Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science in History and Philosophy of Science (Honours)

The honours year after the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science is a widely recognised and highly regarded additional year of undergraduate study available to you after you complete your undergraduate course. It's a unique opportunity for you to explore your research potential and put the theory from your undergraduate studies into practice. An honours qualification in science or arts is not only well regarded in academia, but also in industry where laboratory experience andor a command of complex thought processes are highly sought after. Honours can be undertaken in any area of science or arts, usually in the subject area in which you completed most of your studies. It involves designing a research program in your chosen area of interest in consultation with one or more supervisors. Your research program may include components in more than one area of science or arts (eg. physiology and biology) and depending on the nature of your project you may also have to undertake some courses in experimental design or complete technical training to use a particular piece of equipment.

History and philosophy of science (HPS) investigates the nature of science, how science has developed, and how it has come to occupy such an central position in today's society. HPS is an exciting area of study in which you will be stimulated to think critically and creatively about developments within science and their impact on society. It places science in its historical and social contexts and examines how science differs from other forms of knowledge.

Studying fourth year honours in history and philosophy of science (HPS) can lead to many different career paths such as science policy, science education, science journalism, and science writing. In particular, it serves as an excellent preparation for an academic career. In the HPS honours course you can expect to work closely with an academic supervisor in a lively and supportive department, on a major research-based project and undertaking relevant coursework units. You will gain experience in formulating a research question and carrying out investigations around your topic, and this will culminate in a 15,000 word thesis about your research. Your research will normally be related to one of the following major themes: medicine and society, early modern science or bioethics. Unit of study requirements for Honours in the area of History and Philosophy of Science: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 24 credit points of coursework.

Admission requirements will vary, depending on whether you intend to undertake honours in the Faculty of Science, or in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

To qualify for admission to the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science (Honours), you must:

Have qualified for or be a graduate with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification from another tertiary institution,
Have completed a relevant major relating to the intended Honours discipline,
For Science Honours:

Have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65.00 or have a credit average (65.00) in 48 credit points of relevant* 2000-level and 3000-level units of study, or (for Honours in the Arts Area) Have achieved an average of 70 or higher across the major, and
Satisfy any additional criteria set by the relevant Head of School or Discipline or Department.
For Arts and Social Sciences Honours:

Have achieved an average of 70 or higher across the major, and
completed the prerequisites, including advanced senior units of study, as outlined in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Undergraduate Handbook.
The University's Coursework Rule requires Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science (Honours) students to complete their Honours program within 10 years of the commencement of their original qualifying Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science degree (or equivalent). As such, if your original Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science degree (or equivalent) was commenced more than 10 years ago or close to 10 years ago, you may be ineligible for admission.

Applicants whose original Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science degree (or equivalent) was commenced more than 10 years ago or close to 10 years ago are strongly recommended to seek advice from the Admissions Office prior to submitting an application for Bachelor of Science (Honours). The Admissions Office will consult and confer with the relevant contacts in the Faculty of Science and the relevant School as appropriate.

For Science Honours:
Please note that, in some Schools and Disciplines, the minimum WAM requirement is higher than 65.00, particularly where entry is very competitive. For example, a minimum WAM of 75.00 is generally required for entry into Honours in Psychology.

* Relevant units of study must be nominated by the School or Discipline and must be accompanied by strong written support from the School or Discipline.

Willingness of a member of academic staff to act as your supervisor does not guarantee entry into Honours. However, admission into Honours is subject to an appropriate supervisor and project being available.

Students who are not admitted to the Science Honours program may alternatively consider the Graduate Diploma in Science. The Graduate Diploma in Science is offered as either a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time course with similar content, structure and assessment as the Science Honours year. The Graduate Diploma in Science is a full fee-paying postgraduate coursework program.
IELTS- A minimum result of 6.5 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band
TOEFL IBT- A minimum result of 85 overall including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing