University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

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Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science – Structure

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:

  • 36 credit points in core units of study (six units), as set out in the Bachelor of Commerce section;
  • a major selected from the Commerce major subject areas as set out in the Bachelor of Commerce section; and
  • 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) with a 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 areas as set out in the Faculty of Science Handbook (MATH and STAT coded units of study);
  • a minimum of 24 credit points in junior units of study (1000 level) 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 (2000 and 3000 level) 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; and
  • a minimum of 96 credit points in units of study from the Faculty of Science.

Advanced and Advanced Mathematics Streams are also available for the Bachelor of Science component of the combined degree. The requirements for these streams are set out below.

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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 outstanding students. Within these streams, 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 these streams as indicated below:


(1) Bachelor of Science (Advanced)

For the award of the Bachelor of Science (Advanced), students complete:

  • a maximum of 48 credit points in junior Science units of study (1000 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 (2000 level) 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 (3000 level) of which at least 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; and
  • in intermediate and senior units of study in Science subject areas, maintain a credit average (65 percent) or better grade in each year of enrolment.


(2) Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics)

For the award of the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics), students complete:

  • a maximum of 48 credit points in junior Science units of study (1000 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 (2000 level) 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 (3000 level) of which at least 24 credit points are units of study 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, Statistics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics at 'advanced level', as set out in the Faculty of Science Handbook; and
  • in intermediate and senior units of study in Science Table 1 subject areas, maintain 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.

Note: Students must complete BUSS1020 rather than MATH1005/MATH1015/MATH1905 and choose alternative MATH and STAT units to meet their Mathematics and Statistics unit requirements.

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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.

Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)

For the award of the Bachelor of Commerce with Honours, meritorious students complete the Bachelor of Commerce with an additional honours year in their major area of study (48 credit points). The requirements for entry into and for the completion of the honours year can be found on the Business School website.

Bachelor of Science (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 (48 credit points) 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.

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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 website.

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Majors and electives

Commerce majors and electives

In the Bachelor of Commerce component, students must complete a major from the subject areas as set up under the Bachelor of Commerce section, to fulfil the requirements of their degree. Students have the option of selecting an additional major/s from these subject areas. A major consists of a minimum of 36 credit points in senior units of study (usually six 2000 or 3000 level 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 Subject areas section.

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

Science majors and electives

In the Bachelor of Science component, students must complete a major from the 'Table 1' areas of study set out in the Faculty of Science handbook to fulfil the requirements of their degree. Students have the option of selecting an additional Science major from these subject areas. 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 - the number of these units will differ depending on the major and senior units the student may wish to complete for the major. 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 Table 1 majors, students should refer to the Faculty of Science handbook.

Additional major and elective options available in this combined degree

Students may choose an additional major and/or electives from the subject areas offered by the University of Sydney Business School, School of Economics, 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 credit point value, 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 relevant faculty handbook or website for further information regarding major requirements.

Note: A maximum of 60 credit points in units of study from outside of the Business School, School of Economics (Economics and Econometrics subject areas), or Faculty of Science, can be completed, depending on which Commerce and Science majors students select.

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

Industry Placement Program (IPP) electives

Students who achieve a WAM of 65%+ across two semesters of full-time study (a minimum of eight units of study - 48 credit points) may apply for an assessable work integrated learning placement unit. Access to these units is subject to the availability of suitable placements, with available placements offered on a competitive basis, subject to WAM performance and interview.

The Business School's Industry Placement Program (IPP) offers placement opportunities across the following areas:

  • Sydney – placements with Sydney based firms
  • Canberra – placements in government and not-for-profit agencies
  • Regional NSW – placements with regional organisations
  • International – placements in Asia, Europe, South America and the USA

Note: This placement unit cannot be counted towards a major.

Further information on the Industry Placement Program (IPP) can be found at: sydney.edu.au/business/study/opportunities/industry_placement_program.
Community Placement Program (CPP) elective

The Community Placement Program (CPP) provides students with the opportunity to work with a diverse range of social businesses. Students who achieve a WAM of 65%+ across two semesters of full-time study (a minimum of eight units of study - 48 credit points) may apply for an assessable placement unit.

The Business School’s Community Placement Program (CPP) offers placement opportunities in the following areas:

  • Local – Sydney based social business projects
  • Rural – social enterprise projects in regional areas
  • International – social enterprise placements with CPP partners overseas

Note: This placement unit cannot be counted towards a major.

Further information on the Community Placement Program (CPP) can be found at: sydney.edu.au/business/study/opportunities/community_placement_program.

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