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Faculty of Science : Guide to courses
The University frequently needs to contact you. You are strongly urged to ensure that the University has an accurate and reliable mailing address and phone number for you. If you change your address, you should register your new address at the Faculty of Science Office or Student Administration. Arrange for a reliable person to check your mail during extended absences.
Faculty of Science courses, with the exception of the Bachelor of Optometry, are organised on a points system. Students must complete a certain number and type of points to satisfy the requirements of each course.
Every subject taught in the Faculty has a points value that is determined by the workload associated with that subject. 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.
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.
Students may combine 100-level, 200-level and/or 300-level subjects in any year of their course, providing they have the necessary prerequisites and avoid timetable clashes.
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 usually 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 distinction between 'science' and 'non-science' subjects is relevant to all students enrolled in the BSc, BASc and BSc combined degree courses as these courses require the accumulation of a certain number of 'science' points. Any subject that does not appear in the Faculty of Science section of this Handbook is a 'non-science' subject. Most subjects in the Faculty of Science entry are 'science' subjects, but there are important exceptions including the following.
Some subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems are non-science subjects. In the Information Systems entry, the 'science' or 'non-science' status of each subject is clearly stated.
Several other 'non-science' subjects are taught by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Department of Earth Sciences, the School of Chemistry and the School of Physics to students in courses such as Engineering. The 'non-science' nature of each such subject is declared in its detailed handbook entry.
Non-science subjects cannot be counted towards the science component of a BSc combined course.
Entry into many subjects requires the successful completion of prior (prerequisite) subjects or enrolment in concurrent subjects (co-requisites). Students must not enrol in subjects for which they lack the prerequisites without a written waiver of the prerequisite from the Head of Department.
It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they have the necessary prerequisites in place at the end of each semester before proceeding to the next semester subjects. Students are advised that enrolment in subjects for which they lack the prerequisites, or waivers, may be cancelled. If a student remains in a subject for which they lack the appropriate prerequisites, even with a waiver, the lack of the prerequisite is not deemed grounds for special consideration or other concessions should the student fail to complete the subject successfully.
Students enrolled in all Faculty of Science undergraduate courses, except the Bachelor of Optometry, can study on a full-time or part-time basis. The normal workload for a full-time student is 50 points each semester, while part-time students undertake workloads of less than 37.5 points in any semester. 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 Youth Allowance 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.
The Accelerated Entry Program is available to students who have undertaken appropriate additional work while completing their Year 12 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 time.
Application forms for Accelerated Entry will be available at the time of enrolment.
Advanced subjects have been designed for small numbers of exceptional students and are designated by the word 'Advanced' following the subject name. 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 may be awarded for tertiary studies undertaken in the ten years preceding enrolment in Faculty of Science courses. The amount of credit granted is assessed on the basis of the content, standard and relevance of previous studies to the particular Faculty of Science course to which the student has been admitted. It is the student's responsibility to provide the documentation required for this assessment. Details of the Faculty Credit Policy are available from the Faculty of Science Office.
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.
The University runs an extensive international student exchange program that allows students to study abroad for one or two semesters while receiving credit to their degree at The University of Melbourne. Information about the exchange program is provided in the General Information section at the front of this handbook, from the Faculty Office, the International Office and on the internet: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/international/Exchange/
Students intending to participate in the University's exchange program should have their proposed course plan approved by the Faculty Office, to ensure that they receive full credit for their studies abroad.
Students must use a Subject Change form, available at the Faculty of Science Office, to advise the Faculty of changes to their enrolment. Combined course students should notify the faculty office to which the change applies. The critical dates relating to subject changes are detailed in the Course and subject changes section in the General Information section provided in this Handbook.
Subject changes may alter your 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.
While every effort is made to avoid timetable clashes, the number of subjects offered by the Faculty of Science makes it impossible to accommodate every possible subject combination.
If a subject combination results in lecture or practical class time clashes, students are advised to consider changing subjects. Timetable clashes inevitably affect student performance, and are not grounds for special consideration (see below). Attendance is expected at all scheduled lectures, practical classes, excursions and tutorials.
The Faculty recognises that many students encounter difficulties in their studies, and provides a number of programs to assist these students. We cannot help unless we are asked.
The Faculty organises several study skills seminars throughout the year. These seminars are advertised on Faculty and departmental noticeboards, and discuss both general and discipline-specific study skills. The Learning Skills Centre at 260 Faraday St, Carlton, runs individual and group study and exam skills programs that are both free and confidential.
Many first year students experience academic difficulties, particularly during first semester. Students who fail two or more of the subjects attempted in first semester, or those who feel that their performance was well below expectations, are invited to discuss any problems and ways of improving their performance. The interviews, usually with an academic staff member and a representative of the Faculty Office, will be held 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 before attempting their end-of-semester exams.
Students should be aware that progress rules apply to all courses. Information on unsatisfactory progress can be found at the end of each course information entry.
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. Based on this request, the department may decide to:
take no action;
offer additional assessment;
alter marks.
Further information about Special Consideration is provided in the General Information section of this Handbook. Students are also encouraged to carefully read the Special Consideration application form which details deadlines, grounds for applying etc.
Note that timetable clashes or enrolment in subjects for which students lack prerequisites (even with a written waiver) do not constitute grounds for special consideration.
Applications for deferment, leave of absence, or discontinuation, as described in the General Information section at the front of this handbook, are made by completing a Cancellation of Enrolment form at the Faculty of Science Office.
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). Part-time enrolment is defined as enrolment in less than 37.5 points in any semester.
Application for Refund forms are available at Student Administration, first floor, Raymond Priestley Building.
The Dean's Prize is awarded to the highest achieving commencing students in the Faculty each year. These prizes are presented 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, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences and the 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;
passed all subjects;
obtained an average mark greater than 85% in science subjects
From the total number of eligible students, the top three per cent of students are selected.
To be considered for 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%.
Numerous other prizes, scholarships, awards and bursaries are provided by companies and through bequests. These are available to students enrolled in the undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty of Science and 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.
The Faculty and the University of Melbourne are 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. The Alumni Society 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 Alumni Relations Unit, phone 9344 7469.
Search : Index : Faculty of Science
Prev 1. Introduction to the Faculty of Science
Next 3. Veterinary Science
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