Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)(Advanced Physics)/Computer Science

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Computer Science at the University of New South Wales is a powerful five‑year double degree that blends high‑level scientific training with cutting‑edge computing expertise, ideal for students who love solving complex problems and building innovative digital solutions. You’ll graduate not just with deep research experience from the Advanced Science honours component but also with strong foundations in programming, systems design and intelligent computing — a combination that’s highly sought‑after across tech, science, research and industry sectors.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year sets a solid foundation across both science and computing. In the Advanced Science (Honours) component, you’ll begin with core research‑oriented courses like SCIF1001 Level 1 Research Skills alongside introductory science subjects, while the Computer Science side introduces you to the fundamentals of computing systems, programming and problem‑solving principles. This mix ensures you’re comfortable asking big questions in science and building logical, computational approaches from the very start.

Year 2:
In second year, you’ll dive deeper into your chosen Advanced Science major — such as Advanced Physics — exploring how the universe works at both theoretical and practical levels, and begin intermediate computer science subjects that strengthen your software and algorithm skills. Expect to be analysing data, modelling processes and writing increasingly sophisticated code as you start connecting principles from physics and computing.

Year 3:
By your third year, you’ll be tackling complex topics in both disciplines. Science classes will hone specialised knowledge within your major, while computer science units expand into areas like databases, systems and potentially artificial intelligence. You’ll also build your professional profile with research‑focused components such as Honours‑related preparatory work, preparing you for advanced projects ahead.

Year 4:
In your fourth year, the honours component kicks in with dedicated research training and an honours thesis, giving you the chance to contribute original insights in your Advanced Science major — whether that’s advanced physics, biophysics, genetics or another field you’ve chosen. Meanwhile, your Computer Science studies continue to deepen your mastery of programming and technology concepts.

Year 5:
The final year is about bringing it all together: completing your honours research project and finishing your advanced computer science coursework, including electives or specialisations like artificial intelligence or databases if you’ve chosen them. You’ll leave UNSW with both a rigorous research project and advanced computing skills that set you up for a range of technical and scientific careers.

Focus areas: scientific research and inquiry, computational systems and algorithms, programming, data analysis, scientific computing, intelligent systems design, interdisciplinary problem‑solving

Learning outcomes: advanced research competence, scientific and computational reasoning, cross‑disciplinary technical expertise, analytical problem‑solving, software development and systems thinking

Professional alignment (accreditation): this double degree is designed with embedded research training and Work Integrated Learning to align graduates with both scientific research pathways and cutting‑edge computing roles across industry and academia

Reputation (employability rankings): UNSW consistently ranks among the top universities globally (QS World University Rankings, Top 20 2024–2026), and graduates with combined science and computing expertise are highly sought after in fast‑growing tech and STEM fields

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UNSW’s Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Computer Science, your learning goes far beyond lectures and textbooks — you’ll actively apply your knowledge in real‑world, career‑focused settings from early in your degree through practical placements, research projects and hands‑on labs. The program blends Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and Research Integrated Learning (RIL) opportunities, allowing you to test science concepts in professional environments and work on research under academic supervision, building skills that employers truly value. With access to advanced research facilities, high‑performance computing, virtual reality labs, robotics arenas, industry partnerships and dedicated internship programs, you’ll graduate ready to thrive in both scientific and tech fields:

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements: Undertake science‑related workplace placements that count for credit toward your degree, applying classroom learning to genuine industry challenges and strengthening your employability before graduation.
Research Integrated Learning (RIL) internships: Complete supervised research projects — from SCIF2041/SCIF3041 and physics “Taste of Research” opportunities to extended lab work — gaining valuable experience in experimental design, data analysis and scientific communication.
Advanced computing and robotics facilities: Build and test software and intelligent systems using the School of Computer Science and Engineering’s Virtual Reality Lab, robotics platforms and multidisciplinary research spaces designed for AI, data science and cyber‑security projects.
Collaborative research groups & institutes: Engage with research teams in areas like machine learning, human‑computer interaction, embedded systems and cyber‑security, collaborating on cutting‑edge projects that address real technical challenges.
STEM Career Launchpad & internships: Take part in targeted career development programs, internship listings, summer scholarships and industry networking events that help build your professional profile and connections while you study.
Research infrastructure & high‑performance computing: Tap into UNSW’s significant investments in research equipment, specialised infrastructure and computing resources that support complex scientific and computational work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Computer Science at the University of New South Wales walk into a world of opportunity with a unique blend of deep scientific research capability and high‑level computing expertise that employers across sectors value. Typical roles you might pursue include data scientist, software engineer, research scientist, and quantitative analyst, with strong prospects across tech, health, defence, finance and research organisations — both in Australia and globally:

Dedicated employability support: UNSW’s Employability services provide personalised career coaching, skills workshops, internships, Future Leader Lab programs and access to major graduate recruitment fairs like The Big Meet, all designed to help you secure work, build professional networks and prepare competitive applications.
Strong employment outcomes & salary benchmarks: UNSW consistently ranks #1 in Australia for employment outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and its undergraduates report leading full‑time employment rates and top median salaries among Go8 universities — a strong indicator of how employers value your qualification.
University–industry partnerships: Through UNSW’s extensive industry network of 400+ partners, you’ll have access to work placements, project collaborations and professional connections across sectors like technology, government, biotech, and engineering — helping you gain real experience and job leads before you graduate.
Accreditation and long‑term value: This double degree combines honours‑level scientific research training with core and specialised computing credentials, giving you both research depth and industry applicability, which continues to be recognised by employers and postgraduate programs around the world.
Graduation outcomes: Whether you choose to join a dynamic team in industry, work with government agencies on complex data and scientific challenges, or contribute to innovation in consulting and finance, you’ll graduate with a strong foundation in both evidence‑based analysis and cutting‑edge technology.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your double degree, you’re well‑placed to continue with postgraduate research or specialised study — for example a Master of Research, Master of Data Science, Master of Artificial Intelligence, or a PhD in physics, computing or interdisciplinary STEM fields. Graduates with honours and research experience from UNSW are highly regarded for advanced research roles, academic positions and leadership roles in innovation‑driven sectors, and many students also use their final‑year research project as a springboard into further study.