Minors in the Bachelor of Science
A minor is an optional part of your degree. It is made up of a collection of courses in a particular subject. The workload for a minor is lighter than for a major—fewer courses to do, fewer points required. This makes a minor a good way to build a second or third area of focus or concentration into your degree. Find out more about how minors work.
All majors can be also be taken as a minor, so check the majors available in the Bachelor of Science. You might also be able to study majors from other Victoria undergraduate degrees as a minor in your Bachelor of Science.
Generally, minors are made up of at least 60 points from the relevant subject area at 200 level or above. At least 15 of those points must be at 300 level and not counted towards a major or another minor.
Some subjects are not available as majors, but you can take them as a minor. Other subjects have special requirements and course options as minors. Explore these minors below.
Actuarial Science
Get the knowledge and skills you need to set you on the path to become a qualified actuary. Actuarial Science brings economics, mathematics and statistics together to help companies and organisations forecast and manage risks. Take advantage of the growing demand for actuarial skills in many areas including investment and stockbroking, software development, and in government, education and health. Read more about Actuarial Science.
Requirements
Complete the following courses:
- ACTS 201
- MATH 277
- ACTS 301
Complete one further course from:
- ECON 201
- FINA 201
- FINA 202
- MATH 277
- ACTS 301
- FINA 306
- FINA 307
- STAT 335
- ECON 301
- ECON 314
- ECON 339
- FINA 305
- FINA 306
- FINA 307
- MATH 377
- STAT 332
- STAT 393
Development Studies
Study the enormous differences in living standards around the world and what we can do about it. Examine the relationships between people and institutions—from small communities, to government agencies and international organisations. Focus on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals that set out to address inequality in wealth, education and health around the world. Read more about Development Studies.
Requirements
Complete GEOG 212
Complete two further courses from:
- GEOG 312
- GEOG 316
Complete one further approved 200- or 300-level course worth 20 points.
Environmental Studies
Go beyond the 'pure' sciences to examine social, cultural, and economic perspectives on the environment. Learn about the pressures humans place on the earth and what we can do about it. Study a range of topics from climate change to urban green spaces, Māori resource management to the impact of humans on Antarctica. Read more about Environmental Studies.
Requirements
Complete the following courses:
- ENVI 214
- ENVI 314
Complete a further 20 points from:
- GEOG 200-399
Forensic Science
Discover how fundamental scientific techniques are applied to criminal forensic investigations in this rapidly advancing field. To complete this minor you'll spend a semester on exchange at theNational University of Singapore, one of the world's top universities. This minor is available to just two Victoria students each year. You must be specialising in Chemistry, Biomedical Science or Cell and Molecular Bioscience to apply. Read more about Forensic Science.
Requirements
Complete least 60 points from:
- Approved 200- and 300-level courses
Including 30 points from the National University of Singapore, taken as part of an exchange programme.
Science in Context
Explore the relationships between science and technology, scientists and society, and the history and philosophy of science. Examine how scientific ideas and issues are communicated to different audiences in society. Read more about Science in Context.
Requirements
Complete 45 points from:
- ESCI 201
- SCIE 201
- SCIE 211
- SCIE 212
- CREW 352
- SCIE 302
- SCIE 310
- SCIE 312
- Other approved 200- or 300-level courses
Complete SCIE 311