Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
This part of this handbook is subdivided into sections designed to cover some of the common features of graduate studies and to point out some of the distinctions between the programs under the following headings:
+ Introduction (This section provides an outline of the available programs as well as information on fees for local students, postgraduate awards and scholarships.)
+ Application
+ Accepted candidates
+ Credit transfer
+ Exemptions
+ Enrolment (new students)
+ Pre-enrolment (continuing students)
+ Amendment to enrolment
+ Discontinuing subjects
+ Publication of results
+ Special consideration
+ Unsatisfactory progress and exclusion
+ Transfer from one degree program to another
+ Student grievance and appeals procedures
+ Examination grades (This section sets out the grades for subjects and theses.)
+ International students (This section deals with their special provisions and requirements.)
+ Masters theses (This section describes their presentation and supervision.)
+ Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (This section describes the program, including details of supervision.)
Candidates qualified for either the degree of Bachelor of Arts with honours class I or honours class II division A, or the equivalent, or the degree of Master of Arts (H2A equivalent) are eligible for admission. In addition, the PhD regulations make provision for research masters degree candidates to transfer their candidature after a period of satisfactory performance.
All matters concerning the degree of PhD are handled by the PhD and Scholarships Committee of the Academic Board. The Faculty of Arts Committee for Graduate Studies transmits all recommendations regarding the PhD candidature of arts students to this committee.
Additional information about the Doctor of Philosophy is available from the PhD and EdD information handbook, and in condensed form, below.
+ 66% thesis 25-35,00 words;
+ 75% thesis 35-40,000 words;
+ 100% thesis 40-60,000 words.
Prior to 1995 some programs offered a minor thesis of 18-25,000 words. Students who started prior to 1995 are encouraged - after consultation with their department or centre - to undertake a 66% or 75% thesis if available in their program, but have the option of undertaking a minor thesis.
The minimum duration of candidature for a masters degree is one year of full-time or two years of part-time study, and the maximum period of full-time candidature is three years except where the course of study prescribes a specific time limit. The degree may also be undertaken by part-time students over a period not exceeding five years. Students, whether full-time or part-time, must be able to attend the university regularly.
An honours grade in the relevant discipline may admit a candidate to a program as follows:
+ H1 or H2A Part I or Part II of a research degree or Part I or Part II of a coursework program
+ H2B Part I or Part II of a coursework program
+ H3 Part I of a coursework program.
On the recommendation of the head of the department or the director of the centre an applicant who has completed a graduate diploma with credit level grades or above in all subjects may be admitted directly to Part II of either the research or the coursework degree.
Applicants should check the entry requirements detailed under the various programs for more specific details, including the definition of `relevant disciplines'. Please note that these are the minimum entry requirements and that they may differ from program to program and from time to time.
A candidate admitted into Part I of the degree must achieve at least credit level grades in all subjects before proceeding to Part II of the degree unless otherwise allowed by the board of examiners.
Candidates undertaking a coursework only program undertake subjects to the value of forty-eight points in Part I and a further forty-eight points in Part II. One of the subjects in Part II may be a research project. To qualify for the degree of Master of Arts candidates will need to have undertaken a total of ninety-six points and have obtained credit level grades or above in all subjects.
Candidates undertaking a thesis combined with a coursework program also undertake subjects to the value of forty-eight points in Part I. In Part II candidates undertake sixteen points of coursework subjects plus a 66 per cent thesis, or twelve points of coursework subjects plus a 75 per cent thesis, depending on the program. Each research program lists the thesis percentage and the number of subjects to be undertaken. To qualify for the degree of Master of Arts candidates need to obtain credit grades or above in their subjects and for their thesis.
The administration of the Master of Arts degree, including the formal admission of students to candidature and the awarding of the degree, is under the control of the Arts faculty board. In this matter and on all related questions the faculty board relies on the advice of its Committee for Graduate Studies.
Two degrees are offered: a Graduate Diploma of Bioethics, and a Master of Bioethics. Students wishing to enter the graduate diploma must have (a) a degree in medicine or any other health science, in law, the biological or social sciences, or in a branch of the humanities, such as philosophy (or other degree as approved by the faculty board), requiring the equivalent of not less than three years full-time study in an approved tertiary institution; or (b) qualifications and experience which in the opinion of the faculty board are a suitable preparation for the candidate's proposed field of study. For enrolment in the Master of Bioethics, applicants should have (a) a degree in an appropriate field requiring the equivalent of not less than four years full-time study, or (b) a three-year degree in any of the fields referred to above, plus not less than two years relevant practical experience, or (c) equivalent qualifications and experience.
The Graduate Diploma of Arts will be offered in the following fields of study:
+ Applied Japanese linguistics
+ Applied linguistics (prerequisite: major sequence in linguistics, English or a language)
+ Art history/film studies
+ Asian studies
+ Communication
+ Dance studies
+ History
+ International relations
+ Japanese business communication (prerequisite: major sequence in Japanese)
+ Japanese studies
+ Music
+ Politics
+ Public history
+ Publishing and editing
+ Tourism
A Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science is also offered.
+ Paid by: All students (other than those in fee-paying courses)
+ Frequency: Once per semester (if paying upfront)
+ Amount: This works out (normally) to $1204 per semester (deferred) or $903 per semester (upfront); $2409 for full-time two-semester enrolment (it is indexed to the CPI on 1 June each year)
If you choose to pay up front the university will include a charge at the up front rate on your enrolment details and fees advice form. This rate is lower than the deferred rate, and must be paid in full by the due date notified.
If you choose the deferred payment option, your enrolment details and fees advice form will show the amount notified to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO will charge this amount plus interest when your taxable income reaches a certain threshold. You have the right to make payments direct to the ATO at any time.
There is a limited number of HECS exemption scholarships available on a fist-come first-served basis to the following postgraduate students: all Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) holders; all full-time candidates for the degree of PhD who are within four years of equivalent full-time candidatuere. Faculties will also allocate a small number of HECS exemption scholarships according to principles decided by the graduate committee of the faculty.
Candidates for graduate diplomas and postgraduate degrees of bachelor are not eligible for HECS exemption scholarships.
Each semester students incur a HECS liability which is proportional to the normal full-time course load. This liability can be paid `up front' upon receipt of the liability statement or it can be discharged through the taxation system after a certain level of income has been reached. The amount shown on the liability statement, for students who have chosen to pay up front, is the nett amount (after deducting the discount) and must be paid in full by the due date shown. The HECS liability is calculated each semester at the census date (on 31 March in first semester and 31 August in second semester). If subjects are discontinued on or after the census date, a HECS liability is still incurred. A detailed description of HECS is found in the HECS booklet which is given to all students at enrolment. Students can acquire another copy at the student administration office upon request. Students should look at the booklet each year, in case there are any changes to the policies. Those who choose to pay through the ATO (to defer payment) must provide a tax file number (TFN) at enrolment.
Students who move and change address must make sure that they advise the ATO of their new address, since they use it to verify the TFN.
Students who do not attend a class (or classes) but fail to discontinue officially in writing are HECS liable.
2. The Government will prohibit taxable income being adjusted by net rental losses for HECS purposes; and abolish postgraduate HECS exemption scholarships for professional development of teachers.
+ full-time (75 per cent or more of a full-time enrolment) - $323 pa;
+ part-time level 1 (less than 75 per cent but 40 per cent or more of the full-time enrolment) - $202 pa;
+ part-time level 2 (less than 40 per cent of the full-time enrolment) - $140 pa.
There is no part-time, level 2 fee for masters degree candidates defined as research candidates or for PhD candidates. Masters degree candidates defined as research candidates and PhD candidates who, at the time of re-enrolment, have received written permission to write the thesis away from the university are not charged an amenities fee.
Students with permission to study abroad are required to pay the normal fees.
For refunds and assessments for studies less than the whole year, refer to `Refund' section below.
Students who are full-time members of the university staff at the time of enrolment have their union fee reduced by the component paid by the university ($29 in 1995).