Philosophy

Are you looking for a degree to challenge and inspire you? Are you excited by the opportunity to undertake a research-focussed degree?

The Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) or PhB is a unique program that allows intellectually ambitious students to explore their interests, develop their research skills and be mentored by leading academics, while enjoying the camaraderie of a group of like-minded and social students. The PhB degree has been offered in Science since 2003. The PhB degree is now rolling out for offer across a broader range of disciplines and in 2014 this degree will allow you to focus either on science or on Asia and Pacific studies - an exciting new development for high achieving students. Regardless of your main focus, there is still room for you to explore other disciplines.

The four year PhB program is designed with flexibility in mind - each PhB program is as individual as the student taking it. Each year, you will work with your mentor to tailor a program you will find stimulating and challenging, including courses from other Colleges for those who wish to pursue cross-disciplinary interests.

One quarter of the studies, in the first three years, consist of individually tailored Advanced Studies specifically designed to provide you with a strong base in research. These courses may consist of a reading course with a world-leading scientist or a globally recognised expert on the Asia Pacific region, or joining a research team to get 'hands-on' experience.. In the fourth or Honours year of a PhB, you will undertake a research project for most of the year under the guidance of an academic supervisor.

After completion of each 48 units towards the degree, the PhB Committee will determine whether the level of performance is sufficient to remain in the degree program. It is possible to transfer to another undergraduate degree program and receive credit for work successfully completed in the PhB. To remain enrolled in the PhB(Hons) degree, students must maintain an average mark of 80 percent  each semester.

To qualify for the degree the Honours year must be completed with first class honours.

Employment Opportunities

The PhB (Hons) is an ideal path to take if you are already aiming for a career in research, but it is equally good if you decide to enter the workforce directly, as you will not only have gained the academic and generic skills normally obtained within an undergraduate degree but will have gained highly marketable skills in independent research, oral and written communication and teamwork.

Through the PhB (Hons), it is possible to specialise in areas as diverse as the science disciplines of astrophysics, bioinformatics, biomedical science, biotechnology, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental science, geography, geology, human sciences, life sciences, materials science, mathematical physics, mathematics, medical sciences, microbiology and parasitology, molecular biology, neuroscience, physics, psychology, software engineering, zoology.

Students interested in Asia and the Pacific studies can focus on a wide range of areas including asia pacific security, asia pacific politics, Asian history, Asian languages, inter-asian cultural studies, northeast asian studies, pacific studies, peace, conflict & war, south asian studies, and southeast asian studies.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop, apply, integrate and generate knowledge in educational and professional contexts:
• Develop and use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to complex problems and issues;
• Identify and apply various research concepts, methodologies and methods
• Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives;
• Negotiate research projects considering their academic relevance, possible academic contributions, and ethical implications;
• Source and critically analyse research literature related to their topics of interest and research;
• Appraise concepts and arguments related to their topics of interest and research;
• Convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
• Develop high level project management skills as support for independent study; and
• Exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

The Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) requires completion of 192 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units can come from the completion of 1000 level courses

A minimum of 36 units from completion of 3000 level courses

The 192 units must include:

144 units from completion of 1000, 2000 and 3000 level courses chosen with the approval of the program convenor, of which:

36 units from completion of Advanced Studies courses, including:

A minimum of 18 units from the completion of Advanced Studies (ASC) courses from the following list:

SCNC2101 Advanced Studies 1

SCNC2102 Advanced Studies 2

SCNC2103 Advanced Studies 3

SCNC2104 Advanced Studies 4

SCNC3101 Advanced Studies 5

SCNC3102 Advanced Studies 6

ASIA1114 Advanced Studies in Asia and the Pacific 1

ASIA2114 Advanced Studies in Asia and the Pacific 2

ASIA3114 Advanced Studies in Asia and the Pacific 3

A maximum of 18 units from completion of Advanced Studies Extensions (ASE) courses

48 units from completion of either a Science or an Asia and the Pacific Honours research project.

Students enrolled in the PhB(Hons) program must maintain an average of 80% in Science courses each semester to remain in this program. 

Students who do not maintain 80% will be transferred to an appropriate Science degree but will still be allowed to compete for places in Honours.

To qualify for the degree the Honours year must be completed with first class honours.

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR

• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma or Graduate Certificate; OR

• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution; OR

• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Requirements for domestic applicants:

ATAR:99

QLD Band:1

International Baccalaureate:42

For international students:

Refer to the table to see if you meet the requirements:

http://www.anu.edu.au/files/resource/IntAdmissTabl2014e.pdf 

English Language Requirements:

ANU recognizes a number of English language tests as meeting the University’s English language requirements. The acceptable tests are IELTS (an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6 in each component of the test), TOEFL-paper based test (a score of 570), TOEFL-internet based test (a score of 80, with a minimum of 20 in Reading and Writing and 18 in Speaking and Listening), Cambridge CAE Advanced (80, grade A), PTE Academic (overall 64, minimum 55 in each section.) 

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have an ACT major in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major).

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.