Bridging course
This four-month course, held at our Melbourne (Bundoora) campus, is intended for people who have not recently completed Year 12. It is also an ideal refresher course for people keen to return to science study after pursuing other interests.
'As a mature age student I hadn't done maths for eight years but after my first year of maths studies I have realised how valuable the bridging course was in preparing me for university level maths.' – La Trobe second year student.
Course Dates
Part 1 (7 Weeks)
New start date: Thursday 25 October to Thursday 13 December 2012 (excepting Melbourne Cup Day).
Class times: 6:00pm - 8:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday.
Part 2 (5 Weeks)
Tuesday 8 January to Thursday 7 February 2013.
Class times: 6:00pm - 8:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday.
Course completion
Successful completion gives you the entry mathematics requirement for courses in the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering (for which the prerequisite is VCE Mathematical Methods 3 and 4). However, as selection into courses that require mathematical methods as a prerequisite are competitive, successful completion of this program does not guarantee automatic selection.
Applications
Applications are currently closed. If you are interested in receiving information on future courses please complete an expression of interest form.
Topics
Part 1 of the course consists of 12 sessions on pre-calculus skills (algebra, sets, trigonometry, linear equations, and functions). Part 2 consists of 12 sessions on calculus skills (tangent, differentiation, curve sketching, integration).
Sessions
The course includes lectures and practice classes where students have the opportunity to work through problems and ask questions. Students also complete units of work in their own time, and extra work sheets are provided for those who would like more practice.
The course emphasises constant revision of skills, and it is expected that students will actively participate in classroom and home learning activities.
Fees
There are two categories of fee assessment:
1. To enable individuals to commence an award course for the first time, this course does not require payment from individuals in any of the following exemption categories:
- people from a lower socioeconomic group
- people coming from an outer metropolitan or non-metropolitan area
- people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
- people with an immigrant background
- people living with a disability.
2. If you are not in one of the exemption categories above, there is a fee of $700 for the course payable before commencement. Upon receipt of your application, an invoice will be sent to you.
Please note: Fee-paying students who successfully complete this program and enrol in a science course in the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering at La Trobe University will be eligible for a $100 refund following the semester one enrolment census date.
Withdrawing from the course
Withdrawal in the week preceding commencement will incur a fee of $75 (prior to this $30). No refund is available for withdrawal once the course has commenced.
Course viability
The Bridging Course is subject to a minimum enrolment. If the target enrolment is not achieved, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics reserves the right not to run the course. If the course does not run you will be notified in writing one week before the course commencement date and you will receive a full refund of fees. The maximum class size is 20 students.
Entry to other universities
Applicants seeking entry into other Universities based on this bridging program are advised to check whether this program is meets their entry requirements prior to enrolling.
Current VCE students must satisfy the normal tertiary entrance requirements for courses and may not substitute this bridging program for prerequisite studies.
Contact us
T: +61 (0)3 9479 2600
F: +61 (0)3 9479 2466
E: mathstat@latrobe.edu.au
