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Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science

The combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science is administered by the University of Sydney Business School for the duration of the combined degree.

Overview of the degree

Course details
Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
CRICOS code 055965C
Degree abbreviation BCom/BSc
Credit points required for completion 240
Duration (full-time) 5 years

This combined degree gives scope for students to pursue studies in the sciences, while developing professional skills, which will enhance their prospects in the labour market. Both degrees are studied concurrently and will be awarded after five years of full-time study.

Degree structure and progression

Degree requirements

To be awarded the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science, students complete units of study with a total value of 240 credit points (with a maximum of 96 credit points in junior units of study), comprising:

For the Bachelor of Commerce component:

  • six commerce core units of study (36 credit points)
  • a major selected from the 'Bachelor of Commerce subject areas for majors and electives'
  • a minimum of 96 credit points in units of study from the University of Sydney Business School and School of Economics (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) (minimum of 48 credit points in senior units of study).

For the Bachelor of Science component:

  • a minimum of 12 credit points in junior mathematics and statistics (MATH) units of study
  • a minimum of 24 credit points in junior units of study from at least two of the Science subject areas (other than Mathematics and Statistics)
  • a minimum of of 60 credit points in intermediate and senior Science units of study
  • a major selected from the options listed under 'Table 1' in the Faculty of Science handbook
  • a minimum of 96 credit points in units of study from the Faculty of Science.

The Bachelor of Science component of the combined degree may also be completed as Bachelor of Science (Advanced) or Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) streams. The particular requirements for these alternative streams are set out below.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics)

The Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) degrees retain much of the flexibility of the Bachelor of Science degree but cater to the needs of the best students. In these degree, students are required to complete advanced level junior, intermediate and senior units of study throughout their degree. Students must also meet minimum progression requirements to continue studying in the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) degree as indicated below:

For the award of the Bachelor of Science (Advanced), students complete:
  • a maximum of 48 credit points junior Science units of study (with a minimum of 24 credit points at an 'advanced level'); comprising: (i) a minimum of 12 credit points in junior mathematics and statistics (MATH) units of study; and (ii) a minimum of 24 credit points in junior units of study from at least two of the Science subject areas (other than Mathematics and Statistics).
  • a minimum of 12 credit points in intermediate Science units of study at either advanced level or as TSP units
  • a minimum of 48 credit points in senior Science units of study where a minimum of 24 credit points are units of study in a single Science subject area taken as advanced level or as TSP units
  • Maintain in intermediate and senior units of study in Science subject areas a credit average (65 percent ) or better grade in each year of enrolment.
For the award of the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics), students complete:
  • a maximum of 48 credit points junior Science units of study (with a minimum of 24 credit points at an 'advanced level'); comprising: (i) a minimum of 12 credit points in junior mathematics and statistics (MATH) units of study; and (ii) a minimum of 24 credit points in junior units of study from at least two of the Science subject areas (other than Mathematics and Statistics).
  • a minimum of 12 credit points in intermediate Mathematics and Statistics units of study at either advanced level or as TSP units.
  • a minimum of 48 credit points in senior Science units of study where at least 24 credit points are units of study are taken as advanced level or as TSP units in the Mathematics and Statistics subject area.
  • a major in Mathematics or Statistics at 'advanced level'.
  • Maintain in intermediate and senior units of study in Science subject areas a credit average (65 percent) or better grade in each year of enrolment.

For further information on this program, students should refer to the Faculty of Science handbook (sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science).

Requirements for the degrees with honours

Both the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science can be awarded with honours. Joint honours is also available.

For the award of the Bachelor of Commerce with Honours, meritorious students complete the Bachelor of Commerce with an additional honours year of study in their major area of study. For details of the requirements for entry into and for the completion of the Honours Year in this program in the Business School, please refer to the Business School's website: sydney.edu.au/business/honours.

For the award of the Bachelor of Science with Honours, meritorious students must complete successfully the Bachelor of Science with an additional honours year of study in any of the subject areas where honours study is available. For details of the requirements for honours, students should refer to the Faculty of Science Handbook sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science

Commerce core units of study

Junior units of study (36 credit points):

  • BUSS1001 Understanding Business
  • BUSS1002 The Business Environment
  • BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis
  • BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society
  • BUSS1040 Economics for Business Decision Making.

Senior capstone unit of study (six credit points):

  • BUSS3500 Integrated Business Applications.

Mathematics and Statistics units of study

Students must complete mathematics and statistics units of study to the minimum value of 12 credit points for the Bachelor of Science component of their degree. All junior 'MATH' units of study are worth three credit points each. For further details on these units of study, refer to the Faculty of Science handbook (sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science) or the School of Mathematics and Statistics website for further details (sydney.edu.au/science/maths). The junior MATHS units of study are as follows:

  • MATH1001 Differential Calculus; OR MATH1901 Differential Calculus (Advanced); OR MATH1011Applications of Calculus; OR MATH1111 Introduction to Calculus
  • MATH1002 Linear Algebra; OR MATH1902 Linear Algebra (Advanced);OR MATH1014 Introduction to Linear Algebra
  • MATH1003 Integral Calculus and Modelling; OR MATH1013 Mathematical Modelling; OR MATH1903 Integral Calculus and Modelling Advanced
  • MATH1004 Discrete Mathematics
  • MATH1005 Statistics; OR MATH1015 Biostatistics; OR MATH1905 Statistics (Advanced). #

# Students who complete MATH1005/MATH1015/MATH1905 and an additional MATH unit may substitute the core unit BUSS1020 with another unit of their choice from the Business School. However, it is highly recommended that students complete BUSS1020 if statistics is not required for their Science major and choose an alternative non-statistics MATH units to meet their junior unit requirements.

Majors and electives

Commerce majors and electives

In the Bachelor of Commerce component, students select a least one major from the 'Bachelor of Commerce subject areas for majors and electives' to fulfil the requirements of their degree. A major consists of a minimum of 36 credit points in senior units of study (usually six units) in a single subject area. Senior units of study may only be counted towards one major. Students also select elective units of study from the 'Bachelor of Commerce subject areas for majors and electives'. The available areas are as follows:

  • Accounting
  • Business Information Systems
  • Commercial Law
  • Econometrics *
  • Economics *
  • Finance
  • Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
  • International Business
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Quantitative Business Analysis.

* These majors are offered by the School of Economics in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

For full details of the requirements for these majors, please refer to Bachelor of Commerce subject areas for majors and electives under the Bachelor of Commerce entry.

Science majors and electives

In the Bachelor of Science component, students select a least one major from the 'Table 1' areas of study in the Faculty of Science handbook to fulfil the requirements of their degree. A Science major usually comprises a minimum of 24 credit points in senior units of study (3000-level) in a single subject area. Students are usually required to complete certain junior (1000-level) and intermediate (2000-level) units as prerequisites for majors and senior units. Intermediate and senior units of study may only be counted towards one major. Students can also choose intermediate and senior science units as electives. The available Science areas of study are as follows:

  • Agricultural Chemistry
  • Anatomy and Histology
  • Biochemistry
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biology
  • Cell Pathology
  • Chemistry
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Financial Mathematics and Statistics
  • Geography
  • Geology and Geophysics
  • History and Philosophy of Science
  • Immunobiology
  • Information Systems
  • Marine Biology
  • Marine Geoscience
  • Marine Science
  • Mathematics
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Nanoscience and Technology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Plant Science
  • Psychology
  • Soil Science
  • Statistics.

For details of the requirements for Faculty of Science majors, students should refer to the Faculty of Science handbook (sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science).

Additional major and elective options available in this combined degree

Students may select additional major/s and/or electives from any subject area offered by the Business School, Faculty of Science or from any other faculties of the University of Sydney (subject to approval by the faculty offering the unit and degree requirements). Other faculty majors may differ in size, however in most cases; a minimum of 36 credit points in senior (or intermediate and senior) units of study must be completed in that subject area. Students should refer to the other faculty's handbook or website for further information regarding their major requirements.

Note: Students can only complete a maximum of 60 credit points in units of study from outside of the Business School or Faculty of Science.

For details of majors from other faculties, students should consult the handbook for the relevant faculty (sydney.edu.au/handbooks).

Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and the Talented Students Program

Every year the top students in the Faculty of Science are invited to participate in the Talented Student Program (TSP). This program allows students to tailor their degree to suit their own interests, for example by working on individual projects under the supervision of a mentor, attending special seminars or accelerating the completion of their degree. In general, the TSP caters for students whose talent is broad-based across science. Students can have greater flexibility in their choice of study (beyond that normally allowed by degree rules), and they have a mentor (a member of the academic staff) who assists them in choosing from the great range of academic and research options.

For further information on this program, students should refer to the Faculty of Science handbook (sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science).

Professional accreditation requirements

Within the Bachelor of Commerce component of the combined degree, students may choose to pursue a program of study that would allow them to seek accreditation with particular professional bodies.

See the 'Bachelor of Commerce' entry in this chapter for details of available professional accreditation requirements.

Degree progression

The following table illustrates a degree progression example for a student enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science on a full-time basis undertaking units of study with a total value of 24 credit points per semester and completing two majors ('A' and 'B'). Students can, depending on the majors chosen, complete a maximum of four majors in this program.

Note: In the following example table, core units of study for the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) are in 'bold italic' type, the compulsory Commerce (BCom) components of the program are 'italic' and the required Bachelor of Science (BSc) units of study are in 'bold'.

 

Year

Semester

Units of study

1

 1

BUSS1001

BUSS1030

BUSS1040

Maths junior
(compulsory)

Maths junior
(compulsory)

 
2

BUSS1002

BUSS1020

 BCom junior or senior
(major or elective)

Maths junior
(compulsory)

Maths junior
(compulsory)

 
2 1 BCom senior
(major)

BCom junior or senior
(major or elective)

BSc junior (major or elective)

BSc junior (major or elective)
2 BCom senior
(major)

BCom junior or senior
(major or elective)

BSc junior (major or elective)

BSc junior (major or elective)
3 1

BCom senior
(major)

 junior, intermediate or senior
(elective)

BSc intermediate
(major)

 BSc intermediate or senior
(major or elective)
2

BCom senior
(major)

 junior, intermediate or senior
(elective)

BSc intermediate
(major)

BSc intermediate or senior
(major or elective)
4 1 BCom senior
(major)		 intermediate or senior
(elective)		 BSc senior
(major)		 BSc intermediate or senior
(major or elective)
2 BCom senior
(major)		 intermediate or senior
(elective)		 BSc senior
(major)		 BSc intermediate or senior
(major or elective)
5 1

BCom senior
(major or elective)

intermediate or senior
(elective)

 BSc senior
(major)

intermediate or senior
(elective)
2

BUSS3500

intermediate or senior
(elective)

 BSc senior
(major)		 intermediate or senior
(elective)

Please note: The information listed in this example is based on the unit of study offerings for 2012 and is intended as a guide only. Students are usually able to complete the units of study for their course in different sequences to that which is listed (including enrolling in units in Summer or Winter School sessions when available). Students are advised to plan their course based upon their individual needs and to contact the Student Information Office if they need any assistance in planning their progression in their degree.

The Business School website gives other illustrative sequences of units of study for specific majors in this combined degree. This information can be accessed at sydney.edu.au/business/courses/FH050/.

Units of study for the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science

For information on units of study that are available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science in 2012, please refer to the Business School and Science tables in Undergraduate units of study section. For descriptions of the Business School units, refer to Undergraduate unit of study descriptions. For Faculty of Science unit descriptions please refer to the Faculty of Science handbook (sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science) or the online unit of study handbook: (ssa.usyd.edu.au/ssa/handbook/uossearch.jsp).

Course rules and resolutions

 

Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

FH034

Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3 Streams

(1)
The Bachelor of Science in this combined degree is available in the following streams:
(a)
Advanced
(b)
Advanced Mathematics
(2)
Students with a sufficient ATAR may choose to be admitted into either of the Advanced streams. All others will enter the Bachelor of Science without a stream. Students, who have completed at least 48 credit points, may be permitted to transfer to either the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) or (Advanced Mathematics) stream if they:
(a)
achieved an average mark of 75 or greater over all units of study attempted; and
(b)
are able to enrol in the required number of Advanced level units or Talented Student Program (TSP) units.
(3)
Students wishing to transfer between streams should contact the School student office.

4 Cross faculty management

(1)
Candidates in this combined degree will be under the general supervision of the University of Sydney Business School for the duration of the combined program.
(2)
The University of Sydney Business School and the Faculty of Science shall jointly exercise authority in any matter concerning the combined award course not otherwise dealt with in these Resolutions.

5 Admission to candidature

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Details of admission policies are found in the Coursework Rule.

6 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out under subject areas in the Table of undergraduate units of study: University of Sydney Business School and Table 1 from the Faculty of Science. The Faculty of Science may permit a candidate of exceptional merit who is admitted to the Faculty of Science Talented Student Program to undertake a unit or units of study within the Faculty of Science other than those specified in Table 1.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the pass degrees a candidate must successfully complete 240 credit points.
(3)
Requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Commerce a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 96 credit points of units of study from the University of Sydney Business School including:
(a)
36 credit points of core units of study;
(b)
a major from one of the Commerce subject areas; and
(c)
a minimum of 48 credit points in senior units of study.
(4)
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Science a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 96 credit points of units of study from Science subject areas including:
(a)
a major from Science subject areas in Table 1;
(b)
a minimum of 12 credit points from the Science subject areas of Mathematics and Statistics; and
(c)
a minimum of 24 credit points of junior units of study from at least two Science subject areas other than Mathematics and Statistics.
(5)
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) stream
Candidates completing the Advanced stream of the Bachelor of Science must include as part of the above requirements:
(a)
maximum 48 credit points from junior Science units of study;
(b)
a minimum of 12 credit points of intermediate Science units of study at either the Advanced level or as TSP units; and
(c)
a minimum of 48 credit points of senior Science units of study of which at least 24 credit points are units of study in a single Science subject area, taken at the Advanced level or as TSP units.
(6)
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) stream
Candidates completing the Advanced Mathematics stream of the Bachelor of Science must include as part of the above requirements:
(a)
maximum 48 credit points from junior Science units of study;
(b)
minimum 12 credit points of intermediate Mathematics and Statistics units of study at either the Advanced level or as TSP units;
(c)
a major in Mathematics, Statistics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics; and
(d)
a minimum of 48 credit points of senior Science units of study of which at least 24 credit points are completed at the Advanced level or as TSP units in Mathematics and Statistics.

7 Majors

(1)
Candidates are required to complete a major in both the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science. Units of study counted towards one major may not count toward any other major completed.
(2)
The majors available for the Bachelor of Commerce are specified in the course resolutions for the Bachelor of Commerce.
(3)
The majors available in the Bachelor of Science are specified in the course resolutions for the Bachelor of Science.

8 Progression rules

(1)
A candidate may proceed concurrently to the degrees of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science.
(2)
In the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) or Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics), students must maintain in intermediate and senior units of study in Science subject areas an average mark of 65 or greater in each year of enrolment.
(3)
Students in the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) or Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) streams who fail to maintain a Credit average will be transferred to the Bachelor of Science in the next year of enrolment with full credit for units completed in the Advanced or Advanced Mathematics stream.
(4)
Students in the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) or Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) streams who fail to achieve a credit average across all units attempted in their final year of the degree will be awarded the Bachelor of Science pass degree.
(5)
To transfer from the Bachelor of Science to the Advanced or Advanced Mathematics stream, a student must satisfy the following:
(a)
completion of at least 48 credit points;
(b)
an average of 75 or greater over all attempted units of study; and
(c)
be able to enrol in the required number of advanced level or TSP units.
(6)
Full time students must enrol in all junior core units of study for the Bachelor of Commerce within the first two years of enrolment. Part time students must enrol in all junior core units of study for the Bachelor of Commerce within the first four years of enrolment.

9 Requirements for the Honours degree

(1)
Honours is available to meritorious students who complete an additional year of full time study, after the completion of the pass degree. Part time study over two years may be permitted with School approval.
(2)
Both of the Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Science may be awarded with honours in any of the subject areas as approved by the school. Joint honours in two of these subject areas may also be available.
(3)
Admission and award requirements for honours in each course are described in the Resolutions of the University of Sydney Business School and the Faculty of Science.

10 Award of the degrees

(1)
Both Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Science are awarded in the grades of either Pass or Honours. The honours degree is awarded in classes according to the rules specified in the Resolutions of the University of Sydney Business School and the Faculty of Science.
(2)
Candidates for the award of the Honours degree who do not meet the requirements, and who have not already graduated, will be awarded the pass degree.

11 Course transfer

A candidate may abandon the combined program and elect to complete either the Bachelor of Commerce or the Bachelor of Science in accordance with the resolutions governing that degree. Completion of the abandoned degree in the future will require a new application for admission to that course and completion in accordance with the resolutions governing that degree.

12 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 will complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The School may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.