Bachelor of Arts in Politics

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

The Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilisation will expose you to ideas that have been inspiring people since their inception — in Ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the Modern Era. You will have the unique opportunity to directly engage with a carefully curated selection of some of the most influential works in the Western tradition of thought and art.

This degree also offers thirty generous scholarship opportunities valued at up to $30,000 per annum across the full course of study, as well as an opportunity to engage in a bespoke scholarly experience.

What you will study
You will philosophically reflect on questions about art, literature, science and religion while also investigating such topics as the nature of selfhood, truth, reason and wisdom. You will discover how great ideas and art can shape us - our understanding of ourselves and the world - and how ideas can make a difference for good or ill.

You will develop informed and reasoned views about significant contemporary concerns, such as the value of democracy, benefiting from your acquired knowledge of the history of ideas. You will become acquainted with diverging perspectives from within various Western traditions of thought and art as well as under-represented voices and perspectives from outside of those traditions.

You will choose one major from the following: Archaeology and Ancient History; Creative Writing; History; Indigenous Studies; Languages; Sociology; English Literatures; Philosophy; Politics; International Relations; Global Sustainable Development.

Criminologists take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding why people commit crime, how societies conceptualise harm, and why some harms are classed as crimes while others are not. Criminologists also investigate how societies respond to crime and whether our responses are effective and fair for offenders, victims and the general community. Social Science draws on a range of disciplines to critically examine current debates and how various contested theories and values translate into policies and practices

This degree
The UOW Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology) involves a common foundation of compulsory social science subjects combined with a major in Criminology. You will complement your degree with a minor study area or elective subjects from any field in the University offering cross-faculty enrolment. You may choose to complete your electives abroad, or stay local and undertake activities to build your cross-cultural communication skills. This degree provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in research, Social Work, Public Health, Work Health and Safety and Teaching.

What you will study
Foundational subjects in social science include social determinants of health, human geography, sociology, interdisciplinary competencies and career ready learning. You will also begin your major in first year.

During your second and third years you'll focus on criminology subjects relating to crime and justice with options to extend and explore issues around youth crime, environmental crime, innovative justice, power and resistance, research methods and more.

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.

Use real-life data to solve real-world problems with UOW's Master of Mathematical Sciences (Applied Statistics). Statisticians gain practical insights from complex data sets, and clearly articulate and graphically represent these findings to a range of audiences.

Applied Statistics uses mathematical concepts and methods to develop scientific experiments, sample surveys, medical clinical trials and environmental studies. It uses mathematical models of variation to enable analysis and forecasting in many industries.

This Degree
Through this degree, you will be equipped with essential skills that will be applicable across a range of industries: problem-solving, mathematical and statistical modeling, experimental design, and the ability to organise, analyse and interpret large data sets.

What you will study
In your first year, you will study core preparation and foundational subjects in mathematics and statistics. From your second year, you will also study advanced topics and investigations in these areas, as well as having 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.

Technology can only advance if someone creates the materials needed to turn ideas into reality. Materials engineers play a key role in reducing environmental impact through recycling, redesigning processes to reduce waste, and developing high performance materials for new energy technologies.

Materials engineers apply knowledge of science and engineering to turn raw materials into finished products: everything from construction materials and consumer goods to advanced electronics and biomedical implants such as artificial muscles and bionic eyes. They understand how the structure and properties of materials can be controlled by composition and processing. They design and select materials and processing methods to suit a particular application.

There are countless opportunities in materials engineering, as the field supports every branch of engineering. Graduates work everywhere, from mining, materials processing, and manufacturing to aerospace and biotechnology. Many are researchers, creating new materials like superconductors and nanoparticles.

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, for example: construction, mining, resources, aeronautical, electronics, engineering management, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, aerospace, water resource management, robotics and manufacturing, railroad and shipbuilding.

What you will study
As an engineering student at UOW you will have access to fully-equipped laboratories and the latest computer-aided software that is used in modern industrial workplaces. Our engineering students are trained through practical learning experiences including:

• Laboratory experiments
• Problem based learning
• Computer simulations
• Teamwork assignments
• Industrial case studies
• Project management
• Site visits to industry

Engineering is vital to solving the world’s big challenges. Engineers are needed to support communities by designing and building liveable sustainable cities, they create transport and housing systems, they design and build telecommunications network, the internet and computers. Engineers design systems to ensure ample clean water for the world’s population, to find non-polluting energy sources, to create ways to assist healthy living and ageing, and to advance medical and health technologies.

Engineers are team players and many become CEOs and entrepreneurs; engineering graduates run over 30 percent of the world’s biggest international companies, nearly double the next largest discipline. Learn the fundamentals of engineering, both the technical and interpersonal skills, and apply your knowledge in real situations to prepare you for engineering the future with an internationally accredited UOW engineering degree.

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, for example: construction, mining, resources, aeronautical, electronics, engineering management, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, aerospace, water resource management, robotics and manufacturing, railroad and shipbuilding.

The Bachelor of Communication and Media offers you a strong foundation in the national and international communication and media industries. With a focus on preparing you for global careers, the course places an emphasis on high-level skills in media production, communication research and independent project work.

The Screen Media Production major explores how digital screen media is changing in a global context.

You will learn how to produce innovative content for both niche and mainstream audiences and learn how screen and entertainment media are financed, produced and distributed around the world. You will develop expertise in analysing the language of visual media, while you explore the movies, TV shows and newer media forms that are emerging with specific audiences in mind.

At the same time, you will learn a suite of practical skills in screen production and transmedia storytelling that will enable you to express your own ideas creatively and with social impact.

What you will study
You will learn about screen media industries in Australia and around the world, how they are adapting to new technologies and the ways in which audiences are changing. You will explore the creative differences between screen genres, and you will gain hands-on experience in designing and producing screen media projects.

This course has a strong focus on understanding how screen media respond to global political and social justice issues. You will learn how to use screen media to convey ideas and raise issues that are important to you.

You will develop communication projects that will enhance your understanding of the industry, while providing critical experience in preparation for future employment.

In addition to the core subjects and a major in Screen Media Production, there is also the opportunity to complete another major from the below list. This will increase your knowledge and employability in the media and communication industries.

The Master of Education Extension (TESOL) is a higher degree for professional educators and those who are interested in pursuing a career in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

What you will study
During this degree you will study the key theories of English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, and supplement them with an in-depth understanding of areas such as second language teaching methodology, grammar, assessment, evaluation and technology-based language teaching. You can also choose to do a supervised professional experience placement in an ESL or EFL classroom.

This degree
The Master of Education Extension (TESOL) offers theoretical foundations and extensive practical skills that address the broader aspects of education and training.

This degree can lead to an English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching qualification for those employed as teachers with the Department of Education.

You will also benefit from flexible study options, allowing you to study online or in the classroom.

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Dean's Scholar) offers a challenging and enriched educational experience for high-achieving students who want to perform above the level normally expected. As a Dean's Scholar student you will also be encouraged to continue your studies through the completion of Honours and research programs.

This degree
Computer scientists focus on computation and its applications, designing methods, tools and writing 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.

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.

What you will study
You will complete the normal course requirements for the degree, and receive special privileges as you study, such as the opportunity to complete a research project and direct access to academic mentoring. Places are limited each year. Current students who have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 80 at the end of one year of full-time study in a relevant degree may apply to transfer to the Dean's Scholar degree.

Studying a degree in science and business teaches you to constantly seek out knowledge, analyse it and apply it, opening up opportunities to enter a wide range of growing professions.

Double degrees aim to broaden your knowledge and skill base and improve career options in competitive, increasingly interactive fields. Studies in science allow you to research problems, interpret data and propose solutions. Studies in business will focus on how organisations operate in the wider commercial and economic environments. When combined, the skills and knowledge from these two fields can place you in a key position to work with the complex challenges we will face in the future.

Business people are a flexible and diverse group of professionals who think strategically and critically to solve complex problems. The strategic thinking and data analysis skills you will gain from studying business are significantly valuable when applied to the planning, running or reviewing scientific studies.

What you will study
The major areas of study in Science include: Ecology and Conservation Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Environment and Physical Geography.

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