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Resolutions of the faculty

 

Resolutions of the Faculty of Science for coursework awards


These resolutions apply to all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework award courses in the Faculty, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Students enrolled in postgraduate research awards should consult the resolutions for their course. These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the resolutions for the course of enrolment, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended), the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://sydney.edu.au/policies.

1. Admissions

(1)
The provisions of the Coursework Rule and the Coursework Policy apply to the admission of domestic and international applicants to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework courses. Course resolutions may prescribe additional admission requirements.
(2)
The Faculty participates in the following approved special admission programs under the Coursework Policy:
Course Broadway Scheme Cadigal Program E12 Scheme Mature Age Applicants Scheme Elite Athletes or Performers Scheme Special Consideration for Admission Scheme Future Leaders Scheme
Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science                          Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and Bachelor of Advanced Studies Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) and Bachelor of Advanced Studies Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science (Health) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science (Health) and Bachelor of Advanced Studies Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Agriculture) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Food and Agribusiness) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Animal and Veterinary Bioscience) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No
Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine No Yes No No No No No
Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine No Yes No No No No No
Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) and Doctor of Medicine No Yes No No No No No
Bachelor of Science and Master of Nutrition and Dietetics Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Bachelor of Psychology Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Master of Clinical Psychology n/a Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Master of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy n/a Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

2. Enrolment restrictions

(1)
Except with the permission of the Associate Dean an undergraduate student may not enrol in units of study with a total value of more than 30 credit points in either semester one or two, 12 credit points in the summer session and 6 credit points in the winter session.
(2)
Except with the permission of the Associate Dean a postgraduate coursework student may not enrol in units of study with a total value of more than 24 credit points in either semester one or two, 12 credit points in the summer session and 6 credit points in the winter session.
(3)
Except with the permission of the Associate Dean, undergraduate students are prohibited from:
(a)
re-enrolling in a unit of study that they have previously completed within the last 10 calendar years, regardless of whether the unit of study was completed in their current or previous award course; and
(b)
enrolling in any unit of study:
(i)
that overlaps substantially in content with a unit of study already completed in their current or previous award course within the last 10 calendar years; and/or
(ii)
for which credit equivalence or exemption has been granted within the last 10 calendar years.
(4)
Except with the permission of the Associate Dean, postgraduate coursework students are prohibited from:
(a)
re-enrolling in a unit of study that they have previously completed within the last 5 calendar years, regardless of whether the unit of study was completed in their current or previous award course; and
(b)
enrolling in any unit of study:
(i)
that overlaps substantially in content with a unit of study already completed in their current or previous award course within the last 5 calendar years; and/or
(ii)
for which credit equivalence or exemption has been granted within the last 5 calendar years.

3. Time Limits

The provisions of the Coursework Rule apply to the time limits for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, unless otherwise stated in the course resolutions.

4. Re-enrolment after an absence

Unless otherwise stated within the course resolutions, provisions of the Coursework Rule and the Coursework Policy apply. A student who plans to re-enrol after a period of suspension must advise the Student Centre of their intention prior to the commencement of semester. Students should pay careful attention to the significant dates in processes and their effect on results and financial liability.

5. Course Transfer

(1)
Schedule 1 of the Faculty Resolutions lists the allowable Undergraduate course transfers and the conditions for transfer approved by the Faculty of Science for students who commenced their studies after 1 January 2018. Schedule 2 of the Faculty Resolutions lists the allowable Postgraduate course transfers and the conditions for transfer approved by the Faculty of Science for students who commenced their studies after 1 January 2018. For students who commenced their studies prior to 1 January 2018, please refer to the 2017 Handbook.
(2)
Providing students satisfy the admission requirements for each stage of an articulated postgraduate coursework program, a student may apply to progress to the award of any of the courses within that sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.
(3)
A student enrolled in a postgraduate coursework masters may, with the approval of the Associate Dean, elect to discontinue study and graduate with the graduate diploma from the embedded sequence provided the requirements of the graduate diploma have been met.
(4)
A student enrolled in a postgraduate coursework graduate diploma may, with the approval of the Associate Dean, elect to discontinue study and graduate with the graduate certificate from the embedded sequence provided the requirements of the graduate certificate have been met.
(5)
All applications for transfer in a postgraduate coursework program must satisfy the Faculty specified time limits for application and transfer requests.

6. Credit for previous study

(1)
Unless otherwise stated within the course resolutions, the provisions of the Coursework Rule and the Coursework Policy apply to the granting of credit, and in addition:
Course Rule
Undergraduate courses All students must complete all the 3000-level units of study required for a Science Table A major at the University of Sydney.
Postgraduate courses

Credit is available in the articulated postgraduate courses for postgraduate study as long as it has been undertaken in these award courses within the previous five years.

Unless otherwise stated in the course resolutions, external credit and reduced volume of learning are not available to students enrolled in postgraduate programs.
Master of Agriculture and Environment Credit may be granted for specific core units up to a maximum of 25 percent of the requirements for the degree, but not for the elective units or research units. A reduction in volume of learning of up to 24 credit points may be available to students who have completed a qualification in an appropriate discipline at Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Credit may be granted only for specific core and elective units in Year 1 and Year 2 up to a maximum of 48 credit points. Studies must have been completed with at least a credit grade and no more than five years prior to admission.

7. Cross institutional study

(1)
Provided the Associate Dean's permission has been obtained in advance, a student may be permitted to complete a unit of study offered by another institution and have that unit credited to the student's course requirements, provided that:
(a)
the unit of study content is not taught in any corresponding unit of study at the University; or
(b)
the student is unable, for good reason, to attend a corresponding unit of study at the University.
(2)
Cross-institutional study is regarded as another form of credit.
(3)
Unless otherwise stated in the course resolutions, cross-institutional study is not available to students enrolled in postgraduate programs.

8. International Study

(1)
The Faculty encourages students to participate in international study, unless the resolutions for a particular course preclude this. Provided the Associate Dean's permission has been obtained a student may be permitted to count units completed overseas towards their undergraduate degree by participating in:
(a)
the University of Sydney Exchange Program; or
(b)
a Study Abroad program; or
(c)
an International Placement
(2)
For International Placements, Associate Dean approval must be given well in advance of travel for unit of study enrolment based on an agreed degree plan.
(3)
Students applying for Study Abroad should refer to the Faculty of Science - Short Term Independent Undergraduate Study Abroad local provisions.

9. Attendance

(1)
Unless otherwise stated in a separate local provision, students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean.
(2)
For some units of study the minimum attendance requirement, as specified in the relevant table of units or the unit of study outline, may be greater than 80%.
(3)
The Associate Dean may determine that a student has failed a unit of study because of inadequate attendance.
(4)
The Associate Dean may allow additional assessment items where attendance is lower than the requirement as specified in 9(1) and 9(2).

10. Results

(1)
The provisions of the Coursework Rule and the Coursework Policy apply to the award of grades in Science units of study.
(2)
The determination of what warrants a DC grade after the published date for Discontinued not to count as failure is made at the discretion of the Associate Dean on a documented case-by-case basis. Discretion will not be exercised where:
(a)
the request is made 12 months or more after the advertised date of result publication; or
(b)
where the student has passed the unit of study.

11. Satisfactory Progress

In addition to meeting the provisions of the Coursework Rule and the Coursework Policy, students must also meet all progression requirements listed in specific course resolutions.

12. Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not permitted unless otherwise specified in the course resolutions.

13. Award of the bachelor degree with honours

The following rules apply to the award of the bachelor degree with Honours unless otherwise stipulated in the relevant course resolutions.
(1)
To qualify for admission to the bachelor degree with honours, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
(a)
have either:
(i)
qualified for the award of a relevant pass degree from the Faculty of Science; or
(ii)
be a pass graduate of the Faculty of Science; or
(iii)
be a pass graduate holding an equivalent qualification from another institution,
(b)
have completed a minimum of 24 credit points of senior units of study relevant to the intended honours course (or equivalent at another institution);
(c)
have achieved either:
(i)
a SCIWAM of at least 65 (or equivalent at another institution); or
(ii)
a credit average in 48 credit points in relevant intermediate and senior Science units of study as determined by the School concerned,
(d)
satisfy any additional criteria set by the Head of School concerned.
(2)
General conditions of candidature include:
(a)
Students must complete the requirements for the honours course full-time over two consecutive semesters. If the School is satisfied that a student is unable to attempt the honours course on a full-time basis permission may be granted by the Associate Dean to undertake honours part-time.
(b)
An applicant who is qualified to enrol in two honours courses may either:
(i)
complete the honours courses in the two subject areas separately and in succession; or
(ii)
complete a joint honours course, equivalent to an honours course in a single subject area, in the two subject areas as agreed by the Associate Dean and both Schools. A joint honours course shall comprise such parts of the two honours courses as may be decided by the Associate Dean.
(c)
A student may not re-attempt an honours course.
(4)
To qualify for the award of honours, a student must complete 48 credit points of honours undergraduate units of study, as described in the Science Honours Unit of Study Table.
(5)
The grade of honours and the honours mark are determined by performance in only the units of study listed in the Science Honours Unit of Study Table.
(6)
Honours is awarded in the following classes:

Description

Mark Range

Honours Class I

Mark ≥ 80

Honours Class II (Division 1)

75 ≥ Mark < 80

Honours Class II (Division 2)

70 ≥ Mark < 75

Honours Class III

65 ≥ Mark < 70

Honours not awarded

Mark < 65

14. University Medal

A student who is awarded Honours Class 1 may be awarded a university medal. The medal is awarded at the discretion of the Faculty to the highest achieving students who, in the opinion of the Faculty, have an outstanding academic record, in accordance with the Coursework Rule.

15. Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and Science Weighted Average Mark (SCIWAM)

(1)
The University has a formula for calculating a WAM, which is defined in the University Glossary. WAMs are used by the University as one indicator of academic performance.
(2)
A SCIWAM is used by the Faculty of Science as one indicator of academic performance.
(a)
A SCIWAM is calculated from the results of all intermediate and senior units of study with a weighting of two for intermediate units and three for senior units. Junior units are not included in the calculation.
(b)
Discontinued - Fail (DF) grades will contribute to the SCIWAM. The mark used for units of study with a grade of DF is zero.
(c)
Discontinued - Not to count as failure (DC) grades do not contribute to the SCIWAM.
(d)
Pass/Fail units of study do not contribute to the SCIWAM, with the exception of Exchange units where a mark is available.
(3)
In this Faculty:
(a)
A junior unit of study is a 1000-level unit.
(b)
An intermediate unit of study is a 2000-level unit.
(c)
A senior unit of study is a 3000-level unit or above.

16. Talented Student Program

(1)
The Talented Student Program (TSP) is a special program of study for students of exceptional merit who are enrolled in undergraduate degrees administered by the Faculty of Science or for the Science component of combined and double degrees who commenced prior to January 1 2018.
(2)
Entry to the TSP is by invitation from the Dean. Invitations are made each year, for that year. The following guidelines apply generally, although schools and departments may have additional (and more stringent) requirements for entry to the activities they offer in the program:
(a)
To be considered for the program in their first year, students should have an ATAR (or equivalent) of 99.00 or higher.
(b)
To be considered for entry into the Program in their second or third years, students not in the Program in the previous year should have AAMs of 85 or over in their previous year of study. Subsequent entry to TSP is available only to students who have been enrolled full-time in units of study totalling at least 48 credit points in the previous 12 months.
(4)
Readmission to the Program in a subsequent year requires:
(a)
AAM of 80 or above; and
(b)
completion of 42 credit points in the previous 12 months.
(5)
At the discretion of the Associate Dean, these requirements may be varied on a year to year or individual basis.

Schedule 1: Allowable Undergraduate Course Transfers

(1)
Single Undergraduate Degrees
Transfer From Transfer To Requirements
Bachelor of Psychology (Arts and Social Sciences) Bachelor of Arts  
Bachelor of Psychology (Science) Bachelor of Science  
(2)
Combined Undergraduate Degrees
Transfer From Transfer To
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws
  Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws
  Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws
  Bachelor of Engineering Honours and Bachelor of Laws
  Bachelor of Science
(3)
Double Degrees
Transfer From Transfer To Requirements
Bachelor of Science and Master of Nutrition and Dietetics Bachelor of Science  
Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Medicine Bachelor of Science Faculty Approval Required
Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine

Bachelor of Science

Faculty Approval Required

Schedule 2: Allowable Postgraduate Course Transfers

Transfer From Transfer To Requirements
Graduate Certificate in Coaching Psychology Graduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology Complete the requirements of the Graduate Certificate OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Certificate within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Graduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology Graduate Certificate in Coaching Psychology  
  Master of Science in Coaching Psychology Complete the requirements of the Graduate Diploma OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Diploma within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Master of Science in Coaching Psychology Graduate Certificate in Coaching Psychology  
  Graduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology  
Master of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy Course Coordinator approval required
  Master of Clinical Psychology Course Coordinator approval required
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science Complete the requirements of the Graduate Certificate OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Certificate within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science  
  Master of Environmental Science Complete the requirements of the Graduate Diploma OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Diploma within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Master of Environmental Science Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science  
  Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science  
Graduate Certificate in Marine Science and Management Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and Management Complete the requirements of the Graduate Certificate OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Certificate within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and Management Graduate Certificate in Marine Science and Management  
  Master of Marine Science and Management Complete the requirements of the Graduate Diploma OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Diploma within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Master of Marine Science and Management Graduate Certificate in Marine Science and Management  
  Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and Management  
Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Complete the requirements of the Graduate Certificate OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Certificate within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Graduate Certificate in Sustainability  
  Master of Sustainability Complete the requirements of the Graduate Diploma OR; accumulate a minimum of 18 cps in the Graduate Diploma within a maximum of two consecutive semesters with a WAM of at least 65.0.
Master of Sustainability Graduate Certificate in Sustainability  
  Graduate Diploma in Sustainability  
Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics Master of Medical Physics Complete the requirements of the Graduate Diploma with a WAM of 65.0 or better and have Course Coordinator approval.
Master of Medical Physics Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics Complete the Graduate Diploma requirements and have Course Coordinator approval
Graduate Certificate in Science (History and Philosophy of Science) Graduate Diploma in Science Course Coordinator approval required
Graduate Diploma in Agriculture and Environment  Graduate Certificate in Agriculture and Environment Complete the degree requirements. 
  Master of Agriculture and Environment  
Master of Agriculture and Environment Graduate Certificate in Agriculture and Environment Complete the degree requirements.  
  Graduate Diploma in Agriculture and Environment Complete the degree requirements.  

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