Getting started in the Bachelor of Science
Learn how to choose and enrol in subjects, and access resources to help you plan your course all the way from first year and beyond.
How the Bachelor of Science works
This video tells you everything you need to know about the structure of the Bachelor of Science and its first-year subject sets, including rules and recommendations for which subjects to pick to achieve your goals and ensure you are on track to graduate.
It also explains what breadth is and how it fits into your degree – find out more at Breadth subjects in the Bachelor of Science or access more course planning resources on the University's Current students website.
First-year subject sets
The Bachelor of Science covers a lot of ground, so we have split it into nine subject sets. Depending on which ones you choose subjects from, you'll be able to keep a range of different majors open as you head into second year. We've also put together a table of all first-year subjects and the majors they'll help you achieve – download it below.
-
Biological Sciences
All life shares a common ancestor, so whether your end goal is medical, veterinary or other health sciences, agriculture, ecology, conservation, or just a solid understanding of how the biosphere works, it all starts in the same place.
-
Chemical Sciences
So, what is chemistry all about? The better question is, what isn’t chemistry all about? Whether it’s harnessing renewable energy sources, next-gen nanotechnology, or new medical breakthroughs, chemistry is an ever-present and vital tool for shaping the technologies of tomorrow.
-
Earth Sciences
Combine the experimental side of chemistry and the hands-on work of biology, with the analytical and spatial aspects of maths and the global focus of geography and environmental sciences. That’s Earth Sciences!
-
Engineering Systems
Are you a problem-solver? An innovator? Do you like to pull things apart and put them back together again just to see how they work? Then engineering systems may be the right choice for you.
-
Geography
Our society is shaped by where we live. Geography is the who, what, where, when and why of us and our place in the world. Geography combines the understanding of environmental and ecological processes with observations of how humans interact with their environments through time.
-
Information Technology
The world is awash with information, and IT is the central nervous system of our modern world. The internet of things. The cloud. How do we store, secure, interpret and present the 2.5 quintillion bytes of data we produce every minute? The answer is in the hands of computer programmers, data scientists and other IT specialists.
-
Mathematics and Statistics
Every scientist, engineer, medical specialist and economist uses maths and/or statistics, all the time. And there is so much more to it than you’ve studied in high school! Discover branches of mathematics and statistics that you never knew existed and learn to answer questions you might never have thought to ask.
-
Physical Sciences
Biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine – pull them apart bit by bit and, at their most fundamental level, they all come down to physics. So, if you want to understand how a bumblebee flies, or how human metabolism works, or how to design a wind turbine that doesn’t fall down, study physics.
-
Psychological Sciences
Whether you’re just curious or looking to incorporate psychology into your future career, study psychological sciences to explore every stage of human behaviour, and learn the practical aspects of developmental, social and clinical psychology.
Tools and resources
The University of Melbourne Handbook
The Handbook is the official source of course and subject information – in it you'll find the rules of the Bachelor of Science and information on subject timetables and prerequisites.
My Course Planner
The online course planning tool helps you plan your subjects and majors for a Bachelor of Arts, Biomedicine, Commerce, Design or Science degree.
Managing your enrolment
Explore this Canvas LMS (Learning Management System) module to learn everything you need to know about managing enrolment into your subjects.
Need course planning help?
If you're having any trouble, get in touch with Stop 1 for a course planning appointment or other support. Stop 1 can connect you with the full range of student services while studying at the University, and you're welcome to call, visit or chat online.