Maths & Stats / Teaching program / Junior / Junior Maths FAQ

First Year Mathematics and Statistics

Frequently asked questions

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What happens if I miss an exam, or if my performance is impaired?

  • If serious illness or misadventure makes it impossible for you to attend an exam, then you are entitled to request special consideration.

  • Trivial illness on the day of the exam will not be accepted as a reason for missing the exam. Illness in the period leading up to the exam will not be accepted as a reason for missing the exam. If you are able to sit the exam, then you should do so, even if you believe that your performance is impaired. You may submit an application for special consideration in that event. If your application is successful, then your mark may be adjusted (if appropriate), or you may be offered further assessment.

  • Any application for special consideration must be lodged at the Faculty of Science Office, and submitted to the Mathematics Student Office (Carslaw 520), within seven days of the exam in question. Special consideration application forms are available from the Faculty of Science Office, or can be downloaded here.

  • Please note that the Faculty of Science Special Consideration Policy applies to all mathematics units regardless of the Faculty in which you are enrolled. Before applying for special consideration you must read the policy.

  • Do not assume that you will automatically be granted the opportunity to sit a supplementary exam if you miss an exam. Your application will be assessed in the light of your performance throughout the semester, and your academic record. Note that students who have participated only minimally in the unit throughout the semester will not be granted supplementary exams: special consideration applications from such students will be declined.

  • If the judgement on your application for special consideration is "Decision deferred until semester results available", then it is your responsibility to find out whether or not you have been granted further assessment.

  • Students who have been granted an opportunity to sit a supplementary exam will receive a result of 'INC'. A list of such students will be posted on the Junior Mathematics website.

  • All supplementary exams will take place on Tuesday 15 December 2009. A timetable will be posted on the Junior Mathematics website.

  • Please note that there will be no opportunity for any further assessment after 15 December 2009.

    Note: If you miss a first year mathematics exam due to mis-reading the timetable, go to the Mathematics Student Office (Carslaw 520) immediately.

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I won't be able to sit an exam at the scheduled time. What should I do?

  • If you are unable to attend an exam due to an essential sporting or community commitment (as defined in the policy), then you may apply for special arrangements to be made. If your application is successful, then you will be permitted to sit a supplementary exam on Tuesday 15 December 2009. No other arrangements are possible.
  • Any application for special arrangements must be lodged at the Faculty of Science Office, and submitted to the Mathematics Student Office (Carslaw 520), at least seven days BEFORE the date of the exam. Special arrangements application forms are available from the Faculty of Science Office, or can be downloaded here.
    Before applying for special arrangements you must read the policy.
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Can I do the quiz in any tutorial I like?

No. You must sit the quiz in the tutorial in which you are enrolled. You are enrolled in a particular tutorial if and only if your name is typed on the roll for that tutorial. If you sit the quiz in a tutorial in which you are not enrolled your mark cannot be recorded. Please see the next question if you are unable to attend your timetabled tutorial.

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I am unable to do a quiz in my timetabled tutorial. What should I do?

If you have a legitimate reason for not being able to sit the quiz in the correct tutorial, then you must go to the Student Office (Carslaw room 520) and ask if an alternative arrangement can be made. You should do this well in advance of your timetabled tutorial. The only alternative arrangement that may possibly be made is for you to sit the quiz in another timetabled tutorial, during the week of the quiz. Note that if you sit the quiz in a tutorial in which you are not enrolled, without having made an arrangement with the Student Office, then your mark cannot be recorded.

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What should I do if I miss a quiz?

If you know that you will miss a quiz due to a sporting or other community commitment, then you must go to the Student Office (Carslaw room 520) and see if an alternative arrangement can be made. If an alternative arrangement is not possible, then you must submit a special arrangements form at least 7 days before the date of your quiz. The only alternative arrangement that may possibly be made is for you to sit the quiz in another timetabled tutorial, during the week of the quiz. If that is not possible, then you will be awarded a pro-rata mark for that quiz, based on your final examination mark in the unit of study.

If you miss a quiz due to illness or misadventure on the day of the quiz, you should go to the Student Office (Carslaw room 520) as soon as possible afterwards. If you have a legitimate reason for having missed your tutorial, then it may be possible for you to sit the quiz at another time. If it is not possible for you to sit the quiz at another time, then you may be eligible to apply for special consideration. See the School's special consideration policy.

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I can't hand my assignment in by the due date. Can I get an extension?

If serious illness or misadventure during the week before the due date prevents you from submitting an assignment on the due date then you may request an extension. Unless there are exceptional circumstances any application for an extension must be made before the submission date.
Late assignments will only be accepted if you have an approved extension, or in the following circumstance:
Should you be ill on the due date only, and unable to submit your assignment, then you may submit it the following day, accompanied by a special consideration form and supporting documentation.
Exemptions from submission of assignments are not generally granted.

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Where do I get a special consideration/arrangements form?

Forms can be downloaded here , or obtained from the Faculty of Science student enquiry counter on Carslaw level 2.
You must read the Special Consideration Policy before submitting a form.
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When will I be informed of the outcome of my application for special consideration/arrangements?

You will receive an email (to your University email address) from the Faculty of Science within approximately two weeks from the date you submitted the application.
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The academic judgement on my application for special consideration was: 'Weighting of assessment items changed'. What does this mean?

If you have missed an assessment task worth x% in a unit of study for which the exam is worth y%, your exam will be re-weighted to count for (x+y)%.
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Which units should I take?

The level at which you study depends on your background and the degree in which you are enrolled. The table below is a guide only: more detailed information is available in the Junior Mathematics Handbook, and you should discuss your choice with a mathematics adviser at enrolment.

Your background Semester 1 Semester 2
No mathematics at HSC MATH1111 MATH1013 and MATH1014
HSC Mathematics MATH1011 and MATH1015 MATH1013 and MATH1014
HSC Mathematics Extn 1 MATH1001 and MATH1002 MATH1003 and either MATH1005 or MATH1004
HSC Mathematics Extn 2, UAI of 90+, and a genuine interest in Mathematics MATH1901 and MATH1902 MATH1903 and MATH1905

If you are considering the Advanced units (MATH1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905) please try the online self-assessment test.

If you have done only General Mathematics, or mathematics to Year 10 only, you should discuss your options with an adviser at enrolment.

If you wish to enrol in a unit for which you do not have the necessary background (as indicated in the above table), it is advisable to do a Bridging Course.

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Can I enrol in Advanced units if I haven't done HSC Mathematics Extension 2?

This is not generally recommended. However, if you have a strong interest in mathematics you may apply to the Director of First Year Studies (Carslaw room 534) for permission to enrol.

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How do I enrol in a bridging course?

The Bridging Course website contains information on how to enrol.

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I have failed a unit of study. What should I do now? Can I re-sit the exam?

If the unit of study you have failed is a necessary requirement for your degree then you will need to repeat it. You can repeat the unit in summer school, or in semester 1 next year. It is not possible to re-sit the exam, nor are there any circumstances under which your mark can be changed to a pass.
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I have a mark of 47 (or 48 or 49) in a unit of study. Can I be awarded a concessional pass?

No. Concessional passes are not awarded in any mathematics units of study.
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Where can I find solutions to past exam papers?

Lecturers in a particular unit of study may or may not release solutions to past papers. If solutions are released, they will be posted on the unit webpage. Any enquiries about the release or otherwise of solutions should be made directly to your lecturer.

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How can I find out more about a particular unit?

The Junior Handbook has course descriptions for all units.

Also, each unit has its own website, which can be accessed from the Junior Mathematics webpage. There is an information sheet for each unit, available from the unit webpage. The information sheet includes (for example) details of the assessment procedure, dates of assessment tasks and a week-by-week outline of the course material.

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Where can I find the timetable for a particular unit?

The timetable for each unit is displayed on the web page for that unit.

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Can I attend a different tutorial from that shown on my timetable?

No. You may only attend the tutorial to which you have been allocated. Please see the next question if you wish to change your tutorial time.

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How can I change my tutorial time?

If you wish to try to change your tutorial time then you must do the following:
  • Choose a tutorial time that suits you.
  • Go to that tutorial and ask the tutor if you may join his or her tutorial. (Writing your name on the roll does not enrol you in the tutorial.)
  • If the tutor allows you to join the tutorial, check that your name appears, typed, on the tutor's printed roll when you attend the tutorial the following week.
Note that tutors will not allow you to join a tutorial if it is already full.

If a tutor allows you to join a tutorial that is not on your printed personal timetable, your printed personal timetable will not be changed, and the University's timetabling coordinator will not be notified.

As far as the School of Mathematics and Statistics is concerned, you are enrolled in a tutorial if and only if your name is TYPED on your tutor's roll.

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What/where is Kopystop?

Kopystop is a shop at 55 Mountain St Broadway. Kopystop sells all course notes that are published by the School of Mathematics and Statistics.

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Is it compulsory to attend lectures and tutorials?

The Faculty of Science attendance policy may be found on page 7 of the Faculty of Science Handbook. In practice, the School of Mathematics and Statistics will not fail a student merely on the grounds of poor attendance. However, tutorial attendance is recorded and a student's attendance record is taken into account when assessing any request for Special Consideration.

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Where can I get help if I am having trouble understanding the material?

Lecturers are available to help you at specified consultation times. The times are given in the unit's information sheet. If you need help because you do not have the necessary mathematical background for your unit of study you may attend the Mathematics Learning Centre.

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Can I see my tutor outside the tutorial time?

Only if your tutor has indicated that he or she is willing to see students outside the tutorial time. Many tutors are employed on a casual basis and are not required to be available outside the tutorial time. In general, if you need help you should see one of the lecturers during a consultation time.

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Is there a particular calculator I should use?

You may use any calculator you like during tutorials and your own study. In most units of study non-programmable calculators of any type are allowed during quizzes held in tutorials. (In some units, calculators may not be allowed at all during quizzes.)

During end-of-semester exams, the University will supply Casio fx-85MS calculators. These calculators can no longer be purchased, but the Casio fx-82AU is very similar. If you wish to inspect a University calculator you may do so at the Student Centre.