Faculty of Science Academic Advisor Appointments 2014 Information Sheet and Degree Planner

The Faculty assists undergraduate students enrolled in single and combined degrees administered by the Faculty through the provision of administrative and academic advice. Administrative advice is handled through enquiries at the Faculty of Science counter (10am-4pm Monday-Thursday, 10am1pm Friday). If you need academic assistance with degree planning or progress, you are most welcome to submit a degree plan and make a booking with one of the academic advisors the Sub Deans or Associate Deans. Postgraduate Research and Honours students should consult their supervisor and PG/Hons degree co-coordinator. Postgraduate Coursework students should consult their degree coordinator. Academic Advisors are senior academics who teach and research in Schools in the Faculty of Science. They dedicate some time each month to advising students on degree matters. An appointment generally runs for 15-20 minutes. To book an appointment, you must submit a degree plan at the time of booking, as well as providing the reason for the booking. Bookings are made by emailing the Undergraduate Assistant: science.ugassistant@sydney.edu.au There are many other commonly asked student requests that do not require appointments and these requests should be made in writing, clearly explaining the issue and attaching supporting documentation as appropriate. For example, where students are seeking a variation of degree resolutions (such as undertaking in excess of 144 credit points), requests must be made in writing clearly stating what variation of degree resolutions is required and the compelling reasons for the variation request. To write to the Associate Deans, send a letter to Associate Deans, Faculty of Science, Carslaw Building, F07, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 or email science.information@sydney.edu.au (make sure you include your name and SID). Academic Advisor appointments are for matters that cannot be easily resolved. If your matter or concern can be resolved in another way, or requires a documented decision, you may be directed to another method or form for resolution of your concern. Here are some typical concerns of students and the practical steps towards resolving them. These matters are appropriate for Academic Advisor appointments: Concern Action Degree Planning advice Prepare a degree plan and book an appointment Talented students fast tracking to Book an Associate Dean appointment at time of booking appointment, you must present a degree plan completion Elite athlete/performers needing help to that shows how you intend to complete your degree, as structure degree to accommodate training well as providing one of the reasons one the left. commitments and academic resolutions Progression requirements not met within Degree planning appointments are particularly degree resolutions, but transfer out of recommended for Talented Student Program students degree not required seeking to fast-track degrees and those students Proposed exchange units or coming back returning to the University after a period of exclusion. from exchange After an appeal outcome Students registered with Disability Services are always Recommencement after welcome to book degree planning advice appointments. suspension/exclusion Following an outcome in a case of academic dishonesty Disaster with enrolment Ive chosen to complete more junior units than my resolutions allow Science requirements within a combined degree program (eg BSc/BA) Some units for my degree are no longer offered

These matters do not require an Academic Advisor appointment Concern or Frequently asked question Action you can take Structuring of a major Information is available in the Faculty of Science Handbook, Table 1, which sets out the requirements for each major offered by the Faculty of Science What do I need to do to complete my The Faculty Handbook contains the degree resolutions degree? that you must meet to satisfy degree requirements. This is the first place to look to check your progress. You can find your current and completed units of study at the Student Self Administration portal in MyUni. You can use this information and the degree resolutions to plan the remainder of your degree. The Faculty undertakes potential graduand completion checks for students after the census date for students likely to complete in that semester. Potential graduands together with those who are not yet meeting degree requirements but appear to be within 24 credit points of completion receive a letter from the University. You must write to the Associate Dean setting out clearly your request and compelling reasons for the variation of degree resolutions. You should note that variations of degree resolutions are rare and at the discretion of the Dean. Complete an appeal against academic decision form:http://sydney.edu.au/science/cstudent/ug/forms.shtml#a ppeals The Faculty is obliged to make decisions in accordance with various University policies. If you are appealing against an academic decision, you must set out clearly in writing your reasons for believing the academic decision has NOT been made in accordance with the relevant policy. Contact the SRC or SUPRA or the ISSU (for international students) for assistance See your relevant year advisor / unit coordinator in the particular School The Faculty does not assess credit for potential students. We are very happy to assess credit for students once enrolled with us. Information on credit can be found at: http://sydney.edu.au/science/cstudent/ug/forms.shtm l#credit The DNF application form tells you what criteria and documentation are required: http://sydney.edu.au/science/cstudent/ug/form s/application_form_dnf.pdf Consult the Careers Office or the relevant year advisor / unit coordinator in your School You need to identify the institution and complete and submit a cross-institutional study request form: http://sydney.edu.au/science/cstudent/ug/forms.s html#cross_inst_outbound

Seeking change of degree resolutions especially for me and my situation

I am dissatisfied with an academic decision including: An assessment task mark or result for a unit Special Consideration outcome Special Arrangements outcome Credit offered

Ive been required to Show Cause and I want to talk to someone about drafting my Show Cause letter Choosing between particular units in a particular academic area Credit Im transferring to the University of Sydney, Faculty of Science and I want to know what credit I can get

Am I eligible to seek a DNF (Discontinue Not Fail Grade) after the date advertised? I dont know if I am in the right degree. I want to know what career I can work in. Cross-institutional Study I want to know if I can do it

Jury duty Im a good citizen, but the trial I might be serving on is expected to run for a long time when I have assignments due I want to keep going with my undergrad Science degree but enrol in another degree Medicine/ PG study/ Honours at the same time I want to transfer degrees within the Faculty

Write to the Faculty with a copy of your call up papers if you are seeking a statement to support a claim that you will suffer detriment if you are unable to attend uni whilst serving on a jury. You must write in to the Faculty seeking permission and the reasons for seeking permission. Complete a form for transfers that are permitted within resolutions:http://sydney.edu.au/science/cstudent/ug/forms/applicat ion_form_internal_transfers.pdf Contact the ISSU first, then the International Adviser Contact the ISSU, then the International Adviser No you need to go directly to the School concerned and then go back to your home faculty to have credit processed onto your Sydney transcript. BLAS is the only degree administered by the Faculty of Science that has no maths requirement check the Faculty Handbook and consider a transfer to this degree. Privacy legislation forbids University staff sharing information about students even with those most concerned about their welfare. Talk to the student in the first instance. Look at the Handbook and UAC for cut-offs for an alternative course. Sydney Student (local)/International Office (international) can also assist students looking to commence in first year. Phone: 1300 362 006 Email: future.students@sydney.edu.au Set out your concern in writing to the Associate Dean. Unfortunately the Faculty cannot accept late applications for admission.

My visa is going to expire and I am experiencing study difficulties I am a sponsored international student and I am not meeting my degree requirements I am a new student in the Faculty of Arts or Engineering. I need Science credit - is the Faculty of Science the right place to ask? I need a degree that does not have a compulsory Maths requirement

I am a concerned parent/ partner/ third party who can I talk to about a students results? I didnt get into the undergraduate degree I wanted to get into, what can I do?

I am concerned about unsatisfactory service in the Faculty My application for admission to an undergraduate degree/ crossinstitutional/ non-degree study is really, really late but I still want it considered

Prepared by Faculty of Science 4 January 2011 Updated 28 October 2013

Appointment booking checklist

Completed degree planner attached, and Reason for appointment provided: Talented students fast tracking to completion Elite athlete/performers needing help to structure degree to accommodate training commitments and academic resolutions Progression requirements not met within degree resolutions, but transfer out of degree not required Proposed exchange units or coming back from exchange After an appeal outcome Recommencement after suspension/exclusion Following an outcome in a case of academic dishonesty Disaster with enrolment Ive chosen to complete more junior units than my resolutions allow Science requirements within a combined degree program (eg BSc/BA) Some units for my degree are no longer offered

FACULTY OF SCIENCE DEGREE PLANNER FOR STUDENTS BOOKING ACADEMIC ADVISER APPOINTMENTS

Current students in degrees administered by the Faculty of Science can book academic adviser appointments to discuss your unit of study choice to complete you degree. You must bring a completed degree plan to your appointment. You must complete your plan in conjunction with the degree resolutions in the Faculty of Science Handbook: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks You can find the units you have completed on MyUni. If you cannot access MyUni, the counter staff at the Faculty can also print an internal transcript for you at no charge. You may find it helpful to complete the planner using one colour for units you have completed, and another for those that you intend to do in the future. To arrange an appointment after you have completed your plan: Students in the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science (BLAS) degree: Contact either A/Prof Fiona White or Dr Ben Miller to arrange an appointment. Email Fiona.white@sydney.edu.au. Consultation hours: Tues 1pm-2pm, Wed 9am-10am Email Benjamin.miller@sydney.edu.au. Consultation hours: Tues 10am-11am, Thurs 10am-11am Students in all other undergraduate Science degrees: Email the Undergraduate Assistant at science.ugassistant@sydney.edu.au. In your email attach your completed degree plan and indicate what days and times you are available and what you would like to discuss. Name: SID: Degree name: Intended major(s): Year Semester 1 1 2 summer 1 2 winter 2 summer 1 3 winter 2 Unit of Study & credit points Unit of Study & credit points Unit of Study & credit points Unit of Study & credit points Total CP

The degree planner continues over the page for those enrolled in a combined degree or who are enrolled parttime or have failed units

summer 1 4 winter 2 summer 1 5 winter 2 summer 1 6 winter 2 Total Credit Points

Prepared 02/11/2012 Faculty of Science Office