Bachelor of Fine Art; Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours)

• General information
• Structure of the course
  • The pass degree
    • Major studios (66 credit points)
    • Theory of art and design (24 credit points)
    • Professional practice (3 credit points)
    • Drawing and visual structures (12 credit points)
    • Digital imaging (3 credit points)
    • Electives (at least 36 credit points)
  • The honours degree
    • Studio practice (30 credit points)
    • Research methods in art and design (12 credit points)
    • Electives (6 credit points)
• Length of course/workload required
  • Pass
  • Honours
• Admission requirements
  • Pass
  • Honours
• Credit provision
  • Pass
  • Honours
• Fee structure
• Course program

General information

Course code: 2119 * Course abbreviations: BFA; BFA(Hons) * Caulfield campus * Internal mode * Full-time: three years plus one year for honours * Course coordinator: Dan Wollmering
The Bachelor of Fine Art is a three-year degree program of education within the discipline and practice of the fine arts. A fourth year of honours studies is available for students of merit to pursue specialist study and research.
The fine arts are involved with perception and imagination, aesthetics and social and cultural issues: they frequently concern cultural and philosophical inquiry (such as mainstream and marginality), but are often practised solely as an expression of intellectual, creative or spiritual freedom.
The fine art studio subjects include painting, printmaking, sculpture, tapestry, conceptual practice, photomedia and digital art and are supported by specialist subjects in drawing, professional practice and the theory of art and design. Elective offerings open up possibilities of studying media and ideas beyond the chosen specialisation.

Structure of the course

The pass degree

The course provides a strong focus of fine art activity oriented to the student's chosen studio. The course is structured to give students the following areas of study.

Major studios (66 credit points)

This is the main study of the course. The major studios are offered at each year stage. The course provides the following major studios:

• * Painting studio
• * Sculpture studio

Students take 66 credit points in the major studio. In order to permit the possibility of movement between studios at the end of first year (subject to selection), without requiring a repeat of first-year studies, the credit-point requirement for graduation in a studio major is 54 credit points.

Theory of art and design (24 credit points)

Students study theory, context and cultural aspects of art and design. Twelve credit points are taken in core subjects in the first year of study and a further 12 credit points are taken in elective theory subjects in the second and third years of study.

Professional practice (3 credit points)

All students take a professional practice subject.

Drawing and visual structures (12 credit points)

Students take two compulsory six-credit-point subjects in the first year. These studies are concerned with the development of perception and visual concepts using drawing. It is anticipated that all students will take further studies in the drawing studio - up to 24 credit points may be taken this way.

Digital imaging (3 credit points)

This is a preferred elective strand and it is anticipated that most students will at minimum take the subject DIS1101 (Digital imaging 1). Students are expected to have taken a basic computing course prior to enrolment in `Digital imaging 1'.

Electives (at least 36 credit points)

Elective studies are selected in consultation with the studio coordinators. Subjects will generally be taken from those available within the Faculty of Art and Design, but subjects offered elsewhere in the university are also available. As well as the drawing and digital imaging electives, it is likely that many students may also wish to take photomedia and/or other studio studies, and visual communication. A typical program for the balance of the electives might include:

• * Drawing and visual structures (12 credit points)
• * Digital imaging (3 credit points)
• * Professional practice (3 credit points)
• * Other studio studies (12 credit points)
• * Other studies including subjects elsewhere in the university (6 credit points)

The honours degree

This additional one-year course provides intensive study in the student's selected area of studio practice. It is supported by theory and elective studies.

Studio practice (30 credit points)

The student's study program is developed in conjunction with the course coordinator. Practice is closely linked to the research methods and seminar studies provided in the theory program.

Research methods in art and design (12 credit points)

The program reviews research concepts and methodologies and develops the student's capability to apply them both theoretically and in their studio practice.

Electives (6 credit points)

Selected by students in consultation with the course coordinator. These may provide support for the student's major studio studies or honours project, address areas complementary to the student's previous studies or address issues relevant to the student's career objectives.

Length of course/workload required

Pass

Three years of full-time study. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is 48 (contact and non-contact), with appropriate adjustment for any part-time study. An 80 per cent attendance record for studios, lectures, seminars etc is required before a student may present for assessment in any subject. Exceptions will be subject to the approval of the course coordinator.

Honours

One additional year of full-time study. Workload as for the pass degree.

Admission requirements

Pass

The course will be offered through the VTAC system. Entry is on the basis of portfolio, interview and ENTER. Students must have completed VCE English units 3 and 4 with a grade average of at least C. Applications will also be considered on the basis of other qualifications assessed as equivalent to the VCE.

Honours

Completion of the Bachelor of Fine Art or the Bachelor of Visual Arts with a major study in one of the studio areas of the Bachelor of Fine Art or equivalent pass degrees, at a credit level average or higher. Depending on the number of places available, students may also be required to submit a portfolio of studio work for selection into the honours program.

Credit provision

Pass

Credit will be granted for equivalent studies completed elsewhere at approved institutions. Advanced standing in the course for students who have completed part of similar courses at Australian or international universities will be considered up to a maximum of two years and in accordance with other regulations of Monash University. Each application for credit or advanced standing will be considered on its own merits.

Honours

No credit or advanced standing will be provided in this course.

Fee structure

For students with Australian residency, this course falls within the lowest band of HECS liability. The fee for international students will be set by the vice-chancellor from time to time (currently $12,800 per annum).

* Indicates an estimate of a student's elective choice, and is allocated on a proportional basis, not necessarily actual credit points in the Year 3 and 4 subtotals.
^# For the appropriate subject code for your discipline please refer to the `Subjects - all faculties' section of the handbook. Department of Fine Arts subjects commence with the prefix FNA.
Note that all courses and subjects are subject to ongoing review and minor amendments to improve them.
cps: credit points - the total student workload per week including in and out-of-class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.

Course program

^# For the appropriate subject code for your discipline, refer to the `Subjects - all faculties' section of this handbook. Department of Fine Arts subjects commence with the prefix FNA.
Note that all courses and subjects are subject to ongoing review and minor amendments to improve them. Teaching hours quoted are based on student groups of 20. Where group size is less than 20, some consolidation of teaching will occur.
cps: credit points - the total student workload per week including in and out-of-class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.

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