Welcome from the Dean
This is a fascinating time to study science. Major technological advances are opening up many new areas, from ecosystems to nano-technology. At the same time, boundaries between traditional areas of science are blurring, as inter-disciplinary research leads to rapid progress on a wide range of issues in environmental, technology and medical/health related industries that underpin the future prosperity and quality of life in Australia.
These issues include protection of biodiversity, environmental remediation, control of industrial pollution, energy production, new manufacturing technologies, genetically modified organisms, stem cells and other new genetic advances in health and medicine, data management and new computing developments, and understanding human behaviour.
The comprehensive scope of the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney allows us to offer courses in all of these areas and the many joint degree options provide the opportunity to study social, moral and commercial consequences of science.
A degree in science is a first step towards an exciting career, one that stimulates, challenges and rewards you. It can take you from the microscopic to the cosmic level, into physical and biological processes and from order to chaos.
A science degree develops your investigative skills and teaches you the tools of critical analysis and communication skills for lifelong learning. Employers in government, industry and education need graduates who are trained to think, analyse and communicate.
Science graduates have a unique blend of generic and discipline related skills that give them the capacity to tackle problems with initiative and resourcefulness, to plan and execute projects and to work as part of a team.
Studying science gives you the innovative skills for an ever-changing workforce environment and makes you a valuable and sought-after resource for employers. And if you become really excited by a particular area, our honours and postgraduate courses provide you with the training to become a practicing scientist in that field.
The degree programs at the University of Sydney are of exceptional quality. Many of our academic staff have won teaching awards and our research programs are world class.
Our degree programs are designed to offer challenges and excitement at a range of different levels, including the Talented Students Program, Advanced Science degree and specialist streams within the BSc that provide more directed science training, and in some cases, opportunities for industry placements.
The Faculty of Science has close links with industry and a wide range of employers, and will provide opportunities throughout your degree to explore career options.
The degree programs have been designed so that you can specialise if you wish, but you don't have to make that decision until you have completed a general first year.
The first-year experience is designed to help you settle into University, to meet other students, and to decide on or confirm your interest in a specialised area of study.
We use a variety of teaching methods to help you develop sound generic computing skills, interpersonal and communication skills, and an ability to work in teams and groups.
Most importantly, you will learn how to analyse problems, work out solutions, and communicate these clearly to others. We will help to discover how things function, develop lifelong strategies for learning new approaches, and gain skills to explore and use information in different contexts.
David Day
Dean
In this handbook you will find a wealth of information about the Faculty of Science and the University. In particular, it will help you find out who the people are in your faculty, the requirements for degrees and the ways these can be satisfied.
Chapter 1 is the 'who and where' of the faculty, listing names and locations of people and offices you are likely to need to contact during the year. It also contains information on some important University policies. It is essential that students become familiar with these policies.
Chapter 2 has all the fine print of the undergraduate degree resolutions (rules) covering your degree. The information here takes precedence over all other information in later chapters. You should definitely read the relevant parts of this chapter, and refer to them from time to time during your studies to make sure you are on track to satisfy the requirements of your degree.
Chapters 3 to 8 contain information on undergraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Science. These chapters contain enrolment advice for undergraduates as well as frequently asked questions and important policy affecting students in the faculty. You will find enrolment guides and a degree planner to assist you to plan your degree. You should read the particular chapter devoted to your degree in conjunction with the resolutions in chapter 2.
Chapter 9 has degree tables and unit of study descriptions for undergraduates. If you want to know what a unit of study is and how it fits into your degree plan, this is the best place to look. You should read this chapter in conjunction with chapters 2 and your degree chapter.
Chapter 10 provides information for honours students.
Chapter 11 introduces the faculty’s Talented Student Program and gives contact details for coordinators in participating departments and schools.
Chapter 12 is for all science students considering taking up the opportunity to study on exchange overseas at a partner institution.
Chapters 13 to 28 are for postgraduate students. Each chapter contains enrolment advice, unit of study descriptions and resolutions for specific postgraduate degrees offered by the Faculty.
Chapter 29 lists the staff of the faculty, organised by their school or department.
Chapter 30 contains a summary of scholarships and information about prizes for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
General University information is a handy reference section describing all sorts of services on campus,
The Glossary and Abbreviations explain terms and abbreviations used throughout this handbook.
The index is a useful reference tool for students who want to locate information on a particular unit of study.
Campus maps are included to help you locate lecture theatres, offices, libraries, cafes, and other student facilities.