Meeting 5/95 of the Education Committee was held on Wednesday 9 August 1995 at 9:00am in the Sir George Lush Room, University Offices, Clayton campus.
There were present:
Professor R J Pargetter (Chairman)
Associate Professor R Alfredson, Engineering
Professor T Barnett, Nursing
Professor E Barry, Arts
Professor B Dunstan, Deputy Campus Director, Gippsland (for Professor J L C Chipman)
Ms B L Chew, MPA
Dr M Evans, Business and Economics
Associate Professor M Gill, Education
Associate Professor N Hallam, Science
Professor M King, PhD and Scholarships Committee
Mrs A McMillan, Computing and Information Technology
Professor J Redmond, Art and Design
Dr Kay Stewart, Pharmacy (for Associate Professor L Roller)
Associate Professor G Taylor, Medicine
In attendance were:
Ms E R Brooks, Secretariat
Mr R Burnet, Student Services
Ms J Newham, Secretariat
Dr P Rodan - Faculty Registrar/Manager (in rotation)
Apologies were received from:
Mr F Corsar (MPA)
Ms L Devitt (MSA)
Mr A Hankin (MUSU, Inc)
Associate Professor S McNicol, Law
MINUTES
*1. STARRED ITEMS
The Committee endorsed the recommendations for items other than those starred.
*2. MINUTES
The Minutes of Meeting 4/95 held on Wednesday 28 June 1995 were approved as circulated.
*3. MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Resignations
The Committee noted, with appreciation for their service, the resignations of Dr G Baldwin and Professor A Edwards.
3.2 New Student Representatives
The Committee welcomed the new student representatives to the Committee : Ms Bee Ling Chew for Graduate Diploma candidates, Mr Frank Corsar for Master candidates and Ms Lorien Devitt for undergraduate students; noted that Mr Antony Hankin would continue his representation of undergraduate students; and noted that the term of office for all student representatives would expire on 31 December 1995.
3.3 MUFSO Motion Regarding Student Representation on Education Committee
The Committee noted amended the motion of the Monash University Federation of Student Organisations, and also noted that it should read (changes italicised): that "undergraduate representation on the Education Committee be expanded to one student position per member organisation of MUFSO". The Committee agreed in principle to support campus representation on the Education Committee, but agreed that this matter was subject to re-evaluation in context of a paper under development regarding student representation on the major committees of the University.
Mr Summers
3.4 Director of Professional Development Centre
In order to comply with Section 1.3.4 of the Education Policy, which states "...Associate Deans (Teaching) will liaise with the Professional Development Centre ... on a formal and regular basis" the Committee decided to invite the Director of the Professional Development Centre to attend meetings of the Education Committee in a non-voting capacity.
Professor Hore, Ms Brooks
3.5 Associate Deans (Teaching)
The Committee decided that where a faculty has more than one Associate Dean (Teaching) [or equivalent], the other Associate Dean (Teaching) [or equivalent] should be invited to attend meetings of the Education Committee in a non-voting capacity as they chose, but especially when matters arose in which they had an interest.
Ms Brooks
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
4.1 Compliance with the policy for naming undergraduate degrees developed in 1994
Regarding Item 3.3.1 Meeting 3/95 and 4.2 Meeting 4/95: the Committee noted that the information would be brought to a later meeting and would include information from Student Services regarding current practices in testamur printing.
Mr Burnet, Ms Brooks
4.2 Marking and Selection Practices
Regarding Minute 3.4 Meeting 3/95 and 4.3 Meeting 4/95: the Committee noted that the information would be submitted to the Committee at a later date.
Ms Brooks
4.3 Standing Subcommittee of the Education Committee
Regarding Minute 6 Meeting 4/95: the Committee established a standing sub-committee of the Education Committee to examine issues or raise matters regarding the Education Policy. This sub-committee would report to the Education Committee and would comprise: Associate Deans (Teaching), the Director of the Professional Development Centre and one student representative.
Members
*5. HONOURS WORKING PARTY
The Committee received the latest draft of the policy document "Fourth Year Honours Programs: Guidelines for Good Practice" developed by the Honours Working Party. The Committee noted that this document, with an addendum relating to the issue of 'hidden' subjects within honours years (see item 11.4 of these Minutes), would be circulated to Deans, Heads of Subfaculties and Faculty Registrars for their consideration and response before 1 September, and noted also that the document would be forwarded to the Committee of Deans. The revised document is attached to these Minutes (Attachment 1).
Professor King, Ms Brooks
*6. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EDUCATION POLICY
The Committee noted the responses of the Faculties of Business and Economics and Science to Dr Baldwin's paper concerning the current status of implementation of Education Policy initiatives, and requested responses from the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, and Law, the Victorian College of Pharmacy and the Subfaculty of Art and Design by 1 September, to allow for the preparation of a consolidated report to be sent to the Academic Board.
Faculty Registrars, Ms Brooks
*7. FOCUS OF DEGREES
At Academic Board Meeting 5/95, the Education Committee was asked to consider the issue of the focus of degrees, with a view to advising the Academic Board. The Committee agreed that there were two primary issues upon which this enquiry should concentrate: the opportunities for students to undertake electives from within and/or outside their degree faculty; and the academic merit in requiring students to undertake electives from within and/or outside their degree faculty. The Committee agreed that it would begin its consideration of this issue by requesting from Faculties their current elective policies for each undergraduate degree program. This information would be required by the Committee by 1 September, to enable a comparative survey to be brought to the Education Committee meeting of 20 September. The Committee noted that any report to the Academic Board would need to mention the additional topic of service teaching, and would need to examine the practical mechanisms and budgetary changes which may be required to enable any policy on elective options to be undertaken. It was also noted that within some degree programs both professional and geographic imperatives influenced the decisions regarding what, if any, elective requirements were included in the degree structure.
Faculty Registrars, Ms Brooks
*8. LANGUAGE POLICY REPORT
At Academic Board Meeting 5/95, the Education Committee was asked to consider the paper prepared by Professor West concerning the development of a University Language Policy, with a view to developing such a policy. The Committee established a Working Party to examine this issue in greater detail, to consist of Professor E Barry (Chair), Ms B L Chew, Associate Professor M Gill and Mrs A McMillan. The Working Party was directed to meet with Professor M Clyne, Professor L West, Associate Professor U Felix (Director of the Language Centre), Ms R Clerehan (Interim Head of the Language and Learning Services Unit) and Professor P Thomson, before developing a response concerning the additions necessary to the Education Policy to accommodate a Language Policy for the University. The Working Party was also directed to keep budgetary implications in mind when developing their response, to ensure that any policy statement was both realistic and workable. The Committee also referred the report, particularly those sections dealing with plagiarism, to the Policy and Legal Counsel for consideration in the development of a draft revised discipline statute; and requested a copy of the draft statute when it became available.
Professor Barry, Ms Chew, Associate Professor Gill, Mrs McMillan, Ms Brooks, Ms Bath
. *9. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
The Committee agreed to collect the grievance procedures from each Faculty, to be summarised and examined in greater detail; and agree to request that the Academic Registrar prepare a brief report on arrangements in 2 or 3 other major universities in Australia for handling student grievances relating to academic decisions. In order to report to the next meeting of the Education Committee, responses would be requested by 1 September. Subsequent action would include asking the University Solicitor's Office to examine each the faculty's procedures, and submission of the policy or policies to the Academic Board for ratification. The Committee noted that administrative grievances were handled as detailed in section 8.1 of the Education Policy.
Academic Registrar, Faculty Registrars, Ms Brooks
10. REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN
The Committee noted that the University Librarian had not submitted a report to this meeting.
*11. ISSUES ARISING FROM COURSE AND SUBJECT PROPOSALS
11.1 Disestablishment of subjects
The Committee considered the issue of deletion of subjects, in the context of the number of recently approved subject offerings, and with reference to the size of the computer systems necessary to maintain them. The Committee decided to request from Faculties, with the assistance where possible of the Student Services Division, two reports: one being the number of students enrolled in each distinct ('real') subject offered by the Faculty in 1995, and the other being all subjects with no enrolment for the past three years. These reports would then be analysed by year level and number of students, with a view to preparing a discussion paper on the matter of review of subject offerings and potential monitoring needs. The Committee envisioned that recommendations could then be made to the Academic Board regarding monitoring requirements by the beginning of 1996.
Faculty Registrars, Mr Burnet, Ms Brooks
11.2 Subject coding
The Committee considered the issue of multiple codes for the same subject, with reference to the needs of academic staff and to the need to maintain the computer database at optimum efficiency. The Committee noted that variable credit points and subsequent variations in assessment tasks were necessary due to the large number of students enrolled in multiple award programs, but that this often proved difficult for academic staff in a classroom situation. The Committee agreed to request that the Director, Student Services investigate this issue with a view to maintaining the current practice of allowing single subject codes to carry variable weights, while better servicing the need of academic staff to differentiate between students when making their assessments. In particular Mr Burnet was to examine possible changes to student enrolment reports to academic staff.
Mr Burnet
11.3 Third year level studies
The Committee considered the issue of requirements for the completion of degrees, in particular the level of achievement required to complete the undergraduate degrees of the university. The Committee agreed that further investigation was required, and that the issue should be revisited at a later meeting of the Education Committee.
Ms Brooks
11.4 'Hidden' subjects within degrees
The Committee discussed the issue of 'hidden' subjects within degree programs, in particular the honours programs in some disciplines. It was acknowledged that there are currently a number of practices relating to the recording of subjects undertaken
Professor King, Ms Brooks
12. FACULTY OF ARTS REPORT 5/95
The Committee received the report, noted the proceedings and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.
Ms Brooks, University Solicitor, Mr Sebo
*12.1 New Course Proposal
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish a new degree, to be titled Graduate Diploma of Arts (Publishing and Editing), subject to clarification that a member of Monash academic staff would have the principal role in the development of course components, and the addition of a further statement regarding library resource availability. A revised version of the proposal is attached to these Minutes (Attachment 2), and includes correspondence on the matter from the department and other relevant information.
*12.2 Amendments to Courses
12.2.1 Graduate Diploma in Communication
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to restructure the Graduate Diploma in Communications by requiring 6 (six) eight point subjects rather than 4 (four) twelve point subjects, as outlined in the document presented.
12.2.2 Graduate Diploma in communication - amendment to title
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to change the title of the Graduate Diploma in Communication to
Graduate Diploma of Arts (Communication).
12.2.3 Graduate Diploma of Arts (Australian Tourism) - amendment to title
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to change the title of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Australian Tourism) to
Graduate Diploma of Arts (Tourism).
12.2.4 Master of Arts - amendment to stream
The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the proposal to collapse the two existing streams of the Master of Arts (Critical Theory stream and Cultural Studies stream) into one stream, Critical and Cultural Theory, for the years 1996 and 1997.
12.2.5 Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities)/Bachelor of Social Welfare
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to amend the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities)/Bachelor of Social Welfare, as outlined in the document presented.
*12.3 New Subject Proposals
12.3.1 PUB4001 History of Publishing and the Impact of the Book
12.3.2 PUB4002 Authorship, Editing and Text
12.3.3 PUB4003 Publishing Forms and Processes
12.3.4 PUB4004 New Convergent Media
12.3.5 PUB4005 Publishing Research Project
12.3.6 KRS2060/KRS3060 Traditional and Contemporary Aboriginal Art
12.3.7 KRS1010 Dynamics of Aboriginal Language A
12.3.8 KRS1020 Dynamics of Aboriginal Language B
12.3.9 KRS2040/KRS3040 Aborigines and the Law
12.3.10 KRS2030/KRS3030 Native Title
12.3.11 KRS2050/KRS3050 Australian Aboriginal Literature
12.3.12 KRS2070/KRS3070 Australian Aboriginal Women
12.3.13 SLA2910/CLS2910 The Novel in Eastern Europe
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 12.3.1 to 12.3.13 inclusive. Signed versions of the documentation for items 12.3.6 to 12.3.13 inclusive were tabled at the meeting.
12.4 Minor Amendments to Courses and Subjects
The Committee noted the minor amendments to courses and subjects of the Faculty of Arts as detailed in the documents presented and outlined below: Deletion of 9 subjects; Amendments to descriptions of those subjects listed; Amendment of the title of subjects; Cross-listing of subjects; Amalgamation of subject codes; and Amendment to the Bachelor of Arts (Police Studies) so that the degree conforms to standard Faculty of Arts requirements.
13. FACULTY OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REPORT 2/95
The Committee received the report and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.
Mr Hobbs, University Solicitor, Ms Brooks
13.1 New Subject Proposals
13.1.1 CFR3160 Programming Principles and Paradigms
13.1.2 CFR3311 Computer Security
13.1.3 GCO8029 Business Systems Analysis and Design
13.1.4 BUS3600 Business Case Development
13.1.5 SFT3000 Application Programming with C++
13.1.6 SYS4540 Imprecision in Intelligent Decision Support
13.1.7 GCO3800 Industry Project
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 13.1.1 to 13.1.7 inclusive.
13.2 Minor Amendments to Courses and Subjects
The Committee noted the minor amendments to courses and subjects of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology as listed in the document presented.
14. MEMORANDUM FROM THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION
The Committee received and noted the memorandum from the Faculty of Education regarding the decision taken at Faculty Board Meeting 3/95.
Ms Brooks, University Solicitor, Faculty Registrar
14.1 New Subject Approval
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to offer a new subject: GED4621 Science Learning in Relation to Science Content.
15. FACULTY OF ENGINEERING REPORT 3/95
The Committee received the report and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.
Mr Secomb, Dr Rodan, Ms Brooks, University Solicitor
*15.1 Amendments to Course - Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Engineering
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the amendment to the structure of the Physiology/Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering stream of the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Engineering, as detailed in the document presented. A memorandum from the Faculty of Science was tabled at the meeting, indicating agreement with the proposed changes. this memorandum is attached to these Minutes (Attachment 3).
15.2 Amendments to Subjects
15.2.1 ECS3315 Bioelectricity
15.2.2 ECS3316 Medical Instrumentation
15.2.3 ECS3398 Clinical Engineering Management
15.2.4 ECS4302 Biomechanics
15.2.5 ECS4317 Medical Signal Processing
15.2.6 ECS4388 Medical Imaging Techniques
15.2.7 ECS4391 Biomedical Equipment Design, Development and Innovation
The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 15.2.1 to 15.2.7 inclusive.
15.3 Minor Amendments to Subjects
The Committee noted the minor amendments to subjects of the Faculty of Engineering as listed in the document presented.
16. MEMORANDUM FROM FACULTY OF MEDICINE Ms Brooks,
The Committee received and noted the memorandum from the Faculty of Medicine regarding the decision taken at Faculty Board Meeting 3/95, held on 17 May 1995.
University Solicitor, Mr Ruck, Professor Barnett
*16.1 Amendment to Course - honours degree of Bachelor of Nursing - admission
The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the proposal to amend the admission requirements of the honours degree of Bachelor of Nursing, from: '3.1 An applicant for admission to candidature shall have completed a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent with an average grade of credit or higher in the final full time equivalent year of the course....' to: '3.1 Applicants for admission to candidature shall have completed a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent with an average grade of credit or higher.'
17. MEMORANDUM FROM FACULTY OF MEDICINE
The Committee received and noted the memorandum from the Faculty of Medicine regarding the decision taken at the Faculty Board Meeting held on 21 June 1995.
Ms Brooks, Mr Ruck, University Solicitor
*17.1 Amendment to Course - Master of Reproductive Sciences
The Committee endorsed the amendment to the Master of Reproductive Sciences degree as detailed in the document presented, such that the degree may be classified as a research rather than a coursework degree.
17.2 New Subjects
17.2.1 MRSxxxx Coursework Core Lectures
17.2.2 MRSxxxx Coursework Semester I / Stream I Lectures
17.2.3 MRSxxxx Coursework Semester I / Stream II Lectures
17.2.4 MRSxxxx Coursework Semester II / Stream I Lectures
17.2.5 MRSxxxx Coursework Semester II / Stream II Lectures The Committee endorsed for the transmission to Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 17.2.1 to 17.2.5 inclusive.
18. FACULTY OF SCIENCE REPORT 3/95
The Committee received the report, noted the proceedings and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.
Ms Brooks, Dr Rodan, University Solicitor
*18.1 New Course Proposal
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish a new course, to be titled the honours degree of Bachelor of Applied Science.
*18.2 Amendment to Course - Bachelor of Applied Science
The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the creation of five new 'tagged' degrees in addition to the existing Bachelor of Applied Science, to be titled as follows: Bachelor of Applied Science (Biological and Medical Sciences) Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology) Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemical and Analytical Sciences) Bachelor of Applied Science(Physics and Analytical Science) Bachelor of Applied Science (Mathematical Sciences) The Committee noted that these new degrees would require an amendment to Statute 6.1.2, and that they would not be available for first year intake unless an amendment to course was made through the usual channels.
*18.3 Amendment to Course - Bachelor of Science
The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the proposal to establish a sequence in Astrophysics, as detailed in the document presented.
*18.4 New Subject Proposals
18.4.1 GAS1613 Mathematics 1A
18.4.2 GAS1615 Mathematics 1B
18.4.3 GAS2505 Biological Psychology
18.4.4 GAS3509 Experimental Psychology
18.4.5 BCH2031 Biomedical Molecular Biology
18.4.6 BCH2042 Biomedical Biochemistry of Cells and Tissues
18.4.7 ESC2071 Chemical Geology
18.4.8 GEN2032 Genetics and the Environment
18.4.9 MAA2051 Mathematical Modelling
18.4.10 MAT301x Complex Analysis with Applications
18.4.11 MAT1000 Mathematics Research Project Level 1
18.4.12 MAT2000 Mathematics Research Project Level 2
18.4.13 MAT3000 Mathematics Research Project Level 3
18.4.14 ASP3011/MAA3211 Stars
18.4.15 ASP3021/MAA3221 Astrophysical Fluids
18.4.16 ASP3032/MAA3232 Galaxies
18.4.17 ASP3042/MAA3242 Cosmology
18.4.18 ASP3211 Physics for Astrophysics I
18.4.19 ASP3222 Physics for Astrophysics II
18.4.20 PHS2251 Introductory Astronomy: Exploring the Solar System
18.4.21 PHS2262 Introductory Astronomy: The Stars and Beyond
18.4.22 PHY2031 Biomedical Neurosciences
18.4.23 PHY2042 Biomedical Systems Physiology
18.4.24 APY3033 Introduction to Psychoanalytic Theory
The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 18.4.1 to 18.4.24 inclusive. Additional information was tabled or provided after the meeting for all subject proposals except items 18.4.22 and 18.4.23, which were considered to be excellent examples of subject proposals of their type. The amendments are attached to these Minutes (Attachment 4).
18.5 Amendments to courses and subjects
The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the amendments to the subject MAT2010 Functions of Several Variables, and to the listing of cross-disciplinary subjects available within the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program, as detailed in the documents presented. The proposal for MAT 2010 was amended and tabled at the meeting, and is attached to these Minutes (Attachment 5).
19. NEXT MEETING
The Committee noted that the next meeting of the Education Committee would be held at 9 am on Wednesday 20 September 1995 in the Sir George Lush Room, University Offices, Clayton campus.
Membership
Distribution
Professor R J Pargetter (Chairman)
Associate Professor R Alfredson, Engineering (Alternate Chair)
Mr P Annal, Computer Centre
Professor T Barnett, Nursing
Professor E Barry, Arts
Ms S Bolton, Art and Design
Ms B L Chew, MPA
Professor L Chipman, Distance Ed
Mr R Cochrane, MI Pty
Ms O Cornelius, Secretariat
Mr F Corsar, MPA
Ms L Devitt, MSA
Mr B Eddy, Solicitor's Office
Dr M Evans, Business and Economics
Associate Professor M Gill, Education
Associate Professor N Hallam, Science
Mr A Hankin, MUSU, Inc.
Ms C Holland, Arts
Professor M King, PhD and Scholarships
Mr T Lee, MUSU, Inc
Mr E Lim, Librarian
Mrs D Macmillan, Nursing
Mr M Murphy, MAS
Ms J Newham, Secretariat
Ms E Nolan, Arts
Ms S Parker, Bus & Eco Committee
Mrs A McMillan, Computing
Associate Professor S McNicol, Law
Ms A Pilgrim, Bus & Eco Information Technology
Ms M Rambert, FCIT
Professor J Redmond, Art and Design
Associate Professor L Roller, Pharmacy
Mr P Summers, Policy and Planning
Associate Professor G Taylor, Medicine
All Faculty Deans
All Faculty Registrars/Administrators
In Attendance
Ms E R Brooks, Secretariat
Mr R Burnet, Student Services
Faculty Registrar/Manager (in rotation)- Dr P Rodan