Welcome

The Sciences have a key role to play in the sustainable development of our planet and our society. Scientists are central to tackling the problems of conservation and the development of new and existing energy sources, scientists seek to prevent and cure diseases and are critical for understanding human behaviour, natural resources, and ecosystems.

Who could have foreseen the advances that have occurred during the last hundred years, the revolution in our understanding of such technologies as nanoscience and optics, of genetics and molecular biology. These have followed ongoing advances in atomic physics, chemistry, mathematics, and the geosciences. In the coming decades we will continue to see as yet unimaginable developments in these areas and new fields will come to light.

A training in the sciences involves you not only in the acquisition of this new knowledge, but also in applying findings to improve our world, and in the critical reasoning and problem-solving required to use knowledge wisely. It will equip you with the ability to contribute to new as yet unknown fields.

Well-trained, critical and creative scientists will be increasingly valued in our society. The University of Sydney is a world leader in scientific research and our research-led teaching programs are of the highest standard. We offer courses that cover a range of specialist options as well as broad science programs with in-built flexibility to suit you if you have not yet settled on your preferred area of interest. In either case, your first year will involve a broad-based introduction in which you will be encouraged to develop your own interests. This approach of combining a knowledge of fundamentals with later specialist training is recognised widely as the best available.

We also offer courses at a variety of levels to suit your needs – whether you wish to develop a basic foundation in the sciences or are seeking a challenge in our Advanced and Talented Student Programs (TSP). I hope you will choose to study in the sciences with us at the University of Sydney, in an institution that has wonderful staff, an outstanding teaching and research base, and many of the best courses available in Australia.

Trevor Hambley
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 contains the Faculty resolutions common to all coursework awards. All students have an obligation to be familiar with these resolutions.

Chapter 2 contains faculty contact information, answers to the questions commonly asked by new undergraduate students, information on the Talented Student Program and international exchange opporunities.

Chapters 3 to 8 contain information on undergraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Science. You will find enrolment guides and a degree planner to assist you to plan the structure of your degree.

Chapter 9 has descriptions of undergraduate units offered by the Faculty of Science, and some units offered by other faculties. 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.

Chapter 10 provides information for honours students.

Chapters 11 to 26 are for postgraduate students. Each chapter contains enrolment advice, unit of study descriptions and resolutions for specific postgraduate degrees offered by the faculty.

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.

Degree planner page is a handy tool to use when planning your degree.