usually the start of term you go to lectures and they hand out outlines of your course which tell you what books to but, or its posted outside the Co-Op shop [bookshop].
you used to be able to search for what book online at the co op web page at http://www.coop-bookshop.com.au/cgi...mePage&_frames_=yes&page=/home/homepage.jhtml
but they havent updated the new text lists for 2005.
wait till near the semester to check it, click the text lists link and look for your units and what uni your studying it at.
The co op bookshop website will give you an idea of what books will be needed and a price. But do not get any books until after your first lecture when the lecturer will tell you what books to purchase. Some lecturers change their minds at the last possible second.
Also, look inside the books if its not packaged. Sometimes you can get off buying books if you know whats in them. this is coming from a person who bought an IT beginners book without realising he had the same one at home....