Bachelor of Behavioural Science

School of Arts & Sciences, Fremantle Campus

The University of Notre Dame Australia's Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a three-year degree. As part of your degree, you will explore and analyse different socio-economic groups and communities within society and see how they cope with the various government, social, and legal pressures being placed on them. You will also receive training that allows you to compassionately work with marginalised people and help them achieve social justice.

• Why study this degree?

  The Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a unique program that combines elements of psychology, political science, cultural studies and sociology. Integrating specialised knowledge developed in these social science disciplines, and with a strong focus on critical psychology, the program forges a connection between traditional psychology and social work.

  During this program you will develop an understanding of your place and role in society as well as respect for social and cultural diversity. Embedded within the degree is a specific emphasis on the assumptions and practices that promote substantive reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

  As a graduate, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to work with those who may be experiencing marginalisation or disadvantage.  Depending on your particular specialisations and choice of subjects employment opportunities will be available in a wide variety of industries and fields including advertising, community development, social impact assessment and more.

  Work Integrated Learning: The Behavioural Science Internship forms a vital part of this degree and offers you the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge of your degree in a professional environment. The Internship requires that you complete a minimum of 90 hours within an organisation in conjunction with regular class contact. You may undertake specific projects or tasks, engage in directed research, facilitate groups, write reports and/or develop projects or program initiatives as part of your Internship.

• Program summary

  For a Bachelor of Behavioural Science you will complete 24 courses.

  Twelve Behavioural Science courses are completed and you may choose to use eight elective courses to study a Major in another discipline or six elective courses to study a Minor, or you can use your elective courses to study more Behavioural Science courses.

  Required Core Curriculum (3 courses)

  All students at Notre Dame complete these courses.

  • CORE1010 Introduction to Philosophy
  • CORE1020 Ethics
  • CORE1030 Introduction to Theology

  Required Communications course (1 course)

  All students in the Bachelor of Arts complete this course.

  • ARTS1000 Academic Writing, Communication and Research

  Twelve (12) required Behavioural Science courses

  • Introductory
    • BESC1000 Developmental Psychology
    • BESC1020 Foundations of Human Behaviour
    • ABOR1000 Aboriginal People
    • BESC1050 Social Science Research
  • Intermediate
    • BESC2240 Discourse, Power and Politics
    • BESC2140 Organisational Behaviour
    • BESC2250 Culture and Society
    • BESC2160 Psychological Perspectives on Health
  • Advanced
    • BESC3930 Community: Policy and Development
    • BESC3150 Professional Practice in Behavioural Science
    • BESC3110 Research methods and Practice
    • BESC3940 Behavioural Science Internship

  Eight (8) elective courses

  These courses may be used to form an 8 course Major or a 6 course Minor from the list of disciplines below. Or you can complete extra Behavioural Sciences courses.

  • Archaeology
  • Biology (Major only)
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Management
  • History
  • Human Resource Management
  • Journalism
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Social Justice
  • Theology

  ---

  Full details of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program requirements are contained in the Program Regulations.

  Here you can find full details of the courses on offer.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are leaders in their fields and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Study Abroad

  You will have the opportunity to complete part of your degree at one of our partner institutions
  through our exchange program. Get in touch with the Study Abroad Office to find out more about
  studying in Asia, Europe and North America.

• Entry requirements

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy minimum requirements outlined at admission requirements. These include those relating to age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education:

  • Indicative ATAR of 70 with a score of 50+ in ATAR English, ATAR Literature or ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)
    OR
  • Minimum International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 24
    OR
  • Completed AQF Certificate IV or higher in a relevant discipline, from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) with a score of 50+ in ATAR English, ATAR Literature or ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD).

  Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Other university studies completed at undergraduate level or higher, a minimum of 4 successfully completed subjects;
    OR
  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program or of another Enabling Program at a level deemed sufficient by the University;

  Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for Advanced Standing.

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Completed AQF Certificate IV or higher in a relevant discipline, from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then, but with relevant work and life experience. Such experience may include, but is not limited to:

  • STAT scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section are required
    OR    
  • Mature-age completion of two Year 12 WACE or HSC exams with a resulting ATAR of 70 or above
    OR
  • Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) or equivalent results if these have been completed within the last 5 years.

  Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

• Fees and costs

  For further information, or for indicative fees for domestic or international students, please visit our Fees Page.

• Career opportunities

  Our graduates may follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors, with many working in community development, youth work, policy development, and corporate liaison.

• Student profile data

  Table 2 below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  TABLE 2a – Bachelor of Behavioural Science BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2021 INTAKE

  Applicant background	Semester 1 2021
  	Number of students	Percentage of all students
  (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	8	36%
  (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	N/P
  (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)	N/A	N/A
  (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	N/A	N/A
  Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	<5	N/P
  Admitted   on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)	10	45%
  International students	N/A	N/A
  All students	22	100.0%

  TABLE 2b – Bachelor of Behavioural Science ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2021 INTAKE

  RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offers	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) *	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *[only if relevant]
  Highest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Median rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Lowest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A

  Notes:  

  “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
  N/A – Students not accepted in this category
  N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

• More information

  For more information on the Bachelor of Behavioural Science and related double degree options, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.