Handbook

UNSW Students may be granted Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) which may or may not reduce the amount of learning required to achieve a degree at UNSW. Generally, RPL is only granted based on the completion of tertiary-level studies, but in exceptional circumstances may also include non-formal or informal learning such as professional experience. RPL will not be granted based on partly completed tertiary courses. All applications for RPL at UNSW are subject to UNSW Recognition of Prior Learning (Coursework Programs) Policy and Procedures. Students seeking credit for courses completed at another university are required to submit documentary evidence (course outlines, academic transcripts) to support their application, and to nominate the course(s) for which they seek credit. In addition, the following conditions apply for all UNSW Science programs (including the Science component of dual award programs): Specified course credit, i.e. credit granted for an exact or near exact equivalence to a course at UNSW, will not be granted when more than 7 years has elapsed from the successful completion of the course (or other learning) and the student’s commencement in the Science program. Where this time period is shorter it will be stipulated in the individual rules for the relevant program. Unspecified course credit (e.g. General Education or free electives) will not be granted when more than 10 years has elapsed from the successful completion of the course (or other learning) and the student’s commencement in the Science program. Students may only receive credit of up to a maximum of 50% of the coursework component of their Science program, excluding Honours. For most undergraduate programs this will be 72 UOC. For dual award programs that include a Science component, it will be a maximum of 50% of the Science component of the dual degree, excluding Honours. Credit for the other program will be assessed by the Faculty that administers that program. Applications for RPL will only be assessed for students who have accepted a place to study in a UNSW Science program. Students must formally apply for RPL unless they become a UNSW student as part of a formal Articulation Agreement. Applications for RPL should be made as early as possible in the student’s program. Students who are readmitted into a Science program after a period of unapproved absence or deferment, or after exclusion, will not necessarily retain credit for all units completed at UNSW prior to the absence if the date of completion of the units of study is greater than the 7 and 10-year rules outlined in points 1 and 2 above. In these cases, the credit retained will be decided by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) in consultation (when necessary) with the Program and/or Course Authority.

Progression to Stages 3 & 4 is subject to academic performance. Students will be required to maintain a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65% for progression to Stage 3, and to Stage 4. Students who do not meet the requirement to enter Stage 4 will be transferred to program 3970 (Bachelor of Science) and will, on successful completion of the first three stages of program 3999, graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Science (program 3970). Students who transfer to program 3970 before successfully completing all requirements of stage 1 to 3 of program 3999 will be required to complete an approved major in 3970 as specified in the Handbook.

Students must complete a 48 UOC Honours sequence at Stage 4. Progression to stage 4 is subject to academic performance, and requires completion of a total of 144UOC and all the requirements of the first three years of the program, including level I, core and elective courses, and General Education requirements. Students are expected to have attained an overall WAM of 65 or higher to be eligible to continue to Honours. Students who are ineligible to progress to Honours will be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Science program (3970) and graduate with the Bachelor of Science award at pass level. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) program who wish to take out the Bachelor of Science award at pass level without proceeding to Honours, are required to transfer to the 3970 Bachelor of Science. Applications to transfer should be lodged with the Science Student Centre no later than the census date for the term in which the student expects to satisfy requirements. Students applying after that date may not be able to graduate in the next round of ceremonies.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

• Royal Australian Chemical Institute

Working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies involved in modern drug design, research-intensive institutes, government departments and private business and, with further training, areas such as education and patent law.