Faculty of Science : Guide to courses

1. Introduction to the Faculty of Science

Table of Contents

 1. Introduction to the Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science offers subjects designed to provide degrees that give students skills and expertise in a diverse range of scientific fields. The flexibility of the science degree allows students to tailor courses to suit individual interests and professional goals. Analytical skills imparted are highly valued by employers in a wide range of professions and provide an essential basis for a career in scientific research. 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.

 1.1. Introduction of Majors into Science courses

It is intended that all students commencing a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Science combined degree or a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in 1999 and beyond, will be required to complete a major as part of their Science degree. The major will cover a comprehensive program of studies in a particular discipline to third-year level. Majors are selected at the end of first year and will be structured with the assistance of a course adviser. Some majors will involve studying in a number of departments and possibly from several faculties. Students will also be able to major or co-major in additional disciplines. Standard first year packages will also be available, which will provide appropriate background for corresponding majors within the Bachelor of Science degree.

At the time of printing, the details of each major were yet to be finalised. These details will be provided to all commencing students in a supplement to be distributed at the time of enrolment.

 1.2. New courses in 1999

The Faculty has introduced two new courses, the Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree and the Diploma in Information Systems (this course is awaiting final University approval for 1999). The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is designed to position graduates for careers in the new areas of the biomedical industries which are being generated by the major international genome sequencing, technology and instrumentation programmes, the results of which will have profound effects on future employment needs and opportunities. This degree is offered jointly with the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. The Diploma in Information Systems is designed to provide a core of information systems skills to graduates in other disciplines. This is a concurrent undergraduate Diploma, undertaken in tandem with a degree in some other discipline at the University.

 1.3. Objectives of the Faculty

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.

 1.4. Faculty courses

 1.4.1. Undergraduate

• Bachelor of Science

• Bachelor of Biomedical Science

• Bachelor of Information Systems

• Bachelor of Optometry

• Bachelor of Arts and Sciences

• Diploma in Information Systems

• Combined courses (see Combined courses involving the Bachelor of Science and Combined courses involving the Bachelor of Information Systems).

  • Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science

  • Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science

  • Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Information Systems

  • Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science

  • Bachelor of Geomatics and Bachelor of Information Systems

  • Bachelor of Geomatics and Bachelor of Science

  • Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science

  • Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Information Systems

  • Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical, Computer and Software)

  • Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Forest Science

 1.4.2. Honours programs

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)

• Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours)

Both programs may be taken separately, or as part of a combined course. Information on the Honours programs may be found in Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours).

 1.4.3. Graduate and postgraduate

• Certificate of Environmental Science

• Graduate Diploma in Information Systems

• Graduate Diploma in Operations Research

• Postgraduate Diploma in Science

• Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science

• Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry

• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems

• Master of Science (Course work and minor thesis)

• Master of Science (Research) (administered by the School of Graduate Studies)

• Master of Environmental Science

• Master of Information Systems (administered by the School of Graduate Studies)

• Master of Optometry (administered by the School of Graduate Studies)

• Doctor of Philosophy (administered by the School of Graduate Studies)

• Doctor of Science

Further information on graduate and postgraduate courses offered by the Faculty of Science may be obtained from the Faculty Office or the School of Graduate Studies (Ph: 9344 8599).

 1.5. What do I need to know about my enrolment?

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 important 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 Faculty Office coordinates the formal requirements of a student's course. In the reception area of the Faculty of Science Office you will find:

• Student Advisers

• Publications providing further information about the undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the Faculty

• Free multimedia information kiosks that provide information ranging from key dates to careers in science.

Information is also available from the Faculty of Science home page at: http://www.science.unimelb.edu.au

Students should visit the Faculty of Science Office if they need advice or wish to do anything related to the following matters:

• change of address

• credit or prerequisite evaluation for previous studies

• changes to course enrolment (deferment, leave of absence, discontinuation)

• changes to subject enrolment (adding subjects or withdrawing from subjects, overloads)

• re-enrolment

• results

• selection advice

• special consideration

• study skills workshops

 1.5.1. Contacting the Faculty of Science Office

The Faculty of Science Office is located on 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

World Wide Web address for the Faculty of Science:

http://www.science.unimelb.edu.au/

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

 1.6. What do I need to read in the Handbook?

Students are expected to read:

• the 'General Information' section at the start of the Handbook;

• the Faculty of Science Introduction section, in particular the 'General information for all undergraduate students' and specific course related information (e.g. Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Information Systems, Bachelor of Optometry, or combined course);

• the department entries that follow the Faculty of Science Introduction. Department entries provide listings of suggested subjects, subject descriptions and other information that is invaluable for course planning. Departments are listed in alphabetical order.

Status:                   Official 1999
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 20 11:52
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au