Support for student learning

Student services

The Student Services Unit provides a range of professional services to support different aspects of student life and learning at UTS.

Orientation

UTS offers a free program of activities and a series of integrated 'study success' lectures before semester begins to help new students manage the transition to university study. There are specially tailored components for part-time, postgraduate and international students, and recent school leavers.

Peer network

The peer network program enlists the aid of existing students to assist with the orientation of new students. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can get involved.

Careers

The careers service at City campus offers career guidance and assists with job placement for students seeking permanent, casual or vacation work.

Chaplaincy

Visiting chaplains and multi-faith centre rooms are available to students. Chaplains come from a number of different faith traditions including different Christian denominations, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam.

Counselling

Counsellors are available at both City and Kuring-gai campuses. The service is free of charge and confidential.

City campus
telephone +61 2 9514 1177

Kuring-gai campus
telephone +61 2 9514 5342

Financial assistance

Financial assistance staff assist students with personal financial matters, student loans, Youth Allowance, Austudy and other Centrelink benefits.

Health

Experienced male and female doctors from diverse backgrounds and clinical interests are available at City campus.

Housing

University housing offers three residences to students, all within easy access to City campus. The housing service also provides assistance to students in locating short-term and long-term accommodation in the private rental and share accommodation market.

Special needs

The University has a range of services and procedures to improve access for students with special needs. The special needs service is the central point of contact for students with disabilities and ongoing illnesses or conditions that affect their studies.

Many UTS courses require students to successfully undertake fieldwork, internships and work-integrated learning. UTS is committed to making education accessible and endeavours to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities and illnesses to the greatest extent possible.

Students who have a disability that may affect their participation in fieldwork or the work-integrated learning components of their course should discuss this with special needs service staff prior to enrolment. Staff from the special needs service will provide advice and, if necessary, make a referral to the academic liaison officer within the student's faculty.

Peer-assisted learning

U:PASS (UTS: Peer Assisted Study Success) is a peer-based learning program designed to assist students undertaking difficult subjects. U:PASS is offered in selected subjects across several faculties. Students meet in small study groups facilitated by peer leaders who have recently completed the subject and achieved high grades. U:PASS sessions are free, informal and responsive to students' different abilities and needs.

Computing facilities at UTS

UTS provides computer laboratories for students at the City and Kuring-gai campuses. All computers are connected to the internet and most are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Details of locations, availability and services are available from the Information Technology Division at:

Access to lab computers requires a login and password. The IT support centre can assist with setting up a login, or see the Computing Facilities @ UTS brochure available from any of the labs or IT support centres.

The UTS Service Desk supports multiple help desks at UTS, including IT support and services. Submit an online request for IT support or search the knowledge base at:

IT Support Centre

IT support centre opening hours are available at:

UTS wireless network

UTS provides students with access to a wireless network environment. A free wireless account is available for each UTS student.

UTS Virtual Lab

Virtual Lab allows students to remotely access most of the academic software available in the labs, either from home or on campus, using the wireless network.

Computer training

In general, where computer training is a necessary part of a Commonwealth-supported place course, it is provided as part of that course. Students can also consult the Mathematics and ICT Study Centre.

IT policies and guidelines

The University's electronic mail services are a part of the University's facilities and are intended for teaching, learning, research and administration in support of the University's mission.

The UTS Email Policy outlines appropriate use of, and access to, UTS email accounts.

The Guidelines for the Use of Email complement the UTS Email Policy, and should be read in conjunction with this policy.

The Acceptable Use of Information Technology Facilities Policy applies to all UTS IT facilities, including email accounts.

Copyright at UTS

Downloading and/or copying copyright-protected material is illegal. Information about copyright laws is available at:

Bridging courses

Chemistry bridging course

For first-year chemistry subjects, it is strongly recommended that students have either HSC chemistry or some other suitable prior knowledge. UTS Bridging Chemistry is a bridging course designed to prepare students without such prior knowledge for the study of chemistry at tertiary level. The course includes lectures and demonstrations, tutorial and problem-solving sessions, self-paced learning and laboratory experiences.

Mathematics bridging subjects

The Mathematics and ICT Study Centre provides bridging subjects for students who need mathematics, statistics and basic computing skills for their studies at UTS. If groups of students have particular needs, centre staff can design a bridging subject specifically to meet these needs.

94580 Bridging Mathematics — this intensive subject is run over two weeks in February. There are day and evening classes in both Mathematics (2 unit) and Mathematics Extension 1. The classes help students develop prerequisite mathematical skills at HSC level and are aimed at non-current students, students who have studied mathematics overseas and students who have not studied a high enough level of mathematics at school for their study needs. The subject is recommended for students entering courses in the areas of business; design, architecture and building; engineering; information technology; and science. This subject is free of student contribution amounts and carries no equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) value.

94590 Mathematics Preparation for Nursing — this subject is run during the day and evening in February. It gives a general introduction to mathematics and science for students entering nursing courses. This subject is free of student contribution amounts and carries no EFTSL value.

35010 Foundation Mathematics — this subject runs in both Autumn and Spring semesters. It covers much of the content of the Mathematics (2 unit) HSC course and some elements of the Mathematics Extension 1 HSC course and prepares students for entry into courses that require mathematical skills, such as business; design, architecture and building; engineering; information technology; and science. Students who wish to enrol at the University in the following year are encouraged to take the subject as a non-award subject. In many cases, the subject can then be credited as an elective in their degree program.

Physics bridging course

This course is a short introduction to studying physics, designed primarily for students enrolling in engineering or physical sciences (applied chemistry, applied physics, forensic science, nanotechnology) degrees at UTS who have limited background in physics. The course does not attempt to cover HSC physics, but it provides useful advice and background knowledge to assist with tertiary study at UTS.

This course benefits students who are:

• recent school leavers who did not complete HSC physics
• mature-age students returning to study after an extended period
• not strong at mathematics (band 4 or below in HSC mathematics).

Students who have done HSC physics and have reasonable mathematical ability are advised not to do the bridging course as they will have sufficient background for first-year physics subjects.

This course is not suitable for students intending to take an entry examination where physics forms part of the examination, for example the GAMSAT examination.

Academic liaison officers

Each faculty has at least one academic liaison officer (ALO) who is a member of academic staff. ALOs can approve requests for adjustments to assessment arrangements for students with disabilities or ongoing illnesses. Students need to see the special needs service before contacting an ALO.

ALOs are also contacts for students who experience difficulties because of carer responsibilities, as well as students who were eligible for entry through the inpUTS and special admission schemes.

Further information is available from the relevant faculty or at: