University of New South Wales

This course examines the ecology and conservation of shallow aquatic habitats, with a major emphasis on the ecology of marine coastal systems such as kelp forests, coral reefs or seagrass meadows but also including freshwater ecosystems. There is a very strong emphasis on experimental ecological analysis of benthic communities.

This course examines the history, politics and culture of Sydney. Students will explore the city through walking tours and from many vantage points, including its beaches, rivers, parks, subcultures and multicultural communities and will learn more about the past and present of Aboriginal Sydney, Western Sydney and Queer Sydney. Drawing on a vast range of historical and contemporary accounts, the course traces Sydney’s extraordinary urban transformation from a tiny penal outpost to a global city of international renown in only 200 years. 

This course examines the Australian legal system, a common law system, and contrasts it with the civil law system. It covers the historical origins of the Australian legal system, some of the principles underpinning the legal system, including the importance of the concept of the rule of law. It also covers the operation of the principal institutions of the legal system, the legislative and executive arms of government and the judiciary and courts. This will include the jurisdiction of Australian courts, the process by which cases are decided and the doctrine of precedent, consideration of alternative methods of dispute resolution and an examination of the role of the legal profession. There will also be an overview of the main branches of law. Aboriginal customary law will be looked at and there will be a critical analysis of the circumstances of the adoption of the common law in Australia and the effect on the indigenous people. There will also be examination of the recognition of customary law and native title.

This course examines numerical methods and statistics essential in a wide range of engineering disciplines. Numerical methods covers computing with real numbers, numerical differentiation, integration, interpolation and curve fitting (regression analysis), solution of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, matrix operations and applications to solution of systems of linear equations, elimination and tri-diagonal matrix algorithms, and an introduction to numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations. Statistics covers exploratory data analysis, probability and distribution theory including the Binomial, Poisson and Normal distributions, large sample theory including the Central Limit Theorem, elements of statistical inference including estimation, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing, one sample and two-sample t-tests and F-tests, simple and multiple linear regression and analysis of variance and statistical quality control.

This course examines plant biology, with a focus on Australia's native flora. The course blends theoretical study with practical experience through lab work and field trips to Sydney's regional national parks. Key topics include plant identification, edible botany, plant ecology, and biogeography.

This course examines the institutions and practices of the criminal justice system. As well as considering the operation of various components of the criminal justice system - including the police, courts, and corrections - it will also address new and emerging developments in criminal justice practice, crime prevention, and responses to crime.