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READ ME: Science degree FAQs (1 Viewer)

babydoll_

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Why UNSW science??
cos. shut up

What is the difference between BSc, BSc(Adv), BSc(Biotech), Med Sci etc?
The main difference is that you have something different written on your degree. Generally there is no difference. Most, if not all, Science students will study the same subjects in the same rooms, with a few differences here and there. So not much difference.

What degrees can you combine Science with?
Only BSc and BSc(Adv) can be combined with Arts, Law, Engineering (BSc only) or Commerce. BSc can also be combined with Optometry. Other Science degrees cannot be combined.

I'm only doing Science cos I didn't get into Medicine.
If you wish to transfer from Science to Undergraduate Medicine (offered at UNSW, Newcastle and other interstate unis), it will not matter what subjects you do - once you enter your new Medicine degree you will start from scratch. Doing Med Sci will NOT make it easier to get you into medicine. Postgraduate Medicine (offered at USyd) entry is based on your marks in your undergraduate degree AND an additional test called the GAMSAT which will require background knowledge in chemistry, physics and biology (see here for more details).

What are majors and minors?
Your major is the area in which you specialise. Available majors for Science students are listed here. You don't have to know what your major is exactly in 1st year, but have an idea of what you'd like to do.
Your minor is an area in which you have limited knowledge but not enough for a major. Your minor may not necessarily be a Science area - you can choose to minor in other areas available at UNSW such as languages, accounting, etc.

What subjects should I choose?
First of all, figure out what areas you would like to major and/or minor in. Look your chosen major and/or minor up in the UNSW Online Handbook and click through. Listings of required subjects should be available.
Most Science subjects are 6 units each, and you need to do 18 to 24 units per semester as a full time student, so look at choosing around 4 subjects per semester.

What textbooks and equipment do I need?
Required textbooks will be listed by your lecturer in the first week. UNSW has its own bookshop on campus where you get a 10% discount as a student! Wowz0r! HOWEVER, if you wait around, 2nd year students generally sell their 1st year books for cheap, so wait a little and you'll start seeing books advertised around campus. :)
Most physical sciences also require a labcoat, for safety reasons. These are sold on campus for $20-30. 1st year chemistry also needs safety glasses which you can also buy on campus (I'm selling mine for $5, PM me;)).

I'm still confused!
Post here and we will try to answer your question. :)
 
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wanton-wonton

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babydoll_ said:
Why UNSW science??
cos. shut up
Stuff you.

babydoll_ said:
What is the difference between BSc, BSc(Adv), BSc(Biotech), Med Sci etc?
The main difference is that you have something different written on your degree. Generally there is no difference. Most, if not all, Science students will study the same subjects in the same rooms, with a few differences here and there. So not much difference.
I think the difference between BSc and BSc(Adv) are the average marks required to get into honours.
 

sikeveo

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No, as if you want to do honours you need to switch to bsc(adv) at some stage.
 

babydoll_

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Honours is a compulsory part of the Sci(Adv) course. It is not compulsory for BSc.
 

shannonm

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babydoll_ said:
What degrees can you combine Science with?
Only BSc and BSc(Adv) can be combined with Arts, Law, Engineering or Commerce. BSc can also be combined with Medicine or Optometry. Other Science degrees cannot be combined.
erm, so i can combine engineering with advanced science??
 

Survivor39

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sikeveo said:
huh? Nancy you cant combine med with bsc.
You're right. MBBS/BSc is no longer offered since 2002.
 

Skywalker

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You can get an MBBS/BSc (Hons) at UNSW, though it requires you to get into med first + an extra year of research which non-Honours programme students do not do.
 

kcchippy

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B. Sci (Adv)/Commerce at UNSW

Can you in fact combine Advanced Science with Commerce at UNSW? Because I have searched the website and the only combined course with Advanced Science that I can find for UNSW is B. Sci (Adv)/Arts. I'd appreciate any response.
 

Survivor39

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kcchippy said:
Can you in fact combine Advanced Science with Commerce at UNSW? Because I have searched the website and the only combined course with Advanced Science that I can find for UNSW is B. Sci (Adv)/Arts. I'd appreciate any response.
Yes you can. But you must do Honours in Science, and satisfy the Adv Science requirement by taking at least 12 uoc of advanced subjects per year for science subjects.
 

prosaic

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Hi, I have several questions to which I will really, sincerely appreciate some substantiated answers.

1. Are you sure that advanced science can be combined with law? I have been told that "law may only be combined with regular science". Although from my experience many of these enquiry office ppl have absolutely no idea what they're talking about, advanced subjects are not showing up on the list of subjects I am able to enrol in.

2. Is it possible to do well, i.e. D avg. without attending classes? Especially with reference to a pharmacology major in the first year at least? Subjects level 1 bio, chem and maths? I ask because I have a full-time position pending at a top-tier firm and since law is the industry I eventually want to go into, I don't want to give up on it. AND, at the uni I attended in 2005 the science lectures were so bad that we didn't go to any of them but managed Ds/HDs by just studying from textbooks and subject outlines.

Hmmm...it is a real bummer that UNSW doesn't offer evening classes...but any help with these issues above shall be truly appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Survivor39

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sikeveo said:
can u do ANAT1510 in the first yr of a bsc?
I think that course is restricted to program B Health and Exercise Science - 3870 only.
 

Survivor39

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prosaic said:
Hi, I have several questions to which I will really, sincerely appreciate some substantiated answers.

1. Are you sure that advanced science can be combined with law? I have been told that "law may only be combined with regular science". Although from my experience many of these enquiry office ppl have absolutely no idea what they're talking about, advanced subjects are not showing up on the list of subjects I am able to enrol in.
I don't know why everyone is asking about combined advanced science degree. It makes NO DIFFERENCE at the end if you don't do Honours for the Advanced Science part of your degree. This means you will need to add an extra year onto your combined degree by taking one year research in Science. Is this what you want to do??! If not, you can't graduate with B Science (Advanced).

Secondly, your testamur (the certificate you get the end of your degree) will show "Bachelor of Science majoring in _____ with Honours" for BOTH Science and Advanced Science graduates with Honours. No one is going to know you did "Advanced" science by looking at your testamur. It won't have the word "Advanced" printed on it.

And finally, you can take advanced subject even if it is not shown on your lists of subjects (which list??). They often encourage capable students to take harder course anyway.

prosaic said:
2. Is it possible to do well, i.e. D avg. without attending classes? Especially with reference to a pharmacology major in the first year at least? Subjects level 1 bio, chem and maths? I ask because I have a full-time position pending at a top-tier firm and since law is the industry I eventually want to go into, I don't want to give up on it. AND, at the uni I attended in 2005 the science lectures were so bad that we didn't go to any of them but managed Ds/HDs by just studying from textbooks and subject outlines.
You can even top the course without going to lectures. Anything is possible if you are willing to work hard. Obviously you don't do any pharmacology subjects until second and third year. If you're willing to work hard in bio, chem and maths and do all the assessments and complete exams to a very high standard, I can't see why you can't get a HD.
 

t-i-m-m-y

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Hi,

I recieved a call yesterday from a girl asking if she could combine Adv Science with law. The answer is NO. End of story. prosaic: was that you? She was also asking about pharmacology.

The official line is that Adv Science can only be taken by itself, or combined with Arts (ie. Adv Sci/Arts). I have checked this with a higher-up, and also with the handbook. You must appreciate the fact that you cannot fit Adv Science into a double degree, except for arts, where you end up studying less arts than science. As a law student, I am sure you are aware that rules are rules, and thats the way the Adv Science program works.

As for Adv Science being a marketing exericse at UNSW, I personally think the answer to that is yes and no. In a sense it is, but it does offer a different study plan to a normal science degree, whereby students take a few extra subjects that help them consolidate their skills, and they also have the option to take an 'accelerated' program. I'd personally say that Adv Science lacks some of the flexibility of the ordinary BSc program.

To me, completing an Adv Science degree as opposed to a Science degree could be a selling point to potential employers, despite the testamur looking the same. And I really don't recommend working full-time and studying full-time, but thats my opinion. Have you looked into studying part-time? I mean, how are you going to attend stuff like labs when you are working full-time?
 
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magchem07

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wat courses plz?

hi

Id like to know during enrolment online u have to choose ur courses? if so PLZ tell me how to find a paln summary in uni handbook in other words i wanna know wat courses i can or have to take.

im lookin such a link http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2006/PHYSB13972.html
but only i can find is http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2006/3970.html which is really useless rite now

that d be a great help if someone finds me!im really lost

oh ! by the way better mention that i want to do anatomy as major in second year.

thankx
 

babydoll_

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Re: wat courses plz?

ok, first of all, please type in english, i had no bloody idea what you were saying.

i assume you're doing a plain bachelor of science.

here is the outline of what subjects are required for an anatomy major
http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2006/ANATA13970.html

stage 1 is first year, so choose the subjects listed at that website, then fill in the rest with chosen subjects. i strongly reccomend you do 2 chem subjects and 2 maths subjects, and fill the rest in with an elective.
 

magchem07

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thanx Babydoll for ur reply although it was hard 4 u to understand it! but i got my answer!

may i know y u think i need to take maths? does it have sth beneficial?

and my second Q is wat do u think i should choose for electives(both s1 n s2)?

Im looking for sth easy to do and actually dont wanna bother too much:)

thank uuuu!
 

Survivor39

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magchem07 said:
thanx Babydoll for ur reply although it was hard 4 u to understand it! but i got my answer!

may i know y u think i need to take maths? does it have sth beneficial?

and my second Q is wat do u think i should choose for electives(both s1 n s2)?

Im looking for sth easy to do and actually dont wanna bother too much:)

thank uuuu!
generally most Science student take at least 6 UOC of Maths. It is good in case you want to change your major and many majors have Maths as a requirement.

Suggested electives include psychology and any biology courses. You don't start anatomy till second year and there aren't really that many related courses in the first year except BIOS1101.
 

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