Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have to study Physics/Biology/Chemistry and Maths in the BSc?
2. Does the Faculty have prerequisites?
3. What level of Maths do I need to study at school in order to study Science?
4. Which Mathematics units of study should I do in my degree?
5. I'm interested in studying Medicine or Dentistry. What should I do?
6. I'm not going to get the marks to get into Psychology/Medical Science/Molecular Biology and Genetics/Molecular Biotechnology/Nutrition/Marine Science/Bioinformatics but I really want to study this degree. What should I do?
7. What scholarships are available?
8. Can I study "Medical Science" subjects in the BSc?
9. Can I get into the Talented Student Program?
10. Can I study Advanced subjects in the BSc?
11. What is the difference between studying the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and studying Advanced subjects in the BSc?
12. What's the difference between the Talented Student Program and Advanced Science?
13. What's the difference between studying Psychology in a BPsych and studying Psychology in the Science, Arts or Economics degrees?
14. Can I study forensic science at Sydney?
15. Can I combine the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) with any other degrees?
16. Can I go into teaching after a Science degree?
17. How do I apply to go to University?
18. What does University study cost?
19. Does the Faculty of Science run information days or events where I can find out more about studying Science at Sydney?
20. Does the Faculty of Science run any programs for school students?
21. I want to go overseas for a year. Can I defer?
22. What can I combine Science with?
23. What will be the UAI next year?
24. Is it possible to apply for credit for previous study undertaken at a tertiary institution or TAFE?
25. I have a specific question or would like to know more.
26. Is there a different UAC code for Advanced degrees?
27. What’s the difference between the Science/Arts degree and the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences?
28. If I have the UAI for the Bachelor of Science, does that mean I'm also eligible for the Bachelor of Science (Advanced)?

1. Do I have to study Physics/Biology/Chemistry and Maths in the BSc?

The only compulsory units of study in the BSc are 12 credit points of Maths. Students no longer have to study either Physics, Biology or Chemistry in their first year although some departments either require or recommend that students take Physics, Biology and/or Chemistry in First Year.

2. Does the Faculty have prerequisites?

The University does not have prerequisites, only assumed knowledge. This means students can get into units of study without studying the required subjects but should make up the knowledge before they start. Bridging courses are run between enrolment and semester commencement. Students receive more information on bridging courses during enrolment.

3. What level of Maths do I need to study at school in order to study Science?

All Bachelor of Science students must study 12 credit points of Maths. Different levels of Mathematics are offered which have differing levels of assumed knowledge. Generally, students who wish to continue to study Maths or Computer Science in second year should have studied 3-unit Maths at school. The Mathematics Learning Centre offers bridging courses in Mathematics.

4. Which Mathematics units of study should I do in my degree?

All Faculty of Science degrees require the completion of a certain number of Mathematics units of study.

To help you select the right Mathematics units for you, the School of Mathematics and Statistics have prepared an Undergraduate Guide.

5. I'm interested in studying Medicine or Dentistry. What should I do?

The University of Sydney runs a Graduate Medical Program and Graduate Dentistry Program. Students enter these programs from a variety of degrees from a number of different universities. Students are best advised to study a course in which they are interested. The Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology & Genetics) or Bachelor of Science (Advanced) are good choices for students interested in a career in medical or dental research. Enquiries should be directed to the Faculty of Medicine or Faculty of Dentistry for more information.

6. I'm not going to get the marks to get into Psychology/Medical Science/Molecular Biology and Genetics/Molecular Biotechnology/Nutrition/Marine Science/Bioinformatics but I really want to study this degree. What should I do?

Students should consider studying a year of the Bachelor of Science and then applying to transfer after a year. Many options available in the specialist degrees are also available to students in the BSc.

7. What scholarships are available?

There is an online list of scholarships. The only scholarships for which students need apply are the University of Sydney Undergraduate Scholarships (all degrees, previously known as the Alumni Scholarships) and the University of Sydney Distinguished Undergraduate Scholarships. Information about scholarships is sent to school careers advisers in July. Students do not need to apply for Faculty-specific scholarships - they are awarded on the basis of a student's UAI.

8. Can I study "Medical Science" subjects in the BSc?

Students can undertake units of study in Pharmacology, Cell Pathology, Anatomy and Histology or Physiology in the Bachelor of Science.

9. Can I get into the Talented Student Program?

Students are invited by the Dean to be part of the Talented Student Program (TSP). Usually this is restricted to students who came in the top 2% of the HSC, participated in an Olympiad or excelled in a particular HSC subject.

10. Can I study Advanced subjects in the BSc?

Advanced subjects are available to qualified students in both the Bachelor of Science and the specialist BSc programs. Schools and departments have different requirements for entry into Advanced programs. Students may also study Advanced subjects in most of the Faculty's other degrees.

11. What is the difference between studying the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and studying Advanced subjects in the BSc?

The same opportunities to study Advanced subjects are available to qualified students in the Science and the Advanced Science degrees. One small difference is that in the BSc (Advanced) students have to study a minimum number of units at the Advanced level. Another is that students of the BSc (Advanced) will have "Advanced " written on their testamur. Students interested in studying in just one Advanced area are best advised to enrol in the BSc.

12. What's the difference between the Talented Student Program and Advanced Science?

Advanced courses are for students with excellent results in the HSC. Usually this is limited to students who receive a UAI over 90 or excel in one particular Science subject. The Talented Student Program is for students who achieve a UAI greater than 99, or have participated in a Science or Mathematics Olympiad, or have excelled in a particular Science or Mathematics subject. The content of the Talented Student Program differs from department to department. Some departments allow students to study third year options in first year, others allow students to fast track their degree and others allow students to undertake research projects during their undergraduate study.

13. What's the difference between studying Psychology in a BPsych and studying Psychology in the science, arts or economics degrees?

Students in the Bachelor of Psychology have the opportunity to study more Psychology options than those in other degrees. Students who wish to become practising psychologists need to complete a 4-year Honours-level degree. Students choosing whether to study Psychology in the Science, Arts or Economics degrees should choose their degree according to their other interests but should be aware that Psychology at Sydney is studied from a scientific perspective.

14. Can I study forensic science at Sydney?

Whilst the University does not teach a course called "Forensic Science" students can enter this career through Science or Medical Science. There are web sites on forensic science and forensic medicine. Students should avoid narrowly focused degrees labelled "forensic science" as career options in this area are very limited. Those interested in forensic psychology should be advised to take the Bachelor of Psychology or the Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology.

15. Can I combine the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) with any other degrees?

Any degree which can be combined with the Bachelor of Science can be combined with the Advanced Science degree.

16. Can I go into teaching after a Science degree?

Students can study the Master of Teaching degree after they have completed their Science degree to become a science teacher. Students must take an appropriate combination of teaching subjects in their undergraduate degree. For more information about the MTeach, please check the Faculty of Education and Social Work website.

17. How do I apply to go to University?

Students apply through UAC (the Universities Admission Centre) in August/September of the year before they wish to commence studying. UAC is a central admission body for all NSW and ACT universities. Students are able to choose preferences for NSW or ACT universities on their UAC form.

18. What does University study cost?

Students are liable to pay:

HECS fees, which can be paid up front, or deferred to the taxation system and paid after the student's income exceeds about $22 000.

Student Activities Fees, which cover Union, Sports Union and Students' Representative Council fees.

19. Does the Faculty of Science run information days or events where I can find out more about studying science at Sydney?

The University holds Sydney Uni Live! on the last Saturday in August each year. This is an excellent opportunity to find out more about what the University offers. The University also holds an Information Day in early January.

20. Does the Faculty of Science run any programs for school students?

The Faculty of Science runs gifted and talented programs, after school science programs and olympiad training programs. Information on these is available at our "Science for School Students" page. Other programs are run for Science Alliance members.

21. I want to go overseas for a year. Can I defer?

Students coming straight from school can gain a one-year deferment. Information included with your UAC offer will explain how to apply for deferment.

Please note: Scholarships cannot be deferred.

22. What can I combine Science with?

Science can be combined with Arts, Engineering, Education, Commerce, Nursing and Law. In the Bachelor of Science degree, students can study a maximum of 48 credit points of units of non-Science study, eg. Arts, Economics.

23. What will be the UAI next year?

The Faculty does not pre-set its UAIs and so it is impossible to answer this question. Last year's UAIs give a good indication of next year's UAI cut offs.

24. Is it possible to apply for credit for previous study undertaken at a tertiary institution or TAFE?

Credit can be offered for previous study undertaken at a tertiary institution or TAFE in accordance with the resolutions for the degree in which you are enrolled in the Faculty of Science. The total amount of credit granted may not be greater than 96 credit points for most degrees and may not include more than 48 credit points from a degree which has been conferred. A limit of 48 Junior (First-year level) credit points applies to the Bachelor of Medical Science.

Further information on applications for credit for prior tertiary study.

Application forms for credit for prior tertiary study.

25. I have a specific question or would like to know more

For more information, please contact the Faculty of Science Office.

26. Is there a different UAC code for Advanced degrees?

The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Advanced) degrees have different UAC codes. There is only one UAC code for combined degree programs in which Science is offered such as Law, Commerce, Nursing, Arts, and Engineering. If you meet the Advanced UAI, you will have the opportunity to take up the Advanced degree.

27. What’s the difference between the Science/Arts degree and the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences?

The Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts is a five-year combined degree which requires students to complete both an Arts and a Science major. The Bachelor of Arts and Sciences is a flexible three-year degree, which incorporates study from the Arts, Sciences, Economics and Business, and Law. It is distinguished from the Bachelor of Liberal Studies in that it is not compulsory that students study a language, and it is a three-year degree as opposed to the four-year Liberal Studies degree.

28. If I have the UAI for the Bachelor of Science, does that mean I'm also eligible for the Bachelor of Science (Advanced)?

No. The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Advanced) have different UAC codes and different UAI requirements. For combined degree programs you must meet the UAI requirements of the Advanced degree to be able to study it.