Bachelor of Arts (Communication)/Bachelor of Computing


General information

Course code: 1866 * Gippsland campus * HECS fees applicable * Attendance optional.

Aims

The double degree is designed to satisfy the community and professional needs for graduates who have not only undertaken a major in communications theory in combination with studies in humanities, but who will have a detailed knowledge of an area of computer-based information systems and software systems. Many new career opportunities are emerging as the demand for high quality multimedia and Internet-based documents and publications grows.

Entry requirements

All applicants should satisfy Tertiary Entrance Requirements (TER) as outlined in the section on entry requirements in this book.

Special requirements

Work load

All applicants should be willing to undertake a normal initial work load of at least twenty-four points a year by distance education. Distance education students should note that this may have implications regarding eligibility for Austudy or similar schemes. In later years of the course the normal work load will vary between twenty-four and thirty-two points per year, but there is scope to vary this under some circumstances.

Attendance

There are no compulsory attendance requirements in the degree structure, and it is possible to complete the entire course without attending the campus.
Classes will be held in most subjects at each weekend school. Normally, this will include lectures and seminars or tutorials. Attendance at weekend school classes is recommended, but not compulsory, for the completion of most subjects offered by the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences and the School of Computing and Information Technology.

Course structure

The course of study is normally eight years by distance education. In order to complete the Bachelor of Arts (Communication)/Bachelor of Computing a students must:
(a) complete appropriate subjects within the course to gain at least 192 but not more than 216 points;
(b) complete the prescribed computing sequence in either systems development or business systems (sixteen subjects equal ninety-six points);
(c) complete the prescribed sequence in communication (eight subjects equal fifty-eight points);
(d) complete an arts minor sequence (twenty-eight points) and a first-level arts sequence (twelve points). An arts minor sequence will comprise a first-level sequence and two subjects at second level.

Communication sequence

First level

Second level

Third level

Arts sequences

Arts sequences are available in

An outline of each arts area and a list of the available subjects is included under the entry for the Bachelor of Arts.

System development sequence

First level

Second level

Third level

plus three elective subjects from:

Business systems sequence

First level

Second level

Third level

plus two elective subjects from:

Initial enrolment

Students entering the double degree program should normally enrol in four subjects in the first year, two in each semester. Normally, these will all be subjects which do not require prerequisites. The following is the suggested first-year enrolment:

Systems development sequence

First semester
Second semester

or

Business systems sequence

First semester
Second semester

or

Credits/exemptions

Students with previously completed or partially completed tertiary studies should complete an application for credit transfer for credits and exemptions. The onus is on the student to provide course records and details of course content and duration (including extracts from relevant handbooks). Students in this category are advised to complete a course plan prior to the commencement of study to ensure they will complete the major/s or minor they intend. Students may be granted up to a maximum of 128 points of credits/exemptions. As a general rule, credits will not be granted for studies completed more than ten years prior to the date of enrolment in the current course.

Further information

For more detailed information, contact the administrative officers, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, telephone (03) 9902 6339 or (03) 5122 6339, email HUMASS.info@arts.monash.edu.au, or Student matters officer, Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology, telephone (03) 9902 6962 or fax (03) 9902 6842, email gscit@fcit.monash.edu.au.

Completed applications

Completed applications are to be forwarded to the admissions officer, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, Monash University Gippsland campus, Churchill, Victoria, 3842, by 24 September 1999 to be considered for a first-round offer.