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Social Science - 3420

Program Summary

   
   
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Typical Duration: 3 Years
 
 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
 
 
Min UOC Per Semester: 3
 
 
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
 
 
Min UOC For Award: 144
 
 
Award(s):
 
 
Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)
 
 
Bachelor of Social Science (Combined Honours)
 
 
Bachelor of Social Science (Major)
 
  

Program Description

The Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc ) degree combines a core program of study in social science, policy analysis and research methods with a major in a particular social science discipline.

Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes

The Bachelor of Social Science core program aims to provide students with skills in undertaking social research, particularly in an applied policy setting. These include written communication skills with particular emphasis on reports, submissions, position papers and proposals; the ability to undertake research and data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative; analysis and critical evaluation of research, arguments and policies; and the use of computers in social research and information processing.

The major study aims to equip students with a knowledge base in one of the social sciences.

Program Structure

The basic requirements for the degree are:
    1. a total of 144 units of credit (UOC).

    2. at least 84 UOC from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

    3. 48 UOC in the following core courses of the BSocSc degree program, each of which carries 6 units of credit:
 
     
First Year
 
       
     
Second Year
     
     
Third Year
       


    4. 48 UOC in a major sequence, from one of the following prescribed majors:

    A major sequence is an approved progression of courses in a school or program: you will find details under the relevant entry below.
 
Development Studies  Geography* International Relations Philosophy
(a Major sequence in Psychology requires 60 UOC)
Economics*  History Industrial Relations* Political Economy Sociology and Anthropology
Environmental Studies International Business* Media, Culture and Technology Politics  
 * denotes majors offered by Faculties other than Arts and Social Sciences.


    5. 48 UOC obtained in Level 1 (first year) courses, including the two core courses, the first year courses of your major sequence and two other electives.

    6. at least 24 UOC obtained in Level 1 courses must be from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

    7. during their second and third years of study, students are also required to complete 12 UOC of General Education selected from courses outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

How to Choose Your First Year Program

- Enrol in the core course SLSP1000 and SLSP1001;
- Choose one area from the list in point 4. above which you would like to major in, and enrol in the appropriate first year (Level 1) courses (12 UOC);
- Then select additional courses to make up a total of 48 units of credit.
Note: 24 Level 1 units of credit must be selected from courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Upper Level and Honours Entry

In second and third year, enrol in the prescribed core courses (see 3. above) and the necessary courses for your major sequence. The additional units of credit should be taken in other Upper Level courses. You must also enrol in 12 units of General Education. Try to spread your workload evenly over the four semesters of study.

In addition, if you intend to apply for entry to the Honours year, you should enrol in SLSP3911 in your third year of study.

For entry to Honours in the BSocSc degree Program, you must have obtained an average of credit or better in your core program and major sequence; and a credit or above in SLSP3911 Inquiry and Interpretation in the Social Sciences. You have to apply to the Head of School for admission.

Sample Program

 
Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) - Sample Program - Example Only
SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
(compulsory)
MAJOR SEQUENCE (your choice)
Example from
DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
ELECTIVES (example)
ELECTIVES + GENERAL EDUCATION (example)
YEAR ONE - 48 units of  credit 
S1
(6 UOC) (Development Studies)
Media, Culture & Technology (6 UOC)
Sociology & Anthropology
(6 UOC)
S2
(6 UOC) (Development Studies)
Media, Culture & Technology (6 UOC)
Sociology & Anthropology
(6 UOC)
YEAR TWO - 48 units of credit 
S1 SLSP2001 Applied Social Research 1 (6 UOC) Development Studies (6 UOC) Media, Culture &Technology (6 UOC)
S2
Development Studies (6 UOC)
Development Studies (6 UOC)
Media, Culture &Technology (6 UOC)
YEAR THREE - 48 units of credit 
S1
Development Studies (6 UOC)
General Education (6 UOC)
S2
Development Studies (6 UOC) Development Studies (6 UOC)
 
General Education (6 UOC)



General Education Requirements

To fulfil the University's General Education requirement students must complete 12 UOC selected from courses outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This requirement is met if the major taken is convened outside the Faculty as listed above (for example, Economics).

Academic Rules

    1. The program leading to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Social Science (Pass) normally consists of 144 units of credit (UOC) to be completed over a period of three academic years or six semesters. Except in exceptional circumstances, a student will enrol in a minimum of 6 UOC per semester and a maximum of 24 UOC per semester

    2. To complete the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Social Science a student must:
      2.1 complete the 48 UOC core social science program as listed in the program structure
      2.2 complete a major sequence of 48 UOC from the prescribed list of majors
      2.3 complete a minimum of 12 UOC in General Education courses or their equivalent (unless otherwise entitled to exemption)
      2.4 complete 48 Level I UOC from courses approved by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
      2.5 take at least 84 UOC from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

    3. A Major:
      3.1 is 48 UOC in a major chosen from the prescribed list of majors from the Program Structure above
      3.2 must incorporate: 12 UOC at Level I, 18 UOC at Level II, and 18 UOC at Level III in courses designated for that major
      3.3 must also include the Capstone Course of 6 UOC offered at Level III in that major, where appropriate

    4. Students may not take:
      4.1 more than 24 Level I UOC from courses convened by Schools outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
      4.2 more than 12 Level I UOC from any one Major
      4.3 in the event that a student elects to complete a Major convened outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, 12 UOC from Level II and/or Level III from that major will be deemed as having satisfied the requirements for General Education.

    5. The degree of Bachelor of Social Science may be conferred as a Pass Degree or as an Honours Degree
      5.1 to qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) a student must meet the Faculty’s honours’ admission criteria and complete a further 48 UOC consisting of coursework and research, normally taken over 1 academic year / two semesters following completion of the Pass Degree
      5.2 a student may take a combined honours degree
      5.3 the Honours degree is awarded in three classes namely Class 1, Class 2 in two Divisions and Class 3
      5.4 in cases of superior academic performance, ie a WAM of 75 or greater, where Honours is not taken the Pass Degree will be conferred with Distinction

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.