Science Without Borders 2008
Once again the Faculty of Science UNSW, in conjunction with the Faculty of Science at the National University of Singapore, is offering Advanced Science students the opportunity to undertake a short term exchange program in Singapore from 7th June 2008 to 18th July 2008.
Most of you would have come across some publicity information. This handout is to provide you with more details about the programme. Please read it carefully and give us your response where needed as soon as possible. Publicity brochures for this programme has been sent to all Advanced Science students, however, not all students will be eligible (see below).
To assist you in making a preliminary decision please read the following.
Information Sessions
Two informal information sessions will be held to allow students to obtain firsthand information about the programme and to answer any questions that you may have. You may choose to attend one of the sessions.
| Info Session | Date | Time | Venue |
| 1 | 7 April 2008 | 4pm - 5pm | K15 Old Main Building, Room 230 |
| 2 | 8 April 2008 | 4pm - 5pm | K15 Old Main Building, Room 230 |
Note: The Old Main Building is at the Physics Lawn, opposite Rupert Myers Building
Eligibility
- Advanced Science students (including combined degrees) who will have completed at least 48 units of credit (uoc) at the end of S1 2008.
- A total WAM of 65 or greater, i.e. a credit average. If your WAM is between 60 and 64 and you believe there are reasons why you have not been able to perform to the best of your ability, you are invited to apply outlining your reasons.
- Students currently enrolled in their Honours year are not eligible.
- International students are eligible except Singaporean nationals. The UNSW exchange rules do not allow students to take exchange in their home country.
Requirements
- You need to have 6 uoc available as an elective. Successful applicants will be enrolled in SCIF3001 for session 2 2008 and will be required to pay the appropriate tuition fees for a 6 uoc course like any other course you have taken. A combined mark from the courses you study in Singapore will be used as the mark for this course and it will count in your WAM and uoc load.
- A passport with at least 6 months validity. If you plan on coming and you don't have a passport, please apply for one immediately. Most passport holders do not need a visa for Singapore for the length of your stay (approx 5-6 weeks). However nationals from some SE Asian countries do, e.g. the People's Republic of China. If you are an international student you will need to check this with the Singaporean authorities or visit the following websites to find out more:
NUS Faculty of Science: Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority: |
- You need to be available in Dec 08/Jan 09, as you will be involved in the activities for the NUS exchange students who will arrive in Sydney during the period of time.
Modules offered by NUS
Students will enrol in 2 modules (worth 8 Modular Credits) of which please note the following:
- LSM4263 Field Studies in Biodiversity is the anchor module for the exchange programme and incorporates a one week long field trip to Tioman Islands, Malaysia. Students are only allowed to choose either one of the language modules - LAB1201 Bahasa Indonesia 1 or LAC1201 Chinese 1.
- The language module chosen should not be one which the student has studied or been previously exposed to it before. If you have studied or been previously exposed to both of the language modules, please get in touch with Chong Eng Tay at Email: edsquad@unsw.ed
u.au / Tel: 93858551. - You will be required to indicate your choice in the application form.
LAB1201 Bahasa Indonesia I Bahasa Indonesia is the national language which is akin to Malay, written in Roman script and based on European orthography. In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign language and is fairly well spoken and written, whereas some Dutch is still spoken and understood in the bigger cities. This module aims to develop language proficiency in an integrated approach. Students will acquire language skills through particip ation in various communicative tasks. Through the exposure to the language, students will develop a general understanding of the cultures, the sociolinguistic and pragmatic aspects of the language. By the end of the module, students will acquire basic skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing to maintain communication on common topics. LAC1201 Chinese I China is the only country in the world with a literature written in one language for more than 3,000 consecutive years. This continuity results largely from the nature of the written language itself. It is the use of characters, not letters as in Western languages, that is most important in the Chinese language. The characters stand for things or ideas and so, unlike groups of letters, they cannot and need never be sounded. Thus Chinese could be read by people in all parts of the country in spite of gradual changes in pronunciation, the emergence of regional and local dialects, and modification of the characters. This module is designed to provide an insight to Mandarin as a language and a window to Chinese culture in general. This is a beginners' course consisting of two components, i.e., language conversation and Chinese characters learning. Vocabulary items, sentence patterns and short texts will be taught. Students are expected to be able to communicate in Mandarin in simple daily situations after taking this module. This module consists of two parts, i.e., Lecture and Tutorial. Classes are conducted in various ways including Vocabulary introduction, short texts reading and reciting, story-telling, tongue twisters practices, songs learning and film appreciation if time allows. |
For more details of the modules available for the 2008 exchange programme, please visit the website: http://www.scie
Travel Details
- Dates Tentative departure date: Sat 7 Jun 08, 8 AM, arriving in Singapore at about 5pm local time (it is about a 7 hour flight). Expected return date: Fri 18 Jul 08.
- Airfare Return economy airfare to Singapore will be paid by Faculty of Science, UNSW.
- Airport Transfers Transport to and from Sydney airport will not be provided. However, return coach transfers to the airport in Singapore will be provided by NUS.
- Accommodation NUS will put students up at the King George's Park Residences while at NUS Campus. The room rates are as follows:
| Room Type (All Single Rooms) | Daily Charges* |
| Type A1^ (with en-suite toilet, a shower, and air-condition) | S$20/room/pax |
| Type B (with wash basin) | S$12/room/pax |
| Type C | S$10/room/pax |
*The rates are subject to GST (7% as at 2008) and do not include the provision of bedding linens, pillows & pillowcase; students will need to provide these items themselves.
^There is a limited number of Type A rooms available this year as they are being renovated.
- Tioman Islands Field Trip Costs for the one week trip, including transport, food and accommodation at Tioman Islands, will be covered by NUS.
Examinations
Note that you will be taking the UNSW exams whilst you are in Singapore. These will be held on the same day as they are held at UNSW. This means that for short periods you may miss out on some of the class time for the courses you are taking in Singapore. Although this is a demanding challenge in the exchange program, previous years' students have coped very well. The examination conditions at NUS are comfortable (and air-conditioned
Costs
Although, you will not be charged for tuition costs at NUS including the field trip to Tioman Islands, you will be required to pay the appropriate tuition fees for a 6 uoc course like any other course you have taken in UNSW. In addition, you will incur some costs for the following:
| S/N | Item | Estimated Cost (SGD*) | Remarks |
| 1 | Accommodation | S$900 (with GST) | Based on S$20/room/pax (Type A daily room charge) for 42 days. |
| 2 | Medical Insurance | S$25 (with GST) | NUS Medical Group Insurance*. Compulsory for all students. *This is required by NUS, even though you are covered by a UNSW policy whilst on official study away from UNSW. |
| 3 | NUS Student Pass | S$40-80 (without GST) | Depending on student's nationality. |
| 4 | Student Activity and Services Fees | S$17 (with GST) | Compulsory for all students. |
| 5 | Textbooks / Instructional Materials | S$33 (with GST) | Per language module. |
| 6 | Living Expenses | S$600 (with GST) | Based on approx. $15 (with GST)/day for 40 days. |
| 7 | Total | S$1618 (with GST) | Estimated based on S$43 (with GST) student pass. |
*SGD - Singapore Dollars. $1 Australian Dollar buys approximately $1.26 Singapore Dollars (obtained from Yahoo! Finance on 31 Mar 08). Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 7% applies.
Application Procedure
- Complete the application form.
- Attach all required documents and photographs.
- Submit the application form to the Science Student Centre at Robert Webster Building or the Faculty of Science-EdSquad at Room 113/116, F20 John Goodsell Building by Monday, 14th April 2008.
For more information on the exchange programme at NUS, visit:
http://www.scie
If you have any queries, please contact Chong Eng Tay at:
Email: edsquad@unsw.ed
Tel: 93858551.
