Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

UTS course code: C10161
UAC code: 609250
Testamur title: Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
Abbreviation: BSc BA
Course Director: Associate Professor Rod Buckney
Course fee: HECS (local); $8,250 per semester (international)
Total credit points: 240

Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

UTS course code: C10167
UAC code: 609255
Testamur title: Bachelor of Medical Science
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
Abbreviation: BMedSc BA
Course Director: Associate Professor Rod Buckney
Course fee: HECS (local); $8,250 per semester (international)
Total credit points: 240

Bachelor of Biotechnology, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

UTS course code: C10168
UAC code: 609257
Testamur title: Bachelor of Biotechnology
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
Abbreviation: BBiotech BA
Course Director: Associate Professor Rod Buckney
Course fee: HECS (local); $8,250 per semester (international)
Total credit points: 240

Overview
Admission requirements
Advanced standing
Attendance
Course duration
Course structure
Course program
Assessment
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

The Faculty of Science, in collaboration with the Institute for International Studies, offers a combined degree program in Science and International Studies which is aimed at increasing students' awareness of international contexts and producing graduates who are well prepared for professional careers in science in an international setting.

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies requires undergraduates to study a major – a region or country specialisation – over a minimum of three years. Students study Language and Culture in Sydney for at least two years, followed by a period of study overseas.

Admission requirements

Australian students are required to apply for admission through the NSW University Admissions Centre (UAC). For school leavers, admission is based on UAI scores. We recommend that HSC studies include the following subjects: HSC English Advanced, Mathematics, and at least one science subject. Non-current school leavers should apply through UAC in addition to submitting a Personal Statement to UTS. Applications are taken from September to December each year.

International students should contact the UTS International Office for application procedures. In addition to academic requirements, students are required to meet English language proficiency requirements. Further details are available from the International Office.

There is provision for students already enrolled in a Bachelor of Science to transfer to the combined degree program. Applications for transfer are decided on the basis of academic merit and the preparedness of the student for undertaking International Studies.

Students admitted to the first year of the course may select any of the Science programs listed above provided that their entry rank is equal to or better than the cut-off for the chosen program.

Advanced standing

UTS recognises prior tertiary level learning, including that from other universities and TAFE (Associate Diploma and Diploma only). Once a student's application to study has been accepted, he or she may apply to receive recognition of successful prior learning in Science, and may therefore be able to complete the course in less than the standard time. Applications for credits and exemptions should be made to the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Science.

Attendance

Full-time attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week at the University. This enables a full stage of the course to be completed in one semester. Part-time attendance involves approximately 12 hours each week at the University. This form of attendance allows students to complete a full stage in one year. It is expected that employers will release part-time students for at least one half-day per week for attendance at classes.

Course duration

Each of these courses is offered over:

• five years, full time
• six years, full time with successful completion of the Diploma in Scientific Practice¹, or
• six years, full time with Honours.

Footnotes:
1. The Diploma in Scientific Practice is not available to international students.

Course structure

Students are required to complete 144 credit points of science subjects focused on a major area of study, or of medical science or biotechnology subjects.

This combined degree in Science is offered in conjunction with the following science majors:

• Applied Chemistry
• Applied Physics
• Biomedical Science
• Environmental Biology
• Mathematics
• Nanotechnology.

New major study areas:

• Earth Science
• Environmental Horticulture.

International Studies component

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies requires undergraduates to study a major – a region or country – over a minimum of three years. In Sydney, students study Language and Culture for at least two years, followed by a period of study overseas.

In the International Studies program, students study one of the following countries or majors: Canada (Québec), Chile, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latino USA, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand. There are two other majors available that permit students to pursue programs of study about and in countries where other arrangements have not already been made. The Heritage major permits students with significant prior knowledge of a particular language and culture to continue their study in countries such as Croatia, Greece, Hong Kong, Korea, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and others. The Independent Study major is available where a language is taught in Sydney and a program of In-country Study can be arranged.

Australia and the Asia–Pacific is only available as a major to international students. International students may access one of the other majors offered provided that the country they choose as their major is able to grant them a visa to study there. This needs to be determined prior to commencing subjects within the major. If a visa cannot be granted, then it is not possible to undertake the chosen major.

Students are admitted to the International Studies program with no guarantee of entry to a specific major, although every effort is made to meet students' preferences. The Institute reserves the right to allocate places in majors according to its resources and arrangements with overseas universities.

Each major includes 32 credit points (four 8-credit-point subjects) of instruction in Language and Culture; 8 credit points of study of Comparative Social Change; 8 credit points of study of Contemporary Society; and 48 credit points (two semesters) of study at a university or institution of higher education in the country of the major.

There are no prior language requirements for the International Studies component of this combined degree, except for programs within the Heritage major.

Arrangements for In-country Study

Students are required to complete all appropriate subjects in their combined degree, including four consecutive semesters of study of Language and Culture before proceeding to In-country Study.

The Institute for International Studies makes arrangements for students to spend two semesters of In-country Study at an institution of higher education in the country of their major. The costs of tuition at overseas universities and of travel between Sydney and the student's place of study are paid by UTS, except in cases where a scholarship has been awarded to a student with provision for these costs. Visa fees are also paid by UTS, and students are covered by the UTS Overseas Insurance Policy. Students undertaking the Heritage or Independent Study major may be required to bear some of the tuition costs at the overseas university. During their In-country Study, students continue to be enrolled at UTS and to pay HECS for their study.

Students must pay the costs of accommodation and other living expenses during their period of In-country Study. Students should be aware that the living costs vary from country to country and that in some countries living costs are high.

The In-country Study is the key component of the International Studies program. It provides a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the language and culture of another country through a learning program at a host university, through involvement in the life of the local community and through project work which is supervised by the Institute. Each student's individual study program depends on their level of language competence and the subjects and other learning experiences that are available at the host university. All students who undertake Incountry Study must agree to the Institute's Conditions of Participation for In-country Study. Any study undertaken at the host university during the two semesters of In-country Study is part of the In-country Study experience. Students may not credit any subjects completed at their host university during the period of In-country Study towards the professional component of their combined degree.

Course program

The following general pattern is be followed for each Pass combined degree in Science and International Studies. A different pattern, extending over six years, would apply to a combined degree involving the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Chemistry – Forensic Science, details of which will be worked out in consultation with the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in Science.

Spring semester
Stage 2 FT Science program 24cp

Spring semester
Stage 3/4 PT Science program 12–15cp
972xxx Language and Culture 2 8cp

Spring semester
Stage 3/4 PT Science program 9–12cp
974xxx Language and Culture 4 8cp
976xxx Contemporary Society 8cp

Spring semester
978xxx In-country Study 2 24cp

Spring semester
Stage 6 FT Science program 24cp

Assessment

Depending on the subjects chosen, students can expect to undergo a variety of assessment types before completion of this course including formal and informal examinations, assignments and essays, practical reports and write-ups, and seminar presentations. Assessment tasks may be based on individual or group work.

Professional recognition

Depending on science disciplines chosen, students may be eligible for entry to the relevant professional associations.

Other information

All academic inquiries relating to the science component of these degrees should be made to:

Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)
Associate Professor Rod Buckney
telephone (02) 9514 4044
fax (02) 9514 4095
email Rod.Buckney@uts.edu.au

Any inquiries relating to the International Studies component of this course should be directed to the Institute for International Studies, telephone (02) 9514 1574.

Combined degree students are required to confirm, during the University enrolment period, the subjects they intend to take for the year with the Institute at 10 Quay Street, Haymarket, Sydney.