Majors, minors and specialisations are groups of courses with a common theme required to complete some degrees. Majors require 48 units, minors require 24 units, and specialisations require 24 units which must be taken in conjunction with a corequisite major.
Details of the degree requirements and majors that apply to a program can be accessed in the ANU Undergraduate Handbook for pre 2012 rules, or at Study@ for current rules.
Changes from 2012
In 2012 the University is introducing new program structures for undergraduate degrees. For most degrees these changes are minimal and will have little or no impact on students who have already commenced study.
The significant changes for students commencing in 2012 are in relation to the structure and requirements of majors and the introduction of minors/specialisations. These changes affect the following programs offered by the College of Physical & Mathematical Sciences:
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Adv)(Hons)
- Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability)
- Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability)(Hons)
- Bachelor of Computational Science (Hons)
- Bachelor of Science component of combined degrees - ie. Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science
The changes in majors and the new requirement for minors/specialisations apply only to new students commencing in 2012 or to existing students who transfer to any of the degrees above from 2012 onwards. Exceptions to this may be for students who transfer late in their degree who may not be able to meet the new requirements.
Most existing majors will still be available to students who have already commenced their studies and the general degree requirements in place at the time of commencement still apply.
More information is available at the Division of Registrar & Student Services, or if you have questions please contact the College Enquiries Desk to make an appointment with a Sub Dean.
