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.

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

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:

• seven core units of study (36 credit points), as set out under 'Core units of study' in the Bachelor of Commerce section in this handbook
• a major selected from the compulsory major subject areas as set out under 'Majors and electives' in the Bachelor of Commerce section in this handbook
• a minimum of 96 credit points in units of study from the University of Sydney Business School (minimum of 48 credit points in senior units of study).

For the Bachelor of Science component:

• a minimum of 12 credit points from the mathematics and statistics subject area (MATH and STAT) units of study, as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• a minimum of 24 credit points in junior units of study from at least two of the Science Table 1 subject areas (other than Mathematics and Statistics), as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook
• a minimum of 60 credit points in intermediate and senior Science units of study from the Table 1 subject areas, as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook
• a major selected from the subject areas 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:

(i) Bachelor of Science (Advanced)

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 mathematics and statistics (MATH and STAT) units of study; and (ii) a minimum of 24 credit points in junior units of study from at least two of the Table 1 Science subject areas (other than Mathematics and Statistics), as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• a minimum of 12 credit points in intermediate Table 1 Science units of study at either advanced level or as TSP units, as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• a minimum of 48 credit points in senior Table 1 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, as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• 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.

(ii) Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics)

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 mathematics and statistics (MATH and STAT) units of study; and (ii) a minimum of 24 credit points in junior units of study from at least two of the Table 1 Science subject areas (other than Mathematics and Statistics), as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• a minimum of 12 credit points in intermediate Mathematics and Statistics units of study at either advanced level or as TSP units, as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• 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, as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• a major in Mathematics or Statistics at 'advanced level', as set out in the Faculty of Science handbook.
• Maintain in intermediate and senior units of study in Science Table 1 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).

Please note: The units of study, MATH1005/MATH1015/MATH1905 (and another junior MATH unit), are seen as equivalent to the core unit BUSS1020. Unless an absolute necessity for a major, students should complete BUSS1020 and choose alternative MATH and STAT units to meet their Mathematics and Statistics unit requirements.

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

Majors and electives

Commerce majors and electives

In the Bachelor of Commerce component, students must select a compulsory major from the subject areas offered by the Business School to fulfil the requirements of their degree. Students can selective an additional major from the same subject areas if desired. 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.

For full details of the requirements for these majors, please refer to the 'Compulsory major' heading under 'majors and electives' in the Bachelor of Commerce section in this handbook.

Elective units can also be selected from these areas. Students must complete 96 credit points from the Business School subject areas with a minimum of 48 credit points in senior units of study (including units completed for a major).

Note. Units of study completed for majors or as electives from the School of Economics subject areas are considered non-Business School units. If a major or electives are selected from these subject areas, then students still must complete 96 credit points from the Business School for their degree.

Science majors and electives

In the Bachelor of Science component, students select a compulsory major from the 'Table 1' areas of study set out in the Faculty of Science handbook to fulfil the requirements of their degree. Students can select an additional major from the same subject areas if desired. 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.

Students in this combined degree must complete a minimum of 60 credit points in intermediate and senior units of study from the Table 1 Science subject areas.

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 choose an additional major and/or electives from any subject area offered by the University of Sydney Business School, Faculty of Science, or any other faculty of the University of Sydney (subject to degree requirements and approval of the faculty offering the units). 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 usually only complete a maximum of 60 credit points in units of study from outside of the Business School or Faculty of Science (for example, units from School of Economics subject areas).

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

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.

Progression guide

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 (one Commerce and one Science). 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'.

* This is a zero credit point unit.

Please note: The information listed in this example is based on the unit of study offerings for 2013 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/.