What’s in the program?
Overview
Newstep will provide you with the following:
- The knowledge and skills required for successful study at a higher education level
- An insight into the standards expected of university students
- An opportunity to explore discipline areas and services offered by the University of Newcastle.
In Newstep, you will undertake two semesters of full-time study over the course of the normal university academic year. You must attend about 15 hours of classes each week, and it's recommended that you allocate about the same amount of time for at-home study.
To successfully complete the course you must enrol for a full course load of 80 units; 40 units in each semester.
Important dates
Find out the dates during which the Newstep program is run by looking at the University's Semester dates schedule.
Selecting your courses
The main aims of Newstep are to help you to gain admission to an undergraduate degree program of your choice, and to best prepare you for undergraduate studies. Hence, we advise you to select your courses for Newstep based on two things:
- Courses that you think you will enjoy, are good at, or are interested in, and
- Recommended courses that will help prepare you for the study of specific undergraduate degree programs
To help with your selection, read the course descriptions by clicking on the Course Code in the tables below, and check out the Recommended Courses page.
Note: The Newstep courses recommended for study by Faculties are based on the Assumed Knowledge students are expected to have prior to commencing particular degree programs and courses. However, there are no prerequisites for entry into undergraduate degree programs at the University of Newcastle.
Semester 1, 2013
The table below outlines the Newstep program structure for Semester 1. For course descriptions, click on the Course Code.
| Course Code | Course Name | Campus Available | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPHUMA122 | Literacy and Communication Compulsory Course |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| Plus 3 courses (30 units) from the following | |||
| EPMATH124 | Mathematics Advanced Not to be taken with EPMATH126 |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPMATH126 | Mathematical Studies Not to be taken with EPMATH124 |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPSCIE120 | Studies in Science | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPHUMA135 |
Directed Study 1 | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPHUMA137 | Australian Culture and Society | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPHUMA155 | Introduction to Legal Studies | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPINFO150 | Information Technology | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPHUMA160 | Film Studies | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPARTS190 | Design Drawing | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
Semester 2, 2013
| Course Code | Course Name | Campus Available | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPHUMA123 | Reading, Writing, Research Compulsory Course |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| Plus 1 course (10 units) from the following | |||
| EPMATH125 | Mathematics Advanced Prerequisite: EPMATH124 |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPMATH127 | Mathematical Studies Prerequisite: EPMATH126 |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPHUMA249 | Linguistics Not to be taken with EPHUMA311 Linguistics |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPBIOL259 | Introduction to the Life Sciences Not to be taken with EPCHEM314 Introduction to Chemistry and the Life Sciences or EPHLTH370 Science for Nursing |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPHUMA120 | Communications | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPARTS191 | Design in Society | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 10 |
| EPARTS192 | Graphic Design Fundamentals | Callaghan only | 10 |
| Plus 1 course (20 units) from the following | |||
| EPGEOS301 | Earth Science | Callaghan only | 20 |
| EPHUMA303 | Australian History | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
| EPHUMA304 | Classical Studies | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
| EPHUMA306 | English Literature and Film | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
| EPHUMA307 | Philosophy | Callaghan only | 20 |
| EPPHYS308 | Physics Only to be selected if enrolling in EPMATH124 and EPMATH125 |
Callaghan only | 20 |
| EPHUMA310 | Social Enquiry | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
| EPHUMA311 | Linguistics Not to be taken with EPHUMA249 |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
| EPCHEM314 | Introduction to Chemistry and the Life Sciences Not to be taken with EPBIOL259 |
Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
| EPBIOL340 | Conservation and Sustainability | Ourimbah only | 20 |
| EPMANC320 | Business Organisation and Management | Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
| EPHLTH370 | Science for Nursing and Midwifery | Not to be taken with EPBIOL259Callaghan/Ourimbah | 20 |
Assessment
Assessment in Newstep is very similar to the way you will be assessed in your university degree program, so you’ll be ready for success at uni! Assessment might include the completion of written assignments, oral presentations, mid-semester and end of semester examinations. Satisfactory attendance at classes is required.
You must pass 70 of the 80 units studied in order to complete the program. If you don’t manage to complete the program or wish to try again, you may carry over a partially completed program to the following year.
