The 'Bachelor of Arts and Sciences' and the 'Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science' are completely different degree programmes. Do not confuse the two.
No doubt many would have noticed that in addition to the 'Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science', there is a 'Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts'. Now, though both programmes are offered alongside each other, the BA/BSc and the BSc/BA are pretty much the same, with the only real difference being that one is offered by the Arts faculty and the other by the Science faculty. (
Side note - I was under the impression that the BA/BSc was going to be discontinued given the duplication, but that doesn't seem to be the case.)
kami said:
To my knowledge the BSci/BA at USYD is basically where you do a BSci for 3 years, then for two years duration *after* your BSci component you do a truncated BA.
No. It's a standard double degree, and though the BA follows the BSc, both degrees are truncated to the extent that the student has fewer electives than another student taking a standalone BSc or a BA - the requirements for each singular degree are met within the BSc/BA, it's just that the student doesn't haven't as much room to maneuver (for all intents and purposes non-core electives don't exist, especially with respect to the Table B majors within the BA).
In practice, the student completes the BSc in three years, and within this time they are required to fulfill the requirements for the first year of a BA. Basically, with the 36 credit points that a regulr BSc student has to play with over the course of their degree, a BSc/BA student is required to complete however many units are necessary in order to advance to the second year of the BA come their 4th year at uni. The university suggests that the student complete 36 credit points of junior units from the Arts faculty over this three year period, but that isn't a necessity - 24 will suffice.
I'm a BSc, BA student, if anyone happens to be wondering, and I also suggest that those with questions take the time to read through the university's website. The following links in particular appear to be quite useful -
Bachelor of Arts & Sciences
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science
Combined Science Degrees - Science & Arts