Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Good study habits are vital in undertaking a computing course. In particular it is important that computing assignments are tackled in a timely manner and that programming is practised using the extensive computing facilities that are available to students.
All students have ready access to tutors and lecturers, and students are encouraged to take their problems and concerns about their studies to them. Students should not hesitate to approach academic staff at any time. The sooner a problem is dealt with, the better for all concerned. If you do not feel satisfied with the assistance or advice you receive then approach the head of the department, the faculty registrar, the associate dean (Teaching) or the dean.
The university has student counsellors available to help students. Assistance can be provided for both personal and study-related problems to students who are reluctant to approach academic staff. There is also a medical service available on campus which has extensive experience in dealing with the medical problems of students.
Subjects which are offered in more than one semester may have quotas determined by the availability of teaching staff and other resources. Students who have enrolled for a degree course in the faculty will, in normal circumstances, be given the opportunity to enrol in the subjects offered by the faculty that are required by the course concerned, and will be given preference over students enrolled in other faculties wishing to study the same subjects. Where students of the faculty wish to enrol in subjects offered by other faculties the same guarantee cannot be given.
Enrolments are normally accepted for both semesters at the beginning of the year and may be varied after the first-semester examinations.
It is the responsibility of students to ensure that, at all times, their enrolment is kept up to date. If the university's records show that the student is enrolled in a subject, fees are payable whether or not classes are attended. Should the work requirements not be met or the examination not sat the record will show that the subject has been failed.
The faculty uses pre-enrolment for continuing students. This has removed time-consuming aspects of re-enrolment for many students.
In October each year, students complete pre-enrolment forms representing their enrolment for the following year, according to the requirements for their courses. Students who pass all subjects at the end of the year and have submitted their pre-enrolment forms will be automatically re-enrolled. However, students who fail subjects affecting their proposed study program for the following year have to amend their subject choice. Students who do not pre-enrol will forfeit their place in the degree.
It is important that a student maintains a current address with the university. Failure to notify the university of a change of address may mean that a student misses out on receiving vital information such as that concerning pre-enrolment.
As of 1997 quotas will be placed on the numbers of students enrolling in each of the majors in the Bachelor of Computing on the Caulfield campus. All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Computing at Caulfield will be able to complete at least one of the three majors available. However, the major of a student's first choice may not be available. Details of how the quotas will be applied will be provided to students through the 1997 pre-enrolment information.
All transfers between courses require the approval of the dean of the faculty. Students wishing to transfer either between courses within the faculty or from outside of the faculty to a course within the faculty should complete an application for transfer form available from the faculty offices.
Students having a timetable clash between a core subject and an elective subject are normally required to choose another elective. Every endeavour is made to ensure that timetable changes and clashes are kept to a minimum. Complaints about the timetable should be directed to the faculty registrar.
The standard text is Thesis and assignment writing by J Anderson and M Poole, 2nd edn, Wiley, 1994.
While it is not necessary to own a personal computer to study successfully, it can be a significant advantage. It is strongly recommended that students do not buy their own computer before the commencement of their course as doing so may lead to the acquisition of an unsuitable model.
At the Peninsula campus classes are available only during the day. However, the tutorial arrangements for the Graduate Diploma in Computing held at Peninsula may be negotiated between the tutor and the students.
At Caulfield the part-time evening classes normally commence at 4 pm or 6 pm. Additionally, some provision is made in the Bachelor of Computing for day-release study, ie lectures immediately followed by tutorials on the same day. This mode of study is restricted to part-time students only and there is a limited number of places available.
Part-time undergraduate students should note that they are required to attend examinations at the same time as full-time students. In some instances this also applies to students in graduate programs. If in doubt students should check with the faculty office.
All distance education students in computing courses must have an IBM-compatible personal computer with a printer and a modem, in order to complete and electronically submit assignment work, and to communicate with lecturers and other students.
At the end of each semester, following completion of the examinations, a faculty board of examiners considers each student's performance as a whole before results are published.
Grades awarded for subjects for undergraduate courses of the faculty are fail (NN), terminating pass (PII), pass (P), credit (C), distinction (D), high distinction (HD). In addition the grade PGO may be used for a pass where there is no higher grade available. Where a student does not achieve a pass (P) or higher grade in a first-semester subject which forms part of a pair of sequential subjects, a provisional pass (PR) may be awarded. After completion of the second part of the pair the grade of (PR) is amended to P or NN. The PII and PR grades can only be awarded by the board of examiners. A PR grade may not be carried for more than one semester. In graduate courses of the faculty the additional grade of NE is used.
A candidate, for the purposes of qualifying for an undergraduate degree, shall not count or include more than twenty-four points of PII grades provided that:
(a) a maximum of twelve points of PII grades can be counted for any one year;
(b) where a candidate obtains a PII grade for a subject and subsequently obtains a higher grade for that subject the PII grade is not included in the count of points for qualifying purposes.
Honours are awarded in four grades, namely first class honours (HI); second class honours, division A (HIIA); second class honours, division B (HIIB); and third class honours (HIII).
Such an application must be made within forty-eight hours after a student's last examination and must be supported, where appropriate, with medical certificates and supporting evidence. Special consideration forms are available from the faculty office on each campus.
Special consideration applications are referred to both the examiner and the board of examiners. The examiners take the application into account when marking papers and the board of examiners takes the application into account when assessing the student's results as a whole.
Where progress is considered so poor as to justify possible exclusion from a course a student is called before the Unsatisfactory Progress and Exclusions Committee.
Where scholarships are paid by the university, unsatisfactory progress may be judged by more stringent criteria, and failure in more than one subject in a single semester may be considered sufficient reason to terminate the scholarship.
Students who are asked to show cause why they should not be excluded will, in the first instance, be invited to do so in writing. No student will be excluded without being given the opportunity to appear in person before the committee. A student excluded by the faculty can appeal to the University Exclusion Appeals Committee.
The faculty considers each application for deferment on its merits. The maximum period of deferment is one year.
Applications for leave of absence should be made in writing to the faculty registrar and must state the reasons for requesting the leave of absence. A form for applying for leave of absence is available from the faculty office.
Such grievances may include, but are not limited to, equal opportunity complaints, complaints related to access and conditions, and complaints related to teaching or support services or provision of faculty facilities. Where university procedures already exist for dealing with student complaints (ie appeals against exclusion etc), these will take precedence over faculty grievance procedures.
2.2 A grievance may relate to any matter other than:
(i) matters covered in Statute 2.6 - The Discipline Committee;
(ii) matters which relate to Staff Discipline Procedures as prescribed in the Monash University staff handbook;
(iii) matters that relate to sexual harassment grievances which are to be dealt with under the provisions of the university `sexual harassment grievance procedures'.
2.3 In these procedures the term `the parties' means the aggrieved student (and any person who represents the aggrieved student), who constitutes the aggrieved party, and any member of staff or any department or school of the faculty (and any person who represents that member of staff, department or school), being the other party.
3.2 Proceedings will be conducted in camera. Statements, claims and other matters put forward in these proceedings must not be used or made available for consideration in other areas.
4.2 It is expected that in the first instance students will attempt to resolve complaints in an informal manner.
4.3 Any student who has a complaint may wish to discuss the matter confidentially with any of the following personnel:
(i) the dean or head of department or school;
(ii) the faculty registrar;
(iii) a member of the University Counselling Services;
(iv) an officer of the Monash Association of Students or an officer of Monash University Student Union Inc. or
(v) the equal opportunity manager, who may assist with equal opportunity matters.
4.4 Where a complaint is not resolved informally it may be referred by the student in writing to the dean through the faculty registrar who must either:
(i) convene a student grievance committee; or
(ii) inquire into the complaint and attempt to negotiate a resolution.
4.5 A grievance is deemed to have been resolved when:
(i) the aggrieved party lodges a written withdrawal of the grievance, with the consent of the other party; or
(ii) a settlement has been agreed to in writing by the parties.
(i) a member of the faculty as chairperson appointed by the dean;
(ii) a nominee who is acceptable to the student of the Monash Association of Students or of Monash University Student Union Inc., depending on the campus of the complaint; and
(iii) at the request of the respondent a nominee of the branch of the staff association to which the respondent belongs, or is eligible to belong and who is acceptable to the respondent, or another staff member.
An additional member may be coopted from the relevant professional body where professional matters are involved. Both sexes should normally be represented on the committee. A secretary to the student grievance committee will be appointed by the faculty registrar.
6.2 The student grievance committee will inquire into the complaint calling for submissions and evidence which it deems relevant.
6.3 The parties to a grievance are to have access to all information relevant to `the grievance'.
6.4 The student grievance committee must give the parties to a grievance reasonable opportunity to be heard and to present such materials and evidence in support of their submissions as may be relevant.
6.5 Each party to the grievance has the right to be accompanied and/or represented by one other person from the university and that person has the right to be heard.
6.6 The student grievance committee must hear the grievance to completion with a minimum of formality within twenty working days from the date of commencement of its deliberation.
6.7 After considering the matter the student grievance committee must make a confidential written report to the dean with a statement that:
(i) the grievance has been settled; or
(ii) the parties are to undertake certain agreed courses of action; or
(iii) where the grievance remains unresolved a recommendation that the dean attempt a resolution or take other action as appropriate.
6.8 Following receipt of the advice from the student grievance committee the dean must advise the parties involved in writing of the outcome within five working days.
6.9 The chairperson must monitor the settlement for up to six months after resolution to ascertain whether the desired effect has been achieved and may recommend to the dean that further steps be taken.
6.10 The secretary of the student grievance committee shall keep the only record of proceedings which will not identify the parties involved. The record of the student grievance committee must include:
(i) the date of the hearing;
(ii) the membership of the student grievance committee;
(iii) the general nature of the grievance;
(iv) a brief outline of proceedings;
(v) the general nature of evidence; and
(vi) the findings and recommendations of the student grievance committee.
Records must be kept for a period of twelve months after which time they will be destroyed.
6.11 The faculty registrar will report annually to the faculty board on the operation of the student grievance procedures, including the number and general nature of grievances received.
6.12 Subject to the foregoing the student grievance committee is to regulate its own proceedings.
6.13 The procedures will be reviewed by the faculty board after their first-year of operation and thereafter from time to time as and when required.
Some students appear to find the university a daunting place and when they experience difficulties are uncertain about how to resolve them. One aim of this document is to encourage students to take advantage of their rights in the interests of efficiently using their study time.
1.1.1 To be given a fair and objective assessment of their academic achievement. There is no reason for a student to fear that a difference of opinion, excessive questioning of a member of academic staff or any other reasonable action might lead to punitive action such as the award of a lower grade than would be otherwise deserved. The university respects the rights of individuals and encourages free thought and speech.
1.1.2 To gain access to a tutor, lecturer, year or course leader, or head of department, associate dean or dean within a reasonable time of requesting it, to discuss any matter of concern. It is generally reasonable to expect to gain access within twenty-four hours where the time required of the staff member is a few minutes and within seventy-two hours where half an hour or more may be required. Obviously, the service which can be provided depends on whether many students have problems at the same time. In the case of difficulties with assignments, better service may be provided if students organise themselves into groups when seeking help. Staff are expected to inform their students about the times when they expect to be available for consultation.
1.1.3 To constructively criticise academic staff about their delivery of lectures, organisation of materials and the content of subjects. Academic staff generally appreciate getting feedback from their students. The goal of the academic staff is to have all their students gain sufficient knowledge and skills related to a subject to pass. If they are assuming that most people in a class know things when they do not, then the sooner the lecturer is told, the better for all concerned. Standards of knowledge and achievement are set with a view to meeting the requirements of professional societies and maintaining a quality of education which is widely recognised. This has to be taken into account when deciding whether a student who does not perform well should be granted a pass in a subject. A sensible approach in dealing with a problem situation where the lecturer or tutor is considered at fault, for example covering material too quickly, is to first check to see if other students have a similar view and then talk to the member of academic staff. If that does not solve the problem, then it is appropriate to talk to the year coordinator, then the course coordinator, and then to the head of department. If that does not produce an acceptable result, the problem should be discussed with the dean. It is most unusual for the dean to become involved in such matters. Normally the lecturers, year coordinators, course coordinators, and heads of departments resolve problems.
1.1.4 To be able to participate in a lecture or tutorial without the distraction of noise from other students. All students in a class have the right to hear the lecturer or tutor without there being extraneous noise from other students talking or behaving in a disruptive way. Academic staff try to create a good learning environment but need the cooperation of the whole class.
1.1.5 To be given fair consideration to compensate for illness or personal problems. Where students have been unable to study effectively because of problems beyond their reasonable control, faculty policy is to consider ways to overcome the problem, for example, the granting of deferred assessment. A letter/certificate should be provided to support an application for deferred examination. Students who face difficulties are encouraged to confide in a member of staff or a member of the university's medical or counselling service as soon as possible to try to find a way to overcome them. Faculty staff and people in other services provided by the university respect the confidential nature of what they are told. They convey information to other staff only with the agreement of the students, eg to support the case for deferred assessment.
1.1.6 To have an examiner check the marking of assignments and examination papers and report to the student within a reasonable time. Students can expect marked assignments to be accompanied by informative comments. This service may be requested through the faculty offices or department offices where there is no faculty office on a campus.
1.1.7 To have an examiner discuss the assessment given to a failing student and explain both the weaknesses and the positive qualities displayed in the work.
1.1.8 To be provided at the start of the teaching of a subject (or before) with details of the syllabus, the way in which assessment is to be carried out, details of recommended reading and textbooks which are available through the university bookshop.
1.1.9 To have access to sample examination papers for the subject, or if the examination is likely to be radically different in style, or if it is a new subject for which there has been no previous examination, reasonable information about the style of the examination.
1.1.10 To have fair access to library and computing facilities in a reasonable environment. If a student cannot find equipment which is free to use and finds equipment being used by other students for something which is obviously not part of assignments, a polite request should be made for its use. Rooms with computers should not be used by students as venues for social meetings and noisy conversations. Others should be given the chance to work efficiently.
1.1.11 To attend a meeting of the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee to present their case when their academic progress is considered below standard and they are asked to explain why they should not be excluded from their course.
1.1.12 To appeal to the university's Exclusion Appeals Committee if the faculty's Unsatisfactory Progress Committee excludes the student.
1.1.13 Not to be subjected to sexual harassment or any form of discrimination.
1.1.14 To expect confidentiality in regard to their attendance and results/progress as well as personal problems and illnesses. This includes not providing information to parents without the student's authority.
1.2 The basic responsibilities of a student of the faculty are:
1.2.1 To behave during lectures or tutorials in a way which does not disturb the lecturer, tutor, or other students.
1.2.2 To leave a class when asked to do so by the lecturer or tutor.
1.2.3 To adhere to the highest ethical standards. Students are expected to be familiar with the Australian Computer Society's code of ethics (available from faculty offices). Students are expected not to take any action aimed at trying to convince academic staff that they are more able or competent than they really are. Plagiarism is unacceptable. On the other hand, working in groups to learn and develop skills is quite acceptable.
1.2.4 To devote sufficient time to study to have a high chance of succeeding.
1.2.5 A full-time student is expected to spend a total of forty-eight or more hours per week studying seriously, in formal classes and privately. The faculty is not happy to see students waste their opportunities. Students are advised to make sure that they enrol in no more subjects than they can reasonably cope with.
Where a student fails to meet the satisfactory progress provisions of the faculty regulations, the faculty seeks an explanation and tries to ascertain whether:
+ the student's abilities are unsuited to the course and the student's interests would be best served by doing something else or,
+ the student has special problems to which a solution can be identified and it is clear that there is a reasonable probability that the course can be completed or,
+ the student is not serious about completing the course, is wasting his or her time and money and in the case of Australian students, the government's money.
The faculty prefers to deal with a student's problems before they lead to a formal request to explain unsatisfactory progress to the committee.
3.1 Staff rights which students are expected to respect are:
3.1.1 To decide the way in which they teach the syllabus for a subject (with due regard to the views of colleagues and their head of department);
3.1.2 To have the attention of students in classes and a quiet atmosphere in which they can be heard. It is considered reasonable practice for a lecturer encountering an unruly class to assume that the prepared lecture was given, and the material examinable, even though it was impossible to deliver it fully.
3.1.3 Not to provide personal tutorial assistance to students who fail to attend lectures and formal classes or fail to invest reasonable effort in attempting to understand and learn.
3.1.4 To determine their level of availability to students.
3.1.5 To specify the way in which a student's learning and skills are to be assessed.
3.1.6 To specify when assignments are due and to determine the penalty, including non-acceptance for late submission.
3.1.7 To make assessments of students, by mutual agreement, in such supplementary ways as they see fit, in order to satisfy themselves about the ability of a student and provide evidence to the chief examiner in the subject who makes the final decision about the result.
3.1.8 To have a private off-campus life. Students should not contact staff members at their place of residence, unless invited to do so.
3.1.9 Not to be subjected to sexual harassment or any form of discrimination.
3.2 The basic responsibilities of academic staff are:
3.2.1 To create a positive learning environment in which the subject material can be communicated to the students.
3.2.2 To publish times when the staff member is available for student consultation.
3.2.3 To assess practical work and assignments promptly and provide timely feedback to students.
Some aspects of the level of service which the faculty aims to achieve are covered in the section `Basic student rights and responsibilities'. Here two topics are covered: (a) computing services and access to equipment and (b) services provided by the faculty and department offices.
Normally, arrangements can be made with the Computer Centre to gain access to computing facilities from 8.30 am to 12 midnight week days and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends. On some campuses access can be gained by using the barcode on an identification card and PIN. Generally, the faculty does not support students working after midnight.
Unfortunately, the way in which students will use equipment is unpredictable and consequently overload situations may happen. The fundamental rule is that computing assignments involving the use of university equipment should be tackled in a timely manner. Failing to do so can lead to severe competition for computing resources.
At Peninsula and Gippsland these services may be accessed by approaching the school, seeking advice about who to telephone, email or fax, and then using the facilities provided.
The faculty office makes a commitment to all students of the faculty that their problems and concerns will be dealt with readily.
The prime function of the faculty office administration is to support the teaching and research activities of the faculty. This function includes but is not limited to: selection of students, advice on course offerings, timetabling, assisting students with subjects choices and similar matters.
The faculty office ensures that a comprehensive set of administrative policies and practices that meet the needs of students are in place. The services provided include a coherent set of procedures in relation to, and assistance with, course administration, student administration, student grievance procedures, timetables, secretariat services and student recruitment.
4.2.1 Course administration The faculty office is responsible for the administration of courses of the faculty. In this role the faculty office provides detailed advice, support and when appropriate counselling in relation to:
+ enrolment and re-enrolment;
+ changes to enrolment;
+ course requirements;
+ examinations;
+ course progression (advice and counselling in relation to course progression, ie what are the available subjects, what must be done to complete the degree, what are the degree rules);
+ credit transfer;
+ leave of absence and intermission.
4.2.2 Student administration The faculty office provides assistance and advice to students in relation to:
+ student records, ie if it is incorrect what should/can be done about it;
+ special consideration;
+ changes to personal details.
4.2.3 Student grievance procedures The faculty office is responsible for the administration of the student grievance procedures. Advice as to their applicability is available from the faculty registrar.
4.2.4 Timetables Timetables for the courses and subjects for the faculty are produced by the faculty offices on each campus. Timetables are displayed on the notice boards located adjacent to the faculty office on each campus. Timetables are usually available at the time of enrolment and re-enrolment. The revised second-semester timetable is usually available a week before the semester begins.
4.2.5 Secretariat services The faculty office provides the secretariat support to the committees of the faculty, including the production of agendas and minutes, the publication of decisions etc.
+ Servicing of faculty committees
+ Preparation of documents
+ Recording and publication of decisions
4.2.6 Student recruitment The faculty office is the principal point of contact for student recruitment and the production of handbooks and other publications.
+ Admission to courses
+ Publicity
+ Entry requirements
For most of these activities the response/action from the faculty office will be immediate. However, some of these may require investigation or further advice and may take up to a week or more to be resolved or processed.
2 Feedback on items submitted and the opportunity to discuss individual pieces of assessment with the relevant lecturer of tutor will be made available to all students when assessment items are returned. At other times access to staff will be available usually within forty-eight hours by appointment.
3 Students can expect to obtain supervised access to their examination script within forty-eight hours of asking at the department or school office.
4 The lecturer in charge or examiner will deal promptly with problems experienced by students in relation to the adequacy, amount and timeliness of assessment.
2 Subject handouts will be available both at the department or school's office and at the lecture or tutorial at which they are distributed.
3 Reading lists will be available for a subject within the first week of teaching of the subject.
4 Cancellations of subjects offered will be notified promptly.
2 Each department and school will provide details to all its students on safety precautions and requirements for the use of equipment, laboratories, other teaching accommodation and field trips where appropriate.
+ a student is expected to do a minimum of forty-eight hours per week of academic work including lectures, tutorials, labs, report writing, reading, preparation, etc;
+ the number of credit points a subject carries should reflect the proportion of semester load on the student, eg a subject that requires an average of about twelve hours work per week over a semester should have a weighting of six points;
+ the ratio of contact hours of a subject to the total contact hours for the year in which the subject is normally offered, and the ratio of the point value of the subject to the total point value of a full year's study (generally forty-eight points) should be roughly equivalent.
The Halls of Residence offer accommodation for approximately $80 per week, not including meals. All meals, including breakfast, are available on a cash basis. Deakin Hall has places for 143 students, Roberts Hall 174, Farrer Hall 187, Richardson Hall 177 and Howitt Hall 187.
Application for residence at all halls should be made to the halls admissions officer, Halls of Residence, Monash University (telephone (03) 9905 6200).