Would I be able to study a Bachelor of Science without any science prequisites? (1 Viewer) (1 Viewer)

[veridian]

Hey guys! I figured out too late that I actually want to pursue a career in wildlife conservation with additional studies later on. The university that I want to attend is UNSW and to complete the Bachelor of Science (Biology). I have not completed any science since year 10 ( I also haven't done math since year 10). Would it be silly to apply to science without KNOWLEDGE about science/math?? Or does this degree contain basic information that will be understandable for someone like me? Thanks.

(Would it be too hard to do science/math without background knowledge from high school????)

 

[jimmysmith560]

Since you don't have the assumed knowledge that UNSW specifies for its Bachelor of Science (Chemistry, Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 (depending on chosen area of study) plus one or more of Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics), there is a chance that you find content taught during your first year quite challenging. However, content taught beyond your first year will most likely include concepts that are beyond the scope of the HSC subjects that UNSW considers assumed knowledge, meaning several students are likely not to be familiar with them.

Bachelor of Science - UNSW - through UAC

Bachelor of Science at UNSW is available through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Apply today!

www.uac.edu.au

That said, why don't you consider taking a bridging course? Such courses allow you to narrow the gap between your high school and university studies, i.e. allow you to be comfortable with UNSW's assumed knowledge for this degree upon completion of one (or more) bridging course. UNSW offers 3 bridging courses which you might be interested in:

• Chemistry Bridging Course: https://www.science.unsw.edu.au/study-us/undergraduate/bridging-courses/chemistry-bridging-course
• Mathematics Bridging Course: https://www.science.unsw.edu.au/study-us/undergraduate/bridging-courses/mathematics-bridging-course
• Physics Bridging Course: https://www.science.unsw.edu.au/study-us/undergraduate/bridging-courses/physics-bridging-course

Completing one (or more) of the above bridging courses will enable you to completely avoid the risk of facing learning difficulties (particularly in your first year) due to the lack of knowledge/information which you'd normally gain in your HSC subjects and which UNSW considers assumed knowledge.

I hope this helps!

 

[CM_Tutor]

How did you find Science and Maths up to year 10?

I've looked into the UNSW program (see below)... short version? Possible but difficult.

The lack of any Maths since year 10 is the big concern, especially if you were not strong in it up to year 10. First year Uni Maths is a compulsory course for a Science degree because Maths is a tool that is used in every Science - and Uni Maths is going to need differential and integral calculus from the HSC Advanced Maths course that will be simply assumed. I think Uni Physics would be daunting without some prior study and significant mathematical skills. However, there is a pathway to minimise maths and avoid physics.

Here is the Science Handbook for a major in Biology. If you look in the "Specialisation Structure", you will see that there are 5 mandatory subjects for first year, each of 6 credit points. You study 24 credit points per semester in a full time load. They are:

• BABS1201 - Molecules, Cells and Genes
• BEES1041 - Exploring the Natural World
• BIOS1101 - Evolutionary and Functional Biology
• BIOS1301 - Ecology, Sustainability and Environmental Science
• MATH1041 - Statistics for Life and Social Sciences

Note what the information on MATH1041 says:

Assumed Knowledge: A level of knowledge equivalent to achieving a mark of at least 60 in HSC Mathematics is assumed;
or a minimum level of 70 in HSC General Mathematics.
NB: This course is not intended for students who propose to study a substantial amount of Mathematics or Statistics beyond first year level.
Many later year courses in Mathematics have completion of MATH1231, MATH1241 or MATH1251 as a prerequisite.​

So, the bridging course in Maths is likely an essential as the content of MATH1041 certainly picks up quite a bit of HSC material.

The specialisation structure shows that there is a mandatory second year course, BEES2041 - Data Analysis for Life and Earth Sciences, that builds on MATH1041, and then a third year course BEES3041.

The "recommended" courses adds two more 6 credit point subjects to first year:

• CHEM1011 - Chemistry 1A: Atoms, Molecules and Energy or CHEM1031 - Higher Chemistry 1A: Atoms, Molecules and Energy
• MSCI1001 - Introductory Marine Science

Note that Chemistry 1A "builds on an elementary knowledge of chemistry (equivalent to one year of high school chemistry, such as Year 11 chemistry, or CHEM1001 at UNSW)" while Higher Chemistry 1A "builds on an elementary knowledge of chemistry (equivalent to two years of high school chemistry, such as Year 12 chemistry, or CHEM1001 at UNSW)".

This means that Chemistry 1A would be very difficult without prior study of chemistry, but the university offers CHEM1001 - Introductory Chemistry that you can do first as it is "designed for students entering University with little or no previous background in Chemistry." You'd then need to do CHEM1011, though. This actually means they are provided a no prior chemistry background pathway.

So, it's possible. You'd have to do the 5 mandatory courses, plus CHEM1001 and then CHEM1011 (which would likely need to be finished before you tried BABS1201) plus MSCI1001. And, you'd need to work on your Maths background to get ready for MATH1041. And, your weaker Maths may constrain choices on higher level subjects / major areas. But, it's possible.