested in (i.e. physics). I went through the website and made a quick draft of what the subjects I want to do may look like:
e)

Are you in year 12 in 2010?

Your draft of units is not ideal. If you want to finish in 2 years you will have to skip all the first year intro subjects to make room for real subjects. Otherwise just take the extra year, it's not a big deal, noone cares whether you get your phd at 24 or 25.

You should treat it as mao said, 'a  scholarship, more leanient course progression and a greater degree of interaction with the academic staff.'

Yeah, I still have over a year to contemplate, no rush. The draft was kinda just for fun when I was bored.

I figured since you only need 96 points instead of the usual 144 to graduate, it would work out to two or so years. Isn't that how it works? I thought that extending it to 3 years would mean taking additional subjects beyond 96 credit points.

You're right though, I'm not too fussed about the extra year, it's more for novelty than anything.

[excal]

I am curious as to what you said regarding the research, subjects and time though. Do you mean to say I should look to picking up subjects in areas like chemistry/biology/etc, or breadth within the discipline of physics/mathematics? I'm not that interested in chemistry and I hate biology and environmental sciences. I thought it would be better to achieve greater depth within the area of study I'm interested in (i.e. physics). I went through the website and made a quick draft of what the subjects I want to do may look like:
e)

Are you in year 12 in 2010?

Your draft of units is not ideal. If you want to finish in 2 years you will have to skip all the first year intro subjects to make room for real subjects. Otherwise just take the extra year, it's not a big deal, noone cares whether you get your phd at 24 or 25.

You should treat it as mao said, 'a  scholarship, more leanient course progression and a greater degree of interaction with the academic staff.'

Yeah, I still have over a year to contemplate, no rush. The draft was kinda just for fun when I was bored.

I figured since you only need 96 points instead of the usual 144 to graduate, it would work out to two or so years. Isn't that how it works? I thought that extending it to 3 years would mean taking additional subjects beyond 96 credit points.

You're right though, I'm not too fussed about the extra year, it's more for novelty than anything.

You still need 144 points to graduate...

It's just that you can overload each semester (i.e., do 5 units) and complete the course in 2.5 years. I'd imagine as a science scholar, they'd be more likely to give you the exemption to do such an overload.

[Akirus]

You still need 144 points to graduate...

It's just that you can overload each semester (i.e., do 5 units) and complete the course in 2.5 years. I'd imagine as a science scholar, they'd be more likely to give you the exemption to do such an overload.

Requirements

Students must complete at least 96 points of studies in science including all of the following:

    * at least one major sequence in a science area of study
    * at least one minor sequence in a different science area of study
    * at least 36 points of science units at level two and at least 48 points of science units at level three.

Information about 'Science areas of study and sequences' is available via http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/undergrad/sci.html.

Students in the Science Scholars Program are not required to complete the standard Bachelor of Science level one mathematics/statistics and breadth of study requirement or the level two core unit. However, students who revert to course 0050 Bachelor of Science, either by choice or as a result of exclusion from the Science Scholar Program, must complete all of the Bachelor of Science requirements.

As opposed to:

Requirements

Over the three stages of the course students must complete 144 points of study including all of the following:

    * at least one major sequence in a science area of study (48 points)
    * at least one minor sequence in a different science area of study (24 points)
    * at least one level one mathematics or statistics unit (6 points) from SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning), STA1010 (Statistical methods for science), MTH1020 (Analysis of change) or MTH1055 (Mathematics 1A), MTH1030 (Techniques for modelling) or MTH1085 (Mathematics 1B)
    * the core unit SCI2010 (The practice and application of science) (6 points)
    * an approved combination of level one units to ensure breadth of studies across science disciplines. Students can satisfy the level one breadth of studies requirement in one of two ways. Detail are provided under the 'Stage one' heading below.
    * additional elective units to take the total credit points to 144.

Note: Students must complete:

    * at least 36 points of science units at level one and at least 24 points of science units at level three
    * no more than 48 points of units offered by another faculty, subject to meeting any entry requirements of that faculty
    * no more than 60 points of level one units overall.

Students must complete the mathematics/statistics requirement at stage one. The level one mathematics/statistics unit taken will depend on the mathematics background and interests:

    * The statistics units SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning) and STA1010 (Statistical methods for science) are normally recommended for students planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences.
    * SCI1020 is for students without a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 requires the student to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
    * The mathematical methods units MTH1020 and MTH1030 (only for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science at Clayton) and MTH1055 and MTH1085 (only for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science at Gippsland) are recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1030 requires the student to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020, while MTH1085 requires the student to have studied the prerequisite unit MTH1055.

It is recommended that at least two level one science sequences are commenced at stage one. Where possible, commencing three level one sequences can assist students in their selection of minor and major areas of study at stage two. This will also ensure that the requirement of breadth across science disciplines is met.

[Akirus]

I would like confirmation regarding the 96/144 credit points thing.

Assuming it really is 96 points to graduate, why would it still take 3 years? Isn't 48 points equivalent to 8 subjects, i.e. 2 semesters/1 year?