2012 HSC-University Pathways

Department: Environment and Geography

This unit focuses on regional scale environmental processes. Using local field sites, students learn about theory, field and modelling skills through on-site measurements of water and river health, vegetation and climatology. Issues of change and human impacts on biophysical environments are examined, focusing on urban microclimates, water quality and stream health.

• On campus (Day) First semester
  or
  External study First semester
• Funded: no charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Institute of Early Childhood

This unit addresses social issues affecting Australian children and their families. It takes a multidisciplinary approach to examine the effects of social class, gender, ethnicity, media, schooling, law and politics on children and families. Links between contemporary aspects of Australian society and optimal outcomes for children are examined, with a particular focus on the concept of life chances. Historical trends are examined, with particular attention to the issues facing Indigenous Australians. Generational differences that affect attitudes, access to resources and equal opportunity are analysed. Children's understanding of social issues is also addressed.

• Internal (Day), External (Distance)
• Semester
• Residential/Intensive school – Yes
• Funded – No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Ancient History

This unit deals with Ancient Egyptian society from the Prehistoric period to the end of the New Kingdom. The archaeological evidence is investigated under four themes: tombs, settlements, temples and objects of daily use. The unit also draws on the results of extensive excavation activities in Egypt by staff of Macquarie University.

• On campus (Day) First semester OR
  On campus (Evening) First semester
• Funded: no charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Macquarie Law School

Students learn about distinctive aspects of Common, Civil, Islamic, International and Aboriginal Laws. Topics include: the concept of the state; legal authority and political authority; principles underpinning representative government in Australia: the place of Aboriginal peoples in the legal system; and the role of core institutions of government in the law.

• On campus (Day) First semester OR
  External study (and intensive session) First semester
• Funded: no charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences

Chemistry stands at the forefront of change in the 21st century. It is the basis for the development of new medicines, new materials, new ways of monitoring and improving our environment through green technologies, and many other rapidly advancing fields. In this unit students learn the principles of physical, inorganic and general chemistry, gaining insights into the electronic structure of atoms, the properties of molecules and role of energy in chemical change. The unit also allows students to develop critical skills in solving quantitative problems that serve them well in later studies. All of the chemical principles explored in the unit are illustrated by economically, environmentally and biologically important examples from the real world, thereby enhancing students' understanding and allowing them to appreciate the role of chemistry in everyday life.

• Internal (Day)
• Semester 1
• Residential/Intensive school – No
• Funded – No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Environment and Geography

Students explore local impacts of global change from socio-cultural, political and economic perspectives. Global–local interactions are examined, with specific reference to, among other issues: population change and migration; urbanisation and the emergence of ‘global’ cities; and the implications of global economic change with special reference to the Asia–Pacific region.

• On Campus (Day) First and Second Semesters
  External Study – First and Second Semesters
• Funded: no charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences

Chemistry is the art and science of converting one substance into another, and it has been an important factor in shaping our society. Metals, ceramics and plastics have changed and enhanced our lifestyle. Drugs, fertilisers and pesticides have saved millions of lives, but not without some unforeseen environmental or social problems. When this happens, decisions have to be made and costs weighed against benefits. An appreciation of such issues is needed for better understanding of important problems that face society. This unit explores the way chemistry affects our lives, and the way chemists work things out. The unit does not aim to teach chemistry but looks at the impact that chemistry has had on civilisation and where the latest chemical innovations are likely to lead us. The commercial significance of key chemical processes and industries is addressed, emphasising the Australian context. The unit also examines connections between chemistry and other scientific fields as diverse as medicine, environmental studies and astronomy (to name a few), as well as revealing aesthetic and philosophical aspects of chemistry. This unit is taught completely through the web, with a combination of topical lectures and multimedia material. There are no laboratories and no final exam.

• Internal (Day), External (Distance)
• Semester 2
• Residential/Intensive school – No
• Funded: No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Biological Sciences

This unit deals with human biology and the interactions of humans with the rest of the living world. The subjects covered include: human genetics, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, and evolution. Attention is paid to topics of current interest, such as emerging diseases, DNA technology, genetic engineering, cloning, and the impact of human activities on biodiversity and the biosphere. The unit is designed for students with no background in biology; however, students whose area of study is biology are also encouraged to attend.

• Internal (Day), Composite (lectures online; tutorials on campus), External (Distance)
• Semester 2
• Residential/Intensive school – Yes
• Funded: No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Indigenous Studies Warawara

This unit offers a broad introduction to the history and cultures of Indigenous Australia from an Indigenous standpoint. Students study the historical impact of British colonisation on Australia's first peoples and learn about the history of Indigenous political resistance centred on land, social justice, human rights and cultural identity. Students are introduced to the social, cultural and political outlook of contemporary Indigenous identity and explore the impact and influence of early colonialist race theory on contemporary representations of Indigenous identity. This is a thought-provoking and challenging cultural experience of Indigenous Australian history, culture and world view.

• Internal (Day), External (Distance)
• Semester 1, 2
• Residential/Intensive school – No
• Funded: Scholarship/HECS – Fee HELP

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Biological Sciences

This unit offers an integrative approach to the amazing world of behaviour. Basic mechanisms are covered, with function and evolution. Topics include: micro- and macro-evolution; evolutionary origins of behaviour; basic neuroscience, learning, brain and behaviour; and topics in animal behaviour. Final lectures reflect on the lives of modern humans and the role of culture in human evolution.

• On campus (Day) First semester OR
  External study (and intensive session) First semester OR
  External study (and intensive session) Second semester OR
  External study (composite mode – online and on campus combination) First semester
• Funded: no charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Psychology

This unit introduces students to the discipline of psychology through a focus on: the physiological bases of behaviour; motivation; the nature of personality and psychopathology; and cross-cultural and Indigenous psychology. The unit conveys information about substantive material and assumptions of theory associated with the science and profession of psychology.

• On campus (Day) First semester
• Funded: no charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Psychology

This unit continues with the introduction to the core areas of psychology commenced in Introduction to Psychology 1. The program introduces the areas of social and developmental psychology, perception, cognition and learning. A further important aim of the unit is to provide students with the first-hand experience of conducting psychology experiments and developing scientific report-writing technique.

• On campus (Day) Second semester
• Funded: no charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Mathematics

Apart from some brief discussion on complex numbers and congruencies, the main topic in the algebra half of this unit concerns linearity and the interplay between algebra and geometry. Plane geometry is first used to motivate the study of systems of linear equations. Algebraic techniques involving matrices and determinants are then developed to study these problems further. The algebraic machinery developed is then used to study geometrical problems in 3-dimensional space. The notion of a limit is developed to a more sophisticated level than in secondary school mathematics, and this is used to study the differential and integral calculus involving functions of one real variable to a far greater depth than before. Some simple numerical techniques on integration are also discussed.

• Internal (Day)
• Semester 1
• Residential/Intensive school – No
• Funded – No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Ancient History

This unit provides an introduction to Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near-Eastern society and culture through the study of myth. The unit begins from the earliest creation myths and examines the development of myth in literature and art. The study is largely based upon Greek and Latin texts in translation as well as the representation of myth in art; Egyptian, Near-Eastern, and biblical texts are studied too. The unit focuses on the relevance of key themes in myth to the cultures in which the myths arose, investigating their roles in the religious, political and social life of the classical world.

• On-campus (Second Half-year) or Distance (Second Half-year)
• Funded: No charge to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences

This unit presents the fundamentals of organic chemistry, which is the study of chemical compounds containing carbon. Such compounds are the major components of living systems. The unit is therefore particularly suitable for students who wish to major in chemistry or biomolecular sciences, as well as those pursuing related disciplines in biological, medical and health sciences. The mechanistic themes presented are relevant to molecular transformations in both the living world and in the laboratory. The coursework encompasses a systematic study of the structures and typical reactions of the major classes of functional groups (alkanes; alkenes; aromatic compounds; alkyl halides; alcohols; aldehydes and ketones; carboxylic acids; and amines). This includes the basic chemical properties of important biomolecules such as amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids.

• External (Distance)
• Semester 1
• Residential/Intensive school – Yes
• Funded – No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Philosophy

This unit provides an introduction to major topics in ethics, moral theory and contemporary political philosophy. The first section, Ethics and the Good Life, focuses on the nature of happiness. Is pleasure essential to happiness? Or does the pursuit of pleasure harm our chances of lasting fulfilment? Must we be virtuous in order to be happy? What is the relationship between happiness and duty? The second section, Foundations of Morality, explores the sources of morality and the objectivity of moral judgment. Is morality based ultimately in self-interest? What is the relationship between morality and religion? Are there moral principles that everyone is bound by reason to recognise? Or is the validity of moral standards relative to specific societies and cultures? Do animals as well as humans count from a moral point of view? In the third section, Contemporary Problems of Justice, we turn to questions of applied and social philosophy. We consider the interests and welfare of non-human animals, and then turn to some key principles of justice that ought to prevail, in the contemporary world. These include: how should social resources be distributed? What are the obligations of wealthy nations to those less fortunate? What obligations do we have towards Indigenous people, as well as immigrants and refugees?

• Internal (Day), Composite (lectures online; tutorials on campus), External (Distance)
• Semester 1
• Residential/Intensive school – Yes
• Funded – No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environment and Geography

This unit is recommended for all environmental scientists, geologists, geographers, biologists and others seeking an integrated view of the Planet Earth. It deals with the Earth as a dynamic system, tracing both the origins and workings of the solid earth, the atmosphere, the oceans and the biosphere. The Earth's internal structure and tectonic processes (earthquakes, volcanism and plate movements), climate systems, climate variability and change, landforms, surface processes and the role of the biosphere are investigated. Models for the genesis of life are considered and patterns of evolution and extinction are traced through fossils and other evidence. Wherever possible, interactions (for example, between landscape and climate, atmosphere and life, plate movements and landforms) are examined to develop a unified model of the global system.

• Internal (Day), External (Distance)
• Semester 1
• Residential/Intensive school – Yes
• Funded – No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University

Department: Institute of Early Childhood

This unit examines the role of play and inquiry in children's learning and development. Students develop an understanding of the characteristics of, and theoretical approaches to, play and inquiry in early childhood; and explore how environments, resources and teaching techniques can be structured to facilitate children's active and meaningful engagement in the learning process. The unit details relationships between children's play and inquiry across the range of developmental and curriculum areas, and provides students with practical opportunities to engage in and analyse experiences which foster learning in early childhood. Students should begin to develop an understanding of their role as teachers in diverse early childhood settings, and how play and inquiry can be used to cater for children with diverse educational and cultural learning styles.

• External (Distance)
• Semester 1
• Residential/Intensive school – Yes
• Funded – No fee to student

More information at Macquarie University