General Questions Regarding "Units" - Please Help (3 Viewers)

[ConquerDiscover]

Hi, I just have some questions about the units.

1) Does 100 level units refer to first year students, 200 level units for second year students .. etc ?

2) Can I just do 2 units for 1st Sem and another 2 units for 2nd Sem? Is this acceptable? Do I need to do more units than this?

3) If for example I completed 2 units (both worth 6 credit points) for 1st Sem and I then completed another 2 units (both worth 7 credit points) for 2nd Sem, does that mean I will have a total of 13 credit points in my first year?

4) If question 3 is correct...will I be able to do 200 level units (which requires 12 credit points) for my second year at uni?

Thanks.

 

[antisheep]

Hi, I just have some questions about the units.

1) Does 100 level units refer to first year students, 200 level units for second year students .. etc ?

Yes, so you should more than likely be choosing all 100 level subjects.

2) Can I just do 2 units for 1st Sem and another 2 units for 2nd Sem? Is this acceptable? Do I need to do more units than this?

Yes you can, but be aware that you are then counted as a part time student in the eyes of the university. This does not change things majorly for you it just means your degree will take longer (presumably twice as long) and you won't get a travel concession.

3) If for example I completed 2 units (both worth 6 credit points) for 1st Sem and I then completed another 2 units (both worth 7 credit points) for 2nd Sem, does that mean I will have a total of 13 credit points in my first year?

So you're doing 2 subjects first semester that when added together equal 6...? and 7 second semester? in that case yes, it would seem you would end up with 13.

4) If question 3 is correct...will I be able to do 200 level units (which requires 12 credit points) for my second year at uni?

Yep you will.

 

[glitterfairy]

Hi, I just have some questions about the units.

1) Does 100 level units refer to first year students, 200 level units for second year students .. etc ?

2) Can I just do 2 units for 1st Sem and another 2 units for 2nd Sem? Is this acceptable? Do I need to do more units than this?

3) If for example I completed 2 units (both worth 6 credit points) for 1st Sem and I then completed another 2 units (both worth 7 credit points) for 2nd Sem, does that mean I will have a total of 13 credit points in my first year?

4) If question 3 is correct...will I be able to do 200 level units (which requires 12 credit points) for my second year at uni?

Thanks.

1) Unofficially "sort of", officially, no. Although many full-time students will find that this is the case (purely due to 200 and 300-level units having more prerequisites), the levels are purely that - levels. I know first year students who have studied 200-level units in their first year, provided they fulfilled the prerequisites.

2) Check with SES about your specific degree, but this should be fine unless you're studying something that doesn't permit part-time study.

3) 2 x 6 =12, and 2 x 7 =14. 12 + 14 = 26, so that'd be 26 credit points in your first year. (except most first year subjects are only worth 3 cp, but I'm sure you knew that

4) Yes If it was available in Sem 2, you would even be able to do it in Sem 1 of your first year if you did 12cp in your first semester.

 

[Peartie]

what 100 level subject is worth 6 and 7 credit points :| :| :|

 

[AsyLum]

what 100 level subject is worth 6 and 7 credit points :| :| :|

I'd like to know as well! Time to fluff my credit points moar!

 

[ConquerDiscover]

what 100 level subject is worth 6 and 7 credit points :| :| :|

Oops my bad, I meant that the 2 units for 1st sem was a total of 6 credit points (1 unit was 3 credit points, the other unit was 3 credit points) and for 2nd sem the 2 units was a total of 7 credit points (1 unit was 3 credit points and the other unit was 4 credit points) :wave:

 

[ConquerDiscover]

Yes you can, but be aware that you are then counted as a part time student in the eyes of the university. This does not change things majorly for you it just means your degree will take longer (presumably twice as long) and you won't get a travel concession.

Hi thanks for the info,

I was just wondering, if I just did 2 units per sem, why would I be counted as a part time student, not get a travel concession and why will my degree take longer to finish? I'm planning to be a full time student...

I just thought that if I did 2 units per sem, I will have 13 credit points at the end of first year which is enough to do the 200 level units which require at least 12 credit points...is this what you're supposed to do?

How many units should I take each sem?

 

[ConquerDiscover]

1) Unofficially "sort of", officially, no. Although many full-time students will find that this is the case (purely due to 200 and 300-level units having more prerequisites), the levels are purely that - levels. I know first year students who have studied 200-level units in their first year, provided they fulfilled the prerequisites.

2) Check with SES about your specific degree, but this should be fine unless you're studying something that doesn't permit part-time study.

3) 2 x 6 =12, and 2 x 7 =14. 12 + 14 = 26, so that'd be 26 credit points in your first year. (except most first year subjects are only worth 3 cp, but I'm sure you knew that

4) Yes If it was available in Sem 2, you would even be able to do it in Sem 1 of your first year if you did 12cp in your first semester.

Hi thanks for the info,

I was just wondering, is 4 units (12 credit points) for 1st sem a lot? Like I would expect the work load to be quite hard to cope with...

How many units per sem are you taking?

 

[AsyLum]

Hi thanks for the info,

I was just wondering, if I just did 2 units per sem, why would I be counted as a part time student, not get a travel concession and why will my degree take longer to finish? I'm planning to be a full time student...

I just thought that if I did 2 units per sem, I will have 13 credit points at the end of first year which is enough to do the 200 level units which require at least 12 credit points...is this what you're supposed to do?

How many units should I take each sem?

Because you're not undertaking a full time load, which is 9 or more credit points a semester.

Depending on the degree and whether it takes mid-year entries, some people do 12 credit points worth in the first semester, attempt a mid-year transfer, or do a full year completing electives + any cores they can do, and then transfer after a year.

 

[zaqwerty]

Hi thanks for the info,

I was just wondering, if I just did 2 units per sem, why would I be counted as a part time student, not get a travel concession and why will my degree take longer to finish? I'm planning to be a full time student...

I just thought that if I did 2 units per sem, I will have 13 credit points at the end of first year which is enough to do the 200 level units which require at least 12 credit points...is this what you're supposed to do?

How many units should I take each sem?

Full time students usually do 4 units per semester, 8 per year. Thus if you were to do 2 units per semester you would only be doing half that of a full-time student and it would then take twice the amount of time to complete the degree. Full time students are classed as such based on the amount of hours they spend at uni each week (this is based on things such as Youth Allowance which only classes you as a full-time student if you study a certain amount of hours per week, but through the university it's based on the units you are completing).

Being a first-year student you can still do 200 level units provided you meet the prerequisites. So, if you gain 12 credit points in the first semester (which you probably will with 4 units) you can do 200 level units in your second semester of your first year. Then again, you can continue with the 100 level units if you wish, that's up to you.

I think you're confused into thinking you only need 12 credit points in the first year because that's what's needed to start studying 200 level units. But you have to take a look at the amount of credit points that are needed throughout the whole degree. I know that mine requires 96 credit points which basically equals out to about 4 units per semester.

Hope that helps.

 

[nirvanafreak02]

Being a first-year student you can still do 200 level units provided you meet the prerequisites. So, if you gain 12 credit points in the first semester (which you probably will with 4 units) you can do 200 level units in your second semester of your first year. Then again, you can continue with the 100 level units if you wish, that's up to you.

wow we can do that? that's awesome!

 

[zaqwerty]

wow we can do that? that's awesome!

Yes, just make sure you'll be able to handle the work-load because obviously being 200 level they are a little more advanced than 100 level.

 

[-may-cat-]

So is it 4 units or 9+cp that makes you a full time student? Cuz im only going to be taking 3 units but i'll have 10cp per semester.

 

[AsyLum]

Taken from the handbook entry:

Full-Time Students
Students are classified as full-time if they are enrolled for the year in such units as would, if completed satisfactorily, result in the student obtaining 17 or more credit points. A full-time student who wishes to graduate in minimum time should enrol in approximately 24 credit points each year. Programs of study in excess of 14 credit points in any half-year require special approval.

Part-Time Students
Students are classified as part-time if they are enrolled for the year in such units as would, if completed satisfactorily, result in the student obtaining fewer than 17 credit points. A part-time student normally enrols in a program of 12 credit points each year, although this may be increased in appropriate cases. If enrolled for only half a year a student in less than 9 credit points is classified as part-time. Part-time students should consider enrolling in not less than 10 to 12 credit points a year. For this they should allow 30 to 36 hours each week for study. This time will include all organised reading, attendance at lectures and tutorials, preparing assignments and carrying out practical work either at home or at the University.
Part-time study must be integrated with the demands of earning a living and honouring family and personal obligations if it is to be successfully pursued over a period of years. The time set aside for systematic study must reduce time for general leisure, and a consequent change in lifestyle is inevitable. Careful consideration of these matters is most important before a commitment to a parttime study program is made.

Source

 

[ConquerDiscover]

Because you're not undertaking a full time load, which is 9 or more credit points a semester.

Depending on the degree and whether it takes mid-year entries, some people do 12 credit points worth in the first semester, attempt a mid-year transfer, or do a full year completing electives + any cores they can do, and then transfer after a year.

oh okay...

What did you mean by 'mid year transfer' and 'full year'?

 

[AsyLum]

Full year = A..full year of study? Not really sure if I can explain that any more (2 semesters etc).

Mid-year Transfer = A transfer during the middle of the year, undertaken between the break between Semester 1 and 2...

 

[ConquerDiscover]

Full time students usually do 4 units per semester, 8 per year. Thus if you were to do 2 units per semester you would only be doing half that of a full-time student and it would then take twice the amount of time to complete the degree. Full time students are classed as such based on the amount of hours they spend at uni each week (this is based on things such as Youth Allowance which only classes you as a full-time student if you study a certain amount of hours per week, but through the university it's based on the units you are completing).

Being a first-year student you can still do 200 level units provided you meet the prerequisites. So, if you gain 12 credit points in the first semester (which you probably will with 4 units) you can do 200 level units in your second semester of your first year. Then again, you can continue with the 100 level units if you wish, that's up to you.

I think you're confused into thinking you only need 12 credit points in the first year because that's what's needed to start studying 200 level units. But you have to take a look at the amount of credit points that are needed throughout the whole degree. I know that mine requires 96 credit points which basically equals out to about 4 units per semester.

Hope that helps.

Thanks a lot for the info

Well apparently, I need like 68 credit points to complete my degree....that means I need to have like 12 credit points per sem if I wanna finish in 3 years time...

The only thing is though, seeing it is my first year, I think 4 units (12 credit points) per sem is quite a lot to cope with.....or is it?

Tbh, I just wanna do the average work load for each sem, not too much, not too little, I don't really mind if I don't finish the degree in approximately 3 years time, but I wanna finish it in at least 3.5 years or so..... Any advice?

 

[AsyLum]

4 units IS the average

 

[Peartie]

Thanks a lot for the info

Well apparently, I need like 68 credit points to complete my degree....that means I need to have like 12 credit points per sem if I wanna finish in 3 years time...

The only thing is though, seeing it is my first year, I think 4 units (12 credit points) per sem is quite a lot to cope with.....or is it?

Tbh, I just wanna do the average work load for each sem, not too much, not too little, I don't really mind if I don't finish the degree in approximately 3 years time, but I wanna finish it in at least 3.5 years or so..... Any advice?

I also need 68 Cps to do my degree.... heres how I have done it..

Semester 1 : 4x3 = 12 CPs (3 100 level and 1 200 level)
Semester 2: 4x3 = 12CPs (3 100 level and 1 200 level)
Semester 3: 2X4 + 1x3 = 11CPs (2 200 Level and 1 300 level)
Semester 4: 1x12 + 1x3 = 15CPs (1 200 level and 1 300 level)
Semester 5: 1x3 + 1x4 = 7CPs (2 300 level)
Semester 6: 2x4 + 1x3 = 11CPs (3 300 level)

Total = 68CPs = One Bachelor of International Studies with all requirements filled

and in the first year i coped fine with the classes....they reccomend that per Credit point its 3 hours per week (so for a 12cp semester you would be looking at somewhere between 30 and 40 hours depending on how much you work etc - which isnt really that much when you think about it seeing as about 12hours of that will be @ uni then assignments and things.....)

 

[antisheep]

A question regarding the 100/200 level thing for my own interest more than anything. At my academic advisory last year I was told that first years can not go above their level unless they can demonstrate prior knowledge. I.e. in languages etc... and that a 200 level subject, being 200 level in itself excludes all first years... was this wrong? Just out of curiosity... reading this thread quite a few people seemed to disagree with that...