But duliel, please do not refrain from taking the course from my comment alone
Perhaps you could check out the Biology, Campbell textbook (See Course Reserves section of library) to sort of get a view of what you'll learn about in 1201.
If you get a chance to talk to 1st year science students (Majoring in something from the School of BABS) from this year, you might get an idea of what to expect. Though generally, I'd have to say almost every first year subject at UNSW is pretty crappy, except for mathematics & statistics.
@Karooh: Yup that's right. Summer Session timetables should have been released from the start of November. When you're stating the "accumulation of UOC" are you referring to the EFTSL of each course?
Or, are you saying...for example: B Sci is a degree with 144 UOC. If you failed 6 UOC, will this be counted towards your B Sci degree of 144 UOC?
The answer to that would be no. Until you pass the course, then it will be counted towards your 144 UOC. You can fail infinitely as many times as you wish, but it won't count towards your 144 UOC.
And that's the catch.
All failed courses are recorded in your academic transcript at UNSW, same for Failed but discontinued courses. The failed course will also be calculated in your average WAM or GPA. But anyway, when you fail even a single course, your academic status turns to referral I believe and UNSW will contact you and advise you.
Yes, when you repeat the course, this mark will also be recorded in your academic transcript. Same for your failed course. Both will be used in your average WAM. I know some guy who's got a WAM of 39...haha
Generally, when people fail a course, the disadvantage isn't the lowering of your average WAM. But rather, its the fact that you've just added an extra year to your otherwise 3 or 4 year degree, since the course may act as a pre-requisite and hence stop you from enrolling in any 2nd/3rd year courses that are dependent upon this pre-requisite course.