Meeting 3/97 of the Education Committee will be held on Wednesday 7 May 1997 at 10:00 am in the Sir George Lush Room, University Offices, Clayton Campus.
Apologies: Telephone: 9905 9001; email: Randi.Brooks@adm.monash.edu.au.
Ms ER Brooks
Executive Officer
30 April 1997
Members are required to refrain from voting and absent themselves from the discussion of an item of business in which they have a personal interest.
AGENDA
* 1. STARRED ITEMS
The Committee should note that certain items have been starred as requiring discussion. Additional items may be starred at the discretion of the Committee.
All items related to course approval and amendment have been starred for the attention of the Committee.
Recommendation:
That the Committee nominate any additional items to be starred, and then endorse the recommendations for items other than those starred.
* 2. MINUTES
The Minutes of Meeting 2/97 held on Wednesday 19 March 1997 have been circulated.
Recommendation:
That the Committee approve the Minutes of Meeting 2/97 as circulated.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
3.1 Matters requiring Resolution from Meeting 2/97
The matters raised in items 14.1.2 and 14.2 as requiring response from the Faculty of Education have not yet been resolved.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note that there are matters relating to course and subject proposals continuing to require resolution from Meeting 2/97.
3.2 Faculty Certificates Working Party
Subsequent to Meeting 2/97 of the Education Committee, it was noted that Professor Sohal would be away from the University for a time, and would be unable to fulfil his role on the Faculty Certificates Working Party. Associate Professor J Hurst, FCIT, has agreed to participate in his stead. The Working Party will meet on 1 May 1997.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information provided.
3.3 Microcomputer Access Requirements for Distance Education Courses
A document will be presented from Ms K McGillivray regarding this matter to the next meeting of the Committee.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information.
4. ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM MEETING 3/97 OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD
A document is attached. p 363-366
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the items of interest from Meeting 3/97 of the Academic Board, held on 16 April 1997.
* 4.1 Review of the Academic Board p 367-370
Documentation printed from the www regarding the Review of the Academic Board is attached. Committees of the Board have been requested to prepare submissions regarding their own roles, those of other committees in which they may have an interest and that of the Academic Board itself.
The recommendation found in the document attached to Item 4.2 of this Agenda, regarding full membership of the Academic Board for the Chief Executive of MME, should be noted in this discussion.
Recommendation:
That the Committee consider the documents presented, and develop a response for the Review of the Academic Board regarding the role of the Board and that of the Education Committee in relation to the Academic Board.
* 4.2 Master of Business Administration p 371-390
As indicated in the information from the Minutes of the Academic Board, this matter was withdrawn from consideration at the meeting of the Board.
A paper outlining options for action in relation to this matter and the document presented by Monash Mt Eliza, is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information, ratify the decision of the Vice-Chancellor's Group regarding the current cohort of students in the MBA(Ext), endorse option six of the document as the preferred course of action for the future, and recommend that a member of the staff of MME be made a member of the Education Committee.
5. INFORMATION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS
A document is attached. p 391-392
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information from Meetings 3/97, 4/97 and Special Meeting 1/97 of the Committee of Deans, held on 18 March, 15 April and 24 April 1997 respectively.
* 6. STUDENT ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE POLICY p 393-396
Council referred the Student Academic Grievance Policy to the Education Committee for reconsideration after questions were raised at Council Meeting 8/96 regarding the timeframe for the process and the order of hearings in cases where grievance and other (eg exclusion) hearings were both scheduled. It was subsequently agreed that any other relevant submissions would be considered at the same time. The University Solicitor's Office had raised a number of questions requiring clarification, and a submission was received from student representatives and Student Rights Officers.
The document was amended following this input, and was circulated to Ms K McGillivray, Associate Professor R Alfredson, and Associate Professor J Hurst for comment. Further amendments were then made, and the final draft is presented here for the endorsement of the Committee.
Recommendation:
That the Committee
* 7. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PII GRADE p 397-400
At Meeting 1/97 it was agreed that the matter of PII grades required further consideration and the development of a specific proposal for consideration by faculties. Associate Professor White, Mr Tickell, and Associate Professor Cameron were asked to form a small working party to develop a recommendation. This was circulated to Faculties, and the document attached has been prepared based on the responses received.
If the proposed policy is endorsed, the Faculty of Arts would be required to revisit the decision taken at a recent meeting of its Faculty Board, as the new policy would not accommodate their decision.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board
8. POLICY ON CANCELLATION OF SUBJECTS
This policy will be presented to the next meeting of the Committee, following consultation with Faculties. Each member of the Committee will receive a copy of the recommended policy at the time at which it is circulated to Faculty Registrars.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information.
* 9. STATUTE 4.1 - DISCIPLINE p 401-406
A further document has been received from the University Solicitor's Office, and is attached.
The Solicitor's Office requested clarification of the following matters:
Recommendation:
That the Committee consider each numbered point above and make a decision on each point for provision to the University Solicitor's Office.
10. REPORT OF THE DISTANCE EDUCATION AND OPEN LEARNING COMMITTEE
Meeting 3/97 of the Distance Education and Open Learning Committee was cancelled.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information.
11. FACULTY OF ARTS p 407-410
The Report of Meeting 2/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Arts held on Wednesday 9 April 1997 is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee receive the Report of Meeting 2/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Arts, note the proceedings and consider each item requiring action separately for submission to the Academic Board.
11.1 New Course Proposal
11.1.1 Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Education
This course was approved for introduction from Semester One 1998 by the Education Committee at Meeting 2/97 (item 17.1.1), with the authorisation of the Committee of Undergraduate Studies of the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty Board has now ratified this decision.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the ratification by the Board of the Faculty of Arts, of the approval of a new double degree program to be titled Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Education at Education Committee Meeting 2/97.
* 11.2 Wording on Testamur for Dean's Scholars Program p 411-412
The design of the proposed amended testamur is attached. These students are enrolled under a different course code on MUSIS, and are easily differentiated from students in the usual program for the BA.
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee
"as a participant in the Dean's Scholars Program"
11.3 Minor Amendment to Existing Courses and Amendments to Existing Subjects
The Faculty of Arts has agreed to recommend the following minor amendments to existing courses and amendments to existing subjects:
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the minor amendments to existing courses and amendment to existing subjects of the Faculty of Arts as listed above.
11.4 Disestablishment of subject
The Faculty of Arts has agreed to recommend the disestablishment of the following subject:
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the disestablishment of the subject listed above by the Faculty of Arts.
11.5 Policy on Cancellation of Subjects
The Faculty of Arts has submitted for endorsement and transmission to the Academic Board a policy for the cancellation of subjects. Since this matter will become the subject of University Policy a the next meeting of the Education Committee, this matter is deferred.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information.
* 12. AMENDMENT TO REGULATIONS FOR THE FACULTY OF ARTS p 413-414
At meeting 2/97, the Committee agreed to defer further action regarding this matter until further consultation had been undertaken with the Faculty of Arts. Subsequent to the meeting, discussions with the Faculty led to an agreement to revisit this matter at Meeting 4/97. As a result of the decision by the Faculty to recommend amendment to the testamur and transcript for students participating in the Dean's Scholars Program of the Faculty of Arts, this item may now be resolved.
At Meeting 8/96 of the Academic Board (Minute 25.5) and Meeting 8/96 of Council (Minute 9.6), regulations were approved for the undergraduate degrees of the Faculty of Arts. These regulations (and the amendment to Statute 6.1.2 which accompanied them) contained reference to the Bachelor of Arts (Arts Scholars Program), which will not now be presented by the Faculty of Arts.
Therefore, the attached amendment to the Faculty's regulations to delete reference to this course is recommended for approval.
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposed amendment deleting reference to a Bachelor of Arts (Arts Scholars Program) in the Faculty of Arts (Undergraduate Degree) Regulations and Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees.
13. FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS p 415-418
The Report of Meeting 2/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics held on Wednesday 2 April 1997 is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee receive the Report of Meeting 2/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics note the proceedings and consider each item requiring action separately for submission to the Academic Board.
* 13.1 Amendments to Existing Courses
13.1.1 Graduate Certificate in Management - change to admission criteria p 419-420
This amendment is proposed for introduction from Semester Two 1997 to allow for a minimum period of experience in a relevant industry prior to admission to the course.
A document is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposal of the Faculty of Business and Economics to amend the admission requirements for the existing Graduate Certificate in Management by requiring a minimum of two years relevant experience prior to admission to the course.
13.1.2 Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Computing - amendments to structure p 421-426
This amendment was approved by the Education Committee at Meeting 2/97 (Item 16.1.1). The Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics has now ratified the earlier decision of their Undergraduate Studies Committee.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the ratification by the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics of the amendment to the structure of the existing Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Computing.
13.1.3 Diploma of Business - amendment to compulsory subject and changes to subject prerequisites p 427-430
These amendments are proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998.
Documents are attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposal of the Faculty of Business and Economics to amend the existing Diploma of Business by making GBU7015 Business Applications a compulsory subject and amending the subject prerequisites for a number of subjects in the course as detailed in the document presented.
13.1.4 Bachelor of Business - addition of Professional Accounting major (Berwick campus) p 431-434
This amendment is proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998, and would affect all Bachelor of Business combined courses available at the Berwick campus.
This proposal is in addition to the sequence in Accounting made available at the Berwick campus from Semester One 1997 (Education Committee 8/96, item 11.2.5).
A document is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposal of the Faculty of Business and Economics that the Bachelor of Business available at the Berwick campus be amended by the establishment of a new major sequence in Professional Accounting.
13.2 New Subject Proposals
Documentation is available from the Executive Officer regarding these proposals for perusal by members. Handbook entries are attached where available.
13.2.1 MKT4631 Advanced Buyer Behaviour p 435-436
13.2.2 GBU2310 Recruitment and Selection: Context and Process p 437-438
13.2.3 GBU3311 Recruitment and Selection: Issues and Strategy p 439-440
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 13.2.1 to 13.2.3 inclusive.
13.3 Minor Amendments to Existing Courses and Amendments to Existing
Subjects p 441-446
The Faculty of Business and Economics has agreed to recommend the following minor amendments to existing courses and amendments to existing subjects:
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the minor amendments to existing courses and amendments to existing subjects of the Faculty of Business and Economics as listed above.
14. FACULTY OF ENGINEERING p 447-448
The Report of Meeting 2/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering held on 23 April 1997 is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee receive the Report of Meeting 2/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering and consider each item requiring action separately for submission to the Academic Board.
14.1 New Subject Proposals
Documentation is available from the Executive Officer regarding this proposal for perusal by members. The handbook entry is attached.
14.1.1 ECS5350 Electrical Power Project p 449-450
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the subject proposal listed in item 14.1.1 above.
14.2 Minor Amendment to Existing Course and Amendments to Existing Subjects
The Faculty of Engineering has agreed to recommend the following minor amendment to an Existing course and amendments to existing subjects:
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the minor amendment to an existing course and amendments to existing subjects of the Faculty of Engineering as listed above.
15. FACULTY OF LAW p 451-452
The Report of Meeting 1/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Law held on 23 April 1997 is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee receive the Report of Meeting 1/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Law and consider each item requiring action separately for submission to the Academic Board.
15.1 Recommendations regarding the Graduate Program of the Faculty of Law
The Board of the Faculty of Law has submitted a number of recommendations regarding future directions for the graduate program of the Faculty of Law for the information of the Committee.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the recommendations approved by the Board of the Faculty of Law regarding the future directions for the graduate program in that Faculty.
16. FACULTY OF SCIENCE p 453-454
The Report of Meeting 1/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Science held on 5 March 1997 is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee receive the Report of Meeting 1/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Science and consider each item requiring action separately for submission to the Academic Board.
* 16.1 Amendments to Existing Courses
16.1.1 Bachelor of Science - amendment to structure and schedules of subjects p 455-458
This amendment is proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998.
The Associate Deans (Teaching) from the Faculties of Arts and Science have requested that they address the Committee on this matter prior to the Committee taking its decision.
Recommendation:
That the Committee receive the advice of the Associate Deans (Teaching) of the Faculties of Arts and Science and determine whether to approve the proposal before the Committee.
16.2 No Further Intake to Course
The Faculty of Science has recommended that there be no further intake to the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics and Computing), effective immediately.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the advice of the Faculty of Science that there will be no further intake to the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics and Computing).
17. FACULTY OF SCIENCE - HONOURS YEARS p 459-464
At Meeting 5/96 of the Board of the Faculty of Science (14 August 1996), the Faculty approved the submission of a request to establish honours years for the tagged Bachelor of Science courses on the Clayton campus. A request was made to the Faculty that a more fully developed proposal be presented before the submission was presented to the Education Committee. This has now been completed, and is presented for approval.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information.
* 17.1 New Course Proposals
17.1.1 The honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics and Computing)
This course is proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998 on the Clayton campus.
A document is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposal of the Faculty of Science to establish a new course, to be titled the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics and Computing).
17.1.2 The honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Behavioural)
This course is proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998 on the Clayton campus.
A document is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposal of the Faculty of Science to establish a new course, to be titled the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Behavioural).
17.1.3 The honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Biomedical)
This course is proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998 on the Clayton campus.
A document is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposal of the Faculty of Science to establish a new course, to be titled the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Biomedical).
17.1.4 The honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Environmental)
This course is proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998 on the Clayton campus.
A document is attached.
Recommendation:
That the Committee endorse for submission to the Academic Board the proposal of the Faculty of Science to establish a new course, to be titled the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Environmental).
18. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
19. NEXT MEETING
The next scheduled Meeting of the Education Committee will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday 2 July 1997. Course and subject proposal submissions for that meeting are due on or before TUESDAY 3 JUNE; full reports are due on or before Friday 20 June.
This meeting is one of two meetings at which subjects intended for inclusion in Faculty Handbooks must be approved. It is very important that all final submissions include a report or draft report from the Faculty Board. Submissions must be electronically submitted. Hard copies should also be submitted for our records. Please DO NOT staple or submit double-sided hard copies.
Recommendation:
That the Committee note the information above.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Professor P LeP Darvall (Interim Chair)
Associate Professor R Alfredson, Engineering
Mr M Cabrie, MSA, Clayton
Associate Professor N Cameron, Science
Associate Professor M Evans, Business and Economics
Associate Professor J Hurst, Computing and Information Technology
Professor M King, PhD and Scholarships Committee
Ms K McGillivray, MUGSU, Gippsland
Mr J Poussard, MUSU Inc, Peninsula
Ms B Presutto, MUBSU, Berwick
Professor J Redmond, Art and Design
Professor L Roller, Pharmacy
Associate Professor G Taylor, Medicine
Mr G Tickell, Education
Mr J Welikala, MPA, Masters
Associate Professor N White, Arts
Mr M Williams, MUSU, Inc, Caulfield
Professor R Williams, Law
Professor B Young, Co-Opted
Vacant, MPA, Graduate Diploma
Vacant, MUPSA
Mr R Burnet, Student Services
Professor A Sohal, Business and Economics
Professor T Threadgold, Arts
Vacant, Pharmacy
Faculty Registrar/Manager (in rotation) - Mr D Secomb, Engineering
Ms ER Brooks, Secretariat
Item 4
ITEMS OF INTEREST TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
from the unconfirmed Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 3/97
held on 16 April 1997
Items brought forward from the Education Committee which have not been included in this extract were approved, as recommended by the Committee, with no discussion.
5.1 Fees, Charges and Scholarships
A document titled "Monash University - Australian Undergraduate Fees and Scholarships in 1998" dated 16 April 1997, presented by the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor DA Robinson, was tabled at the meeting. Two relevant extracts from newspapers were also copied and tabled by student members of the Academic Board.
Discussion of this item was postponed until 3:30 pm, when certain people would be available to attend the meeting to answer relevant questions.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robinson, spoke to this item, highlighting the benefits of increased access to education through the introduction of Australian fee-paying undergraduate places from 1998. The Vice-Chancellor welcomed ideas for improvement to the tabled document prior to its presentation to Council.
Student and some other members of the Board expressed various concerns about the introduction of Australian undergraduate fee-paying places, which were addressed by Professors Robinson, Darvall and Pargetter, and Mr Wade. The main points discussed were:
The Academic Board:
5.2 Monash Mt Eliza Business School Offshore MBA - Procedure for English Language Standards
Documentation was circulated (p 41-56).
The Board noted the advice of the Chair, Professor PLeP Darvall, regarding the document presented.
Members discussed:
Members noted the advice of the Vice-Chancellor that the potential for Monash University to teach disciplines in languages other than English would be further considered by the Education Committee.
A member suggested that even if disciplines were taught in languages other than English, students should be instructed equally in English and the other language.
Following detailed discussion about this matter:
12.1 Appointment of Associate Dean (Graduate Studies)
The Academic Board approved for submission to Council the proposal of the Board of the Victorian College of Pharmacy to appoint Professor PJ Stewart as Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) for 1997.
13.3 Age of Entry (Proceedings No 3)
The University's Age of Entry Policy (as approved by Academic Board at meeting 4/96 (item 13.1)) was received (p 145-146).
Subject to the drafting of appropriate legislation, the Academic Board approved the proposal of the Admissions Committee to amend the University's Age of Entry Policy (due for introduction in 1998) to include the statement that:
"Students who are up to one year younger than the minimum age for entry and are in the top 10% of school leavers for that year would be admitted and have a mentor provided by the faculty who would monitor their transition during the first year of study. Those more than one year younger than the minimum age or not in the top 10% of students would require faculty approval before being admitted."
20.2 Acknowledgment of Prizes and Awards at Graduation Ceremonies
The Academic Board approved the recommendations of the Working Party on Review of Graduation Ceremonies that:
Item 4.2
Recommendation for action regarding Master of Business Administration (External) and Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (External) available in Shanghai through the Monash Mt Eliza Graduate School of Business and Government Ltd
At Academic Board Meeting 3/97, held on 16 April 1997, a proposal was received regarding courses of action to accommodate students currently enrolled in the MBA(Ext) and GradDipBusAdmin(Ext) in Shanghai.
Students currently enrolled in that course have been unable to reach the standards of English usually associated with those of students enrolled in MBA programs in Australia. Since these are senior managers in state owned and joint venture businesses in the region, it has been agreed that a resolution of the difficulty posed by their lower than usual English abilities must be reached.
Monash Mt Eliza (MME) had proposed that an alternative degree and diploma be made available for offer to these students, with additional wording to be included on the testamur. It must be noted that these students have completed, to appropriate levels, the course requirements apart from the level of English. The students were admitted to the course with lower than usual English language skills, and it was hoped that their facility in the language would improve. This has not been the case.
Although the document presented by MME refers to an MBA and to a graduate diploma. The awards to which the document refers are properly Master of Business Administration (External) and Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (External). MME had requested permission to change the name of the existing Graduate Diploma in Business Administration to Graduate Diploma in Management at Academic Board 2/96, and were not permitted to do so. The title Graduate Diploma in Management is listed in the Statute as available to MME, but there are no regulations for such an award, and the University Council specifically stated at meeting 8/96, that the words "Management" and "Business Management" were not to be used by MME, but only by the Faculty of Business and Economics (for graduate programs). The original proposal to make the program in question available in Shanghai refers to the GradDipBusAdmin(Ext). This document, therefore, refers to the titles which are properly to be used by MME in the region.
For information, there has not yet been an intake in 1997. MME had intended to begin instruction in June 1997, but have deferred their start date until the University has determined their way forward.
In order to retain the University's good reputation in the region, the following course of action is proposed.
A. Students currently enrolled in the course (the 1996 intake)
The course of action outlined above is recommended for approval at the meeting of the Vice-Chancellor's Group on 7 May 1997, and has been referred for ratification to the Education Committee, in order that the amendment to the degree and diploma testamurs might be submitted in the usual manner to the University Council, which is authorised to approve University testamurs (Monash University Act 1958).
Further, this course of action is proposed to resolve the immediate difficulties faced by MME and the University only, and should not be taken as a precedent for any other course.
B. Future Intakes
Various alternatives:
Option 6 is commended to the Education Committee for approval.
Membership of Education Committee: MME is invited to nominate a member of MME to represent the School on the Education Committee, in order to give a greater sense of investment in the University's procedural requirements.
Membership of Academic Board: Professor McKern is currently an observer at the Academic Board, who has speaking rights but not voting rights. The Education Committee will recommend that he be made a full member of the Board in its submission to the Review of the Academic Board.
Item 4.2
25 March 1997
Professor Peter Darvall
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Monash University
Wellington Road
CLAYTON VIC 3168
Dear Professor Darvall
Further to our discussions regarding the English language difficulties in the MBA Program we offer in Shanghai, we would like to propose changes to the English requirements for Chinese students.
While this proposal is concerned only with the MBA, it may serve as a stimulus for reconsidering the University's English requirements for other programs taught primarily overseas.
The issues raised by foreign delivery of the MBA with reduced English language requirements are:
(a) Ability of the foreign student to absorb knowledge in a subject delivered in English by Monash staff.
(b) Ability of the student to demonstrate competence in a subject through assessment, via written assignments, problem sets, projects and examinations in English language.
(c) Use of a modified IELTS test and its equivalence to the standard IELTS test.
(d) How the transcript and degree nomenclature should reflect the mode of delivery.
Monash Mt Eliza Business School has developed, in conjunction with the Monash University English Language Centre and the Language Testing Research Centre of the University of Melbourne, a methodology for teaching management subjects in English to Chinese MBA students. These students are older than the typical MBA cohort and have limited English, but are very senior managers in joint ventures or State-owned enterprises. Our methodology is outlined in the attached paper "English language testing and facilitation in the Shanghai MBA Program".
The essence of this approach is to provide course material in the form of workbooks in English in advance of each subject, classroom assistance during lectures and English facilitation during small group tutorial discussions. We have found this to be effective in enabling students to study and pass the management subjects taught by us.
At the same time, the majority of these students are having difficulty preparing to meet the 6.5 IELTS standard required for award of the degree. They see the IELTS hurdle as "artificial" and detracting from the time they have available to study for the management subjects. We are satisfied that these students are achieving good standards within these subjects.
If we continue to insist on the 6.5 IELTS standard, we fear that we will lose most of the students and be unable to attract further intakes.
To respond to the problem we have firstly prepared a modified IELTS test (also described in the attachment). This test, the Monash Mt Eliza Business English Proficiency Test (MMBET), is equivalent to the standard IELTS, and differs only in the contextual language, which is drawn from management and business. The test is not easier, and will demand equivalent English ability, but will be considered more relevant and useful by the participants since it deals with the language of the MBA. We propose to use this as an exit test.
Notwithstanding the facilitation efforts, many students will not reach the 6.5 level, despite passing the management subjects. We are therefore proposing a modification of the level for entry, to a level at which a student will benefit from the program without necessarily achieving the 6.5 level.
The issues raised by this proposal concern the current students in the first intake as well as students in future intakes. The proposal reflects recent discussions we have had with the Monash English Language Centre and the language Testing Research Centre of the University of Melbourne.
a. Current Student Cohort (1996 intake)
1. Those students who satisfactorily complete all the course requirements of the program and who achieve the level of 6.5 in IELTS, or the equivalent score in the Monash Mt Eliza Business English Proficiency Test, will receive the Monash University MBA.
2. Those students who do not reach the 6.5 level in English, but who complete all other course requirements of the program will receive the Monash MBA. In this case, however, the academic transcript and the testamur will include the qualified wording: "This degree program was delivered partly in English and partly with translation to Chinese". This MBA will be entitled MBA (Chinese) to distinguish it from the standard MBA.
3. Those students who do not complete the courses taught in Australia and the Australian project, but satisfactorily complete all the other courses in the program, excluding the 6.5 IELTS requirement, will receive the Monash Graduate Diploma in Management (Chinese). The academic transcript and testamur will include the words: "This degree program was delivered partly in English and partly with translation to Chinese".
4. A student who satisfactorily completes only four of the courses taught by Monash Mt Eliza will receive the Graduate Certificate in Management.
b. Future Intake (1997 and thereafter)
1. All prospective students, not holding a recent English Language award equivalent to IELTS 6.5, will be required to take either the IELTS test or a modified version at a convenient English Language Testing Centre prior to admission to the program. Costs for this will be the responsibility of the student.
2. In addition to satisfying all other academic requirements, the minimum English Language score for admission to the program will be 4.0 IELTS or equivalent.
3. Those scoring 6.5 or above will be required to attend a 2 week intensive course in English Language Management Communications prior to commencement of the academic program (offered by us in Shanghai, but the cost will be the responsibility of the student).
4. Those scoring 4.0 or above, but less than 6.5, will be required to attend a 10 week part-time intensive course in English Language Management Communications prior to commencement of the academic program (offered by us in Shanghai, but the cost will be the responsibility of the student).
5. All students will receive the Monash Mt Eliza English Language facilitation support (which Dr Dianne Bolton and Mr Michael Clutterbuck have designed) throughout the duration of the program.
6. Those students who achieve 6.5 IELTS prior to admission, or who pass 6.5 IELTS or the equivalent MMBET during the program, will have the option of completing the last 4 courses in Australia from late November through to late February, in which case, they will receive the Monash MBA on completion of all coursework requirements. Those students who have not passed 6.5 IELTS or the equivalent MMBET prior to taking their last 4 courses, will remain in China to complete the program, in which case, they will receive the award MBA (Chinese) with the qualifications on the academic transcript and testamur mentioned previously on satisfactory completion of all coursework requirements.
7. For those who do not complete all the course requirements, arrangements for the award of the Graduate Diploma or Certificate will be as described in paragraphs (a) 3. and 4. above.
The four issues specified in Section 1 would be addressed by these proposals in the following way.
(a) The minimum IELTS or equivalent of 4.0, coupled with ten weeks of intensive English, the facilitation methodology and materials should ensure satisfactory comprehension of management subject matter to a level sufficient to pass the courses.
(b) Monash lecturers on the Shanghai program have expressed satisfaction with the level of competence reached in the management subjects. Standards will be continuously monitored and assignments, examinations and project work will be regularly compared with student work on the Australian MBA.
(c) The equivalence of the MMBET test with the standard IELTS will be established in mid year according to a rigorous procedure conducted by the Language Testing Research Centre of the University of Melbourne.
(d) Both the transcript and the testamur of each graduating student who has not reached the 6.5 English standard will be modified with the words noted above. Furthermore, the name of the award will be modified with the inclusion of the work "(Chinese)" after the name.
(e) The majority of the program will continue to be taught in English.
We propose these modifications as a significant step towards overcoming a major barrier to the offering of a Monash education in foreign countries. We do not propose the teaching of an entire program in a foreign language, although this may be a feasible further step, with appropriate quality safeguards, for some Monash programs in the future. Clearly, bilingual academic staff would be required to assure quality standards in such a step.
Instead we propose a modification of entry standards in English, but coupled with English support facilities, which we believe will ensure a satisfactory standard of achievement in the program. We will not relax academic standards in the substantive management subjects, but the modification of the English standards in the manner proposed should enable Monash to continue in Shanghai and to grow in reputation.
Yours sincerely
cc: Professor J Wood
Dr J Wallace
Item 4.2
Attachment to letter
MONASH MT ELIZA BUSINESS SCHOOL
English language testing and facilitation in the Shanghai MBA Program
Background
As the opportunities for export of education increase, and the competition between providers becomes more intense, new interest has been generated in language proficiency as a barrier to delivery of University education in other countries. A key question has arisen concerning the relationship between formal standards of English language proficiency of participants and their capacity to achieve academic success.
These issues are debated in academic communities concerned with applied linguistics and language testing. Monash Mt Eliza, when confronted with these problems in delivery of the Regional MBA at Shanghai, chose to work cooperatively with Monash English Language Centre and to commission the Language Testing Research Centre of the University of Melbourne to undertake research into the role of language in academic success.
The results of the literature review undertaken for us by the Language Testing Research Centre of the University of Melbourne suggest that universities might benefit from reviewing their basis for setting levels of English language proficiency for entry to academic courses. Although relatively uniform standards have been adopted across universities, there is some concern by Language Proficiency specialists that these standards are being regarded as independent, and not related to the context of educational delivery. Factors influencing the context of delivery which need to be considered include participant characteristics, course objectives and content, and course delivery methods. Student-specific factors such as intellect, background, motivation and the level of support provided within the delivery system should also be taken into consideration.
Graham (1987) concludes in a review article that the evidence for the value of English language tests as predictors of academic achievement is somewhat ambiguous. There is other evidence to suggest (Davies 1990, Elder 1993) that there are language thresholds, below which students are unlikely to succeed, and above which factors such as motivation, intelligence and other "personal " attributes may come into play, compensating for poor language skills. This threshold needs to be determined for each specific context and with reference to the course objectives and design.
Indeed, it has been pointed out that the figures of 6.5 on IELTS or 580 TOEFL, typically required by universities and colleges, are rarely based on analyses of either student or institutional needs, but are rather "folk-wisdom" passed from institution to institution. IELTS specifically recommends that "the appropriate level required for a given course of study or training is ultimately something which institutions/faculty course tutors must decide in the light of knowledge of their own course and experiences of overseas students taking them" (IELTS Handbook, April 1995).
Rationale for the development and use of the Monash Mt Eliza Business English Test (MMBET) and associated English support through facilitation.
As suggested in the literature described above, Monash Mt Eliza Business School (MMBS) has taken steps to enhance the context of student learning in the Regional MBA. Data have been collected by monitoring and surveying staff and administrators supporting the program. Consideration of these data against the findings of the literature referred to above suggested the following:
Monash Mt Eliza Business English Proficiency Test (MMBET)
The Language Testing Research Centre of the University of Melbourne has developed the MMBET as a replacement for the general IELTS test for English proficiency testing of the Regional MBA in Shanghai, because it enhances and maintains student motivation to develop English language proficiency as an integral part of course content. The business context of the test allows students to develop their English proficiency with the knowledge that they are focussing at the same time on content, concepts and vocabulary relevant to their studies and professional interests.
Thus, students do not feel that, at a time in which they are heavily pressured by the demands of the MBA course and by their senior management positions, they are unduly pressured to spend time on general English language development. This has been a problem on the Shanghai MBA course which is being taught in a language other than the vernacular of the student.
MMBET is not easier than the general IELTS test. Formal equivalence between the MMBET and the general IELTS test is now being established by the Language Testing Research Centre of the University of Melbourne. This process will call for a group of examinees (representative of the target group) to undertake both tests. By ensuring that the subjects in this study are representative, particularly in terms of subject knowledge, we will have confidence that students who are tested using the MMBET are not advantaged by the fact that they are undertaking this test and not IELTS. Standards on the two tests will be equivalent. The test will then be used for proficiency testing on the Shanghai MBA. Our associates from the two language centres are confident, from tests completed to date, that equivalence will be readily confirmed.
Use of test for screening entrants to the Regional MBA, Shanghai
While the aim is for students ultimately to achieve 6.5 IELTS equivalence on the MMBET, consideration needs to be given to appropriate entry levels such that:
a) students will be able to cope with the linguistic demands of the course, and
b) students will have a reasonable chance of attaining 6.5 IELTS equivalence upon exit from the course.
The appropriate entry level depends on the course requirements, the amount of facilitation, delivery methods and so on, as well as on the individual's motivation and subject knowledge on entry. Based on the opinions of staff who have taught the current cohort in Shanghai and views of English language specialists involved in developing the MMBET, it appears appropriate that students can operate within the current environment if allowed entry to the course at an English proficiency level of 4.0.
Exit testing using the MMBET
It is intended that the current cohort of Shanghai MBA students will sit the IELTS test and the MMBET test after completing their course. Those who have completed their course work successfully and reach a score of 6.5 on the modified (MMEBT) test will be awarded the Monash MBA. Those who complete their course work successfully but who do not reach the 6.5 level will be awarded a Monash MBA (Chinese) with an endorsement stating that the course has been delivered in English and Chinese.
The tests will be prepared and administered by the Language Testing Research Centre of
the University of Melbourne.
The Facilitation Model of Delivery
We believe English language development is most effective when integrated with English language teaching support and facilitation services. This approach encourages and uses a wide range of language support.
Courses are taught in English but students and facilitators are supplied (a month before the course commences) with course outlines, overheads in Chinese, and English support materials relevant to the course. This allows students to practice their English and become familiar with course vocabulary and concepts prior to course commencement. Translation is available within lectures if needed, in order to ensure uniformity of terminology and to clarify key concepts. A second level of language support is then provided in the group work sessions which follow every lecture. In these sessions the facilitator and the group clarify any linguistic misunderstandings related to work set during the previous lecture. Group discussion is conducted in both English and Chinese in order to prevent linguistic difficulties from impeding the analysis underpinning group work. Reports made to plenary sessions are presented in English. Assignments are written in English.
The English language support for the Shanghai MBA also includes a specially developed Student Workbook for each course which enables the students to work through practice exercises based on texts provided in the course, either with facilitators or independently. Again this helps them to identify linguistic and conceptual problems and gain familiarity with technical terminology.
Other features of the design include the incorporation of a practice test after each unit to give the user a regular and frequent idea of the standard of English required by the course; assessment at different stages of the program; and listening exercises with tapes to assist students to understand the technical English used by the lecturers. These materials are also used to introduce students to the academic standards expected by the lecturer.
One facilitator is provided for each group of 6 to 10 students, depending on characteristics of the course and the level of student need. It is essential that the lecturer works closely with the team of facilitators to ensure that they are aware of course expectations and specific issues that might challenge the students. In this way the support provided through the facilitation can be comprehensive and focussed on each topic.
The design of the facilitation model recognises that learning English is the means to attainment of academic outcomes, and not an end in itself. This is consistent with research findings referred to earlier.
Davies, A.(1990) Principles of Language Testing. Oxford : Basil Blackwell.
Elder, C. (1993) Language proficiency as a predictor of performance in teacher education. Melbourne Papers in Language Testing 2,1
Graham, J.G.(1987) English Language Proficiency and the Prediction of Academic Success. TESOL Quarterly 21,3
Item 5
INFORMATION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS
from the unconfirmed Minutes of the Committee of Deans Meetings 3/97 and 4/97
held on 18 March and 15 April respectively and Special Meeting 1/97
held on 24 April 1997
The Committee discussed, among other matters:
Agenda and Minutes for meetings of the Committee of Deans are available on the web at:
http://www.monash.edu.au/unisec/ctees/ag-min.htm
Item 6
Student Academic Grievance Policy for Monash University
The Monash University Student Academic Grievance Policy has been under development since late in 1995, when all faculty academic grievance policy statements were collected and examined. It was immediately obvious that the policy statements and processes in use for considering academic grievances were virtually identical.
Grievances relating to administrative matters have always been considered by either the Faculty Registrar/Manager or the Manager for Student Relations and Enquiries (located in the Student Services Division).
It is recognised that academic grievance matters are best considered within a Faculty and must be initially resolved at that point. An appeals process could involve either the establishment of a second faculty based panel, with external membership, or reference to a University Committee, much like the Discipline Committee. The student submission requested the establishment of a centralised appeal procedure, while the University Solicitor's Office advised that these processes were best considered within the faculty of origin, and even recommended against external membership of the second panel. The suggestions below are a compromise between the two positions.
It is intended that the Student Academic Grievance Policy would cover complaints about aspects of courses, assessment, or other matters which are the responsibility of the academic staff of the faculty. Academic Grievances are separate from university discipline or sexual harassment policies and processes, each of which is covered by a separate piece of policy or legislation (Statute 4.1 Discipline; Section 7.4 'Discrimination and sexual harassment grievance procedures' of the Staff handbook).
It is recommended that the following policy and procedures be endorsed by the University Council as the University policy on Student Academic Grievance, and that it be included in the Student Information Handbook (along with the University's Administrative Grievance procedures and the discrimination and sexual harassment procedures) for the convenience of students. This would require the approval by Council of a unified set of University Administrative Grievance procedures. Academic Grievance procedures for students enrolled for awards of the University not managed by a Faculty (eg Doctor of Philosophy) would be covered by the procedure recently developed by the PhD and Scholarships Committee, which should also be published widely. Faculties should also incorporate policies and procedures for academic and administrative grievances into any documentation for the Faculty-administered Higher Doctorates.
On the advice of the University Solicitor's Office, it is not recommended at this time that legislation be drafted for this policy, or for a University administrative grievance policy.
As is the case with all procedures of the University, a student or staff member may raise the matter with the State Ombudsman, should internal procedures not resolve the complaint.
Monash University Policy on Student Academic Grievances:
Procedures for Resolution of Grievances:
Faculty where grievance is to be lodged
A student should lodge a complaint with the Faculty which manages the degree in which he or she is enrolled. In the case of double degrees, the student should lodge their complaint with the managing faculty (eg for BA/BE, the Faculty of Engineering) even when the complaint relates to a subject taken in another faculty. The senior member of staff nominated by the Dean may request that academics from another faculty take part in any hearings which might be required. Students who enrolled on a non-award or single subject basis should lodge any complaint with the faculty managing the subject in which they were enrolled.
Advocacy:
The student is to be advised at the time of the initiation of academic grievance procedures that they may bring with them to any hearings into the matter a support person (as in the Discipline hearings, this may be any person whether legally qualified or not, although this person is not to act as an advocate for the student.) Similarly, the staff member would not be represented by an advocate, although would be equally entitled to bring a person to the hearing as a support person. Should the matter proceed to an appeal, both the student and the staff member would be entitled to an advocate, should they so desire.
Senior Member of Staff nominated by the Dean:
It is recommended that Faculties determine in advance and publish in student handbooks the name of the person or persons able to be approached regarding matters of this kind. Normally, the senior member of staff would be one of the Associate Deans or the Faculty Registrar / Manager. The senior member of staff MUST NOT have been involved in the dispute or decision which is the subject of the complaint, in order that there is no conflict of interest or perceived bias. In such a case, the Dean would need to appoint another member of staff to conduct the procedure.
Membership of Faculty Grievance Committee:
Senior Member of staff nominated by the Dean (Chair)
Two members of academic staff at the level of lecturer or above
One student from the courses managed by the Faculty
It may be necessary to appoint to the panel staff from the department in which the complaint originated, in order to provide expertise (for example when the complainant is claiming unfair assessment practices). Provided that no member of the panel has had any involvement in the matter which is being enquired into or any other particular connection with the complainant, there will be no conflict of interest or perceived bias. Although it would be usual to appoint academic staff from within the managing Faculty, it may be necessary to appoint academic staff from another Faculty to the Panel, particularly if the matter relates to a subject studied in another Faculty.
Membership of Grievance Appeal Panel:
Dean of the Faculty
Dean of another Faculty
One member of academic staff at the level of Associate Professor or above
One student from the courses managed by the Faculty
Such a panel would include none of the members of the Faculty Grievance Committee (although the Chair of the Faculty Grievance Committee may be invited to address the appeal proceedings) and would include the Dean of another Faculty (or nominee). The academic staff member would usually be appointed from within the managing Faculty, but may be appointed from another Faculty if it is considered necessary.
Persons who may bring a complaint:
The only person who may initiate a complaint regarding matters of academic grievance is the person who has been aggrieved (ie the student). The Student Rights Officer may act on behalf of the student in initiating the investigation, at the request of the student.
Frivolous and/or vexatious complaints:
The senior member of staff nominated by the Dean may determine that the complaint in question is frivolous and/or vexatious, and determine that no enquiry is necessary. As for all other decisions related to the grievance process, the complainant must be advised of this determination in writing, and may make appeal to the Dean, if they so desire. The Dean may determine that an appeal of a determination of a Faculty Grievance Committee is similarly frivolous and/or vexatious and dismiss the complaint. This decision of the Dean must also be communicated to the complainant in writing.
Records of proceedings:
Written records of any grievance proceedings/complaints must be kept in a secure location in the office of the Dean of the Faculty for a minimum of five years after the last action date regarding the complaint (in accordance with University policy on disposal of records), although individual circumstances may require the retention of records after that time. These matters are considered to be absolutely confidential and any records must be destroyed in the same way as for all confidential records when no longer required to be kept.. A report regarding the operation of the grievance policy should be prepared for submission to the Faculty Board no less than once each year, omitting all details which could identify those people who were involved in the processes.
Timelines for Proceedings:
There is a specified maximum time period for each of the steps described above. They are as follows:
Order of hearings:
Normally, the proceeding first raised should be the first settled, if more than one hearing has been proposed (eg Unsatisfactory Progress, Discipline, Exclusion Appeal). Each hearing should be advised that other hearings are proposed, however. If a student is faced with an Unsatisfactory Progress Committee hearing, and subsequently files a complaint of academic grievance, the decision regarding the student's unsatisfactory progress should be taken prior to commencement of hearings regarding the alleged academic grievance.
No two proceedings as identified above might run concurrently.
The Dean of the Faculty may determine the order in which hearings should proceed.
These procedures are designed to prevent a student who is scheduled for an exclusion appeal hearing from making a complaint of academic grievance in order to delay the exclusion hearing until the commencement of the following semester, in the hope that the exclusion appeal committee would be more likely to permit continued enrolment after the commencement of the semester.
Item 7
FACULTY/CONCEDED PASSES
Responses have now been received from all Faculties to the discussion paper concerning a proposal to standardise the grade known as "PII".
Those in favour of the proposal as originally circulated were the Faculties of Business and Economics, Computing and Information Technology and Science.
Those who wished to offer one grade of Pass only, and did not wish to use a PII for grades in the range 45-49 were the Faculties of Law and Medicine, the Victorian College of Pharmacy and the Monash University College of Art and Design.
The Faculty of Arts did not wish to use a PII grade, but wished to retain the option of altering marks in order to utilise only one grade of Pass.
The Faculties of Education and Engineering were in favour of making the range a set standard, but of allowing Faculties the option to use a PII or not as they wished.
The proposal (below) has been altered in accordance with the latter suggestion, to allow faculties to choose whether to permit a student who has achieved a borderline fail to progress in his or her degree and/or whether credit will be granted for this result.
A number of Faculties had also commented on the similarity of the grade "PII" to the grade "P" and requested that this be altered, as was recommended by the Committee itself at meeting 2/97. The recommendation is that this grade become known as "Near Pass" (NP).
The paper, as it will be submitted to the Academic Board, is presented below:
Borderline Fail Marks and Grades assigned to those Marks
The plethora of assessment grades and practices presently in use at Monash to deal with students who have achieved a borderline fail mark have evolved over many years and reflect the different pedagogical beliefs between and within campuses and faculties. They also reflect the various outcomes we seek to achieve when assessing the work of a student. The individual examiner might regard a particular grade as a measurement of achievement in an individual subject. A Board of Examiners might prefer to use a wider approach whereby the grade awarded will also be used to determine the student's progress in a course of study. Both approaches are predominantly focused on reporting information to the student.
The University has recently conducted a review of grades and marks. This paper builds on the work of that review by addressing the conventions governing the award of passes to students who have achieved a borderline fail mark. At present, there are variations and inconsistencies in the award of grades and/or supplementary assessment for marks in the range of 40 to 49. These include the type of grade, the range of marks for which the grade may be awarded and the conditions under which it may be awarded.
These variations and inconsistencies result in a situation that is intrinsically inequitable. To illustrate, five students in the same subject with the same mark (for example, 47) could at different Boards of Examiners' meetings be granted five different results, depending on their faculty of enrolment and their stage in their course progression. That is, students may be awarded:
Although the first two grades listed above are temporary grades, any one of the last three could be awarded as a final grade to a student who achieved a borderline fail mark in a given subject.
Such inconsistencies will become more transparent with the upcoming enhancement of MUSIS, when both grades and marks (where available) will be included on academic transcripts. In addition, the variations in the current practice do not allow us to provide clear, consistent information to students and to potential employers and other academic institutions.
Our understanding of how well we have achieved the University's educational objectives is communicated to students and other stakeholders every time we provide assessment information. The suggestions made below should be viewed in the context of the University's educational mission and the role of transcripts of results in the public domain. They also should be understood as a step towards achieving consistent, equitable conventions for dealing with fail results.
To assist in this task, and after consultation with Faculties, the following recommendation is presented for endorsement by the Committee and submission to the Academic Board:
AND
Faculties may refuse permission for progression to other subjects on the basis of an NP grade, may place restrictions on the number or the pattern of NP grades allowable for credit towards an individual degree program, and/or determine the stage/level of the course in which a student might be able to be awarded an NP grade. In the latter case, the alternative final result would be N (Fail).
Such grades as PGO and NS (a temporary grade indicating eligibility for supplementary assessment) will continue to be available. Students achieving marks in the range 40-44 will be deemed to have failed the subject in question.
It is important to note that the use of the NP grade will be OPTIONAL. A faculty or college may choose (for the degrees which it manages):
In the latter case it would still be possible for a Faculty or College to permit a student to pass in a year as a whole, while failing a component of the year. For example, the practice in the Victorian College of Pharmacy has been that a borderline fail mark in a single component of the year may be recorded as a fail, but student is permitted to progress to the following year of the course. Policy in the College requires a pass in the year before progression to the next level of the course, and if the above example is used, this is called a Board Pass.
In addition to the recommendation above, the following revised policy statement is submitted for the endorsement of the Committee and subsequent submission to the Academic Board (the previous version was prepared for Education Committee meeting 8/96):
Working Party
Associate Professor N White
Associate Professor N Cameron
Mr G Tickell
Mr N Thorburn
MsER Brooks
Item 9
MEMORANDUM
To: Education Committee
From: Renn Wortley
University Solicitor
Amanda Lazar
Deputy University Solicitor
Date: 8 May, 1997
Reference: AL/ab
Subject: Discipline Statute
____________________________________________________________________
On 18 March 1997, we met with Student Representative Mr Michel Cabrie, the President of MUFSO, Ms Tanja Kovac, Student Rights Officer, Mr Gerry Nagtzaam, and Education Committee Secretary, Ms Randi Brooks, to discuss recommendations made by the Working Party in its report on the Discipline Statute and the proposal of the Solicitor's Office which was adopted by Education Committee at meeting 1/97. The meeting was called following a paper from the students to Education Committee (Meeting 2/97), objecting to the proposal from the Solicitor's Office and expressing the view that there had been insufficient discussion to warrant approval of our recommendations.
We explained to the students that the Solicitor's Office had not been given an opportunity to contribute to the review of the Statute and that it appeared to us from the Report that the Working Party had proceeded on the basis of some misconceptions regarding the current legislation and the handling of discipline cases. Therefore, our response had included information on issues such as jurisdiction, the efficacy of faculties conducting cases of cheating in formal examinations and the use of fines in addition to academic sanctions.
In response to Mr Nagtzaam's claim that the Solicitor's Office desired to re-write policy, we pointed out that for those who had not participated in its deliberations, the Working Party's Report did not read as a clear set of policy statements as he and Ms Brooks assumed. The document was a report of a review process. It identified and commented on certain issues and raised a number of unanswered questions. Given that the key proposal that the Statute be revised, failed to identify which Statute was referred to, our response had been to try and clarify our instructions. To add to the confusion, Mr Nagtzaam and the students appeared to expect something more than a revision.
After considerable discussion, it emerged that the students and Mr Nagtzaam had no objections to the following recommendations approved by Education Committee at meeting 1/97:
Academic Misconduct
Research Misconduct
We had recommended previously that where a student had not made a submission on medical grounds and it appears that such grounds might exist, that the Committee should continue to hear the matter under the Discipline Statute rather than Statute 6.3 (Exclusion for Health Reasons) and that evidence in the medical report could mitigate the penalty. Mr Nagtzaam argued that the medical report should be used to provide a defence. We pointed out that it was up to the student to produce medical evidence if this was to be relied upon and that the proposed provision was one that would be used by the Committee to decide on an appropriate penalty. After further consideration we recommend that both the FDC and the CDC should have power to request medical reports.
The only significant area of disagreement between the students and the Solicitor's Office appears to be in respect to the conduct of cheat cases arising from formal examinations. The Working Party has recommended that responsibility for academic discipline be given to the faculties and that all academic discipline cases be heard at first instance by the FDC, including exam cheating. Appeals from decisions of the FDC would be to the CDC. An appeal could be on either the merits or on penalty.
At meeting 1/97, Education Committee approved our recommendation that cases of cheating in formal exams should continue to be heard at first instance by the CDC and that appeals to Council should be retained.
Our reasons for this recommendation were that:
Ms Brooks and Mr Nagtzaam pointed out that not all formal exams were supervised by invigilators employed by the Examinations Branch and that students who were caught cheating in a "formal" exam which was being supervised by faculty staff were not interviewed by the examinations Officer. They expressed the view that exam cheating should be dealt with by the FDC and that they did not consider that students would appeal the decision of the FDC as we assumed.
We proposed that the issue be referred back to the Education Committee and note the students' support for the recommendation made by the Working Party. Should the Education Committee decide that all cheat cases be dealt with by the FDC, the Solicitor's Office suggests that the faculty should also defend any appeal to the CDC as it will have knowledge from the first case, and that the University Solicitor should only become involved when the student is represented by a solicitor from outside the University.
Other matters discussed:
The Solicitor's Office had recommended that the person accompanying the student may be legally trained but not in practice as a barrister or solicitor. We confess that this was based on our rather cynical view that practising lawyers might be tempted to influence the conduct of proceedings through advice to the student which could create problems for the FDC which would normally have no member with a legal background. The students consider that lawyers should be able to accompany the student provided they are not permitted to act as an advocate. We have no objection to this.
(i) The students strongly support the Working Party's view that academic offences should attract academic penalties. We explained that fines are never used as an alternative to academic penalties and that the Discipline Committee is usually requested to impose a fine in circumstances where the faculty believes that disallowing the work would be insufficient punishment but the offence does not warrant suspension. In such a case the work would be disallowed and the student would be fined an amount which the Committee judged suitable in the particular student's financial circumstances.
In our opinion fines should be retained as an additional penalty with guidelines for the FDC and CDC on where and how they should be used. The issue is referred back to Education Committee for a decision.
(ii)We explained that there was a technical difference between suspension and exclusion. A student would be entitled to resume a course at the end of a period of suspension whereas a student who was excluded from the University for a number of years would have to re-apply for admission when the exclusion period ended.
We support the introduction of suspension as a penalty but suggest that exclusion be retained also as a penalty for serious discipline cases.
We explained that the Report had not recommended that this be referred to in the Statute and we had presumed that the Working Party had been satisfied that the civil standard would apply. Ms Brooks said that this was an oversight and that the Working Party had wanted the Statute to contain a reference to standard of proof. We explained that discipline hearings are not bound by criminal standards of proof and that while the civil standard (balance of probabilities) applied, this was a variable standard which rises as the discipline issue becomes more serious in its nature and consequences. It was agreed that directions on the standard of proof should be included in the guidelines for committees.
We explained that definition of cheating in the current Statute covered intentional/dishonest plagiarism but not "innocent" plagiarism. We agree with the Working Party that the notion of dishonest intent should be retained notwithstanding difficulties with proof. However, there is an increasing tendency for faculties to refer to "plagiarism" instead of cheating. We propose to make it clear in the revised Statute that cheating includes dishonest plagiarism.
If plagiarism is a matter of concern, Education Committee might care to give consideration to introducing "innocent plagiarism" as a new offence. For example a student could be charged with plagiarism if he/she had previously been warned and counselled about this on a certain number of occasions. The offence would not carry the same stigma as cheating and should attract a lower penalty.
We were informed that Education Committee was surprised by our question about the use of teleconferencing for Discipline Hearings involving students on overseas campuses. The issue was raised because it has caused concern in the context of Unsatisfactory Progress Appeals and because the Committee might prefer to give responsibility for discipline to the overseas institutions.
We explained that much of the detail in the current Statute would need to be retained. In response to Mr Nagtzaam's request for a much simpler Statute, we proposed that an explanatory memorandum be drafted in plain English and that the memorandum be provided to students who would only refer to the Statute as needed. This solution was acceptable to the students.
The issue of "enforceability" ie. jurisdiction, was clarified. The students accepted our explanation that students who were not enrolled on the Monash system could not be bound by the University's Statutes. This included students at Mt Eliza. Although these students eventually take out a Monash Award, they are not students of the University and similar Discipline Procedures should be established by the Monash Mt Eliza Graduate School.
Students enrolled at Monash in single not-for-award subjects would be bound by the University's legislation but Open Learning students would not. Again this is because Open learning students are not Monash students. They are students of the Open Learning Agency Pty Ltd for whom Monash is providing academic services by agreement.
Education Committee is requested to decide whether or not there should be student representation on FDCs.
The Working Party's recommendations relate to academic misconduct in undergraduate courses only. No action has been taken to review general misconduct. The current provisions provide for fines to be imposed by staff at various levels (the amount of the fine is commensurate to the level of the person imposing it). Serious cases of misconduct are referred to the University Discipline Committee through the Vice-Chancellor.
We propose that the drafting of the General Misconduct Section be revised and that a few conflicting statements be removed, that the scale of fines be retained and that the faculties and halls of residence be given responsibility for general misconduct. Misconduct cases could be referred to the Associate Dean (Teaching) who would establish a FDC. As with academic discipline, appeal would be to the CDC. Provision would need to be made for the halls of residence (other than Mannix College which is not part of Monash), to establish their own Discipline Committees.
Summary
There is considerable support for the Working Party's recommendation that all academic discipline be handled by the faculties. Appeal would be to the Central Committee and appeals to a Committee of Council would be abolished. While we consider that the FDCs will have difficulty with examination cheating, we do not oppose this arrangement.
If all responsibility for academic discipline is given to the faculties, the University Solicitor's Office should no longer act for the University at appeals to the CDC unless requested to do so because the student is represented by an external solicitor.
It is recommended that the University retain both fines and exclusion as penalties for academic misconduct and that FDCs and CDCs be given guidelines in respect to the proper use of these penalties.
It is suggested that Education Committee consider making "innocent plagiarism" an offence, as distinct from cheating. This would be used for multiple offenders only.
It is recommended that responsibility for misconduct be given to the faculties and halls under the arrangements applying for academic discipline.
Renn Wortley
University Solicitor
Amanda Lazar
Deputy University Solicitor
Item 11
MONASH UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ARTS
Meeting 2/97 of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Arts held on Wednesday 9 April 1997 at the Clayton campus.
REPORT TO EDUCATION COMMITTEE
PART A- RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Receipt of Report
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee receive and note the Report of Faculty Board Meeting 2/97 held on Wednesday 9 April 1997.
2. Dean's Scholars Program - Wording on the Academic Testamur
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee approve the following wording on the academic testamur for participants in the Dean's Scholars Program for transmission to Council:
Bachelor of Arts
as a participant in the Dean's Scholars Program
(Appendix 1)
That the Education Committee refer to Student Admissions and Records the issue of the wording to be used on the academic transcript to reflect a student's enrolment in the Dean's Scholars Program.
3. Minor Amendment to Bachelor of Arts (Social Science)
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee approve the inclusion of Women's Studies as a discipline major in the Bachelor of Arts (Social Science).
4. Subject Cancellation - CRT2080/3080 - Julien Green
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee approve the cancellation of CRT2080/3080 in 1997.
5. Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee note that Faculty Board approved the introduction of the Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education for introduction in 1998.
6. Faculty Policy on the Cancellation of Undergraduate Subjects
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee note that Faculty Board approved the following policy in relation to the cancellation of undergraduate subjects:
"Students should note that the subjects advertised in the Faculty Handbook as available, other than those which form part of the compulsory or core component of any course, may be cancelled no later than the last day of the week preceding the first week of each semester if there are insufficient enrolments in the subjects, or if, through unforeseeable circumstances, there is no staff member available to teach them.
If a subject is cancelled all students enrolled in it will be advised in writing by the relevant department of the cancellation and the reason for it and will be asked to change their enrolment".
PART B- PROCEEDINGS
7. Proceedings
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee note the proceedings as detailed below.
8. Appointment of Graduate Coordinators
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee note that Faculty Board accepted the COGS recommendation that all Departments and Centres with a postgraduate program appoint a postgraduate coordinator and define the role and responsibilities of that postgraduate coordinator.
8. Award of Graduate Diploma of Arts to Master of Arts Students
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee note that Faculty Board approved, in line with the articulation recommendation in the Arts Graduate policy, the award of a Graduate Diploma of Arts to Master of Arts students who have qualified for the Graduate Diploma and who do not wish to continue with their MA program.
10. Deferral of Candidature
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee note that Faculty Board approved the following guidelines for the deferral of candidature in respect of research and coursework students:
"Research Students
Research students (viz those undertaking a 100%, 75% or 66% thesis) shall be allowed to defer their candidature until second semester.
Coursework students enrolled in full-fee programs
Coursework students enrolled in full-fee programs shall be allowed to defer their candidature until second semester, conditional upon approval by their Department/Centre.
Coursework students in on-load programs
Coursework postgraduate students shall not be allowed to defer their candidature until second semester.
11. Admission of Research Students
Recommendation:
That the Education Committee note that Faculty Board approved the following policy for the admission of new research candidates:
"100% Research Students
That 100% research students be admitted at any time of the year, noting that this would also be in line with the admittance of PhD students.
66% and 75% Research students
That research/coursework combined students be allowed to apply mid-year, but be advised that they need to first consult with their proposed department and centre regarding the availability of suitable coursework subjects for second semester entry."
12. Minor Changes to Existing Course - Master of Social Work
Recommendation;
That the Education Committee note that Faculty Board approved a change in the subject SWM5000 - Knowledge in Social Work Activity so that it is no longer a core subject in the Bachelor of Social Work by Distance Education.
The subject remains available to students enrolled in the course.
13. Minor Amendment to subject title for ENV8140 and GYM5330
Recommendation:
That the Education committee note that subject title for ENV8140 and GYM5330 has changed from "Science and Systems Theory" to "Science and Systems Practice." This is reported as a minor amendment.
Carol Jordon
Faculty Registrar (Arts)
Appendix 1 to Item 11
AUSTRALIA
In the name and by the authority of the Council
be it known that
(Insert Name)
having fulfilled all the requirements and
having passed all the prescribed examinations has
on the twelfth day of March 1997
been admitted to the degree of
Bachelor of Arts
as a participant in the Dean's Scholars Program
in token whereof the Council has authorized the
Common Seal of the University to be hereto affixed.
Chancellor Vice-chancellor
(Note: Italics is proposed addition to testamur)
Item 12
MONASH UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ARTS (UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE)
(AMENDMENT NO. 1 1997) REGULATIONS
Pursuant to Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees, the Council hereby makes the following regulations entitled Faculty of Arts (Undergraduate Degree) (Amendment No. 1 1997) Regulations.
The Faculty of Arts (Undergraduate Degree) Regulations are amended as follows -
1. For subsection 8 substitute -
"8. A candidate must accumulate a minimum of -
8.1.1 144 credit points towards the relevant degree; or
8.1.2 in the case of the degree of Bachelor of Letters, 96 credit points."
2. For subsection 11 substitute -
"11. Except as otherwise determined by the faculty board in any particular case, the course of study for a degree must be completed -
11.1.1 in not less than three and not more than eight years of candidature; or
11.1.2 in the case of the degree of Bachelor of Letters, in not less than two and not more than six years of candidature."
3. In the Schedule, in Part 1 - Pass degrees delete "Bachelor of Arts (Arts Scholar Program)".
MONASH UNIVERSITY
STATUTE 6.1.2 COURSES AND DEGREES
(AMENDMENT NO. 1 1997) STATUTE
In exercise of the powers conferred by the Monash University Act 1958, the Council of Monash University hereby makes the following statute entitled Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees (Amendment No. 1 1997) Statute.
1. In Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees in subsection 1.1 Faculty of Arts delete "Bachelor of Arts (Arts Scholar Program) (BA(ArtsSchProg)),".
THE COMMON SEAL of MONASH UNIVERSITY was hereto affixed on the
day of 1997 by direction of the Council in the presence of:
............................................................................
Vice-Chancellor and President
............................................................................
Secretary to Council
Item 13
MONASH UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Meeting 2/97 of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics held on
Wednesday 2 April 1997 at the Peninsula campus.
REPORT TO EDUCATION COMMITTEE
A. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. RECEIPT OF REPORT
Recommendation
That Education Committee receive and note the Report of the Faculty Board Meeting 2/97 of the Faculty of Business and Economics held on 2 April 1997.
2. MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING COURSES
2.1 Graduate Certificate in Management
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve an amendment to the admission criteria for the Graduate Certificate in Management to include a minimum of two years relevant employment experience. A document is attached. (Attachment 1)
2.2 Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Computing
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve amendments to the double degree program. A document is attached. (Attachment 2)
2.3 Diploma of Business
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve the removal of the option of completing either GBU7015 Business Applications or GBU7003 Workplace Project and that GBU7015 Business Applications become a compulsory subject from Semester 1, 1998. A document is attached. (Attachment 3)
2.4 Amendments to Subject Prerequisites: Diploma of Business
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve amendments to subject prerequisites. A document is attached. (Attachment 4)
2.5 Bachelor of Business - Berwick Campus: Professional Accounting Stream
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve the addition of subjects to the Bachelor of Business offered at the Berwick campus to enable students to meet the requirements of professional accounting bodies. A document is attached. (Attachment 5)
3. NEW SUBJECT PROPOSALS
3.1 MKT4631 Advanced Buyer Behaviour
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve the subject MKT4631 Advanced Buyer Behaviour. A document is attached. (Attachment 6)
3.2 GBU2310 Recruitment and Selection: Context and Process
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve the subject GBU2310 Recruitment and Selection: Context and Process. A document is attached. (Attachment 7)
3.3 GBU3311 Recruitment and Selection: Issues and Strategy
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve the subject GBU3311 Recruitment and Selection: Issues and Strategy. A document is attached. (Attachment 8)
4. MAJOR AMENDMENT TO EXISTING SUBJECTS
4.1 Amended Subject Levels and Codes
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve amendments to the GBU subject codes to reflect the academic level of those subjects. A document is attached. (Attachment 9)
5. RECEIPT OF PROCEEDINGS
Recommendation
That Education Committee note the proceedings of the Faculty Board meeting 2/97 as detailed below.
6. MINOR AMENDMENT TO EXISTING COURSES
6.1 Graduate Diploma in Business Management
Masters Preliminary Year for the Master of Management
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve an amendment to the course structure for the Graduate Diploma in Business Management and Masters Preliminary Year for the Master of Management to include a full-time option in addition to the existing part-time option. A document is attached. (Attachment 10)
6.2 Master of Public Policy and Management
The Board recommends to Education Committee that it approve a variation to the course structure for the Master of Public Policy and Management for students enrolled prior to Semester 1, 1997. A document is attached. (Attachment 11)
7 POLICY GUIDELINES FOR EXTERNAL COURSES WORKING GROUP
Faculty Board accepted the recommendations contained within the report of the Policy Guidelines for External Courses Working Group.
8. LOWER LEVEL AWARDS
Faculty Board accepted the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee to permit students, in certain specified circumstances to transfer to a lower level award.
9 EXCEPTIONAL ENTRY TO THE MASTER OF PUBLIC POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
Faculty Board accepted the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee to admit Ms Jan Powning to candidature for the Master of Public Policy and Management degree.
8. ACADEMIC BOARD
Faculty Board recommended the following items to Academic Board:
Appointment of Associate Deans 1997-1998
Appointment of Associate of the School of Business and Electronic Commerce
Item 13.1.1
M O N A S H U N I V E R S I T Y
Department of Business Management
Faculty of Business and Economics
Caulfield Campus
Memorandum
To: Suzanne Parker, Manager Graduate Studies
From: Gerry Griffin, Head, Department of Management
Date: 8 May, 1997
Subject: Graduate Certificate in Management
I write in reference to the Faculty of Business and Economics (Graduate Certificate) Regulations 1996
Current entry requirements
17. Graduate Certificate in Management
In relation to the Graduate Certificate in Management -
17.1.1 the current or recent employment must be in a junior or middle management position and must be approved by the faculty board as appropriate preparation for the course of study; and
17.1.2 an applicant for admission to candidature must, to the satisfaction of the faculty board, have the employer support necessary to satisfactorily complete the course of study
Proposed entry requirements
17 Graduate Certificate in Management
In relation to the Graduate Certificate in Management
17.1.1 the current or recent employment must be in a junior or middle management position and must be approved by the faculty board as appropriate preparation for the course of study, and
17.1.2 an applicant for admission to candidature must, to the satisfaction of the faculty board, have the employer support necessary to satisfactorily complete the course of study
17.1.3 an applicant for admission to candidature must, to the satisfaction of the faculty board, have a minimum of 2 years relevant business experience
Justification
Students are required to have a minimum of 2 years working experience as the teaching mode requires students to contribute and use examples of their working experience
Item 13.1.2
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Computing
The Faculty of Business and Economics Board, at Meeting No. .../... and the Board of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, at Meeting No. .../..., determined that the following changes to the schedules for the Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Computing double degree should be proposed for consideration by the Education Committee. The Committee's recommendation will be transmitted to the next meeting of the Academic Board.
REASONS FOR THE CHANGES
1. The schedule of subjects for the System Development major of the Bachelor of Computing was modified and updated in 1996. The schedule for the double degree program needs to be updated to reflect this change. The change involve the replacement of GCO2817 Computer Programming 3 with GCO2816 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design. In addition, the subject GCO3800 Industry Project is recommended for inclusion in place of the six point project subject GCO3819 Computing Project.
2. At present, the only Computing major available to students in the double degree is in System Development. The extension to the schedule of subjects that is proposed will allow students in the double degree the option of completing a major in Business Systems. This new major was approved for the Bachelor of Computing in 1996.
The schedule of Business subjects is not affected by these changes.
STRUCTURE
The course involves four years of full-time study or the equivalent part-time study. Students complete a total of at least 192 points of study, comprising at least a 96 point business sequence and a 96 point computing sequence. The sequences must meet the following requirements.
Business Sequence
(a) Completion of the following seven business core subjects
GBU1001 Introductory Accounting A
GBU1101 Introduction to Economics
GBU1201 Introduction to Business Law
GBU1302 Management Theory and Functions
GBU1401 Introduction to Marketing
GAS1751 Quantitative Methods
GCO1815 Computer Technology
(b) Either (1). Completion of two business major sequences of at least six subjects (but usually including at least one subject from (a) above, selected from Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Management and Electronic Commerce; or
Computing Sequence
The computing sequence must meet the requirements of either the system development major or the business systems major.
(a) System Development Sequence (96 points; each subject is worth six points)
First Level
GCO1063 Human Communications
GCO1811 Computer Programming 1
GCO1812 Computer Programming 2
GCO1813 Information Systems 1
GAS1614 Discrete Mathematics
Second Level
GCO2811 Commercial Programming
GCO2812 Computer Organisation
GCO2813 Information Systems 2
GCO2814 Operating Systems
GCO2815 Database Management Systems
GCO2816 Object Oriented Analysis and Design
Third Level
GCO3811 Software Engineering
GCO3819 Computing Project. Students may take the 12 point subject GCO3800 Industry Project in place of GCO3819
At least one subjects (6 points) selected from:
GCO3812 Data Communications and networks 1
GCO3813 UNIX Systems Programming
GCO3814 Human Computer Interaction
GCO3815 Artificial Intelligence
GCO3816 Information Systems Management
GCO3817 Computer Graphics
GCO3821 Object-Oriented Programming
GCO3822 Multimedia Concepts and Applications
GCO3823 Client-Server and Mobile Database Applications
GCO3824 Data Communications and Networks 2
Plus a minimum of 12 points of other approved third level computing electives, normally selected from the above list.
96 points of Computing, plus the six point core subject GBU1601. Each subject is worth six points, except GCO3900, which is worth 12 points
Core subject: GBU1601 Introduction to Electronic Commerce
First Level
GCO1063 Human Communications
GCO1811 Computer Programming 1
GCO1813 Information Systems 1
Second Level
GCO2811 Commercial Programming
GCO2812 Computer Organisation
GCO2802 Computer Models for Business Decisions
GCO2813 Information Systems 2
GCO2815 Database Management Systems
GCO2816 Object Oriented Analysis and Design
Third Level
GCO3900 Business Systems Project (12 points)
GCO3806 General Operations Management
GCO3816 Information Systems Management
plus two subjects (12 points) selected from:
GCO3601 Infrastructure for Electronic Commerce
GCO3803 Inventory Management Systems
GCO3811 Software Engineering
GCO3812 Data Communications and networks 1
GCO3822 Multimedia Concepts and Applications
GCO3823 Client-Server and Mobile Database Applications
GCO3824 Data Communications and Networks 2
or other approved third level computing or business systems electives
A typical course structure over four years of full-time study is shown in Appendix A.
APPENDIX A
Typical B Bus / B Comp Course Structure - System Development Major
Semester 1 GCO1811 GCO1815 GBU1001 GBU1302
Year 1
48 points
Semester 2 GCO1812 GAS1614 GBU1101 GBU1201
Semester 1 GCO2812 GCO1063 GAS1751 GBU1401
Year 2
48 points
Semester 2 GCO2814 GCO1813 Business Business
Major 1 Major 2
Semester 1 GCO2813 Business Business Business
Year 3 Major 1 Major 1 Major 2
48 points
Semester 2 GCO2815 GCO2816 Business Business
Major 1 Major 2
Semester 1 GCO3819 GCO3811 Computing Business
Year 4 (full year) Elective Major 2
48 points Computing Computing Business Business
Semester 2 Elective Elective Major 1 Major 2
(either
semester)
Typical B Bus / B Comp Course Structure - Business Systems major
Semester 1 GCO1063 GCO1815 GBU1001 GBU1302
Year 1
48 points
Semester 2 GCO1813 GCO1811 GBU1601 GBU1201
Semester 1 GCO2811 GCO2813 GAS1751 GBU1401
Year 2
48 points
Semester 2 GCO2815 GCO2802 GBU1101 Business
Major 1
Semester 1 GCO2812 Business Business Business
Year 3 Major 1 Major 2 Major 2
48 points
Semester 2 GCO3806 GCO2816 Business Business
Major 1 Major 2
Semester 1 GCO3900 Computing Business Business
Year 4 (full year) Elective Major 1 Major 2
54 points Computing
Semester 2 Elective GCO3816 Business Business
(either Major 1 Major 2
semester)
Item 13.1.3
MEMORANDUM
To: The Chairperson and Members,
Board of the School of Business and Electronic Commerce
From: John Rodwell, Lecturer (Management)
Subject: Change of Course Progression (Diploma of Business)
Date: 17 January 1997
Approval is sought to remove the option of completing either GBU 7015 Business Applications or GBU 7003 Workplace Project in the Diploma of Business and limiting students to completing GBU 7015 Business Applications as a compulsory subject in the Diploma of Business from semester one 1998.
The subjects GBU 7003 and GBU 7015 are very similar in terms of both content and process and both have small enrolments (<20 students). A rationalisation of this nature will not compromise the academic objectives of the Diploma of Business program, and will improve the feasibility of GBU 7015 Business Applications.
John Rodwell
Lecturer (Management)
To The Chairperson and Members, School Board
School of Business and Electronic Commerce
From Alison Dean
Director, Diploma of Business
Re Minor amendments (prerequisites)
Date 17 January 1996
Following progression of the revised structure of the Diploma of Business through the university processes, approval is sought for the following minor changes to subject prerequisites.
Subject Old prerequisite New prerequisite Comment
GBU7010 GBU7007 Nil The previous
prerequisite was
based on structure
not academic
progress.
GBU7003 GBU7001 and GBU7002 GBU1302 and The revised
OR GBU2304 structure is built
GBU7007 and GBU7010 on foundation
subjects, not
specialist streams.
GBU7015 GBU7001 and GBU7002 GBU1302 and The revised
OR GBU2304 structure is built
GBU7007 and GBU7010 on foundation
subjects, not
specialist streams.
Alison M Dean
Director, Diploma of Business
Item 13.1.4
MONASH UNIVERSITY
Request for Professional Accounting Stream Approval
Bachelor of Business - Berwick Campus
Applicable to
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Tourism
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Communication
Bachelor of Business/Associate Diploma of Business (Marketing)
Bachelor of Business/Diploma of Information Technology (Technical and User Support)
Bachelor of Business/Diploma in Hospitality (Management)
The Faculty of Business and Economics Board, at meeting No.../..., determined that the following business stream should be proposed for consideration by the Education Committee. The Committee's recommendation will be transmitted to the next meeting of Academic Board.
COURSE NAMES:
Double Degrees:
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Tourism
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Communication
Double Awards:
Bachelor of Business/Associate Diploma of Business (Marketing)
Bachelor of Business/Diploma of Information Technology (Technical and User Support)
Bachelor of Business/Diploma in Hospitality (Management)
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING STREAM - BACHELOR OF BUSINESS, BERWICK CAMPUS:
REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION:
Currently, business students at the Berwick campus have five major studies available to them. These major studies comprise six subjects each and are available in the disciplines of accounting and finance, economics, management, marketing and tourism.
Course regulations state that students must complete seven core subjects plus either two majors, or one major and two sub-majors (four subjects in a sub-major).
Students seeking membership of the professional accounting bodies in Australia must complete the Bachelor of Business degree and certain subjects specified by the professional bodies. This Bachelor of Business professional accounting stream is available to Gippsland students (including DE), and also to students enrolled in Hong Kong and Singapore.
As almost all Bachelor of Business students proceeding beyond first year accounting complete the subjects required for professional entry, it is considered appropriate to add the necessary subjects to the Berwick courses to give the students the option of completing a professional accounting stream.
Successful completion of the required subjects will satisfy the tertiary requirements for admission as an Associate of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants (ASA). To achieve CPA status, graduates would need to complete the society's CPA program and satisfy an experience requirement.
Graduates who take these required subjects also satisfy the tertiary requirements for admission to the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Membership may be applied for following successful completion of the institute's professional year program, and an experience requirement.
ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS REQUIRED:
The subjects listed below are the additional Bachelor of Business subjects that will be made available to students enrolled in the Berwick programs.
These subjects are additional for Berwick but are currently available to both domestic and international students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business (Gippsland, DE, Hong Kong, Singapore).
GBU2005 Financial Accounting
GBU3006 Accounting Theory and Current Issues
GBU3007 Auditing
GBU1202 Contract Law
GBU2203 Law of Business Organisations
GBU2204 Taxation Law and Practice
The first three subjects are offered by the Department of Accounting and Finance and the other three subjects are offered by the Department of Taxation and Business Regulation.
RESOURCES:
The subjects will be introduced from 1998 to 2000 and will require service to the Berwick campus. In 1998, GBU2005 and GBU1202 will be offered; in 1999 GBU2203, and in 2000, GBU3006, GBU3007 and GBU2204.
Library impact statements for the subjects to be introduced in 1998 are attached.
Staff from the School of Business and Electronic Commerce are currently teaching the accounting and law subjects at Berwick as part of the normal Bachelor of Business commitment. This will also apply to the additional subjects.
Item 13.2
Handbook entry
MKT4631
Advanced Buyer Behaviour
Ian Walker
6 points. 3hr X 13 week semester basis, block mode
Objectives:
At the completion of this subject, students will have the ability to critically appraise the role and contribution of the behavioural sciences to the field of buyer behaviour and their implications for marketing decision making, a sound knowledge of a range of perspectives and the debates over what constitutes a "scientific" explanation including issues related to whether prediction and control, rather than explanation, should be the goal of the marketing activities. Students will undertake assessment of the influences, underlying assumptions and philosophical foundations of the philosophy of science, psychology and sociology and their implications for marketing decision making.
Synopsis:
The subject includes study of 'scientific explanations' of behaviour and compares causal, causal temporal and teleological paradigms. It examines the way in which various branches of philosophy, psychology and sociology contribute to a multidisciplinary approach to the building of marketing theory. Students will be expected to develop the ability to compare various approaches to theory building and to integrate and assess recent developments and their impact on choices between differing methodologies and explanatory systems.
Assessment:
Group Assignment/Project (4000-5000 words) 25%
Seminar presentation (Specific issue/Case Study 3000 words) 20%
Literature Review (2000 words) 15%
Examination (2 Hours) 40%
Entry for Business & Economics Handbook, 1998
GBU 2301
Recruitment and Selection: Context and Process
Dr. John Brown-Parker
6 points One 2- hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week Distance: approximately 12 hours per week Second semester, Prerequisites GBU1302 GBU2304
Objectives This subject will critically examine the function, role and scope of Human Resource Consulting within the private and public sectors. Students will consider the professional ethics and legal requirements of managing essential HR Consulting relationships. The complex psychological, developmental and sociological factors which affect individuals and groups entering, remaining in and exiting the workforce will be considered. Key operational skills to manage, a HR Consulting business within a changing market environment will emphasise a systems approach and use of flexible project management models. The efficacy of a selected range of personnel recruitment, selection, placement and induction processes and practices will be assessed. Key techniques essential to an HR Consultant's effectiveness in client management. will be examined.
Synopsis The subject critically examines the role, scope and function of Human Resource Consulting as an expanding field of Human Resource practice with close attention given to professional ethics and legal requirements. In a period of rapid change an overview of new and emerging forms of employee and employer relationships and influences are analysed. Appropriate methods used to assist clients undertake occupational and job analysis and HR planning are identified. Current recruitment, selection, placement and induction trends are explored and discussed.
Assessment: Assignment one (up to 2000 words): 20% Assignment two (up to 2500 words):30% Examination (three hours): 50%
Prescribed text:
Dale, M. 1995, Successful Recruitment and Selection, Kogan Page, London.
GBU 3311
Recruitment and Selection: Issues and Strategy
Dr. John Brown-Parker
6 points One 2- hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week Distance: approximately 12 hours per week Second semester Prerequisite GBU2310
Objectives The subject will focus on key concepts and practices used by the HR consultant to find work place solutions for their clients. How to effectively minimise or optimise the impact of internal environmental factors on an organisation's human resource requirements will be discussed along with external environmental factors influencing client demand and the creation of new consulting opportunities. The ability to assess organisation recruitment and development needs and effectively report this information to clients are developed. Core commercial aspects of HR Consulting and a working knowledge of the project management process will be examined.
Synopsis This subject is explores four aspects of Human Resource Consulting. First, how to effectively minimise or optimise the impact of the internal and external environments on clients are examined. Second, the external and internal environment and its impact on HR Consulting are considered. Third, the assessment of organisation HR needs, including the validity and reliability of a range of recruitment, selection practices, executive search services are discussed. Lastly, aspects of HR Consulting operational functions are examined in terms of Commercial management, Project management-and Performance management.
Assessment: Assignment one (1500 words): 20% Assignment two (2500 words):30% Examination (three hours): 50%
Prescribed texts:
Gatewood, R.D. and Field, H.S. 1994, Human Resource Selection, Harcourt Brace, Orlando, Florida.
Magerison, C.J. 1995, Managerial Consulting Skills, Gower, Aldershot, England
Item 13.3
To The Chairperson and Members, School Board
School of Business and Electronic Commerce
From Len Pullin
Head of Management
Re New subject codes
Date 17 January 1996
Proposed new subject codes for the following subjects do not currently reflect the correct academic level and need to be amended. These changes are essential to maintain the sequential progression in study programs in management.
Subjects Level currently Required level
indicated in subject
code proposal
GBU7003
GBU7008 First Second
GBU7010
GBU7015
GBU2304 Second First
GBU3308
GBU3309 Third Second
GBU3312
GBU3314
GBU3320
Len Pullin
Head of Management
M O N A S H U N I V E R S I T Y
Department of Business Management
Faculty of Business and Economics
Caulfield Campus
Memorandum
To: Graduate Studies Committee
From: Gerry Griffin, Head, Department of Management
Date: 8 May, 1997
Subject: Graduate Diploma in Business Management
Masters Preliminary Year for the Master of Management
We write to request approval for offering the Graduate Diploma in Business Management and the Masters Preliminary Year for the Master of Management on a full-time basis.
Present Course Structure
(The structure for both courses is identical)
The course consists of eight subjects
(a) Four core subjects
MGM9210 Introduction to systems thinking
MGM9940 Managerial competencies
MGM9601 Managing people and organisations
MGM9761 Strategic planning and management
(b) Two other graduate subjects taught by the Department of Management
(c) Two further subjects taught by Department of Management or other departments within the Faculty of Business and Economics, or, in approved instances, from other faculties within Monash University.
The Graduate Diploma in Business Management is currently offered on a part-time basis only and students normally study in the following progression:
Semester One
MGM9210 Introduction to systems thinking
MGM9940 Managerial competencies
Semester Two
MGM9601 Managing people and organisations
ACC9720 Accounting for managers
Semester Three
MGM9720 Managing in a changing environment
MKT9780 Marketing: concepts and strategies
Semester Four
MGM9671 Strategic planning and management
MGM9011 Elective subject
Proposed Course Structure
The course would be taught on a full time basis with the following recommended course progression (alternative subjects may be chosen to non-core subjects)
Semester One
MGM9210 Introduction to systems thinking
MGM9940 Managerial competencies
ACC9720 Accounting for managers
MGM9720 Managing in a changing environment
Semester Two
MKT9780 Marketing: concepts and strategies
MGM9601 Managing people and organisations
MGM9671 Strategic planning and management
MGM9011 Elective subject
Justification
By offering the courses on a full-time basis the Department of Management can offer students the opportunity to complete their course of study within one full-time year of study. It will also allow the Department to offer the courses to international students as a qualifying year for entry into the Master of Management.
Gerry Griffin
Head, Department of Management
MEMO: Graduate Studies Committee
FROM: Professor Bill Russell
Graduate School of Government
REF: Optional Variation to Core Subjects - MPPM (Prior to 1997)
DATE: 14 February 1997
___________________________________________________________________________
Prior to 1997, the Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) was a 16 unit program which comprised nine core subjects and seven elective subjects.
Of the nine core subjects, six were public policy and management subjects, namely:
PPM9270 Public Management
PPM9230 Public Policy
PPM9280 Public Sector Finance
PPM9290 Governing the Modern State
PPM9330 Business & Government
PPM9360 Strategic Management in the Public Sector
and three were MBA subjects:
MBA5460 Principles of Quantitative Analysis
MBA5880 Microeconomics for Managers
MBA5310 Marketing
Under the revised structure of the program which came into effect in 1997, the Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Management has four core subjects:
PPM9270 Public management
PPM9280 Public sector finance
PPM9230 Public policy
PPM9330 Business and government
plus students must choose two further core subjects from the following:
PPM9290 Governing the modern state
PPM9260 Public sector human resource management
PPM9360 Strategic management in the public sector
PPM9410 Public enterprise management
PPM9440 Public sector financial management
The Master of Public Policy and Management has two core subjects:
PPM9360 Strategic Management in the Public Sector
PPM9260 Public Sector Human Resource Management
The Graduate School of Government seeks the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee to offer students enrolled in the MPPM prior to 1997 the option of regarding the three MBA core subjects as elective subjects.
The GSG makes this submission in the belief that :
(a) the revised structure of the program reflects more closely both the academic and career aspirations of its students
(b) the MBA subjects in question lack relevance to the public sector
(c) it is much more appropriate that the subjects in question be offered as elective subjects as reflected in the revised structure
(d) the University should not disadvantage currently enrolled students, financially or academically, by retaining compulsory units which are not compulsory to newly enrolled students
(e) Two of the subjects in question have now been transferred to Monash Mt Eliza Business School, and we would prefer our core subjects to be in house offerings.
Professor Bill Russell
Item 14
MONASH UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
SUBMISSION TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
(from Faculty Board meeting no. 2/97 held on 23 April 1997)
1. Course Proposals
Nil.
2. Course Amendments
Nil.
3. Subject Proposals
3.1 ECS5350 Electrical Power Diploma Project
The Graduate Diploma in Electric Power Engineering is a cooperative venture, which makes use of the program of short courses offered by the Electricity Supply Association of Australia Limited (ESAA) in association with Monash University's Centre for Electrical Power Engineering, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland, the University of Newcastle, the University of South Australia, Victoria University of Technology and the University of Western Australia. Separate graduate diplomas exist at each institution. A 24 credit point project and at least one short course, ie not less than seven-twelfths of the requirements for the graduate diploma, must be done at Monash University.
Provision for the project subject exists in the Regulations relating to Schedule C Graduate Diplomas in the Faculty of Engineering, but Monash has thus far not needed the project subject. It now does, and the Engineering Faculty Board recommends to the Education Committee that the subject be approved. A Request for Subject Approval is attached. It is necessarily non-specific in nature, as each project is tailored to the individual interests of the subject.
Appendix A
4. Subject Amendments
Nil.
5. Reports of Minor Amendments
5.1 Elective Addition
The Board of the Faculty of Engineering has approved a proposal from the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering to add ECS4347 Telecommunications Network Performance to the pool of elective subjects for students undertaking the Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering. The Faculty Board invites the Education Committee to note the minor amendment.
5.2 Minor Amendments to Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering Subject Prerequisites
The Faculty Board has approved a proposal from the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering to alter the prerequisites for the following four subjects with effect from 1997:
Subject New Prerequisite
In the physiology/biomedical engineering stream of the BSc/BE -
ECS4302 Biomechanics (03) PHY3022 Advanced Physiology (12)
ECS4317 Medical Signal Processing (03) ECS4313 Signal Processing (04)
ECS4388 Medical Imaging Techniques (03) PHS1022 Physics (06) or PHS1820
Physics III (03)
In the BE (ECSE), BCSE or double degrees -
ECS4357 Power Electronics Applications (03) ECS2350 Electrical Energy I (04)
The Faculty Board was satisfied that no student had been disadvantaged by the changes and that appropriate measures had been taken to advise students of them; in particular, it had been ensured that students enrolled for ECS4317 in second semester were all enrolled for ECS4313 in first semester.
Item 14.1.1
Handbook Entry:
ECS 5350
Electrical Power Diploma Project
M F Conlon
24 points Both semesters Clayton Prerequisites: For students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering
Objectives The candidate is expected to develop the ability to investigate a problem in electrical power engineering and to set about its solution using design and/or calculation and/or simulation and/or construction and/or testing skills.
Synopsis Candidates will be expected to pursue independently an individual experimental project in the field of electrical power engineering requiring extended effort. The project will normally include a preparatory literature review and developmental work such as design, calculation, simulation, construction and testing. A thesis describing the work and listing the findings of the project must be submitted and will form the basis of the assessment in the subject.
Assessment Practical and written (thesis) work: 90% Seminar presentation: 10%.
Item 15
LAW FACULTY BOARD
REPORT TO EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Report of Meeting 1/97 held on 23 April 1997.
THE GRADUATE PROGRAM - FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND ACTIONS
The Faculty Board considered the document Future Directions and Actions1997-2001 relating to the future of the graduate program and approved the recommendations set out on page 12 of the report, viz:
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
a) Commercial Law
b) Criminal Justice and Litigation
c) Intellectual Property
The above recommendations are forwarded to Education Committee for noting.
Item 16
MONASH UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Meeting 1/97 of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Science held on 5 March 1997 in the Council Room
REPORT TO EDUCATION COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Bachelor of Science
The Board agreed to recommend that the attached proposal to amend the subject combinations that may be taken in the Bachelor of Science be approved.
Attachment A
2. Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics & Computing)
The Board agreed to recommend that, in the light of a demonstrable lack of demand for the course despite the liberalisation of prerequisites for 1997, there be no further intake.
PROCEEDINGS
1. Bachelor of Environmental Science
The Board noted that the Faculty Education Committee had approved in principle a Bachelor of Environmental Science for probable introduction in 1999. Considerable work remained to be done on the selection of appropriate subjects from outside the Faculty. In relation to the question about why this degree would be more successful than the BSc(Environmental), it was hoped that a new four year course, with a greater emphasis on multidisciplinary studies from within and without the Faculty, might be able to have a similar success to such courses in North America and parts of Europe. To this end, course development would not be rushed.
2. Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Engineering
The Board noted that a committee to consider the future course model and curriculum of the BSc/BE had been established, prior to joint discussions with the Faculty of Engineering.
Item 16.1.1
MONASH UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
New Bachelor of Science Schedule of Approved Science Subjects
The Faculty of Science is in the unique position of allowing not only a full major sequence within the Bachelor of Science to be taken from non-science subjects taught by other faculties but also, in addition to the majors taught by the seven departments of the Faculty, approving subjects taught by nine departments outside the Faculty as scheduled science subjects. This approval extends to major studies and honours and leads to a situation where BSc students can currently study the following minimum points from departments within the budget faculty:
It is reiterated that no other undergraduate degree in any other Faculty currently deems non-Faculty studies to be mainstream disciplines of that Faculty. In the past, only Psychology enjoyed this status in the Faculty of Arts (this is no longer the case). No other examples are known.
This degree of latitude or generosity was agreed to at a time when faculties' budgets were not largely based on the load taught by faculty budgetary departments. For several years the Faculty has incurred increasingly deleterious budgetary effects and it is not considered to be in the best interests of the Faculty, and concomitantly of its students, for this situation to continue. The Faculty does not wish to unduly restrict choice so accordingly a model is presented which does not limit the range of choice but limits the combinations so that students study at least a minimum from departments in the budget faculty. There is also now a wide range of double degrees available to cater for students whose interests are broader. Double degrees available at the Clayton campus are BA/BSc, BCom/BSc, BSc/BE, BSc/BEd and BSc/LLB. At the Gippsland campus, there are BA(Comn)/BSc, BA(Journ)/BSc, BBus/BSc, and BComp/BSc. The BA(SocSci)/BSc is offered at Peninsula and BSc/DipAppSc(MatEng) and BSc/DipEnvMgt are offered at Berwick.
It is recommended that the Schedule of Approved Science Subjects be amended to form three parts:
Noting that a first year sequence of subjects equals 12 points, a second year sequence 16 points and a third year sequence 24 points, it is further recommended that to satisfy the requirements for the BSc (144 points) there must be:
This allows for up to 102 points within the degree to be taught from outside the Faculty. It allows for majors in Computer Science, Geography & Environmental Science and all the scheduled biomedical sciences and for minors outside the schedule. The proposed schedule, Parts A, B and C, is attached.
The point can be made that the above model is still comparativelygenerous in the amount of non-Faculty studies permitted within the BSc. Other generalist courses within Monash University have the following requirements:
Bachelor of Arts Within the 144 points, students may take up
to 52 points in subjects "other than those
taught by the Faculty of Arts" The minutes
of meeting 1/97 of the University Education
Committee state that the UEC approved the
proposal "that for the purposes of defining
the structure of the BA, disciplines and
subjects referred to as "Arts" be considered
to be those taught (bold in minutes) by
departments of the Faculty of Arts ...".
Bachelor of Commerce 36 points of 144 may be taken from
disciplines outside the Faculty of Business
and Economics.
Bachelor of Computer From 144 points, students must study at
Science least 72 points from computer science
subjects. Of the remaining 72 points, at
least 12 must be in mathematics (Faculty of
Science or Faculty of Business and
Economics, depending on double degree
students' home faculty) and the other 60 may
be from FCIT or other faculties.
Bachelor of Computing Up to 52 points of 144 (12 first year, 16
- Caulfield second year and 24 third year) may be taken
from subjects not taught by the Faculty.
6 March 1997
Proposed Partition of Schedule of Approved Science Subjects
for Bachelor of Science
Disciplines in the various parts
Part A
Applied psychology
Astrophysics
Atmospheric science
Biology
Botany
Chemistry
Genetics
Geology
Geophysics
Materials science
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
Zoology
Part B
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Chemical engineering science
Immunology
Microbiology
Pharmacology and toxicology
Physiology
Part C
Computer Science
Geography (Physical geography)
6 March 1997
Item 17.1
The Faculty of Science Board, at Meeting No 3/96, determined that the following new course should be proposed for consideration by the Education Committee. The Committee's recommendation will be transmitted to the next meeting of the Academic Board.
COURSE NAMES
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics & Computing)*
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Behavioural)
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Biomedical)
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Environmental)
* omission of some spaces for input to MUSIS
FORMAL ABBREVIATION
BSc(AdMth&Cmp)(Hons)
BSc(Behav)(Hons)
BSc(Biomed)(Hons)
BSc(Env)(Hons)
REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION OF COURSE
The Faculty does not consider these courses to be actually new, but rather a tidying up of nomenclature as a consequence of the introduction of the designated BSc degrees several years ago. The Faculty believes it is desirable for students graduating from a designated degree to be able to progress to a matchingly titled honours degree. In the same way as the designated undergraduate degrees are (almost) entirely sub-sets or packages within the BSc, the designated honours degrees are sub-sets within the BSc(Hons), which indicate the discipline specialisations of students.
OBJECTIVES
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics & Computing)
On completion of an honours year in either Mathematics or Computer Science students will: be able to critically review the scientific literature in their area of study; be able to execute and analyse a mathematical or computing project; be proficient in relevant computer based skills write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way; show communication skills in both oral and written presentations; have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to research in their discipline and completed coursework at an advanced level.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Behavioural)
On completion of an honours year in Psychology students will: be able to plan, execute, analyse and professionally present a report of an empirical study in the discipline; have acquired a range of technical and procedural skills relevant to the area of their research project; understand the ethical, legal and professional requirements of the discipline with respect to both research and professional practice; be proficient in scientific research methods recognising the strengths and weaknesses of different designs used in the discipline; have a working knowledge of the range of statistical procedures which apply to various empirical designs; be able to critically evaluate a theoretical or conceptual issue by reviewing and synthesising the scientific literature on the topic through a long essay; have acquired knowledge and understanding of one other area of the discipline, through elective seminars, such as counselling psychology, community psychology, psychoanalytic psychology or other electives as offered in any year.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Biomedical)
On completion of an honours year in a biomedical discipline students will: be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline; be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory based experiments; be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis and word processing; be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way; show communication skills in both oral and written presentations; have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to their discipline.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Environmental)
On completion of an honours year in one of the five environmental science discipline areas (Atmospheric Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Ecology, Geography), students will: be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline; have completed the field and/or laboratory based project addressing an environmental question related to their chosen discipline area; be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis and word processing; be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way; show communication skills in both oral and written presentations; have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to research in their discipline.
METHODS OF TEACHING AND RELATIONSHIP TO OBJECTIVES:
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics & Computing)
Students will undertake a research project under the supervision of an academic staff member and will produce a minor thesis that includes a literature review, aims and results. The research outcomes will be presented orally at seminars attended by academic staff and other students. Students will attend units of advanced lectures, and will undertake written assignments and examinations, undertake relevant projects or investigations, write literature reviews and make critical assessment of scientific papers.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Behavioural)
The empirical research project will be undertaken by students under the supervision of an academic staff member. A major thesis, of up to 20,000 words, professionally presented, consisting of a major literature review, rationale, aims, hypotheses, method, results, discussion and references will be produced. It is a requirement that students present their projects orally at special seminars to staff and other honours students. Students will maintain frequent contact and engage in regular meetings with their supervisor to discuss progress on their projects. Attendance is required at seminars on research methods, legal and ethical issues, preparation of ethics submissions, and electives as prescribed, throughout the first semester of the course. These seminars may involve either lectures, student-led discussion sessions, individual presentations by students, or a combination of these methods.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Biomedical)
In all biomedical disciplines students will undertake a research project under the supervision of an academic staff member and will produce a minor thesis that should include a literature review, aims and results. The research outcomes will also be presented orally at special seminars and candidates may have to defend their thesis before a panel of examiners. Most disciplines will require students to undertake prescribed service courses to acquire technical skills, attend advanced lectures and departmental seminars, write a literature review or essay(s) and in some disciplines undertake written exams or make a critical assessment of an 'unseen' scientific paper.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Environmental)
In all environmental science disciplines, students will undertake a field or laboratory based research project under the supervision of one or more academic staff members and will produce a thesis in a format as prescribed by the particular department hosting the student's chosen discipline area. The research outcomes will also be presented orally at special seminars and candidates may have to defend their thesis before a panel of examiners. Most disciplines will require students to undertake coursework to improve and assess their skills of critical evaluation; this coursework could include essays, discussion groups and specialist seminars and workshops and will vary marginally between departments.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT AND RELATIONSHIP TO OBJECTIVES:
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics & Computing)
The major components of the honours year assessment relate to the research project and the units of advanced lectures undertaken. The project write up together with associated seminar presentations normally form about 40% of the final mark. The remainder of the marks come from examinations and other assessment relating to the units of advanced lectures, literature reviews and critical assessment of scientific papers. The assessment procedures will be identical to those used for BSc(Hons) students in each department and a detailed breakdown of the assessment components and due dates will be provided to all students concerned at the start of their Honours year.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Behavioural)
The main piece of assessment in the honours year will relate to the research project. The project thesis will constitute 60% of the year's marks. The critical essay will be worth 20%, and the seminars collectively 20% of the year's marks (research methods 10%, legal and ethical issues seminar 5%, and the elective seminar 5%). The seminars are assessed by a number of methods such written examination, project work, methodological critique, or essay.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Biomedical)
In all biomedical disciplines the major component of the honours year assessment will relate to the research project. The project write up together with associated seminar presentation(s) will normally attract more than 60% of the year's marks. The exact breakdown of the remainder of the marks will vary across departments. Normally marks are given for attendance and proficiency at prescribed service courses, submission of one or more essays, exams relating to advanced lectures, and critical assessment of an unseen scientific paper. The assessment procedures will be identical to those used for BSc(Hons) students in each department and a detailed breakdown of the assessment components and due dates will be provided to all students in the discipline at the start of their Honours year.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Environmental)
In all environmental science disciplines the major component of the honours year assessment is the research project. The project write up together with the associated seminar presentation(s) will normally attract more than 50% of the year's marks. The remainder of the assessment will be based around research seminars, one or more essays and/or discussion topics and other prescribed coursework. The exact breakdown of the assessment will vary across departments. The assessment procedures will be identical to those used for BSc(Hons) students in each department and a detailed breakdown of the assessment components and due dates will be provided to all students in the discipline at the start of their Honours year.
STRUCTURE
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics & Computing)
Students will enrol in MAT4000 or CSC4000 and will be expected to complete several units of coursework and to undertake a substantial research project. Honours units offered by the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science, as well as approved units from other departments, may be included.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Behavioural)
For full-time students seminars will be held in semester 1 with the research project extending across both first and second semesters. The essay is submitted prior to the start of semester 2. For part-time student seminars are held in semester 1 and the essay is due one month before the end of semester 2. The research project is carried out in semesters 3 and 4.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Biomedical)
Students will work full time in their discipline attending service courses and seminars, running their experiments and analysing and writing up data, researching the literature and mastering technical skills.
the honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Environmental)
Students will work full time in their discipline attending service courses and seminars, conducting their project, which may include both field and laboratory work, analysing and writing up data and researching the literature.
LENGTH OF COURSE
One year full time, or, in BSc(AdMth&Cmp)(Hons), one year full time or two years part time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
A credit average in the relevant discipline (24 points) at third year level. Students must also have completed the undergraduate degree requirements. In the case of BSc(Behav)(Hons) students must have completed an APS accredited major in psychology; entry to honours is by invitation based on academic merit.
CREDIT PROVISION
NA
LIBRARY APPROVAL
This is not applicable as there are no new subjects. Students will enrol in currently offered honours subjects and there will be no increase over the current subject numbers. It is only the title of the award which differs.
COMPUTER CENTRE REQUIREMENTS
This is not applicable as there are no new subjects. Students will enrol in currently offered honours subjects and there will be no increase over the current subject numbers. It is only the title of the award which differs.
RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
This is not applicable as there are no new subjects. Students will enrol in currently offered honours subjects and there will be no increase over the current subject numbers. It is only the title of the award which differs.
INTER-FACULTY INVOLVEMENT
The following non-Faculty departments teach undergraduate majors with associated honours streams for the Faculty of Science:
BSc(AdMath&Comp)/BSc(AdMth&Cmp)(Hons) - Department of Computer Science
BSc(Biomed)/BSc(Biomed)(Hons) - Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology & Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Physiology
BSc(Env)/BSc (Env)(Hons) - Department of Geography & Environmental Science.
TEACHING CAMPUS AND MODE OF OFFERING
On campus and Clayton, except for BSc(Behav)(Hons) which is on campus at Caulfield, Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula (students may be supervised by staff on any of the four campuses with combined seminars running mainly on the Clayton and Caulfield campuses).
FEE STRUCTURE
As subsets of the BSc(Hons) the courses are to be funded by recurrent grant. They will attract the same fee for international students as the BSc(Hons) - $14180 pa. The BSc(Behav)(Hons) is HECS band 1; the other courses are HECS band 2. However all students who enrolled in the associated undergraduate designated degree before 1997 will come under the old non-banded HECS when they enrol in honours.
PROPOSED DATE OF INTRODUCTION
It is anticipated that designated BSc students will be eligible for the courses by 1998.
ANTICIPATED ENROLMENT
The current EFTSU in the designated degrees are:
BSc(AdMth&Cmp) - 28
BSc(Behav)(Hons) - 61
BSc(Biomed) - 164
BSc(Env) - 80
Over recent years around 40% of BSc students enrol in the BSc(Hons) so accordingly the anticipated EFTSU might be 11, 24, 66 and 32 respectively. These EFTSU will come from within the current BSc(Hons) enrolments. Most students will be full time so the enrolment numbers will be similar to the EFTSU.
LEGISLATION/STATUTES AFFECTED
Minor amendments to insert the names of the new degrees will be required in the Bachelor of Science regulations, paragraphs 1.1.2, 17 and 18. Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees will also require amendment to insert their names.
HANDBOOK ENTRY
It is not intended to have a separate entry in the Handbook for each of the designated honours degrees, but to insert an explanatory paragraph in the description of the BSc(Hons):
Students who have graduated from the following designated degrees in the Faculty will be eligible for award of an honours degree with that designation if they successfully complete the honours year: BSc(AdMath&Comp)/BSc(AdMth&Cmp)(Hons); BSc(Behav)/BSc(Behav)(Hons); BSc(Biomed)/BSc(Biomed)(Hons); BSc(Env)/BSc (Env)(Hons).
There will also be appropriate cross referencing in the undergraduate designated degree entries.