Advanced Science Requirements (1 Viewer)

[Amleops]

I was looking into doing combined Advanced Science/Law next year, with the science degree majoring in physics. I haven't done any science for the HSC however, so I intend to do bridging courses, start at the fundamentals level and work my way up.

However, from what I have read it doesn't look like this is possible. For the compulsory maths subjects, seeing as the programme says you have the choice to do MATH1131 and MATH1231 if you wish, while the second year maths courses only offer the higher stream (MATH2111, MATH2130, MATH2620), I can deduce that transferring to higher streams of mathematics from the lower ones shouldn't be a problem. However, from the list of undergraduate physics units it looks like advanced stream courses are only offered in the first year. It seems to me like the only significant difference between a physics major in the standard science degree and a physics major in the advanced science degree is the first year physics units (notwithstanding the advanced mathematics units which you have the option to study in the standard degree anyway).

So my question is, if I started with fundamentals/normal stream and got decent marks, would I be able to move into the advanced stream in the second semester? And if I could, would this still satisfy the degree requirements? If not, would doing the fundamentals/regular courses during the semesters and the advanced courses at summer/winter school suffice? Or would I be forced into the higher streams straight off?

I would have asked this at Open Day, but unfortunately I was not able to make it.

 

[Some Vunt]

Which uni?

 

[Amleops]

UNSW

 

[Some Vunt]

UNSW

I dunno

But

If you do fundies and get a HD (or anything above credit) in first sem you'll probs be allowed to do reg next semester.
And if you get a D average over both of them you can do probs do adv in 2nd year.

BUT unless you study really hard good luck with that.

 

[Shadowdude]

I was looking into doing combined Advanced Science/Law next year, with the science degree majoring in physics. I haven't done any science for the HSC however, so I intend to do bridging courses, start at the fundamentals level and work my way up.

However, from what I have read it doesn't look like this is possible. For the compulsory maths subjects, seeing as the programme says you have the choice to do MATH1131 and MATH1231 if you wish, while the second year maths courses only offer the higher stream (MATH2111, MATH2130, MATH2620), I can deduce that transferring to higher streams of mathematics from the lower ones shouldn't be a problem. However, from the list of undergraduate physics units it looks like advanced stream courses are only offered in the first year. It seems to me like the only significant difference between a physics major in the standard science degree and a physics major in the advanced science degree is the first year physics units (notwithstanding the advanced mathematics units which you have the option to study in the standard degree anyway).

Okay, so I'm not really sure what you're asking. So you're saying that first year maths has lower and higher streams - so MATH1131/41 and MATH1231/41. Which is true.

And then you say that higher streams are only offered in second year - MATH2111, MATH2901, MATH2620. Well, that's wrong. There are lower levels as well. MATH2011 is Several Variable Calculus, MATH2801 is Theory of Statistics and MATH2520 is Complex Analysis. Also, you don't "transfer" into these courses. You just pick them - and you'll be allowed, subject to prerequisites and other requirements (and this includes good marks).

Now, I know of several people who were not allowed to enrol in MATH2111 because their first year marks were not above 70.


What I think you're getting at is that you want to take Fundamentals and then take the regular physics courses. You can do these: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/2013/PHYS1131.html , however you'll have to wait another year or whenever PHYS1131 for example, is offered again before you can do it. This will add semesters to your degree.


For best info now you'll have to look at the handbook here: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/2013/index.html .

Or: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2013/3997.html , or, http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2013/PHYSB13997.html

So my question is, if I started with fundamentals/normal stream and got decent marks, would I be able to move into the advanced stream in the second semester? And if I could, would this still satisfy the degree requirements? If not, would doing the fundamentals/regular courses during the semesters and the advanced courses at summer/winter school suffice? Or would I be forced into the higher streams straight off?

I would have asked this at Open Day, but unfortunately I was not able to make it.

Read the above. What I think they'll suggest you do is take fundamentals, wait a year until normal physics is offered and then do it then. The problem with that is that you'll have a year added onto your degree.

Also not everything is offered in summer school.

 

[Amleops]

Okay, so I'm not really sure what you're asking. So you're saying that first year maths has lower and higher streams - so MATH1131/41 and MATH1231/41. Which is true.


And then you say that higher streams are only offered in second year - MATH2111, MATH2901, MATH2620. Well, that's wrong. There are lower levels as well. MATH2011 is Several Variable Calculus, MATH2801 is Theory of Statistics and MATH2520 is Complex Analysis. Also, you don't "transfer" into these courses. You just pick them - and you'll be allowed, subject to prerequisites and other requirements (and this includes good marks).


Now, I know of several people who were not allowed to enrol in MATH2111 because their first year marks were not above 70.

No, what I meant was in the Physics major for the Advanced Science degree, the compulsory second year mathematics subjects have to be the higher stream (Source: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2013/PHYSB13997.html). And because the course also offers the choice between MATH1131/41 and MATH1231/41, the assumption is that one can do MATH1131 and MATH1231 in the first year and then move into the higher stream of mathematics in the second year without a problem. I was inquiring into whether the same applied to Physics, like if I got higher than a Distinction in Physics 1A would I be able to take Higher Physics 1B the next semester. Because I couldn't find any information on whether this was allowed.

What I think you're getting at is that you want to take Fundamentals and then take the regular physics courses. You can do these: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/2013/PHYS1131.html , however you'll have to wait another year or whenever PHYS1131 for example, is offered again before you can do it. This will add semesters to your degree.

For best info now you'll have to look at the handbook here: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/2013/index.html

Or: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2013/3997.html , or, http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2013/PHYSB13997.html

Yes I've read all of those handbook entries; there was nothing mentioned about changing streams, hence why I came here.

Also not everything is offered in summer school.

Surely a popular area of study like physics would be offered though? And PHYS1131/231 are compulsory first year foundation subjects, so wouldn't they be in high demand?

Read the above. What I think they'll suggest you do is take fundamentals, wait a year until normal physics is offered and then do it then. The problem with that is that you'll have a year added onto your degree.

Hmmmm OK. I'd prefer not to exceed 6 years of undergraduate study. There's nothing to say I can't go straight into the advanced stream if I want to, right?

 

[Shadowdude]

No, what I meant was in the Physics major for the Advanced Science degree, the compulsory second year mathematics subjects have to be the higher stream (Source: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2013/PHYSB13997.html). And because the course also offers the choice between MATH1131/41 and MATH1231/41, the assumption is that one can do MATH1131 and MATH1231 in the first year and then move into the higher stream of mathematics in the second year without a problem. I was inquiring into whether the same applied to Physics, like if I got higher than a Distinction in Physics 1A would I be able to take Higher Physics 1B the next semester. Because I couldn't find any information on whether this was allowed.

Oh okay, I see the problem now. There shouldn't be any problem, because it's part of your degree requirements. Now from a quick roam around, I can't find anything about that - however, from looking at the handbook: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2013/PHYSB13997.html , you're forced to take Higher Physics anyway.

Relevant links: http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/firstyear/courses/courses.html

Surely a popular area of study like physics would be offered though? And PHYS1131/231 are compulsory first year foundation subjects, so wouldn't they be in high demand?

Luckily for you:

"If you fail Higher Physics 1A or Higher Physics 1B?
Higher Physics 1A and Higher Physics 1B are also offered in Session 2 and Summer Session respectively. If you fail in Higher Physics IA (in Session 1) or Higher Physics IB (in Session 2) you may be permitted to enrol again (at the discretion of the First Year Unit) to re-take these courses.

You must make an application to the First Year Teaching Unit to obtain permission to enrol again if you fail any course."

Source: http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/firstyear/syllabi/phys1131.html

Hmmmm OK. I'd prefer not to exceed 6 years of undergraduate study. There's nothing to say I can't go straight into the advanced stream if I want to, right?

If you mean enrolling straight into higher physics, then no.

 

[plasticities]

I was inquiring into whether the same applied to Physics, like if I got higher than a Distinction in Physics 1A would I be able to take Higher Physics 1B the next semester. Because I couldn't find any information on whether this was allowed.

Don't know if it's really any help, but people who did essentials of chemistry A in first semester and received a credit or higher were allowed to enrol straight into higher chemistry B the next semester.

Actually, looking at the handbook, I think shadowdude is right. If you took fundamental physics, you'd have to do 1131 and then 1231. It lists 1131 as a prerequisite, meaning you can't go straight from fundamental 1A to higher 1B, unlike chemistry where either lower or higher is allowed is allowed as a prerequisite based on performance.

 

[Amleops]

Shadowdude - Ah OK, that works out very nicely then. Thanks for your help.

Plasticities - Yeah, I guess it's faculty specific.