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Advanced Science - 3972
UNSW
Program Description
Program Objectives
Program Structure
General Education Requirements
Academic Rules
Fees
Area(s) of Specialisation

Program Summary

 
Faculty: Faculty of Science
 
 
Contact: http://www.science.unsw.edu.au
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Typical Duration: 4 Years
 
 
Typical UOC Per Session: 24
 
 
Min UOC Per Session: 3
 
 
Max UOC Per Session: 24
 
 
Min UOC For Award: 192
 
 
Award(s):
 
 
Bachelor of Science (Major)
 
 
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
 
 

Program Description

A four-year degree leading to the potential award of honours based on overall performance. The degree will incorporate a single major and a research project. The degree program divides into four groups covering discipline-specific technical content, research project, free electives and the general education components.

Whereas the development of depth of understanding and practical skills in specific disciplines are essential, the degree will also focus on instilling a culture of research and enquiry through early induction into the research ethos and access to research groups and facilities. The program covers fundamental knowledge in mathematics and a number of the "enabling" sciences, upon which the major plans of study are then developed.

Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes

To graduate scientists with both breadth and depth of scientific knowledge and professional skills
To develop the capacity for critical thinking and independent learning
To provide training in the practice and management of research and instill a research ethos
To endue general and science-specific graduate attributes
To expose students to disciplines outside science, and the social context of science

Program Structure

Conditions for the Completion of the Advanced Science Program.

A student must complete a total of 192 units of credit.

At least 150 units of credit in courses delivered by Science schools, including:
  • a Study Plan with core and elective courses as specified in the Handbook;
  • 24 to 48 units of credit of project or thesis work;
  • at least 6 uoc of courses drawn from three different basic science areas (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Psychology and Geosciences);
  • 6 uoc of the general Advanced Science/Advanced Mathematics core courses (SCIF1021
      Advanced Science Seminar );
  • a 48 unit Honours sequence at Stage 4 (forming part of the Study Plan and research project(s) or thesis work);
  • 24 to 48 units of credit in Level I science courses except where specified in a particular program;
  • 12 units of General Education courses;
  • No student may normally commence Level II courses until 24 Level I units have been successfully completed unless approved by the Program Authority;
  • Progression to Stages 2, 3 and 4 is subject to academic performance. A student will be required to have attained a single term weighted average mark (WAM) of 70 or higher in each prior session.
  •  Students must declare their Study Plan before enrolling in Level II courses.
 
 

Study Plans Available in Advanced Science

General Education Requirements

Students in this program must also satisfy the University's General Education requirements. For further information, please refer to General Education in the Table of Contents (see left-hand side of this page).

Academic Rules

See "Conditions for the Completion of the Advanced Science and Advanced Mathematics Programs" above under Program Structure.

Rules on Progression and Transfer in the Advanced Science program.

1. Transferring Study Plans
Students must apply in writing to transfer between study plans within each of the Advanced Science programs. Applications are assessed on academic performance and approval is subject to places being available in the nominated study plan.

2. Accelerated Progression inAdvanced Science Programs
There is provision for exceptionally talented students to take higher level courses in Stage 1. Contact the Science Student Centre for details.

3. Progression to Stage 4 Honours in Advanced Science
Progression to Stage 4 is subject to academic performance. Students seeking to enrol in a Stage 4 Honours are required to have the approval of the Head of School and normally will be required:
  • to have completed the requirements for Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the specific study plan and to have satisfied prerequisite requirements as specified in that study plan. All General Education also must have been completed;
  • to have attained an average of 70 or higher in each stage of the program.
Students should also seek the guidance of the appropriate Head of School at an early stage of study to ensure that the study plan being followed is best suited to lead to the Year 4 Honours.

In addition, admission to a particular Stage 4 Honours is subject to appropriate research and supervision resources being available. Quotas may be imposed for entry in any year, in which case admission will be determined on academic merit.
Students who do not attain an average or 70 or higher in Stage 3 of their program are normally required to transfer to the Science program (3970) and take out the BSc award at Pass level.

4. Transfers from Advanced Science to the Science Program
Students enrolled in the Advanced Science programs (program codes 3972; 3986) who wish to take out the BSc award at Pass level and without proceeding to Stage 4 are required to transfer to the Science program (3970).

Applications to transfer should be lodged no later than the census date for the session in which the student expects to satisfy requirements. Students applying after that date may not be able to graduate in the next round of graduation ceremonies. The application should state the 3970 major in which the student wishes to be enrolled.

Students must satisfy all requirements for the designated Science major in order to qualify for the award of the BSc. Further information regarding the transfer from the Advanced Science program to majors that are available in the Science program is available through the Science Student Centre.

Students entering Year 3 or Year 4 of a combined degree program will need to consult with the Science Student Centre.

5. The Completion of Double Study plans
In the case where a student chooses a second study plan, and the Study Plans are in two cognate areas that have courses in common, a student may be permitted to count up to 18 units of credit from levels 11 and !! towards each study plan, but only 6 units of credit may be at level 111.

6. Elective Courses
Students enrolled in Advanced Science must complete at least 150 units of credit (UOC) from Science (defined as those courses offered by Schools within the Faculty of Science or from other Faculties that provide Table A Majors in Program 3970). This 150 UOC must include the components as outlined above under "Conditions for the Completion of the Advanced Science Program". The remaining UOC can be any other courses from any other faculties.

7. Graduation and Study Plans
In order to graduate, students must satisfy requirements for the award by passing all courses and the requirements specified for their program. Students who complete requirements will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science at Honours or Pass level with a major in the area of specialisation (usually indicated by the name of the major or study plan, except that for Honours candidates the name of the Honours specialisation will appear).

Students who successfully complete Stage 4 of their program will be considered for the award of Honours. The following scale generally applies to Honours gradings and, depending on the structure of the program, is based either on performance in the Stage 4 Honours or on performance over the whole 4 stages of the program:

Honours Class 1:
mark or weighted average of 85 or greater.
Honours Class 2 Division 1:
mark or weighted average from 75 to 84
Honours Class 2 Division 2:
mark or weighted average from 65 to 74
Honours Class 3 or Pass:
mark or weighted average below 65

The award will appear on the testamur as:
Bachelor of Science with Honours in (name of Study Plan)

Fees

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html


Area(s) of Specialisation

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.