Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

The Master of Project Management explores how efficient management can provide organizations with an improved ability to plan, implement and control their business activities. This master’s course provides comprehensive project management skills and capabilities on the full project lifecycle; from project initiation, planning, execution to project closing, and teaches strategies for dealing with a broad range of issues encountered within business organizations. The growth of new forms of technology in project management has prompted organizations to look for skilled project managers who can enhance the performance of their businesses.

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.

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, and how they influence behaviour. Psychological research seeks to identify those mechanisms that explain behaviour in various contexts. Psychologists use research findings to help us understand who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. By understanding these aspects of human behaviour, psychologists are able to promote wellbeing and understand psychological problems affecting people. Psychologists' clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.

This degree
The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a three-year undergraduate degree. You can make a choice to deepen your studies in psychology with the objective of becoming a registered psychologist or you can take complementary studies from UOW's wide variety of disciplines to develop other career pathways where knowledge of psychology is advantageous.

Students with an excellent academic record and an extended major in psychology can apply for entry to the additional one-year Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degree, a prerequisite to professional registration.

If you combine your studies with a second major, or minor options from Social Science, Arts, Commerce or Science, you can prepare for a wide variety of careers involving human resources, marketing, social research, work health and safety and many more.

What you will study
During this degree you will study the foundations of psychology and learn about research methods and statistics. You will also undertake study in the following areas:

• Personality
• Biological psychology and learning
• Cognitions and perception
• Development and social psychology, and
• Psychology of abnormality

If you are doing, or have done particularly well in your Bachelor of Communication and Media degree, you should consider an Honours year. Your Bachelor of Communication and Media degree will have introduced you to a wide range of topics and problems, and an Honours project will enable you to explore these ideas in much greater depth. Honours research topics are various and negotiable. If you are really interested in a topic and want to find answers, you'll be encouraged and supported.

From a potential employer's perspective, your ability to achieve a complex goal, meet deadlines, investigate independently, use resources effectively and write coherently are highly valued attributes.

The Honours year has a number of functions at UOW; as an in-depth project at the end of undergraduate study, and as a bridge between undergraduate study and advanced research.  It may also afford you the opportunity to explore future career options. Studying Honours teaches you: training in research skills and in information systems (archives, the Library, databases and electronic research networks);  opportunity to practise articulating complex ideas orally and in writing; experience in working closely with a supervisor on a project and in preparing a major project to meet a deadline; and experience in devising, researching and writing up an individual topic of study in an extended argument or thesis.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts prepares you to become part of the creative industries, one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. The Bachelor of Business provides core skills in many business functions, essential to the contemporary arts and creative industries, as well as specialist knowledge in a chosen field.

In Australia, over 600,000 people create a living from working in film, television and radio as well as pod and webcasting; writing and editing; recording and performing; advertising and marketing; visual arts, design and architecture; as well as in museums (art and science), galleries, theatres and arts organisations. An understanding of the creative arts in tandem with practical commercial, business and administrative skills is essential for a career in arts administration, publishing, musical entrepreneurship or management of performing arts centres, museums, theatres or galleries. It gives practising artists and designers a unique edge in managing their talents for professional purposes.

By expanding your specialisation, you are able to carve out a career of your choice and gain highly competitive skills in a global workplace. It also enables people pursuing careers in business to think and work creatively and apply their business skills in the creative industries.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Creative Arts involves the study of theory and practice-based work in the following major study areas: Creative Writing, Music, Visual Arts or Visual Arts and Design.

You will choose one major from the Bachelor of Business: Accountancy, Business Law, Economics, Finance, Financial Planning, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, Public Relations or Supply Chain Management.

Business information specialists are trained to analyse business problems and find possible IT solutions for these problems. This ranges from running an efficiency audit on a company's information systems through to analysing the effectiveness of a file management system and designing business software applications.

Business information specialists are also involved in the analysis, design, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of computer-based information systems critical to the successful operation of modern organisations. These specialists require a sound understanding of the business requirements to develop information systems and solutions to meet identified business needs and must deal with users at all levels within an organisation.

This course is specifically designed to prepare you for a career as a systems analyst or an information systems specialist. As well as having the capability of working in a business environment, graduates can work for the government or non-profit organisations.

This degree
The Bachelor of Business Information Systems provides foundation knowledge of organisational areas in IT, including:

• Database management and security
• Networks and Communications
• Human-computer interaction
• Principles of eBusiness
• IT project management
• Management Information Systems
• Project

You will also study key commerce subjects such as accounting and management. In your final year you will develop your own application as part of an annual student team project, developing solutions to real-world problems provided by our industry partners.

What you will study

• Business analysis systems and design
• Programming
• Data management
• Business systems infrastructure and security

You will also study key commerce subjects such as accounting and management. In your final year you will develop your own application as part of an annual student team project, developing solutions to real-world problems provided by our industry partners.

Environmental science is the study of the interaction between living and non-living elements of the environment, and how humans impact on these elements. Environmental scientists use a multi-disciplinary knowledge base to assess, research, and manage a wide range of environmental issues.

The Bachelor of Science major in Environment is a multi-disciplinary degree that draws together concepts from geosciences, biological sciences, chemistry, and physics. This degree develops wide-ranging capabilities involving fieldwork, mapping, computing and laboratory skills. The superb local marine and coastal habitats, amidst fresh-water and terrestrial ecosystems means Wollongong is ideally located for unique field experiences to enhance studies of the environment.

This course is ideal if you would like to complete a science-based environmental degree with career paths in environmental assessment, monitoring and management, or to consider trending jobs related to environmental sustainability, renewable energy, transitions from rural to urban landscapes, and urban greenspaces.

Studying Sociology at UOW will prepare and enable you to understand, question and analyse human life and society, social processes, cultural and social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behaviour. You will develop an understanding of our diverse and rapidly changing world and identify the roots of and solutions to social problems. In an increasingly dynamic world, where divisions and inequalities are becoming more prevalent, this discipline provides invaluable analytical, research and intellectual skills and an in-depth understanding of our diverse societies and cultures.

The Sociology program at UOW organises specific study areas thematically, allowing you to find your own path through the curriculum, and consolidate in areas of interest over the course of the degree.

What you will study
Specific areas of study include: power and stratification; employment, work futures, and social policy; globalisation, migration, and urban/family life; sexualities, genders and intersectionality; social movements, subcultures and networks; and bodies, biotechnology, emotions and affect.

Geographers help shape the future by understanding, explaining and predicting both human and physical environments. You will study the human and physical forces that shape the planet and the political, social and environmental issues that arise as a consequence of human interactions with the Earth. Never before have geography skills been so important: faced with anthropogenic climate change and predictions of rising seas, bushfires and flooding, geographers will help understand and plan for a sustainable, socially just and resilient future.

Equally, in an era of massive data of both physical and human processes, geographers have never been better positioned to support decision making and planning at all levels of government and business.

Your degree
The Geography program at UOW includes the opportunity to undertake practical laboratory and fieldwork, taking advantage of the local Illawarra environment including urban and heritage landscapes, coastal landscapes, rainforest escarpment and freshwater ecosystems.

You will develop the knowledge and skills to apply the latest technologies in spatial analysis and satellite imagery within the context of these environments. These skills are in demand across a broad range of sectors including government bodies, industry, and consultancies.

What you will study
You will learn skills in logical and critical thinking, creative problem-solving, practical research, organisation and project management, numeracy, statistical literacy, computer applications (including geographic information systems), and strong communication. You will apply these skills to problems in physical and human geography, studying the natural environment, its processes, and the interaction of these with human society and the way it shapes and is shaped by the natural world.

Your studies will include climate change, biogeography, coastal and fluvial environments, populations, urban and regional societies, spatial geography and environmental management.

On completion, high performing students considering further study or a career in research should consider the Bachelor of Science (Honours) program. This one year degree offers students a pathway to expanding their knowledge in geography and achieving their postgraduate research aspirations.

Big Data can solve problems in science, society and business including population growth, transport, security, medical technology, trade and commerce. All sectors will have a demand for creative people with a background in quantitative analysis who can look for strategic insights in massive data sets, using techniques in data mining, data visualisation, data analysis, data manipulation and data discovery.

Computer scientists focus on the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to computation and its applications. They design methods and tools and write programs for computer applications. These applications can be in areas such as computer systems to control machinery, information management and big data, applications for mobile devices, stock market trend analysis, game design, visualisation of chemical reactions, neural network design, computational geometry for robot navigation, patient monitoring in hospitals, and much more.

This degree
You will be able to choose your major in your second year after studying a common core of subjects that links our computer science, IT and information systems degrees. Find your strengths and interests as you study the fundamentals of computer science and IT: programming, problem solving, network and communications, web technology, data management, system analysis, human-computer interaction, and project management. You’ll also complete a final-year capstone team project.

You can choose to study a double degree with Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts or Business. These programs of study will provide you with a broad experience of technology using various industry products from companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, SAP and Cisco.

What you will study
You will study subjects in data mining, big data management, database performance tuning, distributed systems and cloud computing. Learn to evaluate both structured and messy big data sets using the '4 Vs': Volume, Velocity, Variety, and Veracity. Volume represents the sizes of datasets at a level of Terabytes and even Petabytes. Velocity represents fast-changing data streams that require continuous analysis. Variety represents many different formats of data. Veracity represents uncertain and unreliable data.