The Chief of Defence Force Students (CDFS) Programs in Arts, Business, Engineering, Science and Technology - Aeronautical offer the opportunity for students entering UNSW Canberra with a high Entrance Rank, and who maintain a high level of performance in their studies, to undertake research in a range of disciplines that will develop their critical thinking and independent research skills beyond that available in the standard Bachelor Degree programs.

The range of CDFS Programs, described in detail in the following sections, is characterised by the inclusion of specialist courses in critical analysis and/or research methods appropriate to the area of study. All programs also include discipline-specific research projects. The research projects will be supervised by academic staff from the relevant discipline. With the approval of the relevant Heads of Schools, multi- or cross disciplinary projects may be undertaken.

Students in the research courses may work independently or as part of a team, depending on the nature of the project undertaken, though all students will submit individual assessment. Final assessment will be based on a written paper or report and oral presentations.

Throughout the program, and in addition to completing the courses given in the following schedules, students will be engaged with cohort activities so as to develop and maintain their interest and continuing involvement in the program via invited lectures, seminars, general reading and social events.

Each of the CDFS Programs has objectives and learning outcomes in common with the standard Bachelor degree in the same area, but extends the educational principles embodied in the standard degree to a higher level. In the programs, students will be exposed to courses in critical analysis and/or research methods in the discipline(s) of their chosen program, which will offer significant extensions to the ideas and analysis normally available in the standard degree program. This will allow all CDFS to successfully undertake research-oriented courses at the appropriate level through their program, thereby integrating research into their studies in a way that is not available in the standard degree. The individual projects undertaken in close association with academic staff on research topics of mutual interest underpin the CDFS Programs and give students the ability to develop their full potential.

 

 

 

 

# At least three of the four disciplines chosen in Year 1 must be Arts disciplines.

## CDF Courses may be taken in either or both Arts majors, but may only be counted simultaneously in each major.

* Business – Candidates taking a BA (CDF) in which Business is a major may wish to undertake the special CDF Program courses offered by the School of Business instead of those offered in the Schedule above.

Students wishing to do this should look at the schedule for the Business CDF Program to see when the Business CDF Program courses are scheduled.

Consultation with the HASS and/or Business CDF Program Coordinator is strongly recommended.

** Geography – Candidates taking a BA (CDF) in which Geography is a major may wish to undertake the special CDF Program courses offered by the School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences (Geography) instead of those offered in the Schedule above.

 Consultation with the HASS and/or PEMS CDF Program Coordinator is strongly recommended.

1. Faculty Regulations for Undergraduate Students

A student must comply with the Faculty Regulations for Undergraduate Students. In the event of a conflict, the rules for the Bachelor of Arts (Chief of Defence Force) take precedence over the Faculty Regulations for Undergraduate Students.

Transfer to CDF Student Program

A candidate enrolled in a standard Bachelor of Arts degree program may, at the discretion of the relevant Head of School, transfer to the CDF Students Program in the same degree area upon completion of a minimum of 24 units of credit in either semester of the Year 1 program with a semester-based Weighted Average Mean (WAM) equal to or greater than 80. The latest date by which candidates may transfer to the CDF Student Program in the same degree area is for the commencement of Semester 1 of the Year 2 program.

Progression through CDF Student Program

To continue as a candidate in the CDF Student Program, a candidate shall normally achieve a semester-based Weighted Average Mean (WAM) equal to or greater than 80. Candidature shall be reviewed at the end of each academic semester. The relevant Head of School may exercise discretion in decisions relating to candidature.

Credit Transfer

A candidate transferring between the CDF Student Program and the standard Bachelor of Arts program will be granted credit for all courses successfully completed.

2.0 Degree Requirements

1. To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (CDF), a candidate shall normally be enrolled for a minimum of six semesters and gain a minimum of 144 UOC, normally 24 UOC in each full-time semester.

2. A candidate completing the program shall complete courses, in the years prescribed as set out in the relevant schedule.

3. Before a candidate’s enrolment will be accepted for any course, the candidate must have completed the relevant pre-requisite courses shown in the Course Catalogue, except where the Course Authority for the appropriate course approves otherwise.

4. A candidate for the BA (CDF) shall complete courses as set out in the Sample Program table shown under the Program Structure.

3. Program Rules

1. The BA (CDF) program must include courses totaling no less than 144 UOC.

2. At least 96 UOC must be from courses in the Arts discipline areas listed below, of which at least 48 UOC must be in Level 2 and Level 3 courses.

3. Students must complete two majors in Arts disciplines. A major consists of courses totaling no less than 48 UOC, with at least 36 UOC from Level 2 and 3 courses, with at least 18 UOC at Level 3.

4. Students must complete four designated CDF courses as identified in the Sample Program (viz, ZHSS2901, ZHSS2902, ZHSS3901 and ZHSS3902. These designated CDF courses will count towards one or both of the students Arts majors.

5. Students are able to include courses from Business, Information Technology, Engineering and Science in the program, subject to timetabling constraints and prerequisites.

6. Students are required to include 12 UOC of General Education courses, usually taken in the second or third year of study.

7. Students must complete two prescribed elective courses: ZPEM2312 Fundamentals of Data Analysis and ZINT2100 Introduction to Cyber-security: Policy and Operations.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

These regulations apply to all undergraduate degrees and are to be used in conjunction with Academic Rules and Program Information. All rules in this Handbook apply to each student who enters an undergraduate program in 2018. The rules remain applicable until the student exits their program, either by discontinuation or graduation. Students who entered a program in another year should consult the rules and regulations for that year.

Please refer to Faculty Regulations information