First Year Students
While studying at university is new and exciting, it can also be challenging, with new experiences to face and new things to learn.
If you’re studying science for the first time, let us help you prepare for and succeed throughout your first year with us.
Resources for first-year students
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Orientation Week
Orientation Week - or O’Week for short - is the week prior to the start of semester. It's a week of fun, activities, information and opportunities for you to get to know the University of Adelaide and the people you will be studying with.
While we recommend being involved in O'Week as much as possible, our Sciences O'Day is particularly important as it provides you with information unique to the Faculty of Sciences. It includes a session tailored specifically to all new science students and a free lunch where you will have the opportunity to meet your program coordinators and other new students who are starting the same degree.
Sciences O’Week events: Mid-year orientation
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Enrolment advice
We're here to help with your enrolment
Congratulations on gaining a place in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Adelaide!
Need enrolment support or assistance or need help with your coursework enquiries? Ask or visit the Student Experience Team in the Sciences Service Hub.
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Peer mentoring program
Support from our peer mentors
The Faculty of Sciences offers a range of peer mentoring programs depending on your degree.
Peer mentors are enthusiastic current science students who want to share with you their tips and tricks that can help you succeed in your studies, take advantage of the opportunities offered to sciences students and enjoy your time at university.
More information about Peer Mentoring is available on the 'Faculty of Sciences Orientation' MyUni course.
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Drop-in centres
Talk with our experts
Get help with your first year biology, chemistry and physics courses through our on-campus academic ‘Drop in Centres’.
Talk one-on-one with an academic staff member about any concepts or content of your course you want assistance or reassurance with. They can help you with tutorial preparation, practical preparation, lecture notes or just general help with understanding your Level 1 courses.
Complete this form when you attend a drop-in centre.
Drop-in centre timetable
Drop-in centres start in Week 2 of each semester. They run throughout the whole semester excluding public holidays and mid-semester break.
The Sciences Drop-in Centre is located in the Drop-In Zone on Level 3 of Hub Central.
If you have difficulty finding the location, speak to the team at the Ask Adelaide desk and they will be happy to assist you.
Semester 2 Drop-in service information coming soon
Drop-in service Day and time Location Biology Even Weeks:
Tuesday 2pm-4pm
Wednesday 11am-1pm
Thursday 10am-12 noon
Odd Weeks
Thursday 3pm - 5pm
Face-to-face with Velta Vingelis, Room 1.27, Molecular Life Sciences building
Biology (online) Mondays 9pm-11pm
Wednesdays 9pm-11pm
Note that these are evening sessions
Zoom link and passcode on MyUni
Chemistry Tuesday 10am-1pm
Wednesday 10am-1pm
Thursday 10am-12pm
Friday 11am-1pm
Drop-In Zone on Level 3 of Hub Central
Chemistry (online) Thursday 2pm-4pm Zoom link and passcode on MyUni Physics Monday 12pm-2pm
Tuesday 2pm 4pm
Wednesday 12pm-2pmDrop-In Zone on Level 3 of Hub Central Physics (online) Friday 1pm-2pm Zoom link and passcode on MyUni -
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
Study sessions with expert students
Maximise your success with our free study sessions run by science students who have already excelled in the same course.
PASS is a free and internationally accredited program which aims to help you understand the key concepts of your course and improve your results.
PASS is for all students, whether you want to improve from a distinction to a high distinction; a pass to a credit or even just to obtain a pass.
Semester 2 PASS courses
- BIOLOGY 1201 Biology: Human Perspectives
- BIOLOGY 1202 Biology: Organisms
- CHEM 1200 Chemistry IB
- CHEM 1201 Foundations of Chemistry IB
- PHYSICS 1200 Physics IB
- VET TECH1025RW Physiology for Veterinary Technologists I
- VET TECH1025RW Physiology for Veterinary Technologists I
- CHEM 2550 Physical and Inorganic Chemistry II
- CHEM 2540 Medicinal & Biological Chemistry II
Access to PASS in Semester One will be via Zoom – find out how to connect with your course PASS group under ‘Assignment Help’ on MyUni.
All sessions are also timetabled to a PASS space at North Terrace to provide students with a quiet space to access PASS, and meet others.
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Transition from Year 1 to Year 2
Next Step program
Your personalised one-on-one planning service
Prepare yourself for the transition from first to second year with our ’Next Step’ program. The Faculty of Sciences offer a personalised one-on-one planning service to:
- Customise your study plan to suit your interests and goals, while meeting program rules.
- Provide advice on Bachelor of Science majors and potential career and future study opportunities.
- Build industry, work experience and internship opportunities into your degree.
- Help you discover and receive credit for overseas exchange and study tour opportunities.
- Assist you planning part-time study workloads and how this may affect your enrolment.
- Provide advice about your options for transferring to another sciences program - often with credit for what you have already studied.
Step 1 - Review your current study plan
The first step is simply thinking about your current study plan and what implications it may have on your enrolment.
View the current study plan for your program and ask yourself:
- Will I complete less than 24 units of level I courses by the end of the year?
- Did I receive credit for prior study when I commenced?
- Am I studying part-time?
- Will I study part-time next year?
- Did I fail any courses this year?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you will want to meet with an academic advisor (Step 5) who can help you plan your timetable for next year. All students are also strongly advised to familiarise themselves with their program study plan and start thinking about what next year's enrolment might look like.
Step 2 - Consider an overseas study experience
Studying overseas is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore another country while your study counts towards your degree. Study overseas opportunities increase your employability upon graduation and may meet requirements for ‘non-major electives’ in the Bachelor of Science.
There are two types of overseas study experiences available:
Exchange
Through an exchange program, you can study overseas at a partner university while remaining enrolled at, and supported by, the University of Adelaide. Tuition fees are waived by the host institution, allowing you to continue to take advantage of your tuition arrangements at home, while having an amazing, immersive overseas experience.
Study tours
Study tours are short-term intensive programs that may include stops at multiple destinations, or be a more immersive experience at just one. These experiences normally run for two to four weeks and take place between semester breaks.
Step 3 - Complete the career readiness module
The Careers Service has developed online learning modules to assist you with planning your career. You are encouraged to complete module one which provides an introduction to career awareness, career planning materials, employer perspectives and graduate advice.
Completion of this module will give you a greater understanding of how you can determine your career pathway and how your thoughts around possible careers may influence your enrolment and study plan next year.
Step 4 - 'Choosing a major' information sessions
If you are a B.Science or B.Science (Advanced) student, you will need to complete at least one major. General major information sessions are held each September/October to help you understand the different majors you can choose.
Step 5 - Meet with an academic advisor
Next Step gives you the opportunity to plan your timetable with an academic advisor. The Faculty of Sciences strongly recommends all students meet with an academic advisor.
- Ensure your course choices fit with your career goals.
- Learn how your course choices may affect your options in the following year; and
- Tailor your study plan to cater for your circumstances, i.e. study abroad, part-time study etc.
Online appointment bookings will open soon
Step 6 - Enrol for next year
Course enrolment for the following year usually opens in December. Use your study plan to organise yourself before enrolment opens.
Need help?
The Sciences Service Hub at the faculty office is the place to go for most questions relating to your study.
Book an appointment Email us Call: 08 8313 5673
Competition: Young Scientist of the Year
How do we feed the world’s growing population? How do we save our wildlife from extinction? Got an idea that will build a brighter, greener world?
Australian high school students are invited to submit a short video about one of Australia’s big science challenges.