University of Sydney Foundation Program Subjects
Discover what you can study
The University of Sydney Foundation Program (USFP) is designed for students who need support to reach the entry requirements for their desired undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney. You will gain an insight into relevant topics as well as the academic knowledge you’ll need to progress. Here, you can read about the variety of subjects you can study on each structure of this program.
Standard and Intensive programs
English
English A & B
English A and B aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable students to best achieve their academic potential at University.
The main aims for this module are:
To develop awareness and competency in the range of language-related skills required for successful study at Higher Education level. These include the processes and conventions of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures.
To develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language to enable students to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence.
To support students in reflecting on their learning and identifying how to improve their skills and language.
To ensure students are able to meet the requirements of the partner University through demonstrating a minimum English language level of IELTS 6.5 in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Topics include:
- Language skills including oral presentations, academic writing, advanced reading and comprehension, and active listening
- Advanced academic skills, including critical analysis, independent learning, time management, research, analysis of sources and referencing.
Assessment:
English A
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results
English B
- 70% coursework
- 30% examination results
Prerequisite: English A is a prerequisite for English B.
Accounting
Accounting A
The aim of this subject is to provide students with a basic understanding of the accounting process.
Topics include:
- Basic accounting concepts
- Double-entry accounting − Financial accounting reports.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination final results.
Accounting B
The aim of this subject is to provide students with a basic understanding of management accounting.
Topics include
- Budgeting
- Break-even analysis
- Ratio analysis
- Accounting principles, auditing and ethics
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination final results.
Prerequisite
Accounting A.
Australian Studies
Australian Studies A (Environmental Studies)
This subject explores the diversity of the Australian environment and the impact that people have on it. The course will help students to better understand the country they are
studying in, and to develop an informed perspective on current environmental issues.
Topics include
- Contemporary issues in the Australian environment
- Weather, climate and hazards of the Australian environment
- Issues and case studies in the Australian environment.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results.
Australian Studies B
Australian Studies B explores Australian history with a focus on Early Colonial Development (1770 – 1840) or Australia in Conflict (1901 – present day). Students will obtain knowledge, understanding, attitudes, values, and skills to develop informed perspectives on a range of historical issues. Students will undertake investigations through the analysis of historical sources and enhance their ability to think critically and problem solve. Students will be required to look for historical bias and formulate written responses to assess historical evidence. This course improves student literacy skills required for university study.
Topics include
- Early Aboriginal life
- European exploration
- Colonial development − Federation − Australia in the 20th century.
Students will also gain an understanding of very important contemporary issues facing Australia such as:
- Changing immigration
- Changing rights and freedom
- Asylum seekers.
Assessment
- 60% coursework
- 40% examination results
Biology
Biology A
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and processes of living organisms, and a study of modern biology in the context of the world around us. Develops practical, research, analysis and presentation skills.
Topics include
- Australian Biota
- Cells
- Classification
- Evolution
- Genetic Engineering
- Mendelian Genetics.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results.
Biology B
An introduction to the structures, processes and systems of plants and animals. Study of the origin of life will demonstrate the evolution of the unique Australian ecology. Develops practical, research, analysis and presentation skills.
Topics include
- Biochemistry
- Origin of life
- Ecology
- Plant and animal systems.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results.
Chemistry
Chemistry A
Develops students knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts in physical and inorganic chemistry. Students learn laboratory and analytical skills required for undergraduate study.
Topics include
- Properties of matter
- Chemical reactions
- Stoichiometry
- Structure and bonding
Practical work is embedded within each topic.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results.
Prerequisite
Year 11 Chemistry or equivalent.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business A, however Mathematics for Science A is recommended.
Chemistry B
Builds on what students have learnt in Chemistry A and further develops their knowledge and understanding of key concepts in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. Students expand their laboratory and analytical skills acquired in Chemistry A needed for undergraduate study.
Topics include
- Chemical reactions
- Stoichiometry
- Energy and electrochemistry
- Equilibrium
- Acids and Bases
- Organic chemistry
Practical work is embedded within each topic.
Assessment
50% coursework
50% examination results.
Prerequisite
Chemistry A and at least Mathematics for Business A.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business B, however Mathematics for Science B is recommended.
Economics
Economics A (Microeconomics)
Gain insight into the operation and regulation of the modern market based economy, including the main market models, government regulation polices, and the need for government intervention into the free market.
Topics include
- The Economic Problem
- Demand & Supply
- Elasticity − Government Intervention − Theory of the Firm
- Returns to Scale
- Markets.
Assessment
- 45% coursework
- 55% examination results.
Economics B (Macroeconomics)
Discover the operation of the economy and the sectors and institutions within it. Understand why economic activity contracts and expands, and how policies support the achievement of goals and targets.
Topics include
- Circular flow of Income
- Income & Expenditure Analysis
- Economic Issues − Economic Policy
- International Trade.
Assessment
- 45% coursework
- 55% examination results.
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Core A
The course is an introduction to a wide variety of media and art techniques for students who wish to study Visual Arts and Design at University. It develops practical, creative, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Approximately 70% of class time is devoted to practical art making.
Topics include
- Drawing
- Printmaking – Digital art and design
- History and Critical Theory of Art and Design.
Assessment
- 60% art making
- 40% theory and art history.
Co-requisite
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design Elective A.
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Elective A
This elective course allows students to develop their practical art making skills, plus their independent research and problem solving abilities.
Topics include
- Drawing
- History and Critical Theory of Art and Design
- Painting − Digital art and design
- The Human Condition, investigated through drawing and mixed media
- The World from my Window, investigated through painting and mixed media.
Assessment
- 60% art making
- 40% examination.
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Core B
This course extends the skills students have learned in Core A. Students develop a body of work in their preferred form (Visual Arts or Design) based on the research of artists, designers, concepts, techniques and media.
Topics include
- History and Critical Theory of Art and Design
- Digital art and design
- Developing a body of work
- Developing a portfolio of art work.
Assessment
- 100% art making.
Prerequisite
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Elective A and Foundations of Visual Arts & Design – Core A.
Co-requisite
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Elective B.
Note: The final body of work and the portfolio is assessed by Taylors College and the Sydney College of Arts (University of Sydney).
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Elective B
Extends the skills developed in Elective A, plus the techniques, critical language and understanding of art works gained throughout the course. Students produce a body of work in their preferred form.
Topics included
- Design − Computer Generated Imagery
- History and Critical Theory of Art and Design
- Developing a body of work
- Developing a portfolio of art work.
Assessment
- 60% art making
- 40% art history and art criticism.
Prerequisite
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Elective A.
Note: The final body of work and the portfolio is assessed by Taylors College and the Sydney College of Arts (Sydney University).
Government and Law
Government and Law A
(Development of Australian Law)
This subject gives students an understanding of the influences of the British parliamentary system on the development of Australian law and the system of government as it now exists. It also gives an introduction to the criminal justice system operating in Australia.
Topics include
- Basic Legal Concepts: Customs, rules, laws
- Sources of Contemporary Australian Law
- An exploration of the parties and processes in the Australian criminal justice system.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results.
Government and Law B (Issues in the Law)
This subject introduces students to current issues related to the protection and enforcement of human rights and the effectiveness of legal and non-legal measures in promoting peace and resolving conflict between states.
Topics include
- The nature and development of human rights
- Promoting and enforcing human rights
- Examples of contemporary human rights issues
- The nature of world order
- Themes and challenges for world order and responses to world order.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results.
Prerequisite
Government and Law A.
Information Technology (Software for Programmers)
Information Technology A (Software for Business)
This 'hands on' course complements the theory learned in the Accounting / Business course by providing the technical skills needed to customise programs, and use software to set up an internet based company.
Topics include
- Marketing through multimedia techniques
- Business modelling by creating customised database applications
- Financial analysis using spreadsheet templates
- Ecommerce using web development tools.
Assessment
- 60% coursework
- 40% exam.
Information Technology B
This subject will appeal to creative students wishing to develop their own software and video games. Students will learn screen design and how to write an actual program 'code' using common programming languages. Students will learn game design and development and how to build 3D characters and virtual worlds.
Topics included
- Development approaches − Analysis and design
- Code and testing
- Develop a complete software package, e.g. a game.
Assessment
- 60% coursework
- 40% examination results.
International Studies
International Studies A (Politics)
An introduction to modern international and global politics. Explore the factors that shape politics, learn research and analysis skills, and present orally in student seminars.
Topics include
- Origins of the sovereign state
- Evolution of the system of states to 1900: war, trade and imperialism
- World Wars I and II
- Cold War to Decolonisation
- Post-Cold War and contemporary era.
Assessment
- 60% coursework
- 40% examination results.
International Studies B (Economics)
Preparation for the undergraduate study of a wide range of international economics, business and politics studies. The focus is on practical problem solving through real case studies from the modern world of business.
Topics included
- Globalisation − Economic Development
- International Trade − Foreign Exchange − Global Financial Markets.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination results.
Mathematics
Mathematics for Business A
This course is intended to give students an understanding of, and competence in, aspects of Mathematics that are applicable to the real world. It provides students with the background and skills necessary for University study requiring some mathematics. Mathematics for Business A may be studied as a minor.
Topics included
- Basic Arithmetic and Algebra
- Functions and Quadratic Functions
- Calculus − Trigonometry − Statistics.
Assessment
- 30% coursework
- 70% examination results.
Prerequisite
Year 11 Mathematics or equivalent.
Mathematics for Business B
This subject extends the mathematical studies of Mathematics for Humanities A with particular emphasis on applications to problems in Economics and Finance.
Topics include
- Further Trigonometry − Logarithmic and Exponential Functions
- Sequences and Series
- Financial Mathematics − Applications of Calculus to Economics
- Statistics − Probability.
Assessment
- 30% coursework
- 70% examination results.
Prerequisite
Mathematics for Humanities A or Mathematics for Science A.
Mathematics for Science A
This course is intended to give students an understanding of and competence in, aspects of Mathematics that are applicable to the real world. It provides students with the background and skills necessary for university study requiring a significant level of mathematics. Mathematics for Science A may be studied as a minor.
Topics include
- Basic Arithmetic and Algebra
- Functions and Quadratic Functions
- Polynomials − Calculus − Trigonometry − Statistics.
Assessment
- 30% coursework
- 70% examination.
Prerequisite
Year 11 Mathematics or equivalent.
Mathematics for Science B
This course extends the mathematical studies of Mathematics for Science A with particular emphasis on applications to physical problems.
Topics include
- Further Trigonometry − Logarithmic and Exponential Functions
- Sequences and Series
- Further Calculus
- Applications of Calculus to the Physical World
- Counting Techniques, Probability and Statistics.
Assessment
- 30% coursework
- 70% examination.
Prerequisite
Mathematics for Science A.
Further Mathematics B
This subject extends topics from the core Mathematics for Science course. The material is treated in considerable depth. Advanced Mathematics B may be studied as a minor, subject to prerequisites below.
Topics included
- Advanced Trigonometry
- Further Integration
- Advanced Applications of Calculus
- Volumes − Further Induction
- Binomial Theorem and Probability.
Assessment
- 30% coursework
- 70% examination.
Prerequisite
Advanced Mathematics A or high achievement in Mathematics for Science A or Mathematics for Humanities A. Students must be concurrently studying the Mathematics for Science B course.
Media Studies and Communication
Media Studies and Communication A
This subject is for students who wish to enter the world of public relations and the mass media, journalism, TV, radio, film and digital media. It examines the meaning of language, media and communication, and takes a historical view of the media in Australia, compares newspapers and magazines and the power of media ownership. Digital media is another important part of this course.
Topics include
- Language and communication, text and context, different types of texts for different purposes (genre), history and comparison of newspapers and magazines, media ownership and digital media.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final examination.
Media Studies and Communication B
Here we focus on the ethical issues facing journalists, then we learn to identify and analyse the most common types of stories in newspapers like hard news and soft news, as well as learn how to analyse and read images in the media.
Topics include
- A case study on ethics and privacy issues. Hard news and soft news stories, visual images in the news media.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final examination.
Prerequisite
Media Studies and Communication A.
Music
Music – Core Performance A
This subject aims to prepare students who want to take music for a tertiary subject or degree at a university.
Topics include
- Develop music performance skills
- Attending concerts
- Performing in concert (solo, duo, ensemble)
- Widening musical repertoire
- Meeting professional musicians.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final examination.
Prerequisite
An equivalent to ABRSM or AMEB Grade 6 practical for instruments.
Audition:
In person or USB stick or via a web link or DVD.
Note:
Students have the options to choose either the Con pathway or the Taylors Pathway in this subject. The students who select Con pathway will need to follow the university calendar and start their individual tuitions on a later date (about 2 weeks) than the Taylors pathway. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
Music – Core Theory A
This subject aims to prepare students who want to take Music for a tertiary subject or degree at a university. It enables students to increase their aural awareness and musicianship skills.
Topics include
- Music history
- Music harmony
- Music appreciation
- Score reading.
Assessment
50% coursework
50% final examination.
Prerequisite
An equivalent to ABRSM or AMEB Grade 5 theory or a further placement theory test
Music – Elective A
This subject aims to develop a fundamental understanding of Music. Students will gain the opportunity to perform in concert (solo, duo and ensemble), attend concerts, meet professional musicians and widen their music repertoire.
Topics include
- Solo and Ensemble Performance
- Music Theory (including Music History & Music Aural)
- Individual Class (one-on-one lessons are provided to each student for an additional fee).
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination.
Prerequisite
This subject assumes students have some knowledge of musical notation. An audition and interview are required. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
Music – Core Performance B − Develop music performance skill
Topics include
- Attending concerts
- Performing in concert (solo, duo, ensemble)
- Widening musical repertoire
- Meeting professional musicians.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final examination.
Prerequisite
Music Core Performance A. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
Music – Core Theory B − Music history
Topics include
- Music harmony
- Music appreciation
- Score reading.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% examination.
Prerequisite
Music Core Theory A.
Music – Elective B − Solo and ensemble performance
Topics include
- Music theory (including music history and music aural)
- Individual class (one-on-one lessons are provided to each student for an additional fee).
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final examination.
Prerequisite
Pass Music Elective A or special audition and theory test. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
Physics
Physics A (Mechanics, Electricity)
This subject will offer learning experiences that help students develop an understanding of physicists' work. Students will be introduced to the knowledge and applications which results from the work of physicists.
Experiments form a major component of the course and are designed to develop practical skills and introduce students to new technology.
Topics include
- Equations of motion
- Forces and Newton’s Laws
- Energy, momentum and work
- Electrostatics and electrodynamics.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final examination.
Prerequisite
Year 11 Physics or equivalent.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business, but Mathematics for Science is strongly recommended.
Physics B (Waves and Light, Astronomy)
Develop practical, research and critical thinking skills. Subjects include Astronomy (the study of the Universe) and the real-life applications of waves. Experiments and computer data analysis form a major part of this course.
Topics include
- Waves and Light
- Astrophysics.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final examination.
Prerequisite
Year 11 Physics or equivalent.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business, but Mathematics for Science is strongly recommended.
USFP Extended program
Extended English
Extended English*
Extended English focuses on reading, writing, speaking and listening. Skills are linked to a thematic topic.
Assessment
- 50% coursework
- 50% final results.
Foundations of Social Science
Foundation of Social Science A
An introduction to personal development, social change and research skills; which are key to the undergraduate study of Psychology and Sociology.
Topics include
Assessment
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Foundation of Social Science B
Conducts the Personal Interest Project whereby students research a contemporary social issue using research methods and sampling techniques. The focus is on compiling data and strong report writing skills.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Foundations of Social Science A.
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