Background:

Undergraduate programs offered by the College of Science and Medicine include references to the "Science course list", which is a list of courses that may contribute towards satisfying the 96 units of Science as per the relevant program orders.

All courses offered by schools within CoSM, as well as VC courses, are by default included in the undergraduate Science course list. This is represented via a list of ALPHA codes (https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/courses).

Courses delivered by other ANU Colleges

CoSM keeps a register of courses offered by ANU Colleges other than CoSM that can contribute towards satisfying the Science component of a degree (https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/courses/other-courses).

Non-Science courses listed in Science subplan (majors, minors or specialisations) requirements may contribute towards satisfying the Science requirements of a degree only when students are completing the relevant subplan. Such courses are not included in the register independently of the relevant subplan. However, some non-science courses that are listed in a Science subplan might also be listed independently in the science course list if they also satisfy the criteria below.

Note: where a student is working towards a Science subplan, completes a non-science course from the subplan requirements, but ends up not completing the subplan, there will be consideration for ad hoc approval for said course to contribute towards the science component of their degree.

Principles for adding a non-science course to the register:

The course description or learning outcomes of the course must include context, content or methodology that is appropriate for Science and Medicine, and

• the course is approved for multiple students over a significant period (eg 12-24 months), and/or
• a Sub Dean or Associate Director Education submits a recommendation for a course to be included in the course list, the course can be considered for inclusion in the Science course list, and/or
• the CoSM Curriculum Sub Committee, in a review, determines a course should be added to the Science Course List.

Note: Where the Associate Dean Education has approved a variation to program orders for an individual student based on the recommendation of a Science Sub Dean or Associate Dean, a comment is registered on the unofficial transcript of the relevant student. Courses approved on an ad hoc basis do not by default need to be recommended for inclusion in the Science course list.

Principles for removing a non-science course from the register:

If a non-science course is amended and/or does not satisfy the principles outlined above, it can be removed from the register, if

• the Associate Dean Education, a Sub Dean or Associate Director Education submits a recommendation for the course to be removed from the course list, and/or
• the CoSM Curriculum Sub Committee, in a review, determines the course should be removed from the Science Course List.

In the event a course is removed from the register, students who can demonstrate that they were enrolled in the course prior to its removal from the register can be approved to have the course contribute towards the Science component of their degree. This can be demonstrated via an approved study plan that identified the course as a Science course, or through enrolment records. Where an approval is made, a transcript comment must be registered on the unofficial transcript.

Timelines:

Reports are to be run in November/December so that the course list can be reviewed and published prior to students enrolling for the following academic career. The published list should then be submitted for noting at College Education Committee 1 the following year.

Records and storage:

Historic records of course lists must be archived in a way that is accessible to relevant staff, and students if possible. The Science Course list is currently published on the Current Students webpage on the College website. The intent is for historic lists to be kept in the CMS and published to P&C.