Dean: Professor Richard Arculus
Sub-Deans: Dr Mervyn Aston, Dr Heather Kennett
Academic areas responsible for teaching and research within the Faculty are:
The following also make a significant contribution to the teaching activities of the Faculty:
Degree course Usual course duration (yrs)
Bachelor of Science (Forestry) 4
Bachelor of Science (Resource and 3
Environmental Management)
Bachelor of Science (Science Communication) 3
Bachelor of Computational Science 3
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Psychology 4
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science 4
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Forestry) 5
Bachelor of Arts (Visual)/ 5
Bachelor of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Asian Studies/Bachelor of Science 4
Bachelor of Asian Studies (Specialist)/ 5
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Asian Studies/Bachelor 5
of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Psychology 4
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor 5
of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Psychology 4
Bachelor of Information Technology/ 5
Bachelor of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Psychology /Bachelor of Laws 5
Bachelor of Psychology/Bachelor of Science 4
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws 5
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Commerce 4
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Economics 4
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Science (Forestry) 5
There are no formal degree prerequisites and most first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:
There are no formal degree prerequisites although students are advised to complete a major in mathematics and at least a minor in biology and chemistry.
ACT major/minor in Advanced Mathematics Extended or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent
ACT minor (but preferably a major) in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent
ACT minor (but preferably a major) in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent
There are no formal degree prerequisites. It is assumed that students have completed an ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended major/minor and a Physics T major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics or equivalent.
Please see the appropriate Faculty entry for prerequisites for degree programs combined with the above.
Science courses are grouped by level. Courses of Group A are available to students commencing a degree program whereas, with a few exceptions, Group B courses have prerequisites in Group A and Group C courses have prerequisites in Group B. A student is expected to obtain a grade of Pass in prerequisite courses. However, prerequisites may be waived in special circumstances on the written recommendation of the Head of Department/School concerned.
As the choice of first year courses may restrict later-year choices, you should decide which third year courses (Group C) you may be interested in taking. Note prerequisites for those courses, and work backwards to determine which first-year courses you need to do. It is important to note that some first year courses are terminating courses ie they do not serve as prerequisites for later year courses in a discipline. Including more than one or two such courses in the first year of your program will significantly reduce your flexibility in choosing later year courses.
There are quotas on enrolments in some courses and selection is based on academic merit. If a quota applies to a particular course, it is normally indicated in the course description.
Sub-Deans are available to discuss with students, matters related to degree structures and choice of courses. Students must meet the degree program requirements applying at the time of their admission to candidature unless they apply in writing to undertake their degree in accordance with requirements applying at a subsequent time.
Science courses are classified as Group A, B, and C courses; the individual course descriptions indicate the Group to which the course belongs.
The following courses offered by other Faculties are also classified as Science courses:
ANTH2127 Genes, Memes and Cultural Difference Group B
ARCH2108 Animals, Plants and People Group B
BIAN2011 Human Evolution Group B
BIAN2115 'Race' and Human Genetic Variation Group B
BIAN3010 Techniques in Biological Anthropology Group C
BIAN3011 Skeletal Analysis Group C
ENGN1215 Introduction to Materials Group A
ENGN2211 Electronic Circuits and Devices Group B
ENGN2214 Mechanics of Materials Group B
ENGN4507 Semiconductor Technology Group C
ENGN4511 Composite Materials Group C
ENGN4601 Engineering Materials Group C
PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science Group B
PHIL2061 Philosophy of Psychology Group B
PHIL2082 Philosophy of Biology Group B
PHIL3053 Advanced Logic Group B
PHIL3054 Philosophy of Mathematics Group B
PRAN2119 Nutrition, Disease and the
Human Environment Group B
PRAN2024 Human Society and Animal Society Group B
NOTE: The above courses cannot be taken as part of the Science component of a combined degree program.
The Australian National Internships Program offers three Internships courses which are available to later-year students in a number of degrees. Students apply separately to the Program for selection and admission to these courses, but should also enrol in them in the normal way. At the time of application to the Program, students should consult the appropriate Faculty Office to determine precisely how the course will fit within their degree program requirements.
NOTE: Internship courses cannot be taken as part of the Science component of a combined degree program.
Undergraduates usually specialise in one main area while studying certain parts of others as auxiliary to their main interest. Such specialisation can be associated with particular careers as set out in the departmental and school entries. While science may be considered in terms of broad areas associated with the departments and schools of the Faculty of Science, other areas of study include astronomy and astrophysics, biological chemistry, biotechnology, computational science, evolution and ecology, genetics, geochemistry, geophysics, geographic information systems, environmental studies, human sciences, immunology, medical sciences, microbiology, photonics, resource management, neuroscience and science communication.
The structure of the degree of Bachelor of Science provides students with a wide choice of curricula, so they may, if they so desire, spread their studies over a range of interests. Courses from other faculties can be included in the degree, thus providing a measure of flexibility in the tailoring of a program best suited to a student's needs. (The attention of international students is drawn, in particular, to the courses ACEN1001 English in Academic Contexts, and ACEN1002 Advanced English in Academic Contexts, offered by the Faculty of Arts.)
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
The three-year BSc (Resource and Environmental Management) degree, and associated Honours program, are designed to educate environmental scientists and natural resource managers to meet the sustainability challenges and opportunities of the coming century. The Resource and Environmental Management Program and BSc (Res&EnvMan) degree link the natural and social sciences with their applications in environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Because the BSc(Res&EnvMan) degree is so flexible, prospective students should consult the Program Convener prior to developing their individual program and associated streams.
The curriculum comprises a core of natural and social sciences courses relevant to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. The degree emphasises experiential and field-based learning, and combines broadly based environmental education with focused professional development and opportunities for specialisation.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
Group B courses must include one of ECOS2001, FSTY2102, GEOG2014, SRES2001 and SRES2003.
One of GEOG3028, SRES3007 or LAWS3103 must be included.
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
*See degree program requirements for particular courses which must be included in years 1, 2 and 3
The 4-year BSc(Forestry) degree offers students a challenging education in forest science and forest resource management, with wide application in environmental science and resource management in Australia and abroad. The curriculum is based on knowledge of the basic physical and biological sciences relevant to forest ecosystems, of the applied sciences and technologies which support sustainable forest management, and of their application in the context of the political, economic and social dimensions of resource use. Consequently, the degree emphasises field-based learning, and combines a broadly-based education with specific professional development and opportunities for specialisation. Like the BSc, the BSc(Forestry) also provides training in learning and communication skills.
The degree is directed primarily to educating forest scientists and professional foresters, but its graduates are also attractive to a wide range of employers in environmental science and resource management.
Students who have completed satisfactorily one year of an approved program at another university may apply through UAC to transfer to this University for the final three years of the forestry degree. It should be noted that the content of some first-year courses at ANU is particularly suitable for forestry students and that there is some benefit in undertaking the full degree program at this University.
Details of the Forestry program, and the normal sequence of courses for the degree, are presented in the Forestry Handbook, available free on request from the School of Resources, Environment and Society.
The degree requires completion of 192 units comprising:
1. 30 units of 1000-series courses comprising BIOL1005, BIOL1006, FSTY1004, SRES1001 and SRES1003
2. 24 units of 2000-series courses comprising FSTY2004, FSTY2009, FSTY2012 and FSTY2102
3. 36 units of 3000-series courses comprising FSTY3015, FSTY3016, FSTY3017, FSTY3018, FSTY3009 and GEOG3028
4. 24 units of 4000-series courses comprising FSTY4001, FSTY4002, FSTY4003 and FSTY4004
either FSTY4057 (Forestry Honours 1) and FSTY4058 (Forestry Honours 2);
or BIOL2121, SRES2005 and FSTY4005.
Enrolment in Forestry Honours 1 and 2 is by invitation only.
(c) 12 units of Group A, B or C courses offered by a science-related department (ie Department or School in the Faculty of Science or the Department of Computer Science or the School of Finance and Applied Statistics)
(d) 48 units of courses offered by any Faculty
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
The degree of BPsych offers concentrated study in Psychology for students who want a thorough exploration of the discipline and the opportunity for specialisation in their third year. It includes courses in the major substantive areas of Psychology, together with comprehensive training in the research design and data analysis techniques used in psychological science.
The degree program follows a planned three-year sequence. In the first year (Group A) course, students are introduced to the core topics of cognition, personality, social psychology, developmental psychology, biological bases of behaviour, and research methodology. These six areas are then developed within the six individual Group B psychology courses, leading in to more specialised Group C courses from which students select according to their interests. Third year BPsych students must include the two advanced (Group C) methodology courses in their program. The School's BPsych coordinator is available to advise on third year options, as well as on curriculum choices for the 60 units of non-psychology courses the degree allows.
The BPsych is an ideal preparation for fourth year (Honours or Graduate Diploma) and for further graduate study in psychology. It offers a firm scientific grounding in the discipline, which is the essential basis for both professional training (e.g. Graduate Diploma; Masters or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) and advanced research work (MPhil; PhD).
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
Increasingly, scientists are required to communicate their work with the general public. This may be through the media, such as newspapers, radio or TV, or through public lectures. The ability to communicate effectively and in an interesting way is a skill in high demand by many employers of science graduates.
Along with conventional science subjects, a BSc (Science Communication) allows you to learn skills in communication through public speaking and performance, and writing for a general audience.
Electives allow you to learn more about human nature and the philosophy of science, placing science in the context of the everyday lives of people.
Eligible graduates from this program will be able to continue in Honours in mainstream science areas or in science communication.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including at least 96 units of Group A, B and C courses, of which 72 units must comprise courses offered by a science-related department ie Department or School in the Faculty of Science or the Department of Computer Science or School of Finance and Applied Statistics.
The total of 144 units must include:
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
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First year courses, including one course chosen from List 1 (12 units) |
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*this course will not be available until 2003. It is therefore not possible to transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Science (Science Communication) in 2002.
This degree provides training in the rapidly expanding area of computational modelling, which leads to a broad range of exciting and challenging careers. Increasingly, mathematical models and computational techniques are taking advantage of powerful computers to simulate real world problems as well as solve problems on the cutting edge of scientific research. In the automotive industry, for example, computational techniques are used in every part of the development process, from the design of a new car body through to crash testing. In medicine, MRI scans using computer aided tomography are now commonplace. In the financial world, computerised trading relies on mathematical models of the stock market. Whereas the mining industry is dependent on computational modelling to find new mineral resources, the new discipline of Data Mining deals with the enormous amounts of electronic information collected by businesses, governments, and researchers, and uses computational analysis to discover knowledge from these information collections.
The BComptlSci degree provides the skills necessary to solve advanced computational problems from a wide range of application areas. Over half of the degree consists of core courses which provide the practical mathematical and computing training for the formulation, analysis, modelling and simulation of problems in science, engineering, commerce and industry. In addition, students will have the opportunity to use a range of advanced computing systems available at the ANUSF and at the APAC National Computing Facility.
The balance of the BComptlSci degree consists of courses which are chosen to enable a specialisation in an area of science such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, geography and so on. Alternatively, students can choose to study mathematics and computer science to greater depth. In this way, the general mathematical and computing skills obtained from the core courses can be applied in a sophisticated manner in a specialisation area. Hence, these courses need to be chosen to allow a deep knowledge of at least one application area. To this end, of the 66 units of non-core courses, at least 18 units must consist of third-year courses in a particular specialisation area.
There are many advanced computational research projects being undertaken at the ANU in such areas as: Computational Chemistry, Computational Biology, Data Mining, Computational Mesoscale Physics, Particle Simulation of Plasma Physics, DNA Chips Design, Computational Astrophysics, Advanced Manufacturing, Enabling Technologies for High Performance Computing, Condensed Matter Physics and Environmental Modelling. Core courses of the degree include seminar courses which aim to involve students with computational scientists from the Faculties and the Institute of Advanced Studies working in these and other advanced computational projects.
Further information about the BComptlSci degree can be found at http://bcomptlsci.anu.edu.au/
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units comprising:
(a) a core of 78 units of courses offered by the Departments of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, consisting of
MATH1500 Art and Science of Advanced Computation 1
COMP1100 Introduction to Programming and Algorithms
COMP1110 Foundations of Software Engineering
MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1 (or MATH1115)
MATH1014 Mathematics and Applications 2 (or MATH1116)
MATH2500 Art and Science of Advanced Computation 2
COMP2100 Software Construction
MATH2305 Differential Equations and Applications (or MATH2405)
COMP2310 Concurrent and Distributed Systems
MATH2501 Foundations of Computational Science
MATH3500 Art and Science of Advanced Computation 3
COMP3320 High Performance Scientific Computation
MATH3501 Deterministic and Stochastic Modelling
MATH3502 Solution of Large Scale Matrix Problems
PHYS3038 Case Studies in Advanced Computation
(b) 42 units of courses other than those listed in (a), including 18 units of third year courses, taken entirely in one Department or School in the Faculties of Science or Engineering and Information Technology, or the combined Schools of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Botany and Zoology
(c) 24 units of courses offered by any Faculty of the University
The degree program may not include:
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
[1] Those students who intend to enrol in a fourth year honours program within an application area may need to complete 24 units of Group C courses in the relevant application area. To facilitate this, it is recommended that both COMP2310 Concurrent and Distributed Systems and COMP3600 Algorithms be taken in second year, so that an extra Group C course can be taken in third year. Intending honours students should contact the relevant honours convener.
With the advent of genetic engineering and the expansion of technological possibilities this brings, biotechnology has become an important part of future science and will play an increasingly important role in the economies of this and other countries.
The ANU is centrally placed amongst research institutes actively developing biotechnology, and has well-established links to industry and government. As new areas of biotechnology develop, linking biology to computing, electronics and engineering, the ANU is well placed to draw on ongoing research to present undergraduate courses in these areas, featuring up-to-date research information.
The Bachelor of Biotechnology degree is a three year program containing a core curriculum introducing the basic principles of molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, societal and ethical issues in biotechnology and intellectual property. Elective courses available within the Faculty of Science allow students to tailor the program to their specific interests such as medical, plant/agricultural or chemical biotechnology.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
The degree program may not include
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
In addition to the compulsory courses indicated in the table, students choose two elective courses per semester. Depending on the choice of courses, it is possible to pursue specialisations in Medical Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology and Chemical Biotechnology. If you are interested in one of these streams, it is suggested that you include the following in your electives:
First year: BIOL1003 Ecology, Evolution and Genetics, BIOL1008 Human Biology, STAT1003 Statistical Techniques
Second year: BIOL2151 Introductory Genetics, BIOL2152 Advances in Human Genetics, BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease
Third year: At least four of the following five courses -- BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity, BIOL3151 Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, BIOL3144 Molecular Immunology, BIOL3176 Membranes, Drugs and Disease, BIOL3162 Applications in Biotechnology
First year: BIOL1006 Plant Evolution and Ecology
Second year: BIOL2121 Plant Structure and Function, BIOL2134 Conservation Biology
Third year: BIOL3177 Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BIOL3151 Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, BIOL3162 Applications in Biotechnology
Second year: CHEM2101 Spectroscopy in Chemistry, CHEM2104 Principles of Organic Chemistry
Third year: CHEM3104 Analytical Aspects of Organic Chemistry, CHEM3107 Bioorganic and Natural Product Chemistry
Since the establishment of the John Curtin School of Medical Research in the 1940s, the study of human physiology and pathology has been one of the strengths of the Australian National University. Today, many different areas of the university actively contribute to the medical research effort on campus, including the Schools of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Psychology in the Faculties, the John Curtin School of Medical Research, the National Centre for Epidemiology & Health, the Centre for Mental Health Research and the Research School of Biological Sciences.
The modern medical sciences include subjects such as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, genetics, genomics, biotechnology and immunology. The Bachelor of Medical Science brings all of these disciplines into the one degree where they form a 'core' of compulsory areas of study. Students also choose a few additional subjects in complementary disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, biological chemistry and science in context. As part of the final year, students undertake BIOL3190 Medical Sciences Elective, which provides them with an opportunity to undertake 65 hours of study in a work environment where a qualification in the medical sciences is necessary for employment.
A fundamental knowledge of the medical sciences provides a broad platform from which to undertake further study in medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition, dietetics or forensic science.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units of courses comprising:
The degree program may not include more than 48 units at first-year level.
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
[1] Those choosing PHYS1101 and PHYS1201 are not required to take mathematics as a co-requisite, although the waiving of this co-requisite precludes BMedSc students from taking later-year courses in physics.
[2] It is suggested that these electives be chosen from CHEM2101 Spectroscopy in Chemistry, CHEM2104 Principles of Organic Chemistry, PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour, BIOL2103 Vertebrate Physiology and SCCO2103 Ecology of Health and Disease.
The photonics industry is one of the most rapidly expanding industries in Australia and has created a large current and future demand for university graduates with a detailed background in photonics. The three year Bachelor of Photonics degree is designed specifically as preparation for a career in this field. It combines a very sound science education in years one and two, with specialised training in state of the art photonics technology in third year including optics, electronics, instrumentation and communication technology. The syllabus was developed in close consultation with the photonics industry and the Cooperative Research Centre of Photonics to ensure that it includes material relevant to the most recent developments in, and the rapidly expanding applications of, photonics. Students may wish to consult the following website for further information on photonics: http://photonics.anu.edu.au.
* these courses will not be available until 2003. It is therefore not possible to transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Photonics in 2002.
Students who attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree may be admitted to the honours year to become candidates for the degree with honours.
Fields of study in which a degree with honours may be taken are:
ASTR4005 or MATH4005 or PHYS4003 Astronomy and Astrophysics*
BIMB4005 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
FSTY4052 or 4062 or 5152 Forestry**
SRES4005 Resource and Environmental Management
SCOM4005 Scientific Communication
* The code depends on whether the honours year is undertaken in the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Physics or both
** The code depends on whether the honours year is taken as part of the BSc, BSc(Res&EnvMan) or BSc(Forestry) degrees. Concurrent honours is also possible in the fourth year of the BSc (Forestry) degree
The above honours year codes apply to students undertaking full-time honours. Students should enrol in the relevant honours code for both semester 1 and semester 2. The minimum requirement set by Faculty for admission to an honours course other than BSc(Forestry) (Hons) is as follows:
(a) the successful completion of at least 48 units of Group B or Group C courses relevant to the proposed field of honours study, of which at least 24 units must be for Group C courses;
(b) the attainment of an average of 2 for the 48 units, where HD=4, D=3, CR=2, P=0;
(c) on the recommendation of the Head of Department/ School concerned, in the light of availability of resources and appropriate supervision.
Departments may have additional entry requirements and intending honours students should contact the relevant honours convener.
Both concurrent and fifth year honours are available in the course for the degree of Bachelor of Science (Forestry). For concurrent honours, students must have completed all first-year courses; maintained at least a Credit average in Group B and C courses; demonstrated superior achievement (D, HD) in subjects relevant to the topic in which they propose to undertake honours; are in the fourth year of the BSc(Forestry) degree and maintain a full-time load. For fifth year Forestry honours, the minimum entry requirement is at least four grades of Distinction and eight grades of Credit in relevant Group B and C courses with an overall minimum average of 65%.
The work of the honours year will consist of advanced work in a selected field of study, details of which are given under the individual departments or schools. The honours program extends over ten months. The program normally commences on the first Monday in February, although there is some flexibility in this. Students who complete the requirements for the pass degree at the end of the first semester, if admitted to honours, may, with the approval of the department or school concerned, commence the program mid-year.
Graduates of other universities may be accepted for admission to honours candidature provided that the undergraduate program and performance in the program are of a standard comparable to that applying in the relevant Department/School.
For students who desire to widen their fields of study for academic or professional reasons, the University offers a range of combined degree programs. Detailed information about the combined programs is provided in the Combined Programs section of this Handbook.
Students with disabilities should contact the Disability Adviser on (02) 6125 5036.
A height adjustable electric wheelchair is available for students with disabilities who may need to access high benches and fume cupboards in any department of the Faculty of Science.
Normally, students may not undertake more than 24 units in any one semester of their degree program. The Faculty may permit students with at least a Credit average in their previous University studies to undertake a heavier load.
Status towards undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty may be granted for studies completed elsewhere. Students should consult the Status Working Rules of the Faculty of Science which may be found on the following web site:
http://www.anu.edu.au/science/rules/StatusRegulations.html
A copy of the Working Rules is also available on request from the Faculty Office. Requests for status are assessed individually in the light of the provisions of the Working Rules; the following is a brief summary of the major provisions:
Graduates who have completed a bachelors degree at this or another university may be granted up to 72 units of status towards the 144 unit Bachelor of Science degree program. The balance of the degree program must be completed at this University and comprise courses offered by a science-related department; the degree program may not include courses which are substantially equivalent to courses completed in any previous degree. Status towards other undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty is assessed on a case by case basis because of the prescribed nature of these programs.
Holders of approved Associate Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas or Diplomas in a science-related field are granted up to 48 units of first-year status towards the 144 unit Bachelor of Science degree program. Status towards other undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty is assessed on a case by case basis because of the prescribed nature of these programs. Status is not granted for qualifications commenced more than 10 years before the date of the application for status.
No status is granted for nursing qualifications other than Bachelor degrees.
Up to 96 units of status may be granted towards the 144 unit Bachelor of Science degree program on the basis of an incomplete degree from another tertiary educational institution; at least 48 units of later year science courses offered by a science-related department , including 36 Group C units, must be completed at this University. Each application for status is considered on its merits, but in general, the Faculty recognises courses from other tertiary institutions which are equivalent to courses offered in this university, and may recognise science courses which are not prescribed for a degree of this Faculty provided that they are not incompatible with the degree course requirements. Status towards other undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty is assessed on a case by case basis because of the prescribed nature of these programs.
Status is not granted in relation to a course where a period of 10 years or more has elapsed from the date of first enrolment in the course and the date of the application for status in respect of that course.
Status is not granted for courses for which a grade of conditional pass or equivalent has been obtained.
The Examinations (The Faculties) Rules contain provisions for students who fail to attend a scheduled examination as well as for those whose studies are affected by illess. Detailed information is provided in the Student Enrolment and Administrative Procedures Guide which is available on the Web at http://www.anu.edu.au/enrolments. The Examinations (The Faculties) Rules are available on the Web at http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs/rules/. The Faculty of Science has guidelines concerning the circumstances under which special examinations will be approved. These circumstances include serious medical conditions and unavoidable circumstances which prevent a student attending the examination. Unavoidable circumstances are those which --
(a) could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student, and
(b) were beyond the student's control
Circumstances which will NOT normally be ACCEPTABLE as grounds for special examination are
(a) routine demands of employment;
(b) routine family problems such as domestic tension with or between parents, spouses, and other people closely involved with the student;
(c) difficulties adjusting to university life, and the demands of academic work;
(d) stress or anxiety associated with examinations or any aspect of academic work;
(e) routine need for financial support;
(f) demands of sports, clubs, and social or extra-curricula activities;
(g) family, personal and travel arrangements.
Circumstances which are ACCEPTABLE include:
(a) a member of the armed forces involved in compulsory exercises;
(b) a person in full-time employment required to be overseas by his or her employer;
(c) a person representing Australia at an international sporting or cultural event;
Students should note the need to provide evidence of any medical condition being used for an application for special examination or for special consideration. The statement provided by the medical practitioner must indicate the extent to which the condition affects the student's ability to study or sit an examination. Requests which do not provide this information will not be approved.
Preferred statements from the medical practitioner include:
The Faculty's rules and policies may be found at http://www.anu.edu.au/science/.
Undergraduate students of the Faculty of Science are required to seek formal approval for leave of absence from a degree program. Leave of absence is granted for no more than one year in the first instance; absence of more than two academic years in succession will not normally be approved. Periods of leave of absence are included in the maximum time limit prescribed for the degree program.
Students wishing to return to studies after a period of absence which has not been approved will be required to apply for readmission to the degree program; on readmission, they will be required to meet the degree program requirements as specified in the Undergraduate Handbook in that year.
A student leaving this University before completing an undergraduate degree program of the Faculty must, in order to qualify for the ANU degree
* 36 in the case of a student who was admitted to the degree course with status for studies completed at another tertiary institution.
This innovative and flexible program is designed to stretch the abilities of high-achieving students to the limit. It provides customised undergraduate training for outstanding high school students from throughout Australia. Distinguished Scholars will normally be in the top 2% in their state or territory, or have shown outstanding achievement in, for example, the Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics Olympiads. Alternatively, students who show potential during the early part of their undergraduate programs may, with the support of the relevant Department or School, seek entry at a later stage.
The Distinguished Scholar Program is available to first year students enrolled in the single degree programs offered by the Faculty of Science and to later year students enrolled in either single or combined programs.
In consultation with the Head of the relevant Department/School, scholars select a member of the academic staff to be their mentor within the Program. The mentor will, in consultation with the scholar, plan a program tailored to the scholar's needs and interests to maximise academic potential. The mentor will also encourage and monitor the scholar's progress and development and facilitate the interaction and involvement of the scholar with the relevant Department. The program can consist of existing courses, special lecture courses, reading courses and/or special research projects from both the Faculty and the Research Schools. Distinguished Scholars must complete courses to the value of 144 units in accordance with the BSc degree program requirements.
Application forms are available from the Admissions Office, telephone (02) 6125 5594/3046 or e-mail admiss.enq@anu.edu.au or World Wide Web http://www.anu.edu.au/psi/dist_scholar.html.
or from the Faculty of Science --
telephone (02) 6125 2809
Applications close 31 October each year.
Candidates should also be aware that they may apply for an ANU National Undergraduate Scholarship.
Professor D. T. Wickramasinghe, Department of Mathematics
Dr Paul Francis, Department of Physics
The 21st century will herald a new era in astronomy. Larger and more sensitive telescopes will continue to be built at the cutting edge of technology revealing the nature of the Universe in more detail than ever before. The quest for the understanding of the origin of matter and of life is likely to shift from earth bound laboratories to the Universe at large, and stronger links will be made between astronomy and the more traditional fields. Likewise, mathematical modelling is likely to play an ever increasing role in shaping our understanding of the Universe. The ANU with its prowess in astronomy, the mathematical sciences and physics, is expected to play a leading role in these developments.
The undergraduate astronomy and astrophysics program (UAAP) has been designed by the Department of Mathematics of the School of Mathematical Sciences, the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Science, and the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA), and utilises the collective expertise at the ANU in the area of astronomy and astrophysics. UAAP gives students an opportunity to study astronomy at various levels of sophistication. A student completing the program at a sufficiently high standard will be adequately prepared to undertake postgraduate studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics at any University. Students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to use the facilities of Mount Stromlo Observatory of the RSAA, the pre-eminent Australian centre for optical astronomy, which is situated 17km from the campus, as a part of some of their courses.
The UAAP is a well structured program of courses flowing through from first year to the honours year, and will cater for most student needs. The program is designed to teach both the fundamentals of astrophysics, and to introduce students to modern discoveries and unsolved problems. The courses can count towards a Bachelor of Science degree in either Mathematics or Physics, depending on the choice of other courses taken. They can also be counted towards the science part of a joint degree.
Two astronomy courses are offered in first year. Students with strong backgrounds in mathematics and physics, who wish to keep open the option of doing astronomy in subsequent years, should take ASTR1001. Other students should take ASTR1002.
There is one course in second year, ASTR2001/ASTR2002, which is a strongly recommended prerequisite for students wishing to do further courses in astrophysics in subsequent years.
Two courses are offered in third year. Either or both can be taken during the honours year instead, if preferred.
Which courses should you take if you are planning to specialise in astronomy and astrophysics? There are many options, but here are two possible programs to get you started.
For a student enrolled in a BSc. If you are studying full-time, then in the first year you should take ASTR1001, together with the core physics (PHYS1101 and PHYS1201) and core maths (MATH1013 and MATH1014, or MATH1115 and MATH1116). In second year you should take ASTR2001 or ASTR2002, together with quantum mechanics (PHYS2013), electromagnetism (PHYS2016), thermal physics (PHYS2020), core applied maths (MATH2405), and partial differential equations (MATH2406). In third year, take ASTR3001 and ASTR3002, together with MATH3329 and/or PHYS3002. If enrolled part time, you would do the same program, spread over more years.
For a student enrolled in a joint degree (eg. Arts/Science, Science/Law). If your main interest is in astrophysics, we would recommend that you enrol in the BSc program rather than a joint degree, as this gives you far more freedom. It is, however, quite possible to study astronomy and astrophysics as part of a joint degree. If you are studying full time, then in the first year you should take Astrophysics (ASTR1001), together with the core maths (MATH1013 and MATH1014, or MATH1115 and MATH1116). In second year, you should take Advanced Astrophysics (ASTR2001/2), core Physics (PHYS1101 and PHYS1201) and core applied maths (MATH2405). In the third year you should take Galaxies and Cosmology (ASTR3002), Relativity, Black Holes and Cosmology (MATH3329), Quantum Mechanics (PHYS2013) and Thermal Physics (PHYS2020). In your fourth and final year, you would do a research project in astrophysics, together with Stars and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (ASTR3001) and two other advanced Maths and/or Physics courses. If you are studying part time, this program can be spread over more years.
A total of approximately sixty hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals.
Prerequisites: ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended major/minor or equivalent from elsewhere; ACT Physics major or equivalent.
Corequisites: PHYS1101; and mathematics to at least the standard of MATH1013. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if ASTR1002, PHYS1003, PHYS1005, PHYS1006 or PHYS1011 are so counted. The physics corequisite may be waived at the discretion of the head of department for students enrolled in a joint degree.
Syllabus: This course is designed for students who wish to study modern astrophysics at a level beyond most popular books. It covers the formation and evolution of the solar system, extra-solar planets, the formation, evolution and death of stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes, galaxies, cosmology, expanding space and the Big Bang. Students will carry out a research project with the telescopes of Mt Stromlo Observatory. A feature of this course is guest lectures on cutting edge astrophysics by world famous researchers. This course should be taken by students wishing to specialise in astrophysics.
A total of approximately sixty hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals.
Prerequisites: None. The course is designed for everyone: no background in maths and physics is required. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if ASTR1001, PHYS1003, PHYS1005, PHYS1006, PHYS1009 or PHYS1011 is so counted.
Syllabus: This course is an introduction to the physics of space. It covers the night sky, planets, space-flight, comets, planets around other stars, the formation, evolution and death of stars, black holes and neutron stars, the Big Bang, the expanding universe, curved space, and the size and fate of the cosmos. Students will do a project using the telescopes of Mt Stromlo Observatory.
3 lectures and 1 tutorial per week. The two courses will be taught in the same lectures but assessed independently. Extra work will be required for ASTR2002.
Prerequisites: Both of PHYS1101 and PHYS1201, or either one of PHYS1001 or ENG1019, and any one of the following: MATH2305, MATH2405, ENGN2212, MATH2320, MATH 2023 or both of MATH2013 and MATH2027.
Recommended: ASTR1001. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if any of PHYS2023, MATH2067 or MATH2167 are so counted.
Syllabus: This course offers a mathematical and physical introduction to modern astrophysics at an intermediate level. Topics to be covered include the following; the nature of the universe, a historical account, telescopes and satellite observatories, analysis techniques for astronomical data; gravitational potential theory; statistical mechanics of perfect non-degenerate and degenerate gases; the structure of polytropic stars; white dwarfs and neutron stars; the two body problem; interacting binary systems; elementary galactic dynamics; the missing mass problem; Newtonian Cosmology.
Three lectures and one tutorial per week.
Prerequisites: ASTR2001 or ASTR2002 or MATH2067 or MATH2167; PHYS2020 or PHYS2022. One of MATH2305, MATH2405, ENGN2212, MATH2320, MATH2023 or both of MATH2013 and MATH2027. Recommended: PHYS2016 and either MATH2306 or MATH2406. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if MATH3053 is so counted.
Syllabus: Properties of radiation. The radiative transfer equation. Stellar atmospheres. Opacities and nuclear energy sources. Stellar structure and evolution. Gas dynamics. Stellar wind theory. Accretion discs.
Prerequisites: Either one of MATH2305, MATH2405, ENGN2212, MATH2320, MATH2023 or both of MATH2013 and MATH2027.
Recommended: ASTR2001 or ASTR2002 or MATH2067 or MATH2167 or PHYS2016. PHYS3002 or MATH3329 would be a useful co-requisite. Incompatible with MATH3052
Syllabus: Galaxies: classification and dynamics. Luminous matter and dark matter in galaxies. The expanding universe and cosmological models.
These courses, which are offered in alternate years, cover relativity, both special and general, and hence are relevant to astronomy. For more details, see the Mathematics and Physics sections in this Handbook.
Students proceeding to the honours year of the Bachelor of Science degree have a choice of enrolling in one of the following:
PHYS4004 Theoretical Physics IV (H)
ASTR4005 Astronomy and Astrophysics IV (H)
The type of honours enrolment will depend on the nature of the research project, and of the choice of courses taken in the 4th year.
The research project forms a major component (50-60%) of the assessment in the honours year. The students will have a choice of a wide variety of projects offered by staff at the RSAA, the Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Physics every year. The remaining 40-50% will be in the form of course work which could consist of fourth year courses offered by the Departments of Mathematics or Physics, third year astrophysics courses that they may not have already completed, or astrophysics courses offered specifically to fourth year students under the UAAP.
Among the fourth year honours courses that will be available in the year 2002 are:
Diffuse Matter in the Universe