B Arts question (1 Viewer)

[billiton]

Do you start your majors in the first year, or do you start doing subjects in your chosen major in the first year?

Also, would it be really hard doin 2 languages?

 

[RogueAcademic]

Your majors are the 3rd year level subjects you do in your final (3rd) year of your BA degree.

But there is usually a sequence of subjects you do at 1st and 2nd yr that leads you to your majors.

Also, would it be really hard doin 2 languages?

Don't know.. can you speak 2 languages already?

 

[Triangulum]

Your majors are the 3rd year level subjects you do in your final (3rd) year of your BA degree.

But there is usually a sequence of subjects you do at 1st and 2nd yr that leads you to your majors.

at usyd, arts majors are generally done across 2nd and 3rd years. (science majors are done only in 3rd year though.)

to answer the OP's question, you have to do six senior units in your chosen subject over the final two years of your degree to get a major. but to qualify for those senior units you usually need to have done 2 junior units in the same subject in first year. so you won't technically be doing your major in first year, but you'll be doing units in that subject area anyway.

 

[DownInFlames]

Also, would it be really hard doin 2 languages?

plenty of people do it. It's not likely you'll mix up the languages, if that's what or concern is. That tends not to happen.

What are you planning on doing once you graduate?

 

[RogueAcademic]

at usyd, arts majors are generally done across 2nd and 3rd years. (science majors are done only in 3rd year though.)

I wasn't aware of that. My understanding is, completing up to a 2nd yr level sequence is a minor, but once you complete a 3rd (or final yr) sequence, that's a major.

 

[Triangulum]

I wasn't aware of that. My understanding is, completing up to a 2nd yr level sequence is a minor, but once you complete a 3rd (or final yr) sequence, that's a major.

maybe at other unis, but not at usyd. i don't think we have minors anymore.

 

[RogueAcademic]

maybe at other unis, but not at usyd. i don't think we have minors anymore.

I wonder why they changed it. So what happens now if you only complete up to a 2nd yr level sequence? Can you still call that a major?

 

[Triangulum]

I wonder why they changed it. So what happens now if you only complete up to a 2nd yr level sequence? Can you still call that a major?

progression has been streamlined significantly so there's no distinction between 'second year level' and 'third year level' in arts. in first year you do 1000-level units, in second and third years you do 2000-level units. pass six 2000-level units in the one subject and you have your major.* so there isn't really any such thing as 'completing up to a second year level sequence'. you either do six units and get the major, or do less than six units and don't get the major.

* there are still some 3000-level units - although fewer than there used to be - which typically require you to have done a certain number of 2000-level units, so they're mostly taken by third years. they count towards a major in the same way as 2000-level units, and in most cases it's not compulsory to do them to complete the major. a lot of departments require a 3000-level course for honours though.

 

[KarmaKitten]

If you've managed to do the 6 required subjects for the major in your second year, then yes, you'd have your major.

 

[RogueAcademic]

That structure sounds like it makes it harder for students to diversify their subject choices, they'd have to stick to subjects within a certain area or two.

 

[nick1689]

That structure sounds like it makes it harder for students to diversify their subject choices, they'd have to stick to subjects within a certain area or two.

Thats what a major is - specialisation in one subject area

 

[RogueAcademic]

Thats what a major is - specialisation in one subject area

What I was referring to is having a bit more flexibility to spread your subjects around at 1st and 2nd yr level before distilling into your one or two majors at 3rd yr level. As opposed to having to select a significant number of subjects from only one or two areas to count as your major.

 

[billiton]

i got one more question too:

wat are the chances of getting into bachelor of arts on the second round offers. does it usually fill up pretty quick? btw my uai is round 89

also, wats the faculty of arts like compared to that of UNSW?

 

[KarmaKitten]

From what I've heard, the arts faculty at UNSW is terrible. Thats from what I've heard

But I think USYD arts faculty is quite good. All the lecturers and those within the faculty seem passionate about their subjects and about learning in general.

 

[Triangulum]

i got one more question too:

wat are the chances of getting into bachelor of arts on the second round offers. does it usually fill up pretty quick? btw my uai is round 89

also, wats the faculty of arts like compared to that of UNSW?

there are almost always vacancies in the late round. with a UAI of 89 you shouldn't have any trouble getting in during either the main or late rounds.

like karmakitten, i've heard around and about that UNSW arts is going downhill due to budget cuts, amalgamations and so on, but don't take my word for it. i don't really know anyone who does arts there.

 

[billiton]

ok, one more question lol

how many electives do you have left in your degree after you complete 2 majors? are there enough electives left for a 3rd major?
can you take the elective for anywhere?

 

[spence]

For the BA, you have 24 subjects. As each major requires six senior subjects, as well as usually 2 junior subjects, double majoring still leaves plenty of electives. You could possibly fit in a third major if you plan things very carefully (would require you to start senior subjects in first year)

 

[niteshade1312]

I've just finished my BA. I did a double major (Performance/Film), but keep in mind, if you want the option of doing Honours, you will also need to do 48 credit points. I had to overload and ask for extra credit points so I could fulfill the 48 credit points for Joint Hon (which I'm doing this year.. WOOT), but I didn't realise that till later.

In 1st year.. make sure you have a look at what you really want to do and keep in mind the progression of subjects and courses.

And the Faculty of Arts is MUCH better than UNSW. We have more choices of disciplines and USYD is the 5th best faculty of arts in the WORLD!