This is an Honours programme under the Advanced Science degree programme.
An astrophysicist studies the nature and behaviour of our universe, using all the techniques of modern physical sciences. Tackling something as big as the Universe requires the combined talents of a wide range of people, each skilled in a particular area. Students with a mathematical bent may apply general relativity to the study of black holes or cosmology. Students who enjoy computing may specialise in computer control of telescopes or numerical analysis of astronomical data. Others may build new instruments at the forefront of technology or may use existing ones to discover new facts about stars, nebulae and galaxies, and how they form or evolve.
The Bachelor of Science course is a flexible degree programme, enabling students to study a wide range of options in Science as well as other areas of interest. It is built on a solid foundation of core areas in Science such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Earth and Environmental Science, and Psychology. More specialised topics can then build on these areas.
What you will study
All students choose a major. If a student studies a minor, the minor may be taken from another area of Science, or may include approved courses from other UNSW faculties. All programmes also include units in general education, which cover social and ethical issues as well as topics from outside of Science.
Choice
Choosing a broad range of courses in first year, before deciding on a major in second and third years, is a popular approach to the Bachelor of Science programme. This gives you time to become more familiar with the different areas of science and to discuss your interests with academic staff and students. For students who are already sure of their interests, the Bachelor of Science programme can be structured and tailored for them from first year to third year. Students who perform exceptionally well may have the opportunity to study for an honours degree by taking an extra year to apply their knowledge to a research project, supervised by researchers at UNSW.
Flexibility
The Bachelor of Science programme is designed to give students the opportunity to transfer between Science programmes at UNSW, including advanced level and professional degrees. The flexibility of the programme means it also combines with a second degree in Education, Engineering, Arts, Social Sciences, Law or Business.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is renowned for the quality of its graduates and its commitment to new and creative approaches to education and research. It was established in 1949 and has expanded rapidly and now has close to 40,000 students, including more than 7000 international students from over 130 different countries. The University offers more than 300 undergraduate and 600 postgraduate programs, and has developed an extensive network of alumni chapters throughout Asia. The main UNSW campus is located on a 38-hectare site at Kensington, seven kilometres from the centre of Sydney.