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 -ClaytonPart 6
CONTENTS
- Master of Industrial and Employee Relations - MIndEmpRels
- Master of Management - MMgt
- Master of Professional Accounting - MProfAcc
- Master of Public Policy and Management
- Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Course code: 0200
General
The Master of Industrial and Employee Relations course has been designed for
persons who are working, or intending to work, in any area of industrial
relations, management, personnel or trade union activities. The course focuses
upon the workplace aspects of industrial and employee relations, and links
industrial relations and employee management practices with the broader issues
of economic policy, wage and labour policy, efficiency and productivity. The
institutional and legal framework for industrial and employee relations is also
covered in detail.
Course objectives
On completion of the course students should:
+ have the analytical and practical skills to gain career advancement in
this field;
+ have an advanced knowledge of workplace aspects of industrial and
employee relations;
+ have an understanding of the links between industrial relations and
employee management practices and the broader issues of economic policy, wages
and labour market policies, and the legal framework;
+ have the capacity to undertake research and report the findings;
+ have advanced written and oral communication skills.
Entrance requirements
A good first degree or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Industrial and
Employee Relations with a 70 mark average is required. An applicant's work
experience may be taken into consideration by the selection committee. There is
no requirement that a candidate should have previously studied industrial
relations, although admission to the program, and selection of the appropriate
subjects, will depend upon the candidate's academic and disciplinary
background.
Structure
The course consists of:
+ six subjects from the Industrial and Employee Relations program to be
passed at a high credit-level average (70);
+ a 10,000-word research essay; and
+ a 5000-word case study.
Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Industrial and Employee
Relations and proceed to the masters program are required to complete:
+ two subjects from the industrial and employee relations program to be
passed at a high credit-level average (70);
+ a 5000-word case study; and
+ a 20,000-word thesis.
Each subject will consist of a weekly three-hour seminar. Subjects will be
available on a rotational basis over a two-year period. The subjects offered
are:
+ MGC5110 Introduction to labour economics
+ MGC5120 Industrial relations and human resources management at the
workplace
+ MGC5130 Wage determination - institutions, principles and methods
+ MGC5140 The law of employment
+ MGC5150 Financial management and industrial relations
+ MGC5160 Labour relations law
+ MGC5170 Research skills for industrial and employee relations
+ MGC5180 Strategic industrial and employee relations management
+ MGC5190 Special topic in industrial and employee relations
+ MGC5290 Issues in labour relations
+ MBA5220 Human resources management
+ MBA5250 Employee relations
+ MBA6259 Industrial relations
+ MBA6299 Advocacy and bargaining
+ MBA6510 Pacific rim employee relations
Duration
In normal circumstances the duration of the course is one full-time year or two
part-time years.
Course code: 0105
General
The degree of Master of Management is available in the Department of Business
Management. Enrolments are to be lodged by the end of November (for students
wishing to commence in the first semester of the following year); and by the
end of May for students wishing to commence in the second semester.
Course objectives
On completion of the course students should have:
+ an overview of current issues within the field of management and
organisational studies;
+ a detailed knowledge of an area of specific interest to the student;
+ experience in the design and implementation of research in the field of
management and organisational studies;
+ an understanding of the range of methodologies, and their appropriate
application, relevant to management and organisation research;
+ the capacity to interpret and communicate research findings;
+ advanced written communication skills.
Entrance requirements
A candidate with an honours degree at level 2B or better, or who has completed
studies at the graduate level at Monash or an equivalent institution, will
normally be required to complete some subjects from the preliminary year at
honours 2B level. Exemptions may be given for first-year subjects which have
been taken at fourth-year honours level.
A candidate with a pass degree equivalent to at least third class honours
standard will normally be required to complete the full preliminary year at an
honours 2B level or better.
Course structure
Preliminary year
The requirements of the preliminary year are seven subjects that form a
coherent sequence relevant to the research program. The subjects will comprise
the compulsory research methodology subject MGC4000 and six other subjects to
be selected from:
+ the graduate program of the department, of which no more than three
shall be 5000-level subjects of the MBA;
+ not more than one subject taken outside the department;
+ a preliminary dissertation (equivalent to two subjects).
An overall average mark of 70 is required to proceed to the second year of the
program.
Second year
The second year of the degree will only be available by major thesis
(50,000-word maximum). The research component makes up 80 per cent of the
workload for the course. Candidates will be required to undertake one Master of
Economics or MBA 6000 graduate subject and to attend the graduate seminars
organised by the department.
The areas of specialisation available are strategic management, health
administration, industrial relations, international management, marketing,
organisational studies and public sector management.
Course code: 0826
General
The Master of Professional Accounting is a full-fee paying course designed for
those without tertiary qualifications in accounting. The MPAcc enables
graduates, who have completed degrees in disciplines other than accounting, to
become academically qualified to enter the professional year program of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Associate and CPA
programs of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.
Course objectives
On completion of the course students should:
+ have developed a core of knowledge in the area of accounting and
finance;
+ have completed a conversion course which enables them to satisfy
membership requirements of the Australian Society of Certified Practising
Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia;
+ have developed critical, analytical and technical skills to assist them
in their future career;
+ be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
+ have developed specialist skills in accounting and finance.
Entrance requirements
Entry to the course is open to applicants who have qualified for a pass degree
in a discipline other than accounting or an equivalent qualification from a
recognised tertiary institution. To complete the course candidates will be
required to undertake sixteen subjects over two years of full-time study or the
part-time equivalent.
Structure
The structure and content of the course is consistent with the educational
requirements of both professional accounting bodies. The course content
requirements imposed by the professional accounting bodies determines
approximately 80 per cent of the subject content of the degree and accordingly
restricts the number of subject options available to students.
Credit for work previously undertaken
Where a student has completed relevant subjects in previous studies, up to
eight exemptions may be approved by the Department of Accounting and Finance.
Any subject for which exemption is sought must have been completed within the
past five years.
Core subjects
+ AAF4300 Introductory accounting
+ AAF4310 Computing and information systems
+ ECM4320 Principles of quantitative analysis
+ AAF4330 Corporate finance
+ AAF4340 Accounting for company groups
+ AAF4350 Accounting for planning and control
+ ECO4630 Principles of economics
+ AAF5200 Auditing and accountability
+ AAF5210 Company law
+ AAF5220 Business law
+ AAF5230 Issues in financial reporting
+ AAF5240 Income tax law
Optional subjects
Four graduate subjects taught by the Department of Accounting and Finance.
These subjects may include fourth-year honours subjects such as AAF4100
(Research methods in accounting and finance), AAF4120 (Financial accounting
theory), AAF4130 (Management accounting), AAF4140 (Corporate financial theory)
AAF4150 (Advanced taxation), AAF4160 (Issues in auditing) AAF4170 (Analysis of
financial statements) and AAF4180 (Securities regulation). The subjects AAF5260
(Advanced management accounting), AAF5270 (Advanced corporate finance), AAF5150
(Financial markets and instruments), and MBA6140 (International finance) may
also be taken.
Course code: 1065
General
The Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) is designed for a mix of
Australian and international students who have an undergraduate degree and some
experience in public management. The program aims to provide students with the
analytical skills to meet the challenges of public policy and management in an
evolving economic, political and social world. The MPPM draws on subjects
across a range of disciplines within the graduate management programs of the
university. It provides specialist units in public management and public
policy, particularly in the second year of study.
Course objectives
On completion of this course students should:
+ have an understanding of the policy-making and managerial processes of
the public sector;
+ possess the range of skills, the conceptual framework and analytical
skills required to identify problems and to analyse alternative solutions;
+ have a high level understanding of the political and social
environment;
+ show expertise across a range of policy and management areas;
+ have demonstrated the professional skills for leadership in public
service.
Entrance requirements
Entry to the course is open to applicants who have qualified for a pass degree
or an equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary institution, who have
a minimum of two years relevant employment experience. A candidate with a
four-year honours degree of at least honours 2A (or equivalent) standard may be
exempted from this provision. Where students have had substantial managerial
work experience for at least five years prior to or during the acquiring of an
undergraduate degree, the requirement for two years work experience after
completion of that degree may be waived.
Course structure
The Master of Public Policy and Management program may be undertaken as
follows:
Part one
There are nine core subjects chosen to provide broad training in the range of
disciplines important for public policy and management.
Part two
Elective subjects or their equivalent, which may comprise:
+ seven electives (a small number of half-weighted electives may also be
available, with two such subjects equalling one elective);
+ a combination of electives and one or more of the following: a reading
subject, a research paper, a corporate project, or a thesis.
1 Core subjects
+ PPM5270 Public management
+ PPM5230 Public policy
+ PPM5280 Public sector finance
+ PPM5290 Governing the modern state
+ MBA5310 Marketing
+ PPM5330 Business and government
+ MBA5460 Principles of quantitative analysis (or MBA 5550 Quantitative
analysis)
+ MBA5880 Microeconomics for managers (with the course adviser's consent,
either MBA5890 Microeconomics for policy analysis or MBA5300 Health economics)
+ PPM6360 Strategic management in the public sector
2 At least two electives from:
+ MBA5870 Macroeconomics for managers
+ PPM6950 International public administration
+ PPM5260 Public sector human resource management
+ PPM5710 Financial management and management issues in not-for-profit
organisations
+ PPM5720 Law and governance of not-for-profit organisations
+ PPM6440 Public sector financial management
+ PPM6410 Public enterprise management
+ PPM6940 Development administration
+ PPM6370 Public policy process
+ PPM6449 Structure and management of cooperative businesses
+ PPM6970 Comparative public policy
+ MBA6270 Health services law
+ MBA6430 Health policy and planning
A wide range of other graduate level subjects in the university may be approved
by the course adviser.
The MPPM thesis
The MPPM thesis is offered as an option in the second year of the program to
stimulate, to develop and to test the candidate's ability to plan, to carry out
and to report on a piece of research. It also provides an opportunity to apply
new knowledge and skills to an empirical problem. The thesis normally must be
within the area covered by a subject in the program and represent a substantial
piece of work of up to 20,000 words. It will be supervised by a person
lecturing in the subject to which it is attached or by another suitable member
of staff of the faculty. The research paper is regarded as equivalent to four
elective subjects and must be submitted within twelve months of its
commencement.
Research paper
The research paper (or project) normally must be within the area covered by a
subject in the program and represent a substantial piece of work of up to
10,000 words. It will be supervised by a person lecturing in the subject to
which it is attached or by another suitable member of staff of the faculty. The
research paper is regarded as equivalent to two elective subjects and must be
submitted within twelve months of its commencement.
Corporate project
The corporate project requires three-way support from student, staff and host
organisation, and concerns problems of strategic importance to the host or
client organisation. Projects are to cover the areas of problem identification,
problem analysis, problem solution, and implementation. It is equivalent to two
elective subjects.
Duration
All requirements for the degree should be completed within two years from the
date of enrolment for students who enrol full-time or within four years from
the date of enrolment for students who enrol part-time. The degree may be taken
on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students taking the course on a
part-time basis are required to take the equivalent of two subjects per
semester through the course of study. Students who take the degree on a
full-time basis are required to take four subjects per semester. Students are
normally required to complete the core subjects prior to undertaking the more
specialised elective subjects, with strategic management in the public sector
being completed in the final year of study. Some subjects may be offered over
the summer semester (end of November to the end of January). By taking subjects
over the summer, it is possible for full-time students to complete the MPPM in
sixteen months.
Exemptions
As the MPPM program is designed as a cohesive program it is not normal practice
to grant exemptions from prescribed studies. However, students who have
undertaken postgraduate studies which are comparable to those prescribed for
the MPPM degree and would fall within the time limits prescribed, may apply for
credit towards the degree.
Substitutions
Other students may be required to substitute subjects for any of the compulsory
subjects which they have studied previously. For example, students who have
completed at least two semesters of undergraduate study of microeconomics will
not normally be allowed to enrol for MBA5880 (Microeconomics).
Except with the approval of the dean they will also be required to substitute
another subject for MBA5460 (Principles of quantitative analysis) if they have
passed a third-year unit in business statistics; MBA5870 (Macroeconomics for
managers) if they have passed courses of at least two semesters' duration
concerning macroeconomics.
Students required to take substitute subjects may select from any of the
electives permitted. Substitution may also be required in relation to elective
subjects in appropriate cases.
Assessment of performance
Candidature may be terminated at any time if progress is regarded as
unsatisfactory. Normally, however, performances will be reviewed at the end of
each semester, and if they do not reach the required standard students will not
be permitted to continue with the course. Students will be given their results
by marks and grading of high distinction (HD), distinction (D), credit (C),
pass (P) or fail (N) in each subject.
Enrolment and re-enrolment procedures
Applications for the March intake each year normally close on 2 October of the
preceding year. Appropriate forms may be obtained from the MPPM program
convenor. Additional procedures for international students, including July
entry to the program, are described in the Student information handbook.
The candidates selected will be required to attend an interview to discuss
their proposed course with the course adviser and to submit a formal enrolment.
These interviews will normally be scheduled during January or February.
Approval for the selection of subjects and a topic for the MPPM thesis must be
obtained from the dean of the faculty or the dean's nominee. Candidates must
obtain this approval each year before enrolling.
Leave of absence
Students may apply for leave of absence from the program. By granting such
leave the faculty reserves a place in the program, and the period of approved
leave is not counted in the time limit for completion of the degree. Leave of
absence is normally for periods up to one year and must be approved.
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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