Undergraduate - Course4069 - Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Science

The journalism component of this course prepares students for the professional practice of journalism and/or business. It addresses all production technologies for journalism - print, video, radio and online - in metropolitan, regional and international contexts. It imparts advanced skills in research and communication for professional practice, fosters a critical understanding of the role of journalism and the media in contemporary Australian society, in all its diversity and dynamism, and is founded in the principle that robust and accurate journalism is an essential component of a democratic society. Graduates can expect to possess high order skills in professional practice and scholarly analysis that will enable them to find appropriate industry employment, and enter further study at a higher level as and when needed.

The science component of this course provides students with a broad, general science education, as well as specialist training in one or more science disciplines. The flexibility of the course and the wide range of areas of specialisation allows students to explore new areas, further develop their strengths in science and to pursue their interests. The emphasis on generic skills - quantitative literacy, data analysis, information literacy, problem solving, communication and presentation skills, and the capacity to work in teams - and specialisation in at least one discipline ensures a firm foundation for a career in science. Graduates will be equipped for a variety of careers or for honours and postgraduate study, leading to global employment opportunities in any of the traditional and emerging careers for scientists.

Refer to the outcomes for the single degrees 4042 Bachelor of Journalism and 0050 Bachelor of Science.

Hardware, software and internet access requirements

The journalism component of the course will require the use of an adequate computer, high-speed internet access and audio-visual software and hardware, such as still and video cameras, audio recorders and microphones. For off-campus students, Monash University makes no provision for the supply of access to this hardware and software, and it is the responsibility of students to organise it for themselves. In all cases, off-campus students with queries or doubts about their access to the required hardware and software should seek confirmation from the nominated unit coordinator before enrolling.

The course consists of a combination of minor and major sequences in different areas of study in arts and a major sequence and elective units in science, along with science core units and a specified number of electives from each faculty.

Students in this course cannot take units from faculties other than the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science.

Students must complete 192 credit points - 96 credit points of science units and 96 credit points of arts units including all of the following:

Journalism component

Students must complete:

(1.) 96 points of arts units including:

(a.) a journalismjournalism (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/aos/journalism/ug-arts-journalism.html) major (48 points)*

(b.) a journalism studies specialisation comprising of six units (36 points) including:

• ATS1901 News media and society
• ATS1902 News media and social theory
• ATS2784 News and power
• ATS2785 Journalism and the law
• ATS3802 Journalism practice and discourse
• one other journalism studies unit

(c.) two additional units from the Faculty of Arts to make up to a total of 96 points.

* Students must study the journalism major as detailed for the Caulfield campus.

For the specific requirements of arts majors and minors and information on other arts units refer to the Areas of studyAreas of study (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/aos/index-byfaculty-arts.html) section in this Handbook.

Arts elective units can also be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) and index of arts unitsindex of arts units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/index-byfaculty-arts.html) in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

Science component

Students must complete:

(2.) 96 credit points of science units including:

(a.) a minimum of four level-one science units (24 points) covering:

(i) at least two level-one approved sequences. The approved level one sequences are listed in the section Approved level one sequences in ScienceApproved level one sequences in Science (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-sequences.html).

(ii) at least one level-one mathematics or statistics unit from:

• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

(b.) one major sequence in a science area of study (48 points). The science major sequence must be chosen from the science areas of study for the campus on which the student is enrolled and are listed in the section Science areas of study and sequencesScience areas of study and sequences (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-01a.html) in this Handbook.

(c.) the core unit SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication or SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced)

(d.) a minimum of ten science units (60 points) at level two and three (including either SCI2010 or SCI2015), with at least four science units at level three

(e.) additional science units to take the total credit points to 96.

When selecting additional science units at Clayton, these can also be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

Notes:

The Faculty of Science requires the science studies to be chosen from the science units listed in the section Science areas of study and sequencesScience areas of study and sequences (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-aos-clayton.html) in this Handbook.

Within the science component, a maximum of six level-one science units (36 points) can be taken overall.

Students should contact the Faculty of Science before enrolling in any stage of the double degree to ensure that the program they wish to follow will satisfy prerequisites necessary for higher stages. For information relating to course planning, science units and sequences, students should refer to the Science Faculty InformationFaculty Information (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci.html) section in this Handbook.

Recommended program of study

Stage one

Students must complete at least four level-one sequences - at least two from the Faculty of Science and at least two from the Faculty of Arts, including one in journalism and one in journalism studies. These four level-one sequences must be in different areas of study. It is recommended that students complete these four level-one sequences in the first year of study.

The level one Science-approved sequences are listed in the section Approved level one sequences in ScienceApproved level one sequences in Science (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2014handbooks/undergrad/sci-sequences.html).

Overall no more than 36 credit points (six units) of level-one units may be taken from either faculty.

The level-one mathematics/statistics unit taken will depend on the mathematics background and interests as follows:

• The statistics units SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning) and STA1010 (Statistical methods for science) are normally recommended for students planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences.
• SCI1020 is for students without a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent).
• The mathematical methods unit MTH1030 is recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1030 requires students to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020.
• Students with a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject could replace the units MTH1030 and MTH2010 with their advanced versions MTH1035 and MTH2015 respectively. Students will need to seek permission to enrol in these units at the Faculty of Science, Student Academic Services officeFaculty of Science, Student Academic Services office (http://monash.edu/science/current/undergraduate/help/).

Stage two

By the end of stage two students must have completed the level one mathematics/statistics unit if not already completed at stage one, and the core unit SCI2010 or SCI2015.

Students should complete the level two units towards their proposed journalism and science major sequences and journalism studies sequence. The remaining units studied at stage two will be in accordance with the requirements of the course.

Stages three and four

All remaining units to complete all course requirements will be completed at stages three and four, including the level three units towards the journalism major and journalism studies sequence.

Within the science component the units studied at stages three and four must take into account the requirement of a minimum of ten science units at level two and three (including SCI2010 and SCI2015), with at least four science units at level three.

Students intending to undertake honours should ensure that they complete the specific units required for honours in their chosen area of study. It is recommended they consult with the Faculty of Science regarding their unit selection prior to re-enrolling for units at level three.

Students may apply for admission to an honours program in science or journalism, following the completion of an approved combination of at least 144 points of units including all of the science or arts requirements for the double degree.

Students may be eligible to exit the double degree program and graduate with either a Bachelor of Journalism or a Bachelor of Science after three years, depending on the units studied.

Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science prior to the completion of the double degree must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the science requirements for the double degree course. Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Journalism prior to the completion of the double degree must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the journalism requirements for the double degree course.

Bachelor of Journalism
Bachelor of Science