University of Sydney Handbooks - 2020 Archive

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About Table O Open Learning Environment

What is Table O?

Table O lists the units of study offered in the Open Learning Environment (OLE units).OLE units are designed to help students build novel skill combinations and extend their knowledge by exploring other fields of study. They can be taken by undergraduates and Higher Degree Research students.

What topics do OLE units cover?

OLE units for undergraduate students cover topics including:

  • basic skills in programming
  • data analysis and numerical skills
  • developing research skills
  • economics, entrepreneurial and design thinking
  • ethics, ethical reasoning, contemporary debates and critical thinking
  • foundational and advanced communication skills
  • health and medical sciences
  • personal, interpersonal skills and intercultural skills
  • STEM literacy
  • teamwork, team leadership and project management.

OLE units for Higher Degree by Research students cover topics including:

  • quantitative research
  • qualitative research
  • ethics
  • engagement
  • artefact-based research skills
  • project management
  • advanced numerical analyses
  • languages and cultural contexts
  • research in indigenous communities
  • culturally sensitive research projects.

How many credit points are OLE units worth?

OLE units are worth either zero, two or six credit points

Zero credit point OLE units are ‘tasters’ or introductions to OLE topics. Zero credit point units are completely online, and can be taken on-demand throughout the year.

Two and Six credit point OLE units are available to students who need to undertake OLE units to complete their degree. Every two and six credit point unit has a matching zero credit point unit to give students a chance to try the topic before ‘upgrading’ to the two or six credit point unit.

Some units are only offered as zero credit point tasters, i.e. they do not have a two or six credit point pair.

Where do students find OLE units and how do they enrol in them?

Zero credit point OLE units are listed on the OLE Canvas website.

Students enrol and complete these units through this portal. Zero credit point OLE units are available to all University of Sydney students free-of-charge. Zero credit point units are pass/fail.

Two and Six credit point units are listed in the Open Learning Environment unit table in this handbook. Students enrol in these units through Sydney Student.

Two and six credit point OLE units have the same enrolment and assessment requirements as non-OLE units, e.g. Census dates, grading and fees.

What do the OLE unit levels mean?

OLE units are designed for different stages of study as indicated by their unit level. The unit level is shown in the first four numbers of the unit code, i.e. 1XXX (1000-level), 2XXX (2000-level) and 5XXX (5000-level).

Units have a higher level of difficulty if their learning outcomes are more advanced, and if they require more assumed knowledge in the topic area.

For example:

  • 1000-level units of study have foundational or introductory learning outcomes. They are designed for students in the first year of a Bachelor degree or attempting a discipline area for the first time.
  • 2000-level units of study have learning outcomes which assume some prior foundational or introductory study. They are designed for students who have completed the first year of a Bachelor degree.
  • 5000-level units of study have learning outcomes designed for postgraduate students who have already achieved at least a Bachelor degree.

We recommend that all students carefully choose OLE units that are suited to their level of study and assumed knowledge. More information about unit levels is available here.

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