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Bachelor of Science CU18

Program at a glance

Program aim

The Bachelor of Science is a flexible program with considerable applied content. It allows students the choice of specialising in one of the following four plans: Aquatic Resource Management, Biological Sciences, Marine Ecology or Chemical Sciences. Students first complete a foundation year appropriate to their area of specialisation, followed by second and third year study in the selected plan (one of Aquatic Resources Management, Marine Ecology, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, or Chemical Sciences), plus a complementary co-plan. A wide range of co-plans are available, including Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science, Biomedical Sciences, Information Technology and Occupational Health and Safety. High achieving graduates can undertake one further year of full-time study to complete an honours degree in their chosen area of specialisation.

Aquatic Resource Management Plan

This plan is designed to provide graduates with the background and training necessary to become aquatic resource managers. Students initially develop an appreciation of the structure and function of freshwater and marine ecosystems, including man made systems. A range of specialist courses then deal with topics including water quality control, pollution monitoring, experimental design and aquaculture. An industrial placement provides practical experience.

Exit point: Students who do not wish to proceed beyond the second year of the program but who have completed the six foundation courses plus the six level 2 courses stipulated in the Aquatic Resource Management plan specified below, together with electives to give a total of 96 courses, can exit with an Advanced Diploma of Aquatic Resource Management.

Biological Sciences Plan

This plan is designed to prepare graduates who can work as professional biologists, either individually or as members of a team. Biology is the scientific study of all living organisms, including human beings. It includes botany, zoology, microbiology, marine science, biochemistry and ecology. It is increasingly important for modern biologists to have a thorough knowledge of the basic concepts of biology, together with a scientific approach to problem solving, experimental design and the interpretation of results. This plan helps develop these skills with a combination of theoretical and practical work, including applied problems, small research projects and teamwork. Biologists are employed in fields such as medicine, public health, universities, national parks, agriculture, conservation and environmental management.

Exit point: Students who do not wish to proceed beyond the second year of this program, but who have completed the level 1 foundation courses plus 36 units of credit of advanced level courses in this plan, together with additional courses to give a total of 96 units of credit can exit with an Advanced Diploma of Biological Sciences.

Biotechnology Plan

By studying the Biotechnology plan (major) graduates are prepared to work as professional biotechnicians. Problem solving, interpretation of information and communication skills are learnt through a combination of theoretical, practical and industrial work experiences. After an introductory year studying concepts in biology, chemistry and genetics, students progress to advanced level studies in cell culture, food and plant biotechnology, genomes, proteomics and commercialisation. A range of co-plans can be selected from to focus interests and broaden career options. Central Queensland with its natural aquatic systems, cattle husbandry and tropical agriculture, mining and heavy industries is an ideal place to study and gain field and practical experiences.

Biotechnology is the way of the future. It is one of Queensland's fastest growing economies providing many new jobs each year. Advances in genetic engineering, molecular biology, cell culture, cloning and breeding for new agricultural products are paving the way for a variety of job opportunities. Graduates will find jobs in the food and pharmaceutical industries, specialist companies, government departments and a range of research laboratories involved in product Research and Development.

Chemical Sciences Plan

This program aims to provide graduates with a broadly based knowledge of modern chemical principles, who are also aware of the need for environmentally responsible and sustainable practices within chemical industries. Graduates are qualified for employment in areas as diverse as agriculture, medicine, mining, power industry, environmental science, materials production, ecology, food technology, as well as careers in research and development in the private and public sector. Royal Australian Chemical Institute accreditation for this plan is currently being re-confirmed.

In the second and third years, strong emphasis is placed on analytical/forensic chemistry and modern instrumentation techniques. In the third year an applied practical project is undertaken, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a problem solving situation. This combination of hands on experience and practical training leads to excellent employment prospects.

Exit point: Students who do not wish to proceed beyond the second year of this program, but who have completed the level 1 foundation courses plus 36 units of credit of advanced level courses in this plan, together with additional courses to give a total of 96 units of credit can exit with an Advanced Diploma of Chemical Sciences.

Marine Ecology Plan

The marine ecology plan prepares graduates to work in the marine environment with an emphasis on environmental management and tropical ecosystems. After an introductory year studying concepts in biology and chemistry students select from advanced level courses in aquatic botany, zoology, aquatic systems, aquatic phyisiology, marine resources and environmental impacts. A range of co-plans is available for selection of an option to complement the plan and broaden student expertise in a career orientated specialist field.

The Central Queensland environment provides ideal natural aquatic habitats and systems to gain field and practical experiences.

Career options

aquaculture technician/laboratory technician/conservation manager/biological or aquatic scientist/chemist in all specialised areas

Program structure

To fulfil the requirements for the awarding of a Bachelor of Science degree, a student must complete the following:

• six foundation courses or 36 units of credit applicable to your chosen plan field of study;
• a plan, comprising 10 courses (60 units of credit) at advanced level. At least 4 of these must be third level courses (24 units of credit) from one of the plan disciplines of aquatic resource management, biological sciences or chemical sciences (See science plans below);
• a co-plan, comprising 6 courses (36 units of credit) made up of two courses at Level 1 and four at Advanced Level from one of the following discipline areas (details of which are given in science plans below). Students must undertake a plan in a different discipline area to their plan.

• aquatic resource management;
• biological sciences;
• biotechnology;
• chemical sciences;
• marine ecology;
• psychology;
• geography;
• environmental science;
• biomedical science;
• occupational health and safety;
• information technology;
• mathematical modelling;
• statistical modelling;
• electives chosen from any degree level offerings within the University to give a total of 144 units of credit.

Students are required to have at least six courses (36 units of credit) of third level courses in their program.

Science Plans

• Plan 1: Aquatic Resource Management
• Plan 2: Biological Sciences
• Plan 3: Biotechnology
• Plan 4: Chemical Sciences
• Plan 5: Marine Ecology

Plan 1: Aquatic Resource Management

Notes:

1. Students intending to do honours must do Biological Experimentation.
2. Students with an interest in environmental issues should select an Environmental Sciences co-plan.
3. Students with business management interests should select electives from the Faculty of Business and Law.

Plan 2: Biological Sciences

*Students wishing to undertake a mathematics or information technology co-plan may replace these courses with MATH11163 Mathematics 1A or COIT11133 Programming A

Plan 3: Biotechnology

Plan 4: Chemical Sciences

*May be replaced by MATH11163 Mathematics 1A or MATH11161 Elementary Mathematics A plus MATH11162 Elementary Mathematics B

^Should be replaced by COIT11133 Programming A if the Information Technology co-plan is selected

Plan 5: Marine Ecology

*Students wishing to undertake a mathematics or information technology co-plan may replace these courses with MATH11163 Mathematics 1A or COIT11133 Programming A

Science Co-plans

Co-plan 1: Aquatic Resource Management

Co-plan 2: Biological Sciences

Co-plan 3: Biotechnology

Co-plan 4: Chemical Sciences

# may be replaced by CHEM19031 Pre-Honours Topic by special approval of the Head of the School of Chemical and Biomedical Sciences

Co-plan 5: Marine Ecology

Co-plan 6: Psychology

Co-plan 7: Geography

Co-plan 8: Environmental Science

Co-plan 9: Biomedical Science

Co-plan 10: Occupational Health and Safety

The Occupational Health and Safety co-plan will provide the following certification:

• Workplace Health and Safety Officer in all industries as accredited with the Department of Employment Training and Industrial Relations (Qld).

Co-plan 11: Mathematical Modelling

Co-plan 12: Statistical Modelling

Co-plan 13: Information Technology

Check the details

Note: Students must check to see when and where a course is offered before enrolling. See the course availability section in this handbook for details.

Application for credit transfer

Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies equivalent in content and depth to the CQU program has been successfully completed. Students should examine the course synopses in this handbook to determine the courses for which they may be eligible to claim exemption. For more information about credit transfer contact the program administrator.

• CQU CRICOS Provider Codes: QLD - 00219C; NSW - 01315F; VIC - 01624D
• This handbook was correct as at: 31 May 2005
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