Undergraduate Studies Committee (USC)

The Undergraduate Studies Committee is a standing committee of the Academic Board. It replaced the Committee for Undergraduate Studies and its sub committee.

Terms of Reference for the Committee when established were:

a) to advise the Academic Board on policies relating to all undergraduate studies in the University, including:
 (i) attraction and recruitment of students to undergraduate programs
 (ii) admissions;
 (iii) equity and access initiatives;
 (iv) assessment and examinations;
 (v) provision of facilities and services;
 (vi) approval of new courses and degree programs; and
 (vii) approval of changes to courses and degree programs;

b) to advise faculties on the development of proposals for new courses and degree programs;

c) to consider and report on any matter referred to it by the Academic Board or the Vice-Chancellor; and

d) to obtain information or reports from any Faculty, department, school or other unit on academic matters relating to undergraduate studies.

A review of the Academic Board and Academic Forum in 2002 saw a review of the committees and sub-committees of the Academic Board. Its purpose was: The Undergraduate Studies Committee advises the Academic Board on Resolutions, policies and procedures relating to undergraduate studies at the University and acts as the Academic Board's agent in determining undergraduate matters in accordance with the Resolutions of the Senate: Delegations of Authority: Academic Functions. The Admissions Sub-Committee was a sub-committee of the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Detailed Terms of Reference can be found  in the Academic Board papers for 16 October 2002, pp.13-14.

A review of the Academic Board in late 2016 saw the existing AB rule replaced by the University of Sydney (Academic Board) Rule 2017 adopted by Senate on 23 August 2017. The committee structure of the Academic Board also changed. In the revised committee structure the Undergraduate Studies Committee continued to be a standing committee of the Academic Board. The purpose of the Undergraduate Studies Committee was to assist the Academic Board in ensuring the maintenance of the highest standards and quality in teaching, learning and scholarship at the University of Sydney. It advised the Academic Board about resolutions, policy and procedures relating to undergraduate study at the University and determined undergraduate matters, including the approval of new and amended courses, in accordance with the University of Sydney (Delegations of Authority – Academic Functions) Rule 2016. Its terms of reference were approved by Academic Board Resolution AB2018/1-3 (6 March 2018).