Prescribed Resources

(Textbooks & Recommended Titles)

Student opening books in library

Each UNSW Canberra School has a list of prescribed resources (i.e., required textbooks and recommended titles), which are listed in the course outlines.

To assist students, the Academy Library compiles a list of all of the compulsory and recommended titles including the type of access there is for each title (see further below for more information).  Some titles are available as UNLIMITED electronic versions. For these titles students are not required to purchase individual copies.

Some titles however are only available as print titles or as a limited number of electronic copies (usually 3 or 6 copies only).  To guarantee access, students are encouraged to by their own copy.

Note to undergraduate ADF training officers: ADFA will not re-imburse any title that is available as an unlimited or full-text version.  Compulsory print and restricted electronic items should be covered.

The UNSW Canberra Semester 1, 2024 Prescribed Resources lists are available here.

Please note that there are no prescribed resources for the School of Science postgraduate (PG) courses.

The Library provides access to textbooks in the following formats:

  • Electronic copy with a licence that allows UNLIMITED users
    Means that any number of clients can access the item at any one time.  
  • Electronic copy with a licence that is restricted to 3-user or 6-user licences
    For these items, the Library cannot guarantee access to an electronic copy as there is the potential for multiple users using the copy concurrently and exceeding the licence restrictions. It's recommended that students purchase their own copy of the textbook.
  • Print format
    Sometimes the texts are only available in hardcopy (e.g., print) format. For these items, students need to purchase a copy for themselves, although the Library strives to have at least one copy of a textbook or recommended title in its High-Use Collection. It's possible to borrow these books, however the loan period is 4 hours during the day or overnight. 

Scans of chapters or articles from the High-Use Collection can be requested through the Library’s Ask Us Service. Note that copyright restrictions may apply.

Students may wish to purchase print or single licence electronic textbooks using Booko which aggregates price and availability across a number of book suppliers (including those below). Alternately, students can search some of the following online providers, noting that the list is for reference and it's not to be seen as an endorsement by the university:

In addition to the required textbooks and recommended materials, your lecturer may also nominate a number of other course readings (such as articles and reports). Course readings lists are usually made available via your course units on Moodle.

 

The Library provides access to textbooks in the following formats:

  • Electronic copy with a licence that allows UNLIMITED users
    For these items, students only need to purchase a copy for themselves should they wish to.
  • Electronic copy with a licence that is restricted to 3-user or 6-user licences
    For these items, the Library cannot guarantee access to an electronic copy as there is the potential for multiple users using the copy concurrently and exceeding the licence restrictions. It's recommended that students purchase their own copy of the textbook.
  • Print format
    Sometimes the texts are only available in hardcopy (e.g., print) format. For these items, students need to purchase a copy for themselves, although the Library strives to have at least one copy of a textbook or recommended title in its onsite High Use Collection (HUC). It's possible to borrow these books, however the loan period is 4 hours. 

Scans of chapters or articles from the Course Readings Collection can be requested through the Library’s Ask Us Service. Note that copyright restrictions may apply.

Students may wish to purchase print or single licence electronic textbooks using Booko which aggregates price and availability across a number of book suppliers (including those below). Alternately, students can search some of the following online providers, noting that the list is for reference and it's not to be seen as an endorsement by the university:

In addition to the required textbooks and recommended materials, your lecturer may also nominate a number of other course readings (such as articles and reports). Course readings lists are usually made available via your course units on Moodle.

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