Course code: 2131 Gippsland campus HECS fees applicable Attendance compulsory for some units
This double-degree program aims to provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to (a) the practice of science journalism; the role of science and media in society; modern multimedia technology appropriate to journalism and science communication; and (b) one or more areas of the natural and/or applied sciences.
Candidates
for the award would be eligible to seek membership of professional societies
appropriate to areas of science specialisation (eg a chemistry major - the
Royal Australian Chemical Institute) and to professional media/journalism
associations.
Professional societies appropriate to the sciences offered within this
double-degree program include the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and
Australian Institute of Energy.
Normal Monash entry requirements apply: the VCE or equivalent with a study score of at least 25 in English. Applicants will also be interviewed, and this interview may be conducted as a face-to-face interview or via electronic communication. Non-VCE applicants should refer to the section on entry requirements.
The journalism component of the award includes GSC3902 (Applied journalism research project), which offers the student the option of undertaking a workplace placement or an individual project selected through negotiation with the unit adviser. To undertake the placement option, students must be available for six to eight weeks (or equivalent) during one semester of study.
To complete the double degree satisfactorily, it is essential that students possess or have access to a PC and modem.
Students
enrolling in many biological or chemical science units (particularly
upper-level units) must attend on-campus laboratory sessions. These sessions
are conducted in residential schools which are held once each semester and are
usually of from three to seven days duration (laboratory work in some
first-level science units is performed entirely off-campus, using home
experimental kits loaned to students on the basis of a refundable deposit).
There are no compulsory attendance requirements in the journalism component of
the award.
In addition, in some units, optional weekend school sessions are conducted for
the benefit of students who are able to attend. These sessions are typically of
two to four hours duration. Weekend school classes may include lectures,
seminars or tutorials and hands-on skills workshops.
The
duration of the double degree is flexible, however, depending on study load, it
would normally be completed in four years of full-time study, or the equivalent
part-time study.
Units with a total credit value of a minimum of 192 points must be obtained by
completing:
(a) 96 points in units from the Schedule of Approved Science Units (see the
Bachelor of Science entry) including
(i) a science major sequence (excluding computing) of at least 48 points,
structured as follows:
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total | |||
12 |
+ |
18 |
+ |
24 |
= |
54 |
or |
||||||
12 |
+ |
12 |
+ |
24 |
= |
48 |
or |
||||||
12 |
+ |
18 |
+ |
18 |
= |
48 |
(ii) a science minor sequence in a second discipline, consisting of 12 points
at level one and 12 points at levels two and three.
(iii) two core units:
(iv) at least one level-one unit from one of the following groups:
(This unit is to be drawn from a different group
from those which include the two chosen science discipline sequences in (i) and
(ii).)
(b) 96 points from the School of Humanities, Communicatons and Social Sciences
including the prescribed sequence in journalism (48 points), an arts minor (24
points) and four upper-level elective units (24 points).
plus one of:
It would be normal for a student to progress through the science and the journalism requirements in a parallel fashion. There is considerable flexibility in the study program to allow each student to design his or her own study program, subject to the completion of prerequisites and in consultation with a course adviser.
Students are strongly advised to consult the appropriate course adviser when planning their initial study program. Some units in the various science discipline areas are not offered in the distance education mode every year. Many units are available only every second year; course planning must take this into account.
Assessment is the result of a combination of assignments and final examination for each unit. Generally a pass is required in the final examination to pass the unit. Laboratory science units include a laboratory component which is usually assessed by performance in class and/or written reports.
Appropriate credits may be granted for approved studies completed at a recognised post-secondary institution. It is advisable that intending applicants seek advice from both the Faculty of Science and the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences regarding their credit transfer policy.
For more detailed information, contact the Faculty of Science Office, Gippsland, telephone (03) 9902 6431, fax (03) 9902 6931.
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 22 September 2000 to be considered for a first-round offer. Later applications will be welcome (subject to quotas).
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