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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science offers subjects designed to provide degrees that give students expertise in a diverse range of scientific fields. Courses offered by the Faculty of Science also equip students with skills which are valuable in science careers, or wherever analytical thinking is required.
Constant monitoring of its courses enables the Science Faculty to change and develop courses to meet the needs of students competing for employment.
As a student in the Faculty of Science you study in a stimulating and exciting environment with access to highly trained academic staff, first rate research equipment and programs of international standing. The Faculty provides a variety of support systems to enable you to reach your full potential.
The Faculty's objectives are to provide an educational framework which enables:
graduates to contribute to many areas of society;
graduates to provide leadership to the science-technology base of the Australian economy and culture;
students to enter applied science and technology, and professional science-based career paths;
scientists to enter the international community of advanced science and technology through postgraduate research studies.
Bachelor of Geomatics and Bachelor of Information Systems (BGeom/BIS)
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Information Systems (BSc/BIS)
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical, Computer and Software) (BSc/BE)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours)
Graduate Diploma in Operations Research GradDipOpRes
Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematical Science P/GradDipMathScience
Postgraduate Diploma in Science P/GradDipSci
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Optometry P/GradDipClinOpt
Master of Science MSc
Master of Information Systems MIS
Master of Optometry MOptom
Doctor of Philosophy PhD (administered by the School of Graduate Studies)
Doctor of Science DSc
The Faculty of Science Office is the starting point for any questions prospective or current Science students may have concerning the University or a particular course.
The Faculty Office coordinates all the formal requirements of a student's course. The reception area of the Faculty of Science Office is staffed by Student Advisers and other experienced staff who are happy to discuss any problems or queries relating to study or enrolment. Students with more complex queries can make an appointment to see a Student Adviser by contacting the reception area.
Publications providing further information about the undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the Faculty are available at the reception area. Three free multimedia information kiosks also operate within the reception area. The kiosks provide information ranging from key dates to careers in science. Information is also available from the science www home page: http://www.science.unimelb.edu.au/.
Students should visit the Office if they need advice or wish to do anything related to the following matters: change of address, combined courses, credit, deferment, discontinuing a course, leave of absence, prerequisites, re-enrolment, results, selection, special consideration, study skills, withdrawal or addition of subjects, or workloads.
The Faculty of Science Office is located in the ground floor of the Old Geology Building on the Parkville campus of the University. The Old Geology Building is situated on Masson Road.
The various contact points for the Faculty of Science Office are:
Tel. + 61 3 9344 6404
Fax. + 61 3 9344 5803
Email address for undergraduate questions: query@science.unimelb.edu.au
Email address for postgraduate questions:
science.pgrad@science.unimelb.edu.au
Postal Address:
Faculty of Science Office, Old Geology Building, The University of Melbourne, Parkville Vic 3052 Australia.
Students should ensure they are aware of their rights and obligations at the University by carefully reading the University Handbook and Student Diary. The Student Diary, issued to all students upon enrolment, contains useful information on matters such as enrolment, assessment, and the services available to students on campus. Any queries relating to University requirements can be directed to the Faculty of Science Office in the first instance.
The Bachelor of Science course, the Bachelor of Information Systems course, and the various combined courses are organised on a points system. Students must complete a certain number and type of points to satisfy the requirements of each course.
Accordingly, the Faculty awards points for the successful completion of each subject. The points a student will receive if they successfully complete a particular subject are noted in the Handbook entry for that subject. The points allocated to each subject is determined by the number and type of contact hours and the workload associated with the subject. Nearly all subjects offered in the Faculty are semester-length.
Students enrolled in all Faculty of Science undergraduate courses, except the Bachelor of Optometry, can study on a full-time or part-time basis. Bachelor of Optometry students usually require permission from the Head of Optometry to enrol part-time. Note that the majority of the classes offered by the Faculty of Science are between 9 am and 5 pm.
The AUSTUDY Workload Requirements section in the General Information section of this handbook explains how a student's HECS load (i.e. workload) determines if they are a full-time or part-time student.
Subjects normally taken in first year are referred to as 100-level subjects. Subjects normally taken in second and third year are referred to as 200 and 300-level subjects respectively.
Each subject has a subject code comprising six digits. The first three digits are a departmental code that indicates which department teaches the subject. The fourth digit indicates the level of the subject. For example, if the fourth digit is three the subject concerned is a 300-level subject. The final two digits distinguish the subject from other subjects offered at the same level by a particular department.
The Accelerated Entry Program is available to students who have undertaken appropriate additional work while completing their VCE studies. Exemption tests equivalent to first-year BSc standard will be conducted between selection and the commencement of first semester.
By gaining exemption from some or all of first year, students will be entitled to receive appropriate credit and may be able to complete the course in less than the normal three years of full-time study.
To cater for particularly talented students, the Faculty of Science offers a number of advanced subjects. Advanced subjects have been designed for small numbers of exceptional students and are designated by the word 'Advanced' following the subject name. Advanced subjects exist at all three year levels and in a number of departments of the Faculty. Selection into these subjects is by invitation from the head of the department concerned. Selection into advanced 100-level subjects will take into account a student's results in relevant Year 12 subjects. Selection into advanced subjects at 200- and 300-level will depend on a student's results in related and prerequisite science subjects.
Completion of advanced subjects is stated on a student's academic record.
Credit is a matter determined by the Faculty and is expressed as the number of points granted towards a course offered by the Faculty for previous study.
Credit is evaluated according to an assessment of:
The suitability, in terms of standard and content, of a student's previous course for inclusion in the particular Faculty of Science course to which the student has been admitted.
The student's previous workload (i.e. the amount of study that has been completed previously).
The current Faculty of Science Credit Policy. This policy specifies time restrictions, the maximum number of credit points that can be awarded etc.
The Faculty of Science Credit Policy is currently being revised. The updated Credit Policy should be available from the Faculty of Science Office in early December 1996.
The Faculty completes prerequisite evaluations to advise transferring students of the particular University of Melbourne subjects they are eligible to undertake on the basis of their previous studies. Formal prerequisite evaluations are completed once the student has been admitted to the Faculty of Science.
Students who participate in the University's exchange program should contact the Faculty Office about the credit that can be awarded for their studies abroad. Information about the exchange program is provided in the General Information section at the front of this handbook.
Students whose studies have been substantially affected by illness or other circumstances should complete an Application for Special Consideration form available from the Faculty of Science Office. The Faculty will advise the relevant department/s and the Consultation of Examiners of the request for special consideration. The department will decide whether: to take no action; to offer additional assessment; or to alter marks.
Further information about Special Consideration is provided in the General Information section of this Handbook. Students are also encouraged to collect the Special Consideration information sheet from the Faculty of Science Office.
Students should use a Subject Change form, available at the Faculty of Science Office, to advise the Faculty of changes to their enrolment. Combined course students need only inform one of the faculty offices involved in the course in which they are enrolled of such changes to their enrolment. The critical dates relating to subject changes are detailed in the Course and Subject Changes section in the General Information provided in this Handbook.
Given subject changes may alter a students enrolment category from full-time to part-time (or vice versa), students are encouraged to read the AUSTUDY Workload Requirements entry that appears in the General Information section of this Handbook.
The Faculty of Science recognises the highest achieving Year 12 students who enter the Faculty each year.
The University Fund supports awards to students for their high achievement. The presentations are made by the Dean of the Faculty of Science at a ceremony in the presence of heads of departments, invited alumni and parents.
The Dean's Honour List recognises high achieving students in the Faculty of Science. Students on the Dean's Honour List receive a certificate from the Dean of the Faculty of Science at an annual presentation ceremony, and their achievement is also recorded on their academic transcript.
To be considered for the Dean's Honour List, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Systems, Bachelor of Optometry, Bachelor of Science and the various combined courses must:
have completed a full year of science study (for combined course students this can be over two years) at the 100-, 200-, or 300-level;
not have failed any subjects.
From the total number of eligible students, the top three per cent of students are selected. The selected students must have obtained an average mark greater than 85%.
To be awarded a place on the Dean's Honour List, Bachelor of Science (Honours) students must achieve an overall mark for the BSc (Hons) year that is greater than 85%.
There are numerous other prizes, scholarships, awards and bursaries provided by companies and through bequests which are available to students enrolled in the undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty of Science. These are awarded for academic excellence at each year level and in individual subjects. For further information please contact the Faculty of Science Office.
The Student Financial Aid Office can provide details of other University awards.
All students seeking time away from study after commencing a Science course must request permission to take Leave of Absence by completing a Cancellation of Enrolment form at the Faculty of Science Office.
Note that:
Students are generally entitled to one year's leave. Additional leave will only be granted in exceptional circumstances;
First year students who would like to apply for leave after the commencement of second semester must complete an Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) Request form;
Combined course students need only request leave if they do not wish to undertake any subjects toward the combined course in which they are enrolled in a particular year. Combined course students need only request leave from one of the faculty offices that are involved in the course in which they are enrolled.
Students who have been offered a place in a University course, but wish to postpone the commencement of the course until the following year, must apply to defer enrolment, rather than take leave.
Students wishing to discontinue their studies must complete a Cancellation of Enrolment form at the Faculty of Science Office. Combined course students need only discontinue their studies at one of the faculty offices that are involved in their course.
A student will be eligible for a refund, or partial refund, of the Amenities and Services Fee if they discontinue their study, take Leave of Absence, or change their enrolment from full-time to part-time before the second semester HECS Census Date (31 August). To be classified as a part-time student, a student's HECS load in each semester must be less that 0.375.
Application for Refund forms are available at Student Administration, first floor, Raymond Priestley Building.
The Faculty organises several study skills seminars throughout the year. General and discipline-specific study skills are discussed at these seminars. The seminars are advertised on Faculty and departmental notice-boards.
This program has been designed to assist first year students who have experienced academic difficulties during first semester. Students are invited to discuss any problems and ways of improving their performance. Other students who feel that their performance was well below expectations are also welcome to participate.
The interviews, usually with an academic staff member and a representative of the Faculty Office, will be held in the later part of the first semester or as soon as possible after the first semester results have been finalised by departments.
Most 100-level subjects offered in first semester have a mid-semester test to help students gauge their performance.
Because of the number of subjects offered within the Bachelor of Science, it is not possible to avoid having some 'clashes' within the timetable. Every effort has been made to ensure that the common subject combinations are catered for within the timetable.
The Faculty issues a personalised timetable to first year students. Later year students devise their own timetable by referring to the Faculty of Science timetable and other faculty timetables if the student is undertaking subjects not offered by the Faculty of Science.
If a subject combination results in subject, lecture or practical class time clashes, students are advised to consider changing subjects. It is not recommended that students continue enrolment in subjects with timetable clashes as their performance may be significantly affected. Students should note that a timetable clash is not grounds for special consideration.
The University of Melbourne Science Alumni Society (UMSAS) is dedicated to helping current and past students, staff and other professionals in science build a lifelong relationship with the Faculty and the University, and promoting these contacts at a local, national and international level. UMSAS provides a forum for graduates, staff and friends of the Faculty of Science to share views and keep in touch with the latest teaching and research. For further information please contact the External Relations Officer at the Faculty of Science Office.
Science students who seek entry to the Faculty of Veterinary Science must apply to the Assistant Registrar (Veterinary Science) for lateral transfer to that course. Applications for entry close in early September. For details contact the Assistant Registrar (Veterinary Science).
The Faculty of Veterinary Science has specified that Science students wanting to be considered for a transfer to Veterinary Science must take the following subjects in first year:
Chemistry 610-121 and 610-122 or 610-141 and 610-142
Physics 640-121 and 640-122 or 640-141 and 640-142 or Physics 640-161 and 640-162
Students who have undertaken physics in their final year of secondary schooling and who study Physics 640-161 and 640-162 will have their marks in that subject debited by 15% when considered for selection into the Veterinary Science course.
The course objectives are that graduates:
have a broad knowledge of science across a range of disciplines, with a higher level of understanding in one or more of these disciplines;
when solving scientific problems:
be capable of applying appropriate knowledge;
be able to access relevant information;
understand the principles of project and experimental design;
have a capacity to apply practical skills and technology.
are able to communicate the results of their studies in both written and oral form;
have an appreciation of the historical background and evolution of scientific concepts;
have the knowledge, skill and attitude to enable adaptation to scientific, technological and social change, have a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire for life-long learning, and a capacity to be creative and innovative.
Bachelor of Science (Honours) graduates should, in addition to the above:
be able to define and solve problems relating to their speciality and be capable of conducting research in their field.
Almost all subjects listed in the Faculty of Science section of the Handbook are considered 'science' subjects.
Exceptions include some of the subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems and some of the subjects taught by Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics to students in courses such as Engineering. The 'science' or 'non-science' status of each subject offered by the Department of Information Systems is noted in the Information Systems subject entries section Information Systems.
Any subject offered by the University of Melbourne that does not appear in the Faculty of Science entry in this volume of the Handbook is termed a 'non-science' subject.
Note that some subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems are classified as 'non-science' subjects (refer to the 'Science' subject entry above).
The distinction between a 'science' and 'non-science' subject is particularly relevant to students enrolled in the BSc and BSc combined courses as these courses require the accumulation of a certain number of science points.
A student's workload is determined by the number of points in which they are enrolled in a particular year. Normally the Faculty would expect a full time student to enrol in 50 points per semester; that is, 100 points for each year.
Note that a workload in excess of 50 points per semester is regarded as an overload. Students may undertake an overload provided they have good academic reasons for doing so, and that they have a strong academic record at the tertiary level. Students who have successfully completed 62.5 points at 100-level can enrol in up to 56.25 points per semester, or 62.5 points per semester, providing they have not failed any subjects in the previous semester.
Students wishing to exceed these guidelines will need to seek approval from the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies). This requires the submission of an Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) Request Form to the Faculty of Science Office. Permission to exceed the guidelines will take into account the student's academic record and the reasons for requesting the overload.
Compensatory Passes (CP) allow first year Bachelor of Science students, who have failed in certain subjects, to receive credit points for the subject that was failed under the following conditions:
CP's are only available to students in the first full-time year of their Bachelor of Science or in the first two years of their part-time or combined Bachelor of Science course;
A CP can only be awarded for the sequential subjects listed in Compensatory Passes will be available in the following 100-level sequential subject pairs:. A maximum of 25.0 points may be awarded as Compensatory Passes (i.e. a CP can be awarded up to two subjects);
CP's are only available if a student obtains a mark of 45-49% in the failed subject AND a combined average mark of at least 50% is obtained in both subjects forming the sequential pair;
A mark of 45-49% in the Semester 1 subject of a sequential pair will enable a student to enrol in the Semester 2 subject of the pair in order to seek a CP;
Compensatory Passes are awarded at the end of the academic year and will appear as a letter grade 'NCP' with the fail mark on the Statement of Results sent to students;
A student may choose not to accept a CP, for example, in order to repeat the failed subject;
Compensatory Passes in the relevant subjects listed in Compensatory Passes will be available in the following 100-level sequential subject pairs: will be accepted as prerequisites for the 200-level subjects offered by the following departments:
Anatomy and Cell Biology; Botany; Environmental Science; Geomatics; Genetics; Geography and Environmental Studies; Microbiology; Optometry and Vision Sciences; Pharmacology Physics; Zoology. Physiology will accept CPs in 640-121/122 and 640-141/142 only.
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The Faculty of Science annually reviews the academic progress of all Bachelor of Science students. Students who do not pass at least 60 per cent of the points attempted in any one academic year have not made satisfactory progress. Subjects from which a student has withdrawn are not included in these calculations.
Students who have not made satisfactory progress will be required to either:
Make a case to the Faculty of Science Student Progress Committee. The Student Progress Committee may allow a student to continue with their course, or they may recommend the imposition of restrictions, or suspension from the course;
OR
Meet with a Faculty of Science Student Adviser to discuss strategies for improvement before re-enrolment may take place.
Students should note that unsatisfactory progress will:
increase the length of time required to complete the degree;
make selection into quota subjects or other courses more difficult as selection is usually based on academic merit.
Students who have passed between 37.5% and 60% of the points attempted in an academic year will, on the first occasion, be required to meet with a Faculty of Science Student Adviser before they will able to re-enrol.
Students who have:
Passed less than 37.5% of the points attempted;
OR
Passed less than 60% of the points attempted in an academic year on more than one occasion will be required to make a case before the Student Progress Committee.
Students are given an opportunity to make a written submission or to appear before the Committee or to do both. The Committee will usually consider the student's results and any extenuating circumstances, such as personal difficulties, financial hardship and study problems, before making one of the following decisions:
Take no action (i.e. the student is able to re-enrol with no restrictions after meeting with a Student Adviser);
To restrict the student's enrolment for one academic year (i.e. place limitations on the number of points that the student can undertake);
Recommend to the Academic Board that the student be suspended from the BSc course. Students recommended for suspension have the right to appeal to the Academic Board before a final decision is made.
Students suspended from the BSc can apply for re-selection. Re-selection can generally only be considered if the student has demonstrated, by the completion of relevant tertiary studies, that there is a reasonable chance that they would successfully complete the BSc if re-admitted. Relevant studies completed at another tertiary institution, or through the University of Melbourne Community Access Programme, can be used to show that a student is now capable of completing the BSc.
Students selected into courses offered by the Faculty are encouraged to attend these introductory information sessions at the University. Information about these introductory sessions will be sent with the letter students receive advising them of an offer of a place in a course. At these sessions students will be given important information about the course and the enrolment process. Students then meet with a Faculty Adviser to plan their first year of study. The course plan that is approved (authorised) will reflect the student's current areas of interest and allow for maximum flexibility in future studies.
Enrolment in the course is confirmed once fees are paid and a Student Questionnaire and HECS Payment Option form have been completed.
A student's subject selection is a balance between previous studies and achievements, career choice, personal interest, course requirements, and a desire to obtain a basic scientific education at the tertiary level. Sometimes, however, practical considerations such as quota restriction can impose limitations.
Students may obtain course advice in several ways. The Faculty Office has five Student Advisers whose duties include course advice. Students can also discuss course options with members of the academic staff who are designated as first-year coordinators, departmental course advisers or Faculty Advisers.
Students are required to submit a course plan for the following year if they will be continuing with their study. Departmental course advisers assist in planning courses and completing the necessary course plan forms. This tends to occur in second semester, and students will be advised of course planning arrangements for the following year by mail. All course plans must be approved by the Faculty.
Course plans are, in effect, applications for selection into subjects. No further action is required unless a student fails a subject in the annual examination, misses entry into quota-restricted subjects or wishes to alter the course plan. In these cases, the student should seek advice from the Faculty Office.
Some of the subjects offered by the Faculty of Science are termed 'quota subjects' as there are usually not enough places available in the subject to meet student demand for that particular subject.
The Faculty of Science general policy is that first year science subjects should not be quota restricted. In the past few years Psychology is the only first-year subject where there has been difficulty meeting student demand.
If any first-year quota subjects exist in 1997, selection will be based on Tertiary Entrance Rank. International Baccalaureate and interstate applicants will be allocated a Tertiary Entrance Rank for selection purposes into first-year quota subjects. The selection of later-year students in 100-level quota restricted subjects is based primarily on tertiary results.
Quota restriction applies to a number of later-year subjects offered to Science students. In 1996 quota restrictions occurred in the following areas:
all subjects offered by Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology and Zoology;
Chemistry 610-260 and 610-360, Genetics 652-304, Environmental Science 600-302, Optometry 655-210, 655-221, 655-222, 655-321 and 655-323, Psychology 512-200.
A complete list of 1997 quota subjects will be available from the Faculty of Science Office from November.
Students need to indicate their wish to be considered for a place in quota subjects on either their course plan for 1997 or a Quota Subject Request form available at the Faculty of Science Office. Students will automatically be considered for the quota subjects they have selected on their course plan in Round Two and Three if they are not offered a place in Round One.
To be considered for quota subjects after the submission of course plans, students must complete a Quota Subject Request form at the Faculty of Science Office.
In July of each year, a 'top-up' of places in semester two quota subjects occurs. Students who have not previously applied for a place in a semester two quota subjects will need to submit a Semester Two Quota Subject Request form from the Faculty of Science Office to be considered in the July 'top up' of semester two quota subjects.
Note that strict deadlines apply to the submission of Quota Subject forms.
There are expected to be three rounds of quota offers for the 1997 academic year: in December 1996, and January and February 1997. Students who are offered quota subjects will be notified by mail. Round One Quota offers will be sent in the form of an authorised Enrolment Record. The authorised Enrolment Record will list the quota subjects in which you have been offered a place in Round One. Confirmation of your enrolment will signify your acceptance of your place in the quota subjects listed on your authorised Enrolment Record.
For Rounds Two and Three of Quota Subject Selection, students will receive a letter of offer, and a list of successful students will also be posted on notice-boards in the Faculty Office. Students offered a place in quota subjects in Round 2 and 3 will need to return an Acceptance Form to the Faculty of Science Office to secure their place in the quota subjects they have been offered. Note that the Acceptance Forms must be returned by a certain date. It is therefore important to ensure that the Faculty of Science Office has your current postal address.
The following principles apply to the selection of students who seek to enrol in the later-year subjects for which entry quotas have been imposed. Selection into quota subjects occurs in one of two ways:
Most students (90 per cent) are selected automatically on the basis of grades obtained in previous subjects. For selection into 200-level subjects, the results obtained in the best 75 science points at 100-level are considered. For 300-level subjects, the results obtained in the best 75 science points at 200-level are considered. Allowance may be made to vary this for combined course students who have completed less than 75 science points.
Non-science subjects are not considered when allocating places in quota subjects.
The remaining ten per cent of students are selected by the department offering the quota subject. The principles or methods of selection applied in this case are:
The head, or nominee, of the relevant department ranks students in order of merit. Subject to item ii) below, places in each subject will be offered in accordance with applicants rank on the list until all places available in the subject have been filled. A student's rank on the list is determined by:
results for previous science subjects;
results in first or second-year level of an approved course of study being undertaken by the student;
admission to one subject in relation to the admission into other subjects of an approved course; the relevance of the subjects that the student has already completed, or been selected into.
the likelihood of the student successfully completing the subject;
any special conditions set out in the details of subjects.
Consideration may also be given to:
any hardship affecting the student's previous tertiary results; for example, illness or other serious cause beyond the student's control;
any hardship that would be incurred if the student was not able to take the subject.
Students who, in the preceding year, were not enrolled in the Bachelor of Science course in this University will be ranked with regard to the principles above as far as it is possible to equate each student's qualifications with the matters set out above. Such students shall not displace from a subject a student who, in the preceding year was enrolled in the Bachelor of Science course in this University, or was on leave from that course, and who has been ranked in the first 90% of places in the quota for that subject.
For administrative reasons, offers of specific subjects to students are made at set times prior to the commencement of the subject. The Faculty, as a matter of policy, over-fills the quota and allows course changes to correct the over-enrolment. One student withdrawing from particular subject does not mean, therefore, that another student will automatically take up the 'vacant' place.
An information sheet detailing the quota process and the manner in which quota scores are calculated will be available from the Faculty of Science Office in November.
Students enrolled in a single BSc degree or a BSc combined course can follow a course of study which results in the award of a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) degree.
Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) graduates complete core environmental science subjects and a specialisation in a selected scientific discipline such as: Botany, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Genetics, Geography, Mathematics, Microbiology, Statistics and Zoology. Students may also complete some management, economics, politics and law subjects.
This program provides training in scientific skills and disciplines that may be used to identify and solve environmental problems. It teaches students how to make efficient use of scarce resources available for management and conservation of the environment.
In particular, the skills developed in the Environmental Science program will enable graduates to:
evaluate physical, chemical and ecological components of the environment;
identify environmental problems;
construct models of ecological processes;
undertake risk analyses;
assess environmental impacts;
design and implement experiments and monitoring programs;
undertake quantitative analysis of environmental data, and
provide solutions for environmental problems.
This Environmental Science program provides an opportunity for laboratory, outdoor and indoor careers dealing with environmental issues. Graduates may work in areas such as:
environmental impact assessment;
consulting to the mining, agriculture, land development and forestry sectors;
the science and management of soil, water and air pollution;
environmental education;
parks and wildlife research and management, and
natural resource development and management.
Potential employers include local, State and Federal government environmental and regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and resource and development departments at the State and Federal level, environmental, natural resource and engineering consulting companies and a number of major chemical and mining companies.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Bachelor of Science offered by the Faculty of Science.
To receive a BSc (Environmental Science) degree students must:
Satisfy the usual BSc requirements that apply to the particular BSc single or combined course in which they are enrolled;
Complete the compulsory subjects listed in Compulsory Subjects
Complete social and applied science subjects from Social and Applied Science Subjects to the value of at least 37.5 points
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There is no special program in Honours in Environmental Science. Rather, students are encouraged to pursue an Environmental Science honours project as part of the normal honours program in a Science Department.
For further information, contact the Environmental Science Coordinator, Dr Mark Burgman, Tel. +61 3 9344 7151, Email: m.burgman@botany.unimelb.edu.au.
The Bachelor of Science degree is an extremely flexible course as students are able to select subjects from a wide range of science disciplines. The first year of the BSc provides students with a general training in several of the key (or foundation) sciences. In later years of the course students can choose to continue to undertake a broad range of science subjects, or to specialise in one or more interrelated areas of study. Most students plan their course so that it includes a progressive study to third-year level of a major branch of science with other supporting subjects. A BSc with a major area of study at third year level prepares graduates to work in industry and a range of different areas, or to undertake further study which may lead to employment in research or teaching.
Areas of study available to BSc students
Most of the subjects listed in the science section of the Handbook are available to Bachelor of Science students and will count as 'science' points toward the 300 points needed to complete the degree. Note that some subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems are classified as 'non-science' subjects. The 'science' and 'non-science' status of each Information Systems subject is noted in the subject entries section for this department.
The subjects available to BSc students cover the following discipline areas: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Science, Genetics, Geography and Environmental Studies, Geomatics Science, History and Philosophy of Science, Information Systems, Mathematical Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Optometry and Vision Sciences, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, Statistics, and Zoology. Note that an overview of each department, together with specific subject entries, follows this introductory section.
Students are also entitled to undertake some 'non-science' subjects as part of the Bachelor of Science. Guidelines surrounding the selection of 'non-science' subjects are noted in the 'Non-science subject' section that follows.
Three years is the minimum time usually needed to complete the BSc course.
Students can elect to enrol in less than a standard full-time workload in any year of the course. The majority of classes offered by the Faculty of Science are between 9 am and 5 pm.
In order to satisfy BSc degree requirements, students must have accumulated a minimum of 300 points. Within the 300 points, students must:
complete between 75 and 125 science points at the 100-level;
complete at least 50 science points at a 300- level.
There are no specific requirements at the 200-level.
BSc students should also note the following guidelines when planning each year of study:
At least 62.5 points at the 100-level are needed before proceeding to 200-level subjects;
Students can take 100-level and/or 200-level subjects in later years of their course;
Enrolment in subjects is generally not possible unless the prerequisites, as stated in the Handbook, have been met. The Faculty is unable to enrol students in any subjects for which the prerequisites are not satisfied unless the student provides written permission from the Head of Department that teaches the subject they would like to undertake;
Students can undertake a limited number of non-science subjects as part of the Bachelor of Science. The section that follows entitled 'Non-science subjects' provides guidelines for the inclusion of non-science subjects in the single BSc degrees;
Because third year students are ranked on the basis of their best 90 science points, selection into the BSc (Honours) course may be reduced if less than 90 points at 300-level are taken. Refer to the BSc (Hons) section for further details.
Students are entitled to complete 25 non-science points within the BSc.
Students who wish to study additional non-science subjects (up to a further 35 points) can do so provided that the non-science discipline appears in Approved Subject Combination List (Column 1) in accordance with the following conditions:
a maximum of 25 non-science points can be counted at the 100-level.
a maximum of 60 non-science points can be counted towards the BSc providing that:
the student is continuing studies in a single non-science discipline which they commenced at the 100-level and
at least 33.3 points at a later year level are undertaken in the academically related science discipline (Column 2).
Note:
Where a subject is offered at more than one year level, students are required to take the subject at the lower level.
Non-science subjects are normally commenced at the 100-level but not necessarily in a student's first year.
At the 100-level, a maximum of 12.5 points for a single semester subject and 25 points for a full-year subject will be awarded for language subjects irrespective of their points value in the teaching faculty.
Quotas are imposed on some non-science subjects by the teaching faculty.
Variations must be approved by the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies).
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# approval for academically related subjects from the Faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Architecture and Planning, Arts, Economics and Commerce, Engineering, Law, and Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, should be sought from the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies)
Students whose first language is not English should note that the Arts Faculty's Centre of Communication Skills and English as a Second Language (CCS & ESL) will offer the following subjects in 1997:
145-120 Advanced English as a Second Language 1
145-121 Advanced English as a Second Language 2
145-123 Spoken Interaction
145-122 Language Approaches to Australian Literature
These subjects and the various other subjects focusing on communication skills that are offered by the CCS and ESL can be taken by Bachelor of Science students as non-science points.
Students who complete a combined course will graduate with two undergraduate degrees. Combined course students therefore have an increased choice of subjects and an opportunity to either specialise in inter-related discipline areas across two faculties, and/or to broaden their educational base.
Students wanting to specialise in a science discipline should consider completing the single BSc degree and undertaking postgraduate study in their area of interest rather than completing a combined course.
The wide-ranging objectives of each of the combined courses can be gleaned by referring to the objectives for both the BSc and the other degree forming part of the combined course.
The BSc combined courses are listed on Combined courses involving the BSc.
All combined course students must satisfy the two components of the combined course in which they are enrolled. In some instances students also have to accumulate a minimum number of points. These requirements vary and are stated in the specific entry for each combined course that follows.
Five years full-time is the minimum time required to complete all combined courses involving the BSc.
Students do not need 62.5 science points at 100-level to proceed to 200-level subjects.
Students must complete the prerequisites, as stated in the Handbook, for all subjects in which they wish to enrol. The Faculty is unable to enrol students in any subjects for which the prerequisites are not satisfied unless the student provides written permission from the head of the department that teaches the subject they would like to undertake.
Most subjects that appear in the Faculty of Science section of the Handbook can be counted toward the BSc component of a combined course.
No credit toward the BSc component of combined courses will be awarded for non-science subjects.
No subject can be credited toward both degrees.
Students wishing to receive credit for studies completed prior to enrolment in a combined course at this University should pursue this possibility with the Credit Officer in the Science Faculty and the faculty responsible for the other component of the combined course.
Enrolment of combined course students in Bachelor of Science (Honours)
To be considered for entry to BSc (Hons), the science component of the combined course must be completed.
The Faculty will use the weighted average mark achieved for the 300-level science subjects to determine if a combined course student can enter BSc (Hons). The Faculty usually requires a weighted average of 65 per cent or more for the 300-level science subjects that have been completed.
Students planning to apply for BSc (Hons) should also ensure that all departmental requirements for entry into BSc (Hons) have been satisfied.
BSc (Hons) will require at least one extra year of study.
Refer to the BSc (Hons) section of this Handbook for further information about BSc (Hons) and the entry requirements for this course.
The BA/BSc combined course provides students with an opportunity to obtain a general education in the humanities, social sciences and the languages and cultures of other people, and to also obtain a grounding in the key science disciplines with later-year specialisations in one or more science areas.
Students enrolled in the combined BA/BSc course must accumulate a total of 500 points.
Within the 500 points students must ensure they satisfy the minimum requirements for both the BSc component and the BA component. These requirements are detailed below. In summary students require:
Arts Faculty: 216 points
Science Faculty: 240 points
Either Faculty: 44 points
Total: 500 points
A minimum of 240 science points are required which must include:
between 75 and 125 science points at 100-level;
at least 50 science points at 300-level.
There are no specific requirements at the 200-level.
Science points are awarded for the vast majority of the subjects that are listed in the Science section of the Handbook. Exceptions include: some of the subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems; and the Physics, Chemistry, Statistics and Mathematics subjects taught exclusively to students enrolled in courses other than the BSc.
A minimum of 216 Arts points are required, of which:
at least 50 points must be at the 100-level;
at least 66.6 points must be at the 200-level;
at least 100 points must be at the 300-level.
All of the 216 Arts points, except 50 of the 100 Arts points required at 300-level, must be from subjects offered by Arts teaching departments. The areas of study offered by the Faculty of Arts teaching departments are as follows:
American Studies, Ancient Greek, Anthropology, Arabic, Archaeology, Asian Studies, Australian Studies, Chinese, Cinema Studies, Criminology, Cultural Studies, English, English Language, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, French, Geography and Environmental Studies3, German, Modern Greek, Hebrew, Hellenic Studies, History, History and Philosophy of Science3, Indonesian, Islamic studies, Italian, Jewish Studies, Korean, Latin, Linguistics, Medieval Studies, Philosophy, Planning and Design, Political Science, Psychology4, Russian, Russian Studies, Social Theory, Social Research Methods, Sociology, Spanish, Swedish, Women's Studies.
Students enrolled in the BCom/BSc combined course must accumulate a total of 500 points. Within the 500 points students must satisfy the minimum requirements stated below for the BSc component and the BCom component.
A minimum of 240 Science points are required which must include:
between 75 and 125 science points at 100-level;
at least 50 science points at 300- level.
Note that:
There are no specific requirements at the 200-level.
Science points are awarded for the vast majority of the subjects that are listed in the Science section of the Handbook. Exceptions include: some of the subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems; and the Physics, Chemistry, Statistics and Mathematics subjects taught exclusively to students enrolled in courses other than the BSc.
A minimum of 200 Commerce points are required, which must include:
50-125 points at the 100-level;
at least 50 points at the 300-level.
the following compulsory subjects: 316-101 Introductory Macroeconomics, 316-102 Introductory Microeconomics, and either 316-130 Quantitative Methods 1 and 316-206 Quantitative Methods 2 or 316-129 Business Statistics and 316-205 Introductory Econometrics (or approved equivalent subjects in Mathematics/Statistics: please refer to Section 5.1.1 of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce entry in this Handbook for details).
The 200 Commerce points must be chosen from subjects taught by departments in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, or subjects with a 732 prefix taught by the Faculty of Law.
BCom/BSc students will generally only select Science or Economics and Commerce subjects. They can, however, include a maximum of 60 Arts points toward the 500 points. Students wishing to include Arts subjects (e.g. languages) in their course must seek prior approval from the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.
This course focuses on the design, specification, and creation of information systems, and on the human and organisational arrangements needed to use information systems to achieve organisational goals. To cover these increasingly interrelated topics, the course offers study in five key areas: information systems, information technology, organisations, analytical skills, and professional competencies. Once the required core subjects have been completed, students elect one of three streams of study: information technology, organisations, or an individualised program.
Bachelor of Information Systems graduates will find employment in a variety of professional roles, ranging from the very technical to the very business oriented, in public and private organisations in Australia and overseas.
The objective of the Bachelor of Information Systems course is to prepare students to be part of teams that imagine, specify, design, justify, build, implement, manage, and use information systems. To accomplish this objective, graduates must understand how to use information technology, including hardware, software, and telecommunications, as a conduit for the value-added information content of formal organisational systems. This understanding is based on a solid theoretical grounding in both technology and organisations, as well as on experience working both individually and in teams to apply the theory to practice.
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Information Systems program, students will:
understand how people use information and information systems;
understand the business value that information and information systems can enable in organisations.
understand the organisational settings in which information systems are used, including major business functions and processes;
have familiarity with, and some experience in, studying large, complex information systems;
understand, and be able to specify, the technical aspects of an information system;
be able to build small information systems;
be familiar with a range of techniques, standards, and tools for building and using large information systems in an organisational setting;
be able to participate in imagining, designing, justifying, implementing, and managing large information systems;
have professional competencies for effective work in organisations, including listening, writing, researching, analysing, presenting, and working in teams; and
know how to operate ethically within society's legal framework.
Specific capabilities will be developed through work in the five general theme areas of the course.
This is the central theme of the course. Information systems collect, process, store, and distribute information so that it can be used to make decisions, to keep track of resources, and to plan for the future. Particular focus is placed on imagining, specifying, designing, justifying, building, implementing, managing, and using information systems to add value in organisations.
An understanding of the potential of information technology to add value is essential to the successful implementation and use of information systems. Students will become familiar with computer hardware and software, telecommunications, databases and data structures, information technology architectures, and information technology infrastructures. Practical experience in these areas will help students learn how to assess the current and future capability of information technology.
To implement information systems efficiently and effectively in organisations requires the ability to analyse and understand organisational functions, processes, environments, characteristics, and cultures. This organisational perspective on information systems, and its relationship to the technical perspective developed in the information technology theme, is a distinguishing characteristic of the Bachelor of Information Systems course.
Effective design, development, and implementation of information systems in organisations requires a broad range of analytical skills, including data classification and modelling, information mapping and representation, systems analysis and design, discrete mathematics, and statistics. These and other analytical skills are essential for understanding, and communicating about, complex organisational situations and the potential and performance of information systems.
Graduates will, in the course of their jobs, work with people across a broad spectrum of technical and business interests and skills. Success in these interactions will require a well developed set of personal competencies, including listening, collecting and synthesising information, writing, presenting, and working in teams.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Systems will participate in a Professional Skills Programme covering a range of communication, professional and analytical skills. Students will be expected to complete the sequence satisfactorily at first, second and third year levels, and will be awarded a certificate on successful completion of this element of the course.
The Bachelor of Information Systems course is three years full-time. Part-time study is available, but applicants should note that day classes only are available.
The course is built around core subjects which all students must complete. In the second and third years of the course students choose from a wide range of elective subjects enabling them to specialise in Information Technology or Organisations. Alternatively, students can choose elective subjects which suit an individual area of interest, from amongst the range of information systems electives, or other disciplines within the University.
To be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Information Systems, students must have completed at least 300 points of approved studies, including:
core studies in Information Systems or other disciplines at 100-, 200-, and 300-level, as specified by the Department of Information Systems
at least 50 points of approved electives in Information Systems or other discipline areas at 200- and 300-level
at least 12.5 points from Mathematical Sciences, either
619-100 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis or
617-141 Scientific Programming and Simulation
Note: This specification may be modified from time to time in line with subject changes.
For details of subjects, please Information Systems.
Notes:
All subjects in the table, with the exception of the electives and 617-237) constitute the core studies in Information Systems required for successful completion of the degree.
The page numbers provided in brackets indicates where the subject description is located.
Prerequisites for subjects are noted in brackets where appropriate.
This course plan is accurate as at March 1996. Minor Changes to subjects may occur from time to time, but the basic course outline will be in this format.
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The majority of students who enrol in the Bachelor of Information Systems course will take Tools of Analysis and either 619-100 Experimental Design & Statistical Analysis or 617-141 Scientific Programming & Simulation. A diagnostic test will be used to assist in determining the appropriate choice for each student.
The Department of Information Systems annually reviews the academic progress of all undergraduate Information Systems students.
The following criteria will apply in relation to satisfactory progress through the Bachelor of Information Systems.
Students in the Bachelor of Information Systems who for the first time pass:
75% or more of points attempted in any year will be deemed to have made satisfactory progress;
between 50% - 75% of points attempted in any year will receive a letter notifying them of their unsatisfactory progress, and requiring them to attend an interview with their course mentor before re-enrolment is authorised for the following year;
less than 50% of points attempted in any year, or pass less than 75% of points attempted in any year for the second time, will be required to make a case to the Information Systems Student Progress Committee.
Students who fail a subject for the second time will not be allowed to re-enrol in that subject without the approval of the Head of Department. An application for this approval will be considered at an interview with a mentor appointed by the Head of Department.
Students may be asked to make written submissions to, or appear before, the Information Systems Student Progress Committee or to do both. In considering the student's progress the Committee will normally take into account the student's results, attendance at lectures, practical classes and tutorials, and any extenuating circumstances.
The Committee will determine the best proposal for the student's academic future and make one of three decisions:
no action against the student; or
limit the student in his or her studies for one calendar year; or
recommend to Academic Board that the student be suspended from his or her enrolment in the Bachelor of Information Systems.
The discipline of Information Systems in combination with other disciplines creates attractive professional opportunities in a number of areas.
The combined Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Information Systems provides a course of study for students who want to understand information systems from a technological perspective, the organisational contexts in which these systems are developed, and the business environments which determine how the systems can be used to create value. The graduates of this course will readily find employment across a spectrum of knowledge-intensive careers, including accounting, consulting, and general management.
Upon completion of the course, students will:
understand how to use information technology, including hardware, software, and telecommunications, as a conduit for the value-added information content of formal organisational systems;
have a solid theoretical grounding in both technology and organisations;
have gained practical experience working both individually and in groups to turn theory into practice;
understand the basic concepts and institutional arrangements underlying the operations of the Australian and overseas economies;
have a basic awareness of the major activities involved in a variety of business functions;
be able to combine their knowledge of technology and commerce to recognise and exploit opportunities to create value through the effective design and implementation of information systems.
It will be possible within the outlines of the BCom / BIS course to achieve either the approved undergraduate course of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICA) or the required subjects for associate status with the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants (ASCPA).
The course can be completed in five years of full-time study.
Students must complete a minimum of 500 points, including at least 212.5 points in Information Systems (subjects carrying a 615 prefix), and at least 200 Commerce points. These Commerce points may be chosen from subjects with prefixes of 300 (Actuarial Studies), 306 (Accounting and Finance), 316 (Economics), 326 (Business Development and Corporate History), 327 (Management and Industrial Relations), and 732 (Business Law). Students may take the remaining points in studies in languages or other subjects.
The Commerce points must include 50 to 125 points from 100-level subjects and at least 50 points from 300-level subjects.
Students must take 316-101 (Introductory Macroeconomics), 316-102 (Introductory Microeconomics), and two subjects in Statistical Methods or Statistics. Students must take the 'core subjects' of the Bachelor of Information Systems degree, or approved alternates.
In no case may students receive credit for both a core subject and its alternate.
Examples of Course Plans, one with an Accounting stream and one with a Management stream are set out below.
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The following criteria will apply in relation to satisfactory progress through the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Information Systems course.
Students in the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Information Systems who pass:
62.5% or more of points attempted in any year will be deemed to have made satisfactory progress;
between 50%-62.5% of points attempted in any year will receive a letter warning them of their unsatisfactory progress, and requiring them to attend an interview with their course mentor before re-enrolment is authorised for the following year;
less than 50% of points attempted in any year, or pass less than 62.5% of points attempted in any year for the second time, will be required to make a case to the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Information Systems Student progress Committee.
Students who fail a subject for the second time will not be allowed to re-enrol in that subject without the approval of the relevant Head of Department. An application for this approval will be considered at an interview with a mentor appointed by the Head of Department.
Students may be asked to make written submissions to, or appear before, the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Information Systems Student progress Committee, or to do both. In considering the student's progress the Committee will normally take into account the student's results, attendance at lectures, practical classes and tutorials, and any extenuating circumstances.
The Committee will determine the best proposal for the student's academic future and make one of three decisions:
no action against the student; or
limit the student in his or her studies for one calendar year; or
recommend to Academic Board that the student be suspended from his or her enrolment in the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Information Systems.
The combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Information Systems provides a course of study for students who want to leverage their training in a scientific discipline with the ability to imagine, design, build, and use information systems applications. As a highly knowledge-intensive discipline, science increasingly relies on these abilities as well as on specific content knowledge. The graduates of this course will readily find employment across a spectrum of scientific careers, particularly those that involve the collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of data, and the technical and organisational skills to convert that data into useful information.
Upon completion of the course, students will:
have a broad knowledge of science across a range of disciplines, with a higher level of understanding in one or more of those disciplines;
understand how to use information technology, including hardware, software, databases and networks, as the technical foundation for other organisational systems;
have a solid theoretical grounding in both information technology and organisations;
have gained practical experience working both individually and in groups to turn scientific theory into practice;
be able to combine their knowledge of information technology and science to recognise opportunities for the use of information systems;
be able to locate, access, use, and add to the information necessary for the solution of scientific problems;
be able to place a value on the information created, by themselves as individual scientists and by the organisations of which they are a part, so that this information may be appropriately managed; and
be able to disseminate knowledge as required to their scientific peers, to the members of their organisations, and to the general public.
The course can be completed in five years of full-time study.
Students must complete a minimum of 500 points, including:
at least 212.5 points in Information Systems (subjects carrying a 615 prefix);
at least 12.5 points in Mathematical Sciences either
619-100 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis or
617-141 Scientific Programming and Simulation;
at least 240 Science points.
Students may take the remaining points in subjects from the Faculty of Science; or outside the Faculty with the approval of the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies).
The 240 science points must include:
at least 75 science points at 100-level;
at least 50 science points at 300-level.
Students will not receive credit for more than 125 science points at 100-level.
Students must complete the 'core subjects' of the BIS degree, or approved alternates. For details please Core studies above.
In no case may students receive credit for both a core subject and its alternate.
Examples of course plans, one with a Mathematics emphasis and the other with an Environmental Science emphasis are shown below.
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The Environmental Science stream includes:
100 level: 25 points of biology, 25 points of chemistry, 12.5 points of earth science, and 12.5 points of statistics;
200 level: 25 points of environmental science, 12.5 points of statistics, and 6.25 points of chemistry;
300 level: 25 points of environmental science, and 12.5 points of remote sensing;
at least 6.25 points in ecology at any level, from an approved list of subjects;
at least 37.5 points in social and applied science at any level from an approved list of subjects.
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Optometry is a professional discipline based on the optical and visual sciences. The practice of optometry involves the diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders of the eye and vision: the optometrist's job is to solve patients' visual problems.
The practice of optometry is regulated by the Optometrists Registration Act in each state of Australia. Under these Acts the practice of optometry can be carried out only by those whose names appear on the register of optometrists. Graduates holding the Bachelor of Optometry degree of the University of Melbourne are qualified to be registered for the practice of optometry in each State and Territory of Australia and in New Zealand.
This course has as its objectives that graduates:
have a sound foundation in the physical, chemical, mathematical and biological sciences, and in particular have a good knowledge and understanding of human biology;
understand the passage of light through lenses and optical systems (including the eye) and are able to predict and measure the nature and quality of optical images;
have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the performance and function of the human visual system;
understand the dysfunctions and diseases of the eye and visual system and know their genesis, natural course, treatment and prognosis;
have acquired skill in the techniques necessary for the examination of the eye and the assessment of visual function;
have developed skills in problem identification, in deciding on effective strategies to gather information for the resolution of these problems, in weighing evidence prudently and in making decisions, and are able to apply these skills to scientific problems in the visual and clinical sciences as well as to particular problems presented by patients.
have developed the interpersonal and communication skills necessary in relationships with patients and professional colleagues and for the communication of the results of scientific enquiries;
are professionally competent in the practice of optometry and are able to gain registration by the appropriate professional body;
have the knowledge, skill and attitude to enable adaptation to scientific, technological and social change, have a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire for life-long learning, and a capacity to be creative and innovative;
have a strongly developed sense of professional and ethical responsibility for patients, colleagues and the community generally, and are aware of the moral and legal responsibilities of professional practice.
Applicants must satisfy the Faculty of Science entry requirements for the BOptom course. These are specified in the VTAC Guide.
While Chemistry and Physics are not required pre-requisites, it is advisable to study these subjects at Year 12 level as they provide the best preparation for the first year of the BOptom course.
There are likely to be 32 places in the first year of the course. Selection is based predominantly on the Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) and on performance in prerequisite studies. International Baccalaureate and interstate applicants will have a Tertiary Entrance Rank calculated for selection purposes.
There are likely to be 42 places in the second year of the course. A student who has completed the equivalent of the first year of the Optometry course as a student in the BSc at the University of Melbourne, or a science course at another tertiary institution, may apply for a place in the second year of the Optometry course. Selection into second year is based on an evaluation of both VCE examination results (or their equivalent) and the examination results of completed tertiary studies.
BSc graduates who have passes in the subjects completed by BOptom students can be considered for a place in the third year of the BOptom course.
As shown below, the Optometry course is essentially fixed, although there is some opportunity for choice of subjects in the first year. Students will plan the first year of their studies with a Faculty Adviser at the introductory sessions the Faculty organises for new students.
Students will be automatically enrolled in the subjects forming each of the later years of the course providing they have passed all subjects in the previous year.
600-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms and 600-142 Genetics and the Evolution of Life
610-121 Chemistry and 610-122 Chemistry or 610-141 Chemistry and 610-142 Chemistry
640-121 Physics (Advanced) A and 640-122 Physics (Advanced) B or 640-141 Physics A and 640-142 Physics B or 640-161 Physics: Principles and Applications A and640-162 Physics: Principles and Applications B
618-121 Mathematics 1A or 618-141 Intermediate Mathematics A
Note that:
The first year Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects selected by Optometry students depends primarily on their performance in relevant subjects completed at Year 12 level.
Students should refer to the actual Physics, Chemistry and mathematics subject entries (and in particular, the prerequisite statement) to determine which Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subject to choose. Faculty Advisers will also help with this decision at the time of enrolment.
Chemistry subjects 610-161 and 610-162 cannot be completed as part of the BOptom course.
Students who have very good results in Year 12 Mathematics and Physics may be permitted to substitute any other University subject of equivalent workload for Mathematics. Students wishing to do this must obtain written approval from the Head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences for the substitution of subjects.
521-211 Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Part A and 521-212 Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Part B; (Before 1997: 521-201)
536-206 Physiology (Optometry)
516-208 Structure and Function of the Brain
655-210 Optical Design and Metrology
526-306 Microbiology (Optometry)
531-307 General Pathology (Optometry)
655-330 Functional Disorders of Vision
655-350 Ophthalmic Prosthetics
The clinical year (fourth year) has 32 weeks. Students will be advised of the precise dates by the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences.
The Faculty of Science annually reviews the academic progress of all Bachelor of Optometry students. Students who do not pass at least 60 per cent of the points attempted in any one academic year, and/or fail a subject more than once, have not made satisfactory progress. Subjects from which a student has withdrawn are not included in these calculations.
Students who have not made satisfactory progress will be required to either:
Make a case to the Faculty of Science Student Progress Committee. The Student Progress Committee may allow a student to continue with their course, or they may recommend the imposition of restrictions, or suspension from the course.
Meet with a Faculty of Science Student Adviser to discuss strategies for improvement before re-enrolment may take place.
Students should note that failed subjects must be repeated, and that any failure will, most probably, increase the length of time required to complete the BOptom course.
Students who have passed between 37.5 per cent and 60 per cent of the points attempted in an academic year will, on the first occasion, be required to meet with a Faculty of Science Student Adviser before they will able to re-enrol.
Students who have:
Passed less than 37.5 per cent of the points attempted
OR
Passed less than 60per cent of the points attempted in an academic year on more than one occasion
OR
Failed any subject of the BOptom course for the second or subsequent time
will be required to make a case before the Student Progress Committee.
Students are given an opportunity to make a written submission or to appear before the Committee or to do both. The Committee will usually consider the student's results and any extenuating circumstances, such as personal difficulties, financial hardship and study problems, before making one of the following decisions:
take no action (i.e. the student is able to re-enrol with no restrictions after meeting with a Student Adviser);
to restrict the student's enrolment for one academic year (i.e. place limitations on the subjects that the student can undertake);
recommend to the Academic Board that the student be suspended from the BOptom course. Students recommended for suspension have the right to appeal to the Academic Board before a final decision is made.
Students suspended from the BOptom can apply for re-selection. Re-selection can generally only be considered if the student has demonstrated, by the completion of relevant tertiary studies, that there is a reasonable chance that they would successfully complete the BOptom if re-admitted to the course. Relevant studies completed at another tertiary institution, or through the University of Melbourne Community Access Program, can be used to show that a student is now capable of completing the BOptom course.
1. Note:
'Acceptable Alternatives' represent the most common acceptable alternatives for each of the compulsory subjects in the Environmental Science program. Additional alternative subjects are possible, especially for students enrolled in Combined courses. For any variations on the above program, acceptable alternatives should be ratified in writing by the Coordinator of the Environmental Science Program.
Some of these subjects may not be available in 1997.
The subject names for third year Environmental Science (600) subjects are those that will apply in 1998.
2. Notes:
Students enrolled in the single BSc can, in the first instance, count non-science subjects to the value of 25 points toward their degree. Non-science subjects are flagged with a #.
Students enrolled in a combined course cannot count non-science subjects toward the BSc component. Accordingly, the subjects marked with a # cannot be counted toward the BSc component. Students enrolled in the combined BA/BSc course will need to complete the minimum of 37.5 Social and Applied Science subjects required for the award the BSc (Environmental Science) course as part of the BA component of their course. This is because none of the subjects listed in Table Social and Applied Science Subjects can count towards the BSc component of the combined BA/BSc course.
Alternative social and applied science subjects may be taken, but these must be ratified by the Environmental Science Coordinator.
3. Subjects offered by the departments of Geography and Environmental Studies, and History and Philosophy of Science must count toward the BA component of the combined course.
4. Students undertaking subjects offered by the School of Behavioural Sciences (i.e. Psychology) can receive credit toward either the Science or Arts component of the combined BA/BSc course. Students should advise the Science Faculty Office if they would like Psychology to count toward the science component of the BA/BSc combined course. Please refer to Psychology for subject descriptions.
5. Notes:
All subjects have a value of 12.5 points.
Prerequisites for subjects are noted in brackets where appropriate.
Subjects marked with a # constitute the required 212.5 points of Information Systems subjects.
Subjects marked with * make up the requirements for Associate membership of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.
6. Notes:
All subjects have a value of 12.5 points
Prerequisites for subjects are marked in brackets where appropriate
Subjects marked with a # constitute the required 212.5 points of Information Systems points.
7. Notes:
Information Systems core subjects are marked with an #.
All Information Systems subjects are worth 12.5 credit points.
8. Notes:
Information Systems core subjects are marked with an #.
All Information Systems subjects are worth 12.5 credit points.
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Science
Status: OFFICIAL 1997 Last Modified: Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.