New students

Welcome

Congratulations on being accepted into your course!

Coming to university is often associated with big changes in your life - new activities, new friends, and new responsibilities. For some of you studying means moving away from family and friends, and finding a new place to live. Maybe your studies have brought you to live in Australia for the first time. Maybe you're juggling study and a job, and caring for family members as well. Whatever your personal circumstances, there are times when you may need some support. It's good to know that help is available. Within the Faculty and around the uni there are support services available to you.

University is an important time to explore your personal interests, and to meet others who share your passions. You'll find that your hobbies and activities outside of work / study can connect with and enrich your University studies in surprising ways. Extra-curricular activities can open you to new intellectual interests, and can also be a way to put into practice some of the ideas you first met in the lecture hall or library.

Spend some time exploring the other resources available to support you. The Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering Survival Guide contains useful information, as do the Faculty and University websites. I know how tempting it can be to avoid reading the numerous student manuals you will be provided. However, I would encourage you to at least dedicate some time to reading through this Survival Guide as it provides useful and important information to support your learning this year.

Please ensure that you check your LTU email inbox regularly as this is main mechanism by which we communicate important information to students.

On behalf of all the staff in the Faculty, I hope you enjoy your first year experience and I wish you every success with your first year studies this year.

Tania Blanksby

First Year Coordinator, Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering

Timetabling

A full-time enrolment is normally 120 credit points (or eight subjects) per year. Each Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering course has a Course Map available that will help you track your progress and which subjects are required (Core) and which can be chosen as electives throughout your degree. You were mailed a copy of your Course Map in your Enrolment.

Please read this information on lecture and tutorial/laboratory times.

All you need to do is enter the subject code and the campus. Once you are enrolled you are automatically in your lectures as the times advertised through the above site.

On the Melbourne campus, students self-allocate to practical classes and tutorial sessions using WebTimetabler. It is best to write out your lecture times first (these can be found in Timetables) and then sign up for your labs and tutes.

Use your student number to login and follow the instructions. When a session is full it will no longer be displayed. Download the WebTimetabler instructions document. [PDF 748KB].

Note: Some subjects do not release the allocation up before week one of semester (eg. Psychology).

If you need further help with timetabling, you can get assistance at the Timetable Drop-in sessions run during Orientation. You may also like to talk to your Connect Mentor about timetabling tips.

Support

The Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering recognise the difficulties that can be experience in your first year at University. Even if you have studied at Uni or TAFE before, it can be a big change. To help you adjust to your new surroundings and the community of La Trobe University we offer a number of support resources within the Faculty.

The First Year Coordinator

The First Year Coordinator is responsible for the overall management of First Year across all campuses of the University. The Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring that all students are supported while studying in first year. If you have any concerns relating to your experience in first year it is important to relay these concerns to the First Year Coordinator. The First Year Coordinator can also be a useful contact if you are experiencing difficulties or problems which might be impacting on your academic work and can help coordinate support across your first year subjects and refer you to University services that might be able to provide additional or more specialised support. The First Year Coordinator will also liaise with your Course Coordinator as required. The Faculty of Science Technology & Engineering First Year Coordinator is Tania Blanksby. She can be contacted on t.blanksby@latrobe.edu.au or (03) 9479 2261.

Faculty Office (Student Services - administrative)

The Faculty Office specialises in assisting students at all year levels who have personal or academic difficulties that are affecting their studies. They can help with navigating University policy, and providing referrals to other university services. See Important Faculty Contacts for further details.

Academic Course Coordinators and Advisors

Academic Course Coordinators and Advisors assist students at all year levels who have personal or academic difficulties which affect their studies. By appointment, they are available for one-on-one confidential meetings and can help with navigating University policy, Course counselling and providing referrals to other university services. See Important Faculty Contacts for further details.

Academic Language and Learning Unit (ALLU)

ALLU works closely with students on all campuses to ensure that Health Science students - including those from non-English-speaking backgrounds - develop high-level academic speaking, writing, reading, and numeracy skills required for successful learning in their courses. For information on how to access these staff please visit the Academic Language and Learning Unit.

Connect Mentor Program

The Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering have joined forces with Student Engagement and other faculties to offer a more comprehensive peer mentoring program. The program is designed to assist new students to meet others in their course/faculty. The use of more experienced students as mentors will help to guide new students to feeling more comfortable with the campus life and facilities available. They can provide a ‘been there done that’ perspective to the First Year Experience.

FAQs

I have specific questions about my course

Comprehensive information for each Course can be found on the Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering Course and Subject information WebPages in the handbook. If you still have questions, please contact the Academic Course Coordinator/Advisor for the degree you are enrolled in or the student services staff in the Faculty Office.

What is a First Year Coordinator?

The First Year Coordinator is responsible for the overall management of First Year across all campuses of the University. The Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring that all students are supported while studying in first year. If you have any concerns relating to your experience in first year it is important to relay these concerns to the First Year Coordinator. The First Year Coordinator can also be a useful contact if you are experiencing difficulties or problems which might be impacting on your academic work and can help coordinate support across your first year subjects and refer you to University services that might be able to provide additional or more specialised support. The First Year Coordinator will also liaise with your Course Coordinator as required. The Faculty of Science Technology & Engineering First Year Coordinator is Tania Blanksby. She can be contacted on t.blanksby@latrobe.edu.au or (03) 9479 2261.

How much study is expected of me outside of class?

Although it can be tempting to only study during your contact hours, this is not enough time to gain the knowledge you require to succeed in your studies. It is generally recommended that students spend approximately 10 hours of study for each 15 credit point subject. This includes your lectures, labs and tutorials. That means if you have six hours of classes a week (eg. 3 hours lectures and 3 hours lab), you would be expected to do four hours of study in your own time. If you are doing four subjects, you can now see how this is considered full time as you would need to spend at least 40 hours studying each week.

How can I apply for Leave of Absence (LOA)?

A leave of absence is an approved break in your study, usually for a maximum of two semesters. An application for a Leave of Absence (also known as Intermission of Studies), can be made prior to the census date of the relevant semester of leave. LOA is normally available for a total of two semesters. Further leave may be considered under Special circumstances. Leave of Absence (Intermission of Studies) forms are available from the Faculty Office.

Can I study part time?

Most Undergraduate courses in the Faculty are available in part time mode. However, some subjects will have strict pre-requisite requirements and may affect your study plan. It is best to contact the Faculty Office for advice on part-time study.

How do I change the Subjects I am enrolled in?

You are able to add or substitute subjects in the first two weeks of semester either via StudentOnLine or by completing a Variation of Enrolment form (VoE) and submitting it to the Science, Technology & Engineering Faculty Office. If you wish to remove a subject, this can also be done via StudentOnLine or VoE prior to the relevant census date. Withdrawals after this date may incur financial or academic penalties. You cannot withdraw from a subject once the academic period in which it is being taught has ended.

What is LMS?

LMS is an internet based learning management system to allow you to obtain learning materials and activities related to your studies from any location with internet access. This is online component is used to compliment your lectures and tutorials/labs within our courses.

How do I enrol into my tutorials & labs?

At the Melbourne campus many tutes, labs and practical classes use WebTimetabler for students to self allocate to a particular session. Some subjects will open the sign-up during O-Week, while others will wait until after the first lecture. You will need to check on the LMS for details for each subject.

I am experiencing personal difficulties that are affecting my studies, what should I do?

It is highly important to contact us as soon as possible. The longer you leave an issue the worse it is likely to get. The Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering has a Student Support team dedicated to assisting students facing difficulties that are affecting their studies. If you are experiencing academic progress issues, personal difficulties, or require advice on university policy and procedures relating to special consideration etc, please make an appointment to see your Academic Course Advisor/Coordinator or a Student Services Administrator at the Faculty Office or the Tania Blanksby, the First Year Coordinator (see important Faculty Contacts). Individual private consultation is available. You may also like to talk with the University Counselling Service.

Are there extra tutorials I can take to further improve my MATHS?

Mathematics underpins all the Sciences, so a good grounding of basic mathematical skills is essential for success in your course. If any of the following apply to you:

• lack confidence with mathematics
• haven’t studied mathematics for a while
• just have problems with some mathematics topics
• feel intimidated or overwhelmed by mathematics

...then the Maths Skills Program is for you.

Programs run are Maths Skills for Chemistry, Maths Skills for Biology, Maths Skills for Physics, Maths Skills for Statistics, Maths Skills Extensions and Maths Skills for Pharmacy. Students choose to do one of these, but may do another in the following semester.

The Program is a five week voluntary course which runs from Week 4 to Week 8 inclusive of a Semester and is extended beyond that for those who need extra help until the end of that Semester. The program gives you:

• 24/7 access to an online program called MyMathTest
• worksheets with guidance, notes, worked examples and exercises
• drop-in sessions for one-to-one help with an instructor

You will be informed of how to apply for these programs in your subject lectures in the first weeks of the Semester.

We hope you utilize these programs for greater success in your course.

Contact: Dr Deborah Jackson
Email: D.Jackson@latrobe.edu.au
Phone: 9479 1006

Contacts

Faculty Office Enquiries (enrolment and course related matters - administrative)

Undergraduate Course Coordinators

First Year Coordinator (Melbourne-based)