Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

3844 - Master of Business

NOTE: This course has been updated - please refer to the Postgraduate handbook change register for details.

This course entry should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Business and Economics

Managing faculty	Business and Economics
Abbreviated title	MBus
CRICOS code	065381M
Total credit points required	72
Standard duration of study (years)	1.5 years FT, 3 years PT
Study mode and location	On-campus (Caulfield)
Contact details	Monash Graduate School of Business Telephone: +61 3 9903 1400 Fax: +61 3 9903 1357 Email: gsb@buseco.monash.edu.au
Course coordinator	Mr Wayne Gumley

Description

This course provides an innovative and industry-focused graduate program, with a strong emphasis upon personal development, corporate governance and social responsibility. It will suit a wide range of prospective students including candidates without prior studies in business seeking foundation business skills, as well as mid-career professionals seeking to update their knowledge in traditional business disciplines or to extend their skills. The program also offers the option of completing a specialisation in vital areas of business practice such as advanced marketing, business regulation, corporate governance, information technology, marketing, risk management, supply chain, sustainability, taxation law and workplace law. Students can expect to graduate from this program with a distinctive set of personal and technical skills which will enable them to assist businesses confront the increasing social and environmental constraints ahead. It can also provide a research pathway for students interested in higher degrees by research.

Objectives

The Master of Business aims to produce graduates who will:

(a.) be critical and creative scholars who:

produce innovative solutions to problems
apply research skills to business challenges
communicate effectively and perceptively

(b.) be responsible and effective global citizens who:

engage in an internationalised world
exhibit cross cultural competence
demonstrate ethical values

(c.) have a comprehensive understanding of contemporary business issues and be able to provide balanced solutions relevant to the business, professional and public policy communities we serve

(d.) have advanced knowledge to masters level of the social context of business activities.

Credit for prior studies

Students may be eligible for credit for a maximum of six units if previous study is considered to be equivalent to particular units in this course.

All credit is restricted to study undertaken in the last five years and must be approved by the course director.

Maximum credit allowed

36 credit points

Research component

An optional research pathway is available.

Structure

The course structure has three main components:

a set of core units which provide a foundation in the key areas of personal development and corporate social responsibility including a capstone unit to be completed in the final semester of study
a set of core business units
six open electives which may used to complete a specified specialisation, other business studies, or a research component.

Requirements

The degree requires completion of 12 units (72 points) as follows:

(a.) Three units (18 points) in personal development and corporate social responsibility as follows:

(i.) one of the following units (6 points):

GSB9001 Personal development - critical thinking and communication
GSB9002 Personal development - managing self and relationships
GSB9003 Personal development - professional advancement

(ii.) one of the following units (6 points):

MGX5020 Business ethics in a global environment
MGX5030 Corporate social responsibility

(iii.) one further unit (6 points) from either (i.) or (ii.) above

(b.) at least three core business units (18 points) from the following list:

AFF9020 Introduction to risk principles
AFF9250 Financial management theory
BTX9020 Business law
BTX5541 Corporations law
ECF9530 Economics
ETX9000 Business and economic statistics
ETF9121 Data analysis in business
FIT5157 Services science
FIT9006 Information technology management
GSB9004 Accounting for business
MGX5000 Introductory management research methods
MGX5870 Organisational and business dynamics
MGX9600 Managing people and organisations
MGX9720 Managing organisational change
MKX5461 Contemporary issues in marketing*
MKF5403 Advanced business research methods*
MKF5463 Advanced buyer behaviour*
MKX5641 Advanced marketing communication*
MKX9550 Marketing and the international consumer**
MKX5123 Marketing innovation and planning
MKX9610 Supply chain logistics

* These units are only available to students who have completed the specified unit prerequisite or can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the course director, the completion of an undergraduate major in marketing.

** This unit should not be taken by students intending to complete the advanced marketing specialisation and cannot be counted towards the completion of this specialisation.

Not all units are available every year and a list of available units will be provided at the start of each year.

(c.) a further six graduate units (36 points) subject to the following conditions:

a maximum of two units (12 points) may be taken from areas of study offered by another faculty
elective units may be used to complete a specified major (36 points) from the list of majors below
may include the research pathway listed below.

Additional degree requirements:

students must study a minimum of four 5000-level units.

It is recommended that students consult with the course coordinator to ensure their elective units from sections (b.) and (c.) form a coherent study program.

Research pathway

Students interested in using the Master of Business to progress to a higher degree by research may seek approval from the program director to take a sequence of research based units totalling at least 24 points. To qualify for this option students must have:

completed a minimum of 24 points of coursework study and achieved an average mark of at least 70 per cent
developed a suitable research topic
arranged an academic supervisor for the proposed research topic.

Note: Research pathway units must be completed over three consecutive semesters, so careful planning of course progression is required.

Specialisations

Advanced marketing

Six units (36 points) as follows:

(a.) The following four units:

MKX5461 Contemporary issues in marketing
MKF5403 Advanced business research methods
MKF5463 Advanced buyer behaviour
MKX5641 Advanced marketing communication

(b.) a further two units:

from any of the 5000 or 9000 level units offered by the Department of Marketing***

*** The following units cannot be counted toward the completion of the advanced marketing specialisation: MKX9160, MKF9110, MKX9261, MKF9120, MKX9550.