MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Business & Economics Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996


OUTLINE OF GRADUATE STUDIES -Caulfield and PeninsulaPart 5

CONTENTS

  1. Master of Marketing by coursework - MMktg
  2. Master of Organisational Systems - MOrgSys
  3. Master of Practising Accounting by coursework - MPracAcc
  4. Master of Taxation by coursework - MTaxation
  5. Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

Master of Marketing by coursework - MMktg

Course code: 0505 or 0943 or 1002

Course director: Mr Mike Shaw

The course

This course is provided on a full-time and part-time basis. It comprises sixteen subjects including a minor thesis and normally takes two years full-time or four years part-time to complete.

It is designed for middle managers intending to become marketing directors and for marketing directors who recognise the need in their present job to substantially improve their professional expertise and effectiveness.

The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive, intellectually demanding and up-to-date understanding of business concepts. It also aims to improve participants current work performance and enable them to direct a complete marketing operation at the corporate level.

Objectives

On completion of the course students should:

+ be able to analyse and select marketing strategies and plan courses of marketing action for an organisation;

+ have an understanding of how to translate business problems into fundamental and situational components, and apply relevant business and marketing concepts, models and theories to their solution;

+ be in a position to build appropriate and sound theories for marketing management practice;

+ be able to apply concepts, models and theories from a wide range of sources to practical marketing management problems.

Entrance requirements

Entry to this masters degree is open to applicants with a pass degree in the discipline of marketing from a recognised tertiary institution and a minimum of three years relevant employment experience. Applicants with a pass degree in a non-marketing discipline require five years relevant employment experience.

Teaching methods and assessment

The course is taught using lectures, seminars and cases with the lecturer acting as a discussion facilitator and candidates providing a significant part of the input.

Candidates are expected to prepare thoroughly for each class. Up to twelve hours reading each week in addition to the time spent in class is normally required.

Since the course is a highly practical one in which candidates are expected to apply theory to practice, particularly in their own organisations, part of the discussion will involve an evaluation of the applicability of theory to practice and as well as the creation of theory from practice.

The ability to communicate concisely and precisely on paper and verbally is important. Each subject is continuously assessed in terms of the preparation and presentation of views, analyses and papers during class. In some subjects, this assessment is supplemented by end-of-semester examinations.

Credit for work done elsewhere

Please refer to the course director for the Master of Marketing for details relating to credit transfers.

Course structure

Year one

First semester

+ MKT6160 Marketing theory and practice

+ MKT6110 Buyer behaviour

Second semester

+ MKT6120 Marketing research and forecasting

+ ACC6800 Marketing financial control

Year two

First semester

+ MKT6261 Marketing communication strategies

+ MKT6361 Marketing decision systems

Second semester

+ FIN6150 Competition and consumer law

+ MKT6251 Case studies in strategy

Years three and four

Compulsory subjects

+ MGM 7430 Business research methods

+ MKT5301 Minor thesis (two subjects)

+ MKT5200 Assessing marketing performance

+ MKT5290 Competitive analysis: strategy and issues

+ MKT5270 Strategic marketing policy

Electives

Candidates may choose two elective subjects from

+ FIN5210 Economic policy

+ MKT5000 Management of retail enterprises

+ MKT5001 International retailing

+ ACC5230 Financial analysis

+ MGM5250 Management behaviour

+ MKT5260 International marketing

+ MKT6660 Relationship marketing and service quality management

or, with the approval of the course director, any other graduate-level subject offered by Monash University.


Master of Organisational Systems - MOrgSys

Course code: 1171

Course director: Mr Jeff McLean

The course

All organisations are being subjected to large scale changes resulting from fundamental advances in technology, the globalisation of business and a shifting world order. These developments are forcing changes not only in the shape of organisations, but in the way managers need to think and operate.

New approaches have emerged which can help us to better understand our new circumstances. At the heart of these approaches are three key concepts - systems thinking, organisational learning and action learning. These concepts form the basis of this masters program.

The course is designed to be completed over two years of part-time study. Apart from satisfying the academic provisions of the preliminary year, intending applicants must have completed a minimum of two years work experience, preferably at a supervisory/management level.

On completion of the course students will have developed the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to apply systems thinking and continuous learning processes in order to improve the on-going performance of organisations as instruments for achieving economic and social goals.

Objectives

On completion of the course students will have:

+ developed competence in the theory and practice of systems thinking and continuous learning as applied to the study of organisations;

+ added to the existing body of experience in the areas of organisational theory and systems thinking;

+ contributed to the development and monitoring of organisational policy and strategy by using systems approaches to conceptualise and communicate insights into the behaviour of organisations and their interactions with their environments;

+ acted as catalysts for performance improvement and continuous learning by working with teams to identify, formulate and discover root causes of complex organisational problems using systems thinking and simulation modelling.

Venue

Part-time classes are offered in evening or block teaching mode at Caulfield campus.

Entrance requirements

Normally admission to the course is open to applicants who have qualified for the Graduate Diploma in Business Management with an average grade of credit or above; or an honours degree; or an equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary institution. Applicants also require a minimum of two years organisational experience, preferably in supervisory or management positions.

Course structure

The course consists of eight units including six coursework and an integrating research thesis:

+ MGM 7500 Systems thinking and theory

+ MGM 7510 Organisational learning and leadership

+ MGM 7531 Quality systems management

+ MGM 7521 Dynamic systems modelling

+ MGM 7541 Advanced topics in systems thinking

+ Elective

+ Integrating research thesis (2 units).

The coursework is designed to consolidate and extend studies in organisational behaviour and learning, operations management, strategic management and systems thinking included in the preliminary program. An elective is included to encourage students to explore the application of systems thinking outside of the normal management disciplines.

The research thesis of 8000 words is to be organisation-based. Consequently, applicants are required to obtain support for this component from their employers, or from some other suitable organisation.


Master of Practising Accounting by coursework - MPracAcc

Course code: 0790

Course director: Mr Lawrence Webb

The course

This fee-paying masters degree course, studied on a part-time basis, is conducted over two to three years.

It is designed to enable students possessing bachelor degrees in disciplines other than accounting to develop their skills and knowledge of accounting and is suitable for those who wish to work in public practice, industry or academia.

The course, which is recognised by the professional accounting bodies, enables graduates to affiliate with the professional body of their choice.

The course will encompass studies in financial and managerial accounting, taxation, law, auditing and electives chosen from subjects offered in the Master of Business (Accounting).

Objectives

The Master of Practising Accounting program aims to develop and enhance students' knowledge and skills of accounting and related fields. The objective of this intensive study program is to offer graduates from non-accounting disciplines the opportunity to develop their knowledge of accounting and business-related disciplines.

Entrance requirements

Normally applicants require a pass degree in a discipline other than accounting or an equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary institution.

Venue

Classes are offered at the Caulfield campus in two block teaching sessions Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday at 6-10 pm and Saturday 9 am - 6 pm.

Credit for work done elsewhere

Candidates may be eligible for a maximum of five exemptions for equivalent subjects completed in prior degrees.

Articulation

On completion of the Master of Practising Accounting at the required standard, candidates may be eligible to transfer to the Master of Business (Accounting) program.

Professional recognition

Completion of this course will enable graduates to meet the academic requirements for admission to the CPA program of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and the professional year program of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Course structure

+ FIN6020 Business law

+ ACC6500 Introductory accounting and financial information systems I

+ ACC6510 Quantitative methods in accounting

+ ACC6521 Introductory accounting and financial systems II

+ FIN6530 Economics

+ FIN6541 Company and commercial law

+ ACC6601 Financial accounting I

+ ACC6611 Managerial accounting I

+ ACC6621 Auditing

+ ACC6631 Financial accounting II

+ ACC6641 Business finance

+ FIN6651 Taxation law and practice

Four electives shall be chosen from the following Master of Business (Accounting) subjects:

+ ACC7100 Advanced strategic management accounting

+ ACC7110 Advanced information systems

+ ACC7120 Advanced auditing and professional practice

+ ACC7130 Financial statement analysis

+ ACC7140 International finance

+ ACC7150 Financial reporting issues

+ FIN7160 Contemporary taxation issues

+ FIN7170 Issues in corporation law


Master of Taxation by coursework - MTaxation

Course code: 0784

Course director: Mr Wayne Gumley

The course

The course is a full-fee paying part-time degree the coursework component of which is normally conducted over four years unless subject exemptions apply (see below).

Candidates will be required to complete eight coursework subjects drawn from a list of thirteen subjects.

Objectives

The Master of Taxation course will provide students with a detailed understanding of the concepts and general principles of Australian taxation law and practice through an examination of legislation, case law and income tax rulings. In particular the course will enable students to:

+ acquire high-level specialist taxation knowledge;

+ gain advanced analytical skills in revenue law;

+ develop the conceptual understanding required to bring together the application of knowledge in different areas of revenue law and general business law in the integrated resolution of taxation problems arising in modern business transactions;

+ develop the writing and research skills required of senior practitioners and academics.

Master of Taxation graduates will have:

+ acquired relevant skills necessary to identify and solve a range of practical taxation problems through the application of relevant legislation and case law;

+ developed taxation research skills and critical and analytical writing skills. They will also be able to lead discussions on complex taxation matters.

Entrance requirements

Normally admission to the course is open to applicants who have qualified at the required standard for the Graduate Diploma in Taxation; or an honours degree; or an equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary institution.

Venue

Evening classes are offered at the Caulfield campus.

Credit for work done elsewhere

Exemptions from up to four of the subjects may be available for students who have completed subjects in an equivalent degree at another institution. Such exemptions are at the discretion of the course director.

Course structure

Candidates must complete eight subjects from the following list:

+ FIN5500 Advanced income and deductions

+ FIN5510 Advanced taxation of trusts and partnerships

+ FIN5520 Advanced taxation of companies and shareholders

+ FIN5530 Advanced capital gains tax

+ FIN5540 Advanced employment taxation

+ FIN5550 Advanced taxation of financial transactions

+ FIN5560 Advanced anti-avoidance provisions

+ FIN5570 Advanced tax administration and practice

+ FIN5580 Advanced superannuation and retirement benefits

+ FIN5590 Advanced international tax

+ FIN5600 Advanced stamp duties and land tax

+ FIN5610 Advanced sales tax and customs and excise duties

Note: Candidates are expected to complete two subjects per year to complete the course within the regulation four years. Students will normally have up to three subjects to choose from each semester and some subjects may be run over summer semester.


Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

Course codes: 0029 and 0191

The objective of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is to conduct research at the highest level of competence and expertise in disciplines taught within the faculty. The combination of advanced independent study in a specialised area coupled with external examination of the thesis is intended to ensure that the standard required of candidates is high. On completion of the course students should:

+ have completed a major piece of independent, high-quality, sustained research;

+ expect to be innovative researchers with a capacity for independent thought and tenacity in pursuit of a goal leading to a career in tertiary education, business or government;

+ have completed work which should reflect the highest standards of scholarship within the faculty.

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy will normally have qualified for a degree of master or a degree of bachelor with honours of 2A standard or above at Monash or an equivalent institution. All candidates will be required to write a major thesis and may be required to enrol in a masters degree and take coursework as prescribed by the department. Where a student's level of preparation is considered inadequate, additional coursework may be prescribed. All coursework requirements must be completed before transfer of candidature from masters to PhD occurs. In some circumstances students enrolled in the PhD program may be required to undertake some additional coursework.

Under certain conditions, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be taken in one of the departments of the faculty on a part-time basis. These conditions are as follows:

1 Candidates are required to undertake the equivalent of six months of full-time study during the first forty-eight months of candidature. The period need not be continuous but is usually completed in blocks of not less than one month.

2 Candidates must maintain regular contact with their supervisors.

3 Candidates must be able to devote two full working days per week, or an acceptable alternative period to pursuing their PhD studies.

4 Candidates are required to attend graduate seminars organised by the department in which they are enrolled. They are expected to participate regularly in the seminar series and to give at least two seminars during the period of candidature.

A full-time candidate shall normally submit a thesis for examination not less than twenty-four months and not more than sixty months after admission to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. For part-time candidates the minimum period of candidature is forty-eight months and the maximum period ninety-six months.

On the recommendation of the head of the department concerned, the PhD and Scholarships Committee will appoint a member of the university staff to supervise the work of each candidate.

Applicants for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy should write for an application form to the higher degrees and research officer on (03) 9903 2646. Preliminary enquiries to discuss academic work should be directed to the head of the appropriate department.


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