Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

Public Relations (PR) is about managing information between organisations and stakeholders, individuals and the public, or a combination of these. The key is effective communication and the strategic way this information is planned and executed. Public Relations can create goodwill and a favourable public image that helps shape and maintain the reputation of an organisation, event or person.

This degree
You will undertake a foundation year that covers all core disciplines of business, giving you a solid understanding of issues facing organisations today. From your second year, you will begin your major in Public Relations. If you enjoy writing and communications then the PR major may be right for you with roles such as media relations executive, digital communication consultant, public relations manager, communications manager, events coordinator, social media manager or corporate communications specialist.

You will gain real experience, with real clients to develop the skills that are required in the PR workforce. During your degree you will execute a PR campaign with your peers for a not-for-profit organisation; past organisations include St John Ambulance NSW and In2Uni.

You will also undertake a final-year capstone subject that lets you apply everything you have learned in collaboration with students from other disciplines. Plus, you have the option of applying for an internship to gain valuable experience whilst receiving credit towards your degree.

What you will study
The degree covers a variety of subjects, including business communication, PR concepts, PR writing, advertising and creative strategies, digital marketing, corporate identity and branding, marketing communications, and creative PR campaigns. You will learn how to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders using a range of media. You will also learn how to evaluate the cultural and organisational contexts, key trends and ethical issues influencing contemporary PR, and be able to critically evaluate the role of PR in society and organisations. Working with some of Australia's largest public relations companies, you will be able to see firsthand where your career could take you.

Join one of humanity’s greatest collective endeavours when you study a degree in STEM at UOW. You will work with interdisciplinary teams to explore creative solutions for our world's biggest issues, and will learn about the physical interconnections and principles that underpin and advance societies globally.

The Nuclear and Space Radiation Technology major will teach you the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in the either the nuclear radiation or space radiation employment sectors emerging in Australia. Fundamental physics, leading to applications in science, engineering and technology industries. A focus is given to radiation effects on humans and electronics in space or on Earth. Employment areas include health physicists, radiation protection officer and radiation safety expert, nuclear experts, single event effect scientist/engineer. With the expansion in Australian Space industries, rare-Earth element and mineral mining and radioactive storage facilities, there is a need for graduates with specific knowledge and expertise across a range of fields related to nuclear science and Space radiation technologies.

This course builds on the expertise of the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics in dosimetry and radiation safety as well as nuclear technology and radiation waste monitoring and storage. You will benefit from our close industry ties with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), with many subjects including on-site visits and guest lecturers, as well as optional research internships allowing you significant industry exposure and networking opportunities.

Your subjects include major practical components to complement and reinforce what you learn in lectures, and ensure you gain hands-on skills that prepare for real-world activities in your future careers. You will learn from academics that are internationally recognised in many fields of physics research including space and medical radiation physics, space and nuclear radiation effects, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, nuclear detection and remote sensing.

Science Education at UOW involves learning science and how to teach it effectively. As a science teacher you will teach the structure and behaviour of both the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. UOW educated science teachers have practical teaching skills and a high-level knowledge of science.

Science Education at UOW qualifies you to be a high school science teacher. You will complete extensive professional experience throughout your degree, which allows you to learn by observation and apply your skills in the classroom. You may also have opportunities for rural and international professional experiences, and to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs.

UOW offers up to five Science Secondary Education Scholarships to students starting this degree with an ATAR above 80 and Band 5 in at least one science subject.

What you will study
During this four-year degree you will study a combination of science and education subjects allowing you to practically apply both disciplines throughout your degree.

Science subjects including biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, and physics are complemented with education subjects about teaching and learning strategies including learning and development, pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching), professional teaching skills, curriculum studies and meeting learners' needs.

Teaching is an academically rigorous profession and teachers play a critical role in our communities. Strengthening requirements for studying teaching degrees is an initiative of the NSW Government to ensure that initial teacher education programs prepare high quality graduate teachers who can respond to the needs of all learners to make a positive impact on student learning. At UOW we are committed to ensuring our graduates are of the highest standard by setting appropriate entry criteria and maintaining a strongly developmental program that supports teacher education students from diverse backgrounds with diverse experiences, abilities and perspectives to become the teachers of the future.

The Bachelor of Communication and Media degree offers students a strong foundation in global communication and media industries. This degree has a focus on preparing students for global careers in digital and social media, visual communication design, journalism, screen media production, marketing, communication and advertising. Students will encounter key ideas in the study and practice of media and communications, and gain flexible and transferable skills that will prepare them for informed engagement with the changing world of global media culture.

International Studies is the analysis, appreciation and study of the diversity of the global community. It examines the relationships of politics, society, culture, language, and history in a range of countries and globally. International Studies teaches you how to analyse national and global issues. You will learn about the forces shaping the modern world and the theories that underpin our understanding of the most important global issues. You will also gain language skills and we strongly encourage students to undertake study abroad to further expand their skills.

The two degrees are complementary with their focus on internationalisation and globalisation from different perspectives. It suits those seeking future careers in media, or related fields, in an international context and will prepare you for the world of digital communications and social media.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Communication and Media offers five majors - Digital and Social Media, Visual Communication Design, Journalism, Screen Media Production and Marketing, Communication and Advertising. You will need to select one major to specialise in throughout the duration of your degree.

You can also choose one major from the Bachelor of International Studies - International Relations, or Global Sustainable Development.  As part of the degree, you will also study a language minor, choosing from Mandarin, French, Italian, Japanese or Spanish.

Economics encompasses the distribution of resources between people and organisations. Economists are interested in the behaviour of consumers and business firms, the labour market, health care, the environment, technology and innovation, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international trade and finance, and the global economy.

This degree
You will undertake a foundation year that covers all core disciplines of business, giving you a solid understanding of issues facing organisations today. From your second year, you will begin your major in Economics. Graduates with an Economics major will understand the operation of national and international economies at macro and micro levels. Careers in Economics include economist, business forecaster, investment analyst, real estate analyst, strategist, and statistician.

You will also undertake a final-year capstone subject that lets you apply everything you have learned in collaboration with students from other disciplines. Plus, you have the option of applying for an internship to gain valuable experience whilst receiving credit towards your degree.

What you will study
You will study both macroeconomic and microeconomic theory with an emphasis on policy and its effect on working economies. You will look at what determines supply and demand for various goods and services, how prices are determined, consumption and investment patterns, international influences on the economy, and the role of government within the economy, money and interest rates.

Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineers design computer hardware and systems for all aspects of daily life and in any industry where computer and autonomous systems are prevalent – driverless cars, autonomous aerial vehicles, Artificial Intelligence Systems, computer hardware design, medical equipment, automotive and transport sector, smart buildings, automated public infrastructure, manufacturing, automated production line processes and service delivery and design of personal electronic devices and Internet of Things.

They work across a wide range of sectors including robotics and manufacturing, surveillance, medical, transport, construction, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, resources – any industry which requires personnel with expertise in the design and applications of computer systems and hardware, especially the interfacing of computers with other machinery.

This Degree
You will study a common first year allowing you to learn more about engineering and its different fields before deciding which discipline to study. The common first year provides you with sound fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, computing, engineering science and communication, mechanics, materials and fluids. You then focus on your chosen major study from second year.

Your degree includes a 12-week hands-on industry placement. You may gain credit for relevant work experience, either in Australia or overseas, by participating in our Professional Options Program.

Engineers work in a variety of industries, contributing within teams for complex projects and taking a lead role in design work, troubleshooting, testing, analysis and verification of component and system performance, project management, and system commissioning.

What you will study
In the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering you will study electrical engineering, software design and hardware-software integration, from the development of super computers to circuit design. You will acquire specialist expertise in the fields of computer architecture and software design to combine hardware and software solutions to solve practical problems.

After completing two years of physics, maths, computer programming, circuit theory and general engineering-based subjects, the later years of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering focus on the development of high level computer engineering capabilities including:

• Hardware Design
• Software Design
• Signal Processing
• Multimedia Control Systems and Robotics
• Autunomous Systems

From second year you also have the option to complete a double major, combining Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering with Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Machine learning is an essential approach to analysing and extracting useful information from a wide range of big data; it provides the fundamental tools for big data analytics. There are numerous applications requiring professionals with advanced skills in machine learning and big data. These applications include image recognition, computer vision, speech recognition and natural language processing, intelligent robotics, smart cars, automation, online search and recommendations, financial trading and risk management, healthcare, and personal and public security.

The Master of Computer Science (Machine Learning and Big Data) focuses on preparing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals with a Bachelor degree in Computer Science or Information Technology for the challenges of rapidly advancing ICT technologies. This degree will be a valuable asset if you are seeking to further your career in managerial roles related to information technology. It can also prepare ICT professionals for entry into research degrees: Master of Philosophy and PhD.

This degree

The Master of Computer Science gives graduates the ability to solve complex real-world problems by integrating computer science methods with effective management strategies, and by developing and deploying computer applications.

What you will study

You will study subjects in Machine Learning Algorithms and Applications, Big Data Analytics and Computer Vision Algorithms and Systems. You will acquire the ability to solve complex real world problems and meet the demands of society for big data scientists and specialists in a wide range of fields. You will be able to put theory into practice with an individual capstone project.

The Honours program is an alternative option for students going into the second session of third year from either the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education pass degree or the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Dean's Scholar) degree.

Students have the opportunity to be involved in a research project of their own choice or interest or work with a Health and Physical Education academic as part of their research. All students will receive supervision throughout their research project and will be required to complete a thesis detailing their research project, their methods and their findings. Participation in the Honours program can lead to further research opportunities as a postgraduate student.

Honours students are encouraged to:

• Make a contribution to theory, research and pedagogy of education
• Conduct independent research in the form of a thesis as well as other forums such as conference presentations and journal articles
• Seek out opportunities and apply knowledge in educational research that will contribute beneficially to educational research and practice
• Participate in the research culture within the School of Education

What you will study
You will study health and physical education subjects including movement skills, games and sports, rhythmic movements, mental health and sexuality, relationships, drugs and personal safety, curriculum and pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching), anatomy and physiology, biomechanics and educational foundations.

You will also study broader complementary subjects including Aboriginal Education, Information and Communication Technology, Learners with Exceptional Needs, Educational Research, Communication, and Risk and Behaviour management.

The Honours year requires students to learn to conduct educational research in ways that are intellectually honest, with professional integrity and knowledge and enactment of appropriate ethical standards; and become aware of changing conditions and situations in research settings.

Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their environment, and conservation biology applies an understanding of these interactions for managing and protecting species and ecosystems. Ecologists and conservation biologists are broadly-trained, using the latest scientific knowledge, tools and techniques in both laboratory and outdoor settings to develop solutions across the areas of biodiversity, conservation, ecology, evolution, genetics, marine biology, medical research, and molecular biology. Evolution underpins biological science and can be used to predict phenomena, such as understanding the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms, and the ways in which different species might respond to global warming. Ecologists and conservation biologists work across all scales of biology, from molecules within organisms to populations of organisms and the ecosystems they form.

The Bachelor of Science is a flexible three year degree which allows you to choose from a variety of majors. In addition to these majors, opportunities exist for you to select additional minors to explore other areas of study.

What you will study
The Bachelor of Science major in Ecology and Conservation Biology incorporates field and laboratory studies at all levels, providing extensive opportunities for hands-on learning both within UOW’s modern laboratories, and in the superb marine, freshwater, terrestrial and urban environments of the South Coast and inland regions. The specialist conservation biology training, combined with a broad background in biology, ecology and evolution will give you the knowledge and skills sought in a wide range of government and industry organisations that conduct or facilitate research or use research as a basis for advising on policy, both in Australia and internationally.

The Bachelor of Science Advanced Honours (Physics) degree is for high-achieving students interested in a challenging program leading to a career in scientific research. The UOW Honours website provides lots of useful information regarding research opportunities, scholarships, and application procedures.

This degree
The Bachelor of Science Advanced Honours (Physics) degree provides you with the first real opportunity to undertake research on a topic of your interest. In the final Honours year, you will undertake a substantial piece of supervised research in your major discipline, together with other required seminars and/or coursework. The Honours year is particularly important as it represents a gateway to future research opportunities, both in the form of higher research degrees and as a career in research, or to other vocations that require advanced analytical and research skills.

What you will study
The Bachelor of Science Advanced Honours (Physics) offers a greater degree of flexibility in program design providing an opportunity to undertake individual research subjects at 2nd, 3rd and 4th-year levels. You are also able to participate in various enrichment activities and develop a close association with an appropriate member of one of the Faculty’s research teams.