Found 179 study abroad units
MXB332 Optimisation Modelling
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Operations research techniques are used in numerous industries and are critical for decision making. These industries need graduates who can apply techniques of mathematical modelling, statistical analysis, mathematical optimisation and simulation and can implement these techniques using appropriate computer software packages. This unit will build upon the content of MXB232 by introducing more advanced “intermediate” level operations research methods and techniques. The topics addressed in this subject are vital in this field and are critical for advanced applications and studies in this field. Topics covered include: model building in mathematical programming, modelling language - (e.g. OPL, Gurobi or equivalent), integer programming and branch-and-bound method, introduction to inventory theory, dynamic programming; and computer solutions of advanced linear programming problems and their analysis.
MXB334 Operations Research for Stochastic Processes
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in operations research to guide decision-making for complex real-world problems. Your previous learning in deriving and solving operations research problems was mostly dealing with a decision making in a deterministic setting. The focus here is to optimize decision making when there is uncertainty and stochastic variables. Combined with the operations research expertise you have acquired over your degree, you will be able to formulate and solve these complex decision problems using computational tools.
ERB333 Resourcing the Green Shift
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Overwhelming consensus supports the shift to ‘green’ technologies to mitigate against global warming and ensure humans live more sustainably. This shift is dependent on our ability to discover enough of the critical minerals needed for these technologies. A mineral resource represents an enrichment of an element or mineral that can be mined for a profit, and Australia's wealth, economic growth, and contribution to the green transition depend largely on these resources. In this unit you will develop a theoretical background and understanding of the major aspects of mineral resource formation; apply practical skills to describe and interpret mineralised rocks and their host sequences; and plan and execute an exploration program for critical minerals. Students are assessed based on a group project and theoretical and practical exams.
ERB332 Geophysics and Geodynamics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Knowledge of the subsurface is essential for groundwater management, critical mineral exploration, natural hazard assessment, environmental studies, and civil engineering projects - including large-scale renewable resources like hydropower. Geophysics and geospatial science provides geoscientists and engineers with the tools to investigate the generally inaccessible subsurface. These tools enable us to detect temporal and spatial changes in the physical properties of the Earth, such as groundwater motion and seepage, contaminant plumes, mineralisation, or the strength and integrity of rockmasses. This unit covers the foundations of geophysics, seismology and geospatial data, with applications to the exploration, environmental and geotechnical sectors, including its importance to natural disaster risk management, such as landslide risk and seismic hazard assessment.
ERB331 Field Methods
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Field experience is essential for the professional training of geologists, environmental scientists, and natural-resource specialists. The conduct of geological and environmental research, geo-exploration, environmental impact assessment, and resource assessment require that practitioners are skilled in methods for mapping, map reading and interpretation, orientation and geo-location in the field, the interpretation of the exposed rock record, and the ethical and legal requirements of land access. This class introduces the theory and application of methods to recognize, map, document, and measure the three-dimensional rock inventory of an area to derive an interpretation of its geological evolution. Assumed knowledge includes fundamental geological principles and methods, namely structural geology, basic petrology, and petrography (sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks). It provides professional experiences that are essential for the employability for geology graduates.
CVB320 Instrumental Analysis
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Modern instrumental methods are capable of producing large quantities of data and it is becoming common practice to use data driven chemometic and cheminformatics techniques as an adjunct to instrumental analysis. These techniques are introduced through a project-based investigation of bio-analytically related datasets where you develop understanding of applications of instrumental analysis and further develop your analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication and deductive skills using real-world examples. This unit builds upon the theoretical and practical framework for chemical analysis in the unit CVB202 Analytical Chemistry to develop advanced instrumental and analysis techniques for modern laboratory practice.
MXB325 Modelling with Differential Equations 2
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Among the variety of differential equations encountered in applied mathematics, equations modelling the transport of quantities such as mass and energy are especially important. This unit significantly extends your repertoire by considering models with greater mathematical complexity than you have previously encountered, drawn from and representative of a variety of important real-world applications. Such complexity necessitates greater ingenuity in the analysis and solution of the governing equations, which will harness and extend your full knowledge of modelling with differential equations.
MXB322 Partial Differential Equations
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Partial differential equations are the foundation of mathematical models that describe evolving processes exhibiting spatial and temporal variation. In this unit you will learn how the study of such equations synthesises and extends many of the concepts you have learned previously in linear algebra and calculus. The powerful frameworks of Fourier analysis and integral transforms that underpin partial differential equations provide a means for obtaining solutions to a number of equations of unparalleled physical importance, and for understanding the behaviour of mathematical models more generally.
CAB340 Cryptography
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Computer Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
The dependence of modern society on remote electronic data transmission and storage makes it an essential requirement that this data be secured, both against unwanted disclosure and malicious alterations. This unit provides a self-contained introduction to the field of cryptography, from historical roots and attacks, to the mathematical principles that underpin the workings of the modern ciphers most commonly in use for securing internet communications. The focus of this unit is on a grounded understanding of cryptographic designs and their limitations, which in turn inform how they are used in practice.
BVB101 Foundations of Biology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Biology and Environmental Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Biology is the study of living things. Cells are considered the basic structural unit of life, existing in diverse forms from simple single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. Using collaborative approaches in workshops and the laboratory you will investigate the diverse nature of cells and consider how they are built and powered and how they interact and reproduce and form whole organisms. You will use the concepts developed in this unit to discuss more complex questions such as “are viruses alive” and “can we synthesise life”. This unit has a strong focus on development of practical skills and engagement in these activities is required to be able to undertake assessment that supports these learning outcomes.
BVB103 Evolution and the Diversity of Life
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Biology and Environmental Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
The famous biologist, Theodosius Dobzhansky (1973) stated that "nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution". Studying evolution and biodiversity provides you with the fundamental basis for understanding biological patterns and processes from data sources spanning research from genomes to ecology and fossils. This unit provides an overview of the nature of inheritance, biological variation, natural & sexual selection and adaptation as well as the diversity of life that these processes have generated. The unit aims to equip you to be able to (1) interpret any biological observation in an evolutionary framework in fields as diverse as conservation and medical genetics and (2) recognise and classify major groups of organisms. We will introduce some key elements of Australia’s largely unique flora and fauna. As a foundational unit, knowledge and skills that you gain will be built upon in subsequent units in the biology and environmental science majors.
MAB141 Mathematics and Statistics for Medical Science
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This introductory unit is designed to meet the mathematical and statistical requirements of medical science students, particularly students enrolled in Vision Science (OP45). Approximately one quarter of the unit focuses on the mathematical foundations for techniques used in manipulating medical science laboratory data. The remainder of the unit considers a range of relevant statistical techniques, addressing concepts such as which analysis methods may be appropriate for testing a given research hypothesis, how the choice of analysis method is affected by the available data and how to interpret the outcome of the formal analysis. This unit will provide you with an essential foundation in the mathematical and statistical concepts and data analysis methods that will be used in later medical science units.
CAB310 Interaction and Experience Design
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Computer Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This is an advanced human-computer interaction unit focussed on the design and evaluation of emerging technologies for human use. Emerging technologies like robots, machine learning, and Internet of Things devices have the potential to disrupt how we work and live. Based on interaction design theories and methods, this unit focusses on how we design, prototype, and study how people experience such emerging technologies. Understanding how to design emerging technologies for human use will give you an edge in the market place for jobs as user experience professionals, IT developers, and interaction designers. The theories and methods introduced in this unit prepare you for a career in human-computer interaction research and development. This unit builds on design thinking skills from unit IFB103 and user experience research skills from unit CAB210 to design experiences with emerging technologies.
CAB301 Algorithms and Complexity
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Computer Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit teaches you classical data structures and algorithms used in software development and the fundamental principles for analysing the time efficiency of algorithms, allowing you to distinguish software solutions that can process large amounts of data or perform complex calculations effectively from those that run unacceptably slowly or not at all. In this unit you will examine a range of different algorithms, review the principles used to predict their efficiency and perform empirical measurements of specific algorithms to confirm the theoretical predictions.
IGB180 Games History, Culture and Psychology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Computer Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit focuses on the social, cultural, sustainability and political aspects of videogames. It serves as a survey of topics useful for those interested in the study and creation of serious games, games for health, entertainment games, virtual and augmented reality, gamification and interactive environments. The units aims to help you become well played, well versed, and well read in and of games through the development of critical media skills. By the end of the semester you will be able to speak to current academic and industry trends around games, critically assess media and studies about games for veracity and reliability, leverage critical and creative thinking to express your positions on games, and converse about the history, social-cultural and sustainability impact of games.
CLB222 Oceans and Atmosphere
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Oceans make up 70% of the Earth's surface, yet less than 5% of them have been explored. There is therefore still much to learn about the marine environment, marine resources, and management, and how oceans affect atmospheric circulation. This unit takes a bottom-up approach introducing students to the major geological processes and geomorphology features that shape the ocean floor, dynamic sediments, and biology that are sourced and distributed by ocean currents and chemistry, followed by an overview of the factors governing ocean circulation and ocean water properties and finally looking at how oceans affect atmospheric circulation and climate. The interaction of all these processes has a direct societal impact such as the management of marine resources, including the cultural narratives of the Great Barrier Reef, infrastructure and food security, and risk mitigation of natural hazards, weather patterns, and climate change.
CLB221 Introduction to Climate Change
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit is designed to offer science, engineering and other students an opportunity to understand fundamentals of climate and climate change together with sustainable development efforts related to clean energy technologies. It provides students with an overview of global climate and climate change drivers, meteorological parameters and global air circulation, as well as an overview of technological pathways towards low carbon society. Students will explore global energy balance and climate change through an investigation of (i) Energy related environmental problems on local and global scale; (ii) Earth's climate, meteorology and transport of pollutants in the atmosphere; (iii) Working principles in selected conventional and alternative energy technologies to reduce energy related environmental consequences.
CLB224 Environmental Geochemistry
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
The interface between the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere is the most active and significant for element cycling. This the environment in which humans rely on for food, water, energy and raw materials. Environmental Geochemistry explores the behaviour and fate of chemical elements in this planetary interface. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of the principles of geochemistry and how they relate to environmental issues, influence climate, and habitability for life. The unit covers a range of topics, including the chemical composition and properties of the Earth's surface, the cycling of elements in the environment, and the impacts of human activities on the geochemistry of the Earth's surface. It also covers the geochemical techniques used to study and monitor processes in Earth and environmental industry and academic applications, such as the use of stable isotopes to trace the movement of elements in the environment over different time scales.
CLB223 Geospatial Information Systems
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
This unit introduces the theory and concepts of digital geographic information science with a focus on the interpretation of earth and environmental data from observations and sources like remote sensing and climate models/reanalysis data. You will record and create geospatial information that you share and combine to class data sets for mapping and analysis. Skills on accessing and processing scientific datasets in formats like NetCDF, HDF are developed through collecting and processing environmental data sets. Cartographic products are created to respond research questions about spatial patterns and environmental variability. Thus, a final report assessment demonstrates spatial analytical thought by analysing the datasets and discussing possible explanations to the patterns identified. Think spatially about processes and patterns, create informative and accurate geographic information and reporting products based on real world geospatial data sets.
IGB120 Introduction to Game Design
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Computer Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
It is crucial that a game designer understands how to create a game world, the rules that govern game play and other high level design tasks, as the result of these activities can determine whether the player finds the game enjoyable or not. This unit provides an introduction to game design, by starting with high level conceptual design tasks before moving to more concrete tasks. You will develop practical and theoretical knowledge of game design issues such as: how game systems work, how to define rules for the world, and how to balance the rules to ensure enjoyable game play. At the end of the unit, students will have worked individually and in a small project team to demonstrate their understanding of these concepts. In this unit you will analyse relevant theory, create a design document, build a prototype and undertake playtesting.
IFB320 Generative AI
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Computer Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Generative AI is one of the most significant developments in machine learning research in recent years, and one that has received enormous attention in industry, academia and among the general public. Many industries are being transformed by advancements in this space and it is the subject of significant media attention. This unit is a technically-focused jump into the world of large language models and other forms of Generative AI, through both theory and practical applications.
PVB105 Foundations of Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
The fundamental concepts of physics seek to describe, predict and explain phenomena at all scales from the observable universe down to subatomic particles. They underpin all the sciences. This unit introduces you to those underlying physical processes that relate to the behaviour of the world: motion, forces, energy, gravity, electricity, and special relativity, and see how they help us to also understand thermal interactions, fluid dynamics, global warming, electric and magnetic fields, electrical currents, optical instruments, space travel, the motions of the planets and to theorise about the nature, history and future of the universe itself. You will learn how to think about scientific concepts, and solve problems like a physicist. These concepts are grounded in experimental verification, and you will develop technical and reporting skills in laboratory experiments which investigate the relationships between measurable physical phenomena both individually and in teams.
IGB100 Game Studio 1: Mini-Game Development
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Computer Science
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
In Game Studio 1, you will begin to apply your emerging discipline knowledge within small scale game development activities. Game Studio units are fundamental to the BGIE, and focus on the integration of design principles with practical development skills. In this first studio unit, you will have the opportunity to experience, at a small scale, all facets of game development, from animation and design, through to implementation and production. In this unit you will collaborate in transdisciplinary teams to engage in the tasks that designers and developers carry out in order to create engaging mini-games that utilise simple game mechanics and rules. This unit aims to provide you with foundational knowledge of game development activity, and to nurture the skills necessary for execution of effective designs in an integrated studio environment. Importantly, it will be invaluable in assisting you to build your professional portfolio.
PCB240 Optics 1
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
A unit in basic optics is an essential part of any course for optometrists. The eye is an optical instrument that collects and images light to provide our valuable sense of vision. It is important that we know how to quantify and measure light, and control it in lamp sources, instruments and in detector systems. This unit is specially designed to cover a range of topics relevant to optometrists exploring these aspects of light. You will solve a range of practical problems using the principles of geometrical optics, reflection and refraction from surfaces and thin lenses. The relationships between photometric quantities such as flux, intensity, illumination and luminance will be explored. How the eye perceives colour and its quantitative and qualitative determination through CIE chromaticity coordinates will be investigated. Physical optics will be used to examine monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, the wave nature of light and the occurrence of interference and diffraction.
PCB272 Radiation Physics
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Radiographers require a basic knowledge of general physics and more detailed theoretical background to the physical basis behind the equipment design, construction and materials and the increasing technological support for developing modalities. The aim of this unit is to provide you with an understanding of radiation physics related to x-ray production and radiographic practice and how radiation interacts with matter. You will learn about the basic physics of radiation and radioactivity, interaction of radiation with matter, radiation safety and the physics underpinning X-ray imaging. You will also acquire the basic knowledge of the physical principles of X-ray imaging and radiotherapy systems.
ERB223 Structural Geology
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
This unit develops the knowledge and skills required to recognise, classify, describe, record, and interpret deformation structures in rocks, from the scale of millimetres to kilometres. Rock deformation driven by plate tectonics is a fundamental process that shapes the lithosphere of our planet and the complex 3D spatial distribution of rocks within it. Deformation structures control the strength of the lithosphere, generate earthquakes, enable the generation of volcanoes and intrusions, make up the fastest fluid pathways in the lithosphere, and play a key role in the formation of most resource deposits. Therefore, Structural Geology is integral to understanding the solid Earth, touches almost all geological disciplines, and is also important to resource, civil, and mechanical engineers.
ERB222 Igneous Petrology and Geochemistry
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 2 (July)
Unit synopsis
Igneous rocks comprise the bulk of the Earth's crust and are formed by geological processes, many of which cannot be directly observed as they occur at relatively high temperature and pressure within the Earth. The structure, texture, mineralogy and chemical composition of igneous rocks therefore provide fundamental clues from which the origin of these rocks can be interpreted. This information can then be used to address larger scale geologic issues, such as the hazard risk and future eruptive potential of volcanoes, constraining magma generating processes and source regions deep within the Earth that lead to a diverse spectrum of magma compositions generated and erupted at the Earth's surface, and the tectonic development of plate boundaries.
ERB221 Sedimentary Geology and Stratigraphy
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Sedimentary rocks cover most the Earth's surface and are arranged into layers that record the planet's evolution over large periods of geological time. The study of sedimentary rocks (sedimentology) and sequences of layers in the Earth’s crust (stratigraphy) can help unravel sedimentary processes, depositional environments and the burial history of the rocks. This allows scientists to develop a detailed geological history of an area, including modern and ancient climate variations, landscape evolution and exploration for resources. Sedimentology and stratigraphy are a fundamental part of the education of any earth scientist, and especially those who wish to be involved in energy and mineral resource exploration, water resource exploration, climate science and management and environmental geology, such as geo-sequestration of carbon, landscape remediation, soil science and investigation of extreme events (e.g., landslides, tsunami and storm surge).
ERB220 Minerals in Society
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Minerals in Society is the study of minerals and rocks that form the solid Earth, with a focus on how minerals and their elemental building blocks are used in society. Indeed, modern society has been built on humankind’s ability to exploit the physical and chemical properties of minerals. The study of minerals is essential for understanding the structure and composition of the earth, detailed processes of the rock cycle, and how minerals are the source of metals needed for a sustainable future.
MXB225 Modelling with Differential Equations 1
Unit information
- School/discipline
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Study level
- Undergraduate units
- Availability
- Semester 1 (February)
Unit synopsis
Differential equations are commonly used to formulate mathematical models of real-world phenomena from across science, engineering, economics and beyond. This unit builds on your earlier studies of differential equations to consider how such models are constructed, how to obtain analytical solutions, and how to use these models and their solution to gain insight into real-world processes.