Responsible officer: Deputy Vice Chancellor
Designated officer: Deputy Vice Chancellor
Approving authority: Academic Board
Approval: 2 February 2010
Last amended: 27 July 2010
Policy number: AB17
Related policies:
- Coursework Programs and Awards - Governing Policy
- Learning and Teaching - Governing Policy
- Postgraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Institutional Operating Policy
- Program Accreditation and Course Approval - Governing and Institutional Operating Policy
Due date for next review: 2 February 2010
Contents
- Purpose of policy
- Application of policy
- Definitions
- Undergraduate program
- Bachelor degree
- Bachelor Honours degree
- Associate degree
- Other sub-bachelor programs
- Study components
Part A: Preliminary
1. Purpose of policy
The following policy prescribes the structure and requirements of the Bachelor degree, which is an approved program of at least 288 units of full-time study or part-time equivalent, designed to equip graduates with professional and/or broadly applicable knowledge and skills. It also prescribes the structure and requirements for double degrees, associate degrees and Study Components. Further, the policy defines the award of ‘Merit Honours’ on the basis of study within the Bachelor degree.
2. Application of policy
This policy applies to all bachelor degrees, bachelor double degrees, and associate degrees.
This policy applies to all staff and decision-making bodies involved in the development and approval of undergraduate coursework programs of the University, and agents and partners of the University.
3. Definitions
In this policy the following definitions apply:
“Advanced level course” means a course that is coded at 200, 300 or 400, with the first digit of the coding corresponding to the year in which the course is normally offered in an undergraduate program.
“Anti-requisite course” means a course that contains substantially equivalent content and learning outcomes to the course for which it is nominated as an anti-requisite, such that it is not in the student’s best interests to complete both courses. An anti-requisite condition may also be applied where a course has changed its code but the content remains essentially equivalent to that contained within the original course.
“Award” means the qualification granted to a student who has completed all the requirements of the program associated with the award.
“Capstone course” means a course that provides opportunities for a student to demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained throughout their program. The capstone course usually occurs in the final teaching session of a program and integrates the discipline knowledge and graduate attributes.
“Core course” means one of the courses offered by each Faculty that enables students to gain skills and knowledge for successful tertiary study and lifelong learning, and provides a foundation for the graduate attributes.
“Co-requisite course” means a course that encompasses specific knowledge that complements the knowledge gained in a nominated co-requisite course. As such, it must be successfully completed prior to, or studied concurrently with, the nominated co-requisite course.
“Course” means a discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single teaching session, in which the student enrols, and on completion of which the student is awarded a grade, such grades appearing on a student's Official Statement of Academic Record.
“Global opportunities” means initiatives that provide opportunities for students to study overseas, or to be otherwise immersed in a culturally-diverse learning experience.
“Introductory level course” means a course that is coded at 100 and is normally associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.
“Prerequisite course” means a course that encompasses specific knowledge the student needs to possess in order to progress to a subsequent nominated course. As such, it must be completed prior undertaking the subsequent course.
“Program” means a set of coherently scoped, sequenced and structured studies or courses undertaken by a student in order to meet the requirements for award of a qualification, other than a higher degree by research that is conferred by the Council of the University.
“Required course” means a course that is mandatory for all students to complete to be eligible for graduation from a program.
"Service learning" means authentic community-based learning experiences which can result in both meaningful community service and student achievement of course learning outcomes.
“Study component” means a coherent set of courses that develop a particular academic theme which is formally recognised on the Official Statement of Academic Record. This includes Majors, Extended Majors, Minors, Specialisations and Dean’s Scholars.
“Teaching session” means the period within which courses are delivered, which may be further referred to as a semester or a session. Each Teaching Session has a “start of teaching” date, a “census date”, an “end of teaching date” and a defined length, in weeks. A teaching session may also have a study break period and/or an examination period specified, but this is not a requirement.
“Testamur” means the official certificate of the University that attests to a particular person having satisfied the requirements for and graduated from a particular award of the University at a particular time.
“Unit” means the value assigned to a course. As a general guide, the expectation is that students will undertake approximately 130 hours of work for each 12 units of coursework, including all forms of teaching contact and private study.
“Work integrated learning” means educational activities that integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace, profession, career or future employment.
Part B: Policy
4. Undergraduate program
4.1 The University is committed to providing high quality and well designed undergraduate programs which meet the needs of its students and the community. Programs at the University are designed and structured based on the principles in 4.2.
4.2 Programs will:
(a) align to guidelines for learning outcome characteristics and pathways as described in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Implementation Handbook;
(b) set clear academic expectations and standards;
(c) provide clear and consistent program completion requirements for students; and
(d) meet the University’s requirement in regard to Graduate Attributes as identified in the Learning and Teaching - Governing Policy.
(e) not be offered until they have been accredited by the process identified in the Program Accreditation and Course Approval - Governing and Institutional Operating Policy.
4.3 Undergraduate program levels are:
Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Honours Degree
Associate Degree
Other sub-bachelor programs
5. Bachelor degree
5.1 Characteristics
5.1.2 Bachelor degrees provide students with a systematic and coherent introduction to a body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts, and the associated problem-solving techniques.
5.1.3 The bachelor degree facilitates students’ development of the academic skills and attributes needed to comprehend and evaluate new information and concepts from a range of sources so that after completion of a degree they can continue to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge gained in their undergraduate studies.
5.1.4 The content in a bachelor degree is taken to a significant depth, and knowledge is progressively developed to a high level to provide a basis for careers and pathways to postgraduate study and research.
5.1.5 Each bachelor degree shall be designed to achieve a set of Graduate Attributes which include the Graduate Qualities, Generic Skills along with the Learning Outcomes specific to the program (refer to the Learning and Teaching - Governing Policy).
5.1.6 A bachelor degree should be designed to be post-secondary in level.
5.1.7 Bachelor degrees include:
(a) degrees comprising 288 units or 384 units
(b) graduate entry degrees comprising a minimum of 192 units
(c) degrees comprising 384 units which may be awarded with Merit Honours
(d) double degrees comprising a minimum of 384 units
5.2 Bachelor degree structure
5.2.1 In accrediting a bachelor degree, the University establishes that each bachelor degree has a set of requirements specific to it, within the following general framework.
5.2.2 The structure of each bachelor degree shall normally include the following requirements:
(a) At least two core courses from the set of approved core courses, taken in the first year of study;
(b) A set of introductory level courses designed to provide the foundation knowledge and skills to enable students to progress to the advanced level courses in the later years of the degree. The program requirements shall include a minimum of 48 units and a maximum of 120 units of introductory level courses, including any required core courses;
(c) Advanced level courses where discipline and professional knowledge and skills, and graduate attributes are progressively developed to a high level appropriate to the academic characteristics of the award, and providing a basis for lifelong learning;
(d) A set of specified courses that provide at least one coherent sequence of courses developing an academic theme. These courses may be organised as Study Components but this is not mandatory;
(e) Opportunities for students to participate in Work Integrated Learning (WIL), service learning and global experience programs;
(f) Opportunities for cross-disciplinary study through elective courses. A minimum of 72 units are available as free electives, which the student selects from all courses offered across the University, provided that:
(i) the course is available to undergraduate students; and
(ii) the program requirements concerning the maximum number of units at particular year levels are complied with; and
(iii) all pre-requisite, co-requisite and anti-requisite conditions are satisfied.
(g) At least one “Capstone” course is offered at the end of a program.
5.2.3 Where program structures are constrained by professional accreditation requirements, a rationale based on evidence relating to the professional accreditation requirements can be provided to seek a variation from the general structural features set out in this section.
5.3 Graduate entry Bachelor degree
5.3.1 The graduate entry bachelor degree is specifically designed on the assumption of admission on the basis of a complete bachelor degree, sometimes in a specified discipline, often as a shorter alternative to the standard degree for initial professional preparation.
5.4 Bachelor degree with merit honours
5.4.1 In a bachelor degree with merit honours a student is awarded a 384 unit undergraduate degree with honours on the basis of one of the following:
(a) a high level of achievement over the whole degree;
(b) a high level of achievement in at least 96 units of the degree; or
(c) a high level of achievement in at least 96 units of identified advanced level courses (differentiated pathway).
5.4.2 Where a differentiated pathway is required for merit honours, the unit requirement for the pathway must not entail the student undertaking more than the 384 units for the entire program.
5.4.3 If selection is required for the differentiated pathway it shall be based on an average level of performance of at least "credit" in a specified set of courses taken in the program up to the point of entry to merit honours. The specific criteria for selection for merit honours must be approved by Academic Board or Council as part of the program accreditation process.
5.4.4 The classes of merit honours degrees awarded will be:
Class 1;
Class 2, Division 1; or
Class 2, Division 2.
If the standard necessary to be awarded Class 2, Division 2 is not achieved the degree will be awarded without merit honours.
5.4.5 The detailed prescription of the formula used to determine the class of merit honours will be approved by Academic Board as part of the program accreditation process.
5.4.6 The class of merit honours awarded to each candidate will be approved by the Dean of the relevant Faculty.
5.5 Double degree
5.5.1 The University supports two models of double degree program:
(a) Concurrent model - a combined qualification with one program code that leads to the award of two degrees. The two degrees are undertaken concurrently, with the student graduating from both programs at the same time.
(b) Sequential model - a combined qualification with a single entry point leading to the award of two qualifications at different levels involving two USC programs. The two awards are undertaken sequentially and entry to the higher level program normally requires students to progress at a particular Grade Point Average in the lower level program. The student graduates sequentially from the lower, then the higher level degree.
5.5.2 The entry requirements for a concurrent double degree program must encompass the requirements for both component degrees.
5.5.3 The entry requirements for a sequential double degree program are normally limited to those for the first degree, where the student is informed at the time of admission that progression to the second higher level degree requires the achievement of a stipulated level of academic performance.
5.5.4 The structure for a double degree program must ensure that the requirements for each of the component degrees are met.
5.5.5 The total number of introductory level courses cannot exceed 192 units in a concurrent double degree program, and cannot exceed that specified for the lower degree in a sequential double degree program.
5.5.6 Where courses are identified as required in both programs, they will be used to satisfy the requirements of both degrees on a cross credit basis and should be identified as part of the accreditation documentation.
5.5.7 The number of units required to complete the double degree program must be at least 96 units greater than the longer of the two component degrees.
6. Bachelor Honours Degree
6.1 For Bachelor Honours Degrees that are an additional 96 units following the completion of a Bachelor degree program, refer to the Bachelor Honours Degrees – Institutional Operating Policy.
7. Associate Degree
7.1 An Associate Degree is an approved course of study comprising 192 units that is either:
(a) linked to a bachelor degree in the same area, where the courses that comprise the associate degree are a selection from the courses of the related bachelor degree; or
(b) a stand alone qualification providing entry to an associate professional occupation.
7.2 Characteristics
7.2.1 An Associate Degree provides students with an introduction to the foundations of a discipline or across several disciplines or as an entry point to associated para - professional or professional occupations. Students are expected to develop:
(a) an understanding of key concepts and theories relating to the foundational underpinnings of one or more disciplines;
(b) academic skills necessary to access, comprehend and evaluate information from a range of sources;
(c) generic employment-related skills; or
(d) a capacity for self-directed and lifelong learning.
7.3 Structure
7.3.1 The structure of each Associate Degree shall normally include the following requirements:
(a) At least two core courses from the set of approved core courses, taken in the first year of study;
(b) A set of introductory level courses designed to provide the foundation knowledge and skills to enable students to progress to the advanced level courses in the later years of the degree. The program requirements shall include a minimum of 48 units and a maximum of 120 units of introductory level courses, including any required core courses;
(c) Advanced level courses where discipline and professional knowledge and skills, and graduate attributes are progressively developed to a level appropriate to the academic characteristics of the award, and providing a basis for lifelong learning;
(d) Opportunities for students to participate in Work Integrated Learning (WIL), service learning or Global Opportunities;
(e) Opportunities for cross-disciplinary study through elective courses.
7.3.2 Where programs are constrained by professional accreditation requirements, a case must be made to seek a variation from the general structural features set out in this section.
8. Other sub-bachelor programs
8.1 The University may establish other undergraduate programs at sub-degree level in specific circumstances. The designation of such programs, their length and their purpose is approved on a case by case basis, with due regard to the guidelines of the Australian Qualifications Framework, the practices of other institutions in the naming of similar awards, and the views of the industry, profession or employer for which the program is designed.
9. Study components
9.1 A Study Component is a coherent set of courses that develop a particular academic theme.
9.2 All Study Components within a program are approved by Academic Board as part of the program requirements.
9.3 Four types of Study Components may be included in an undergraduate degree. These are a Major, Extended Major, Minor and a Dean’s Scholars plan.
9.3 Four types of Study Components may be included in an undergraduate degree. These are a Major, Extended Major, Minor and a Dean’s Scholars plan.
9.4 Where the structural requirements for study components as set out in this section are inappropriate for a particular program for professional accreditation or curriculum design and delivery or pedagogical reasons, the Academic Board may approve a departure from these requirements for a particular program.
9.5 The Academic Board may approve a departure as outlined in 9.4 above, only after consideration of a documented and evidence-based case presented for the proposed departure.
9.6 Major
9.6.1 A major in a bachelor degree comprises 96 units that develop a coherent academic theme. It may include introductory level courses, but this is not a requirement.
9.6.2 A major must be self-contained within the 96 units, no prerequisite studies may be required to be undertaken prior to commencing courses contained in that major.
9.6.3 A major must contain a minimum of 48 required units.
9.6.4 A minimum of 48 units of advanced level courses must be included in a major.
9.6.5 A major must differ from all other approved majors by at least 24 units.
9.7 Extended Major
9.7.1 An extended major in a bachelor degree comprises 144 units that builds on the knowledge contained in a Major in the same discipline area.
9.7.2 The 144 units of the extended major must include the 96 units required to be completed for the major in the same discipline area.
9.7.3 The additional 48 units must be advanced level courses.
9.8 Minor
9.8.1 A minor in a bachelor degree comprises 48 units that develop a coherent academic theme. It may include introductory level courses, but this is not a requirement.
9.8.2 A minor must differ from all other approved minors by at least 24 units.
9.9 Overlap between Study Components
9.9.1 Where both a major and a minor Study Components within the same discipline area are claimed to be completed, there must be at least 36 units that are unique to the minor Study Component.
9.10 Dean’s Scholars Plan
9.10.1 The Dean’s Scholars Plan is used to identify academically gifted students undertaking an accelerated program of study. This will normally include special conditions such as defined entry requirements, progression performance and the completion of courses that may not be required in a standard degree.
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