Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Social Science (Dual degree)

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

Environment and Heritage Management investigates issues of global significance, especially the human impact on the Earth, the management of valuable landscapes, and the planning of cities and regions.

This degree
The Bachelor of Science (Environment and Heritage Management) program at UOW includes the opportunity to undertake practicals and fieldwork, taking advantage of the local Illawarra environment including urban and heritage landscapes, coastal landscapes, rainforest escarpment and freshwater ecosystems.

What you will study
As a Science student, 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. This specialist program combines Physical and Human Geography with relevant subjects to provide the skills and knowledge required for employment or research on both cultural and natural heritage issues.

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.

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) provides an alternative final year of study for high achieving students who have demonstrated excellence in the first three years of the Bachelor of Social Work (347) degree.

In addition to the employment opportunities that are available to Bachelor of Social Work graduates, honours graduates will be able to seek professional employment related to research and program evaluation within the field of social work. Graduates will also have the opportunity to pursue their research interests through postgraduate research.

What you will study
The honours year provides a balance of skills, concepts and theory, as well as hands-on experience in professional practice. You will develop your skills in research design and methodology, allowing you to undertake a research project in connection with your final-year professional placement.

This degree
The UOW Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) offers fresh and innovative content, taught by experts in the Social Work field. The intensive professional experience in this degree will allow you to practise your skills with real people, in real- world situations giving you first-hand Social Work experience. This experience ensures you are job-ready when graduating, making you highly attractive to employers. Graduates may also choose to pursue their research interests through postgraduate research.

Mathematics is the basis for successful decision-making and problem-solving independent of sector or industry. Mathematical and statistical models help us analyse information and forecast results in economics, finance, medicine and industrial processes. This analysis helps governments and businesses understand the factors behind important decisions.

This degree
The Bachelor of Mathematics will teach you highly transferable skills in problem-solving, data analysis, probability and variability, mathematical modelling, logistics and logic. The degree is flexible, and allows you to take subjects from other study areas to expand your career options; you can also choose to study a major in Applied Statistics, Applied Mathematics or Pure Mathematics.

Other opportunities include scholarships from corporate partners, summer scholarships and undergraduate research projects with academic staff, access to programs offered by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and inter-university courses via our Access Grid Room.

What you will study
During this degree you will study subjects in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics; giving you the quantitative skills that are in demand across all industries. The content covered in this degree also serves as initial preparation for employment as a professional mathematician. You will gain problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills that are in demand across all government and private sectors.

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) Advanced is a two-year course designed for non-accounting graduates who want a career in the accounting profession and want to enhance their learning experience by including another discipline specialisation within their course. The learning experience and knowledge areas in the MPA Advanced are focused on the practice of accounting.

Within the MPA Advanced, you can choose to complete one of three possible specialisations, depending on your career aspirations. The Financial Management specialisation enables you to focus on areas of financial management such as banking and securities. The International Business specialisation allows you to broaden your knowledge of intercultural aspects of the business environment. The Business Analytics specialisation equips you with the skills to utilise and interpret data to inform business strategies and add value to businesses.

Finance is about money and investments. People on their own, people in partnerships, companies and other entities (including state and federal governments), have a common objective of profitable investment. What is a government-secured bond? What is a share? What are the reasons for investing in either and when is the right time? These are some of the questions answered in the domain of finance.

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 Finance. The degree has an emphasis on practical applications and real-world financial management. Careers include finance manager, research analyst, management reporting manager, equity trade analyst, stockbroker, bank officer, investment operations analyst and venture capitalist.

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 learn the theoretical knowledge and tools demanded by employers in all sections of the world economy: investment, financial markets, financial modelling and portfolio analysis. You will utilise state of the art technology to learn advanced statistical techniques for analysis, including the classical linear regression model, model diagnostics, univariate time series modelling and forecasting. You will explore corporate finance, including financial strategies, security analysis and portfolio management.

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) course is a follow-on degree from the Bachelor of Computer Science. It will provide you with an opportunity to develop, to a sophisticated level, established theoretical and practical skills gained during your undergraduate course.

This degree
A weekly seminar in Autumn and Spring Sessions provides training in advanced research skills specific to disciplines within computer science, as well as providing you with the opportunity to exercise these skills in a peer-reviewed environment.

The program of study provides:

• Scholarly grounding in scientific research
• High level of research competency
• Strong foundation in scientific work
• Advanced research skills in computer science
• Preparation for future higher level research degrees

If you are considering an Honours degree, you are encouraged to talk to the Program Coordinator well in advance to seek approval for enrolment, discuss your program, and negotiate a thesis topic and supervisors.

What you will study
You are given the opportunity to undertake research on a topic of your interest. In addition, you will also complete four elective subjects ranging from data mining, software engineering, visualisation, computer security and other subjects.

If you are doing, or have done particularly well in your Bachelor of International Studies degree, you should consider an Honours year. This normally involves one additional year of study following the successful completion of a three-year undergraduate degree. Your Bachelor of International Studies degree would have introduced you to a wide range of topics and problems, and an Honours project enables you to explore one 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 by our expert staff.

From a potential employer's perspective, whatever your topic, being able to demonstrate the ability to achieve a complex goal, meet deadlines, investigate independently, use resources effectively and write coherently, are all highly desirable qualities.

The Honours year has two functions at UOW: as an in-depth project at the end of undergraduate study, and as a bridge between undergraduate study and advanced research. Studying Honours is about:

• Learning research skills, navigation skills and information systems (archives, the Library, databases, electronic research networks);
• The opportunity to practise articulating complex ideas orally and in writing. It provides the experience of working closely with a supervisor on a project and in preparing a major project to meet a deadline;
• Experiences in devising, researching and writing up an individual topic of study in an extended argument/thesis of 15,000 words.

What you will study
The Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) consists of 50% coursework and 50% research work.  The research component of this degree takes the form of a research thesis under the supervision of an academic employed in the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Massive increases in the volume of data available across all industries and sectors have led to a growing need for professionals who can design, organise, manage, and manipulate datasets. UOW's Master of Mathematical Sciences (Data Science) will help you meet this growing demand, equipping you with the skills to analyse and extract useful and practical insights from complex data sets and to clearly articulate these findings to a range of audiences.

What you will study
In your first year, you will study core preparation and foundational subjects in mathematics and data science. From your second year, you will also study advanced topics and investigations in areas such as data mining, analytics, machine learning, information design, and big data management.

You will have the opportunity to complete cross-disciplinary subjects in other fields where mathematics and statistics are critical, such as finance, engineering, health, and computer science. You will also complete a research or coursework-focused capstone subject.

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is for university graduates from non-teaching courses who want to become secondary school teachers (Years 7 to 12). On completion of this degree, you will obtain a formal qualification making you eligible to teach specialized subject areas to students aged 13 to 18 in public, religious, and private schools.

This degree produces high-quality teachers with an understanding of diversity in the classroom and with strong connections to school communities.  

This program focuses on building teaching skills through a professional experience immersion program in your very first session, and regular professional experience periods throughout the degree. You will complete 60 days of professional experience (PEX), including the option to complete one PEX in a rural or remote area of NSW. There are also opportunities to undertake international immersion programs that, while not counted as a PEX, allow you to travel overseas, visit schools and develop your understanding of people and cultures.

Your learning will be supported by online teaching, forums, podcasts and video streamed lectures, on-campus tutorials, and in-school activities. You will benefit from the expertise of local teachers and a range of workshops to develop your skills in communication, technology-enhanced learning, working with parents, designing assessments, and conducting school-based research.

During your degree, you will explore the concepts of teaching and learning to build your professional skills in your selected teaching areas. Teaching areas include: English, Science, Visual Arts, Modern or Ancient History, Geography, Society and Culture or Aboriginal Studies, Legal Studies and Business Studies or Economics.  The methods offered are subject to demand, meaning that not all methods are guaranteed to be offered each year.