Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Nevertheless, it should be recognised that all undergraduate programs assume that mathematics has been studied at secondary school to a reasonable level and that the minimum requirement is a mathematics study at VCE levels 1 and 2. For Victorian students, the requirement for some undergraduate courses is VCE mathematics levels 1 and 2 and for other courses, levels 3 and 4. Courses that involve computer engineering have relatively stringent prerequisites. A grade average of D in VCE English at levels 3 and 4 is a prerequisite for all courses.
Applicants who seek to enter an undergraduate degree for full-time or part-time study should apply directly to the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre, 40 Park Street, South Melbourne, 3205. Applicants applying under the university's alternative category entry (ACE) must apply through the VTAC and may be required to sit a Special Tertiary Admissions (STAT) test.
+ not satisfied minimum tertiary entrance requirements; or
+ satisfied minimum tertiary entrance requirements more than three years ago, and have not previously completed any tertiary level studies; or
+ satisfied minimum tertiary entrance requirements and have partly completed some tertiary-level studies more than three years ago.
All applicants under the scheme will be required to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) administered by VTAC. In addition, the following courses require a further mathematics-based test, administered by Monash, to be undertaken:
+ Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science);
+ Bachelor of Digital Systems.
Applicants who wish to apply for Alternative Category Entry are required to apply through VTAC. Those needing to sit content-based tests must, in addition, contact the Course and Careers Centre on (03) 9905 3150 for further information and a supplementary information form to be completed and submitted directly to the university.
Applicants who have incurred difficulties at school as a result of the criteria used for determining the disadvantaged/country schools list, but not attending one of the schools on the list, may also be considered in this category. Apply for admission through VTAC.
1. When admitting students to courses of the faculty, the faculty endeavours to assess learning of all kinds and establish equivalence to known standards of academic study; this assessment is based on the evidence of prior learning which is presented at the time of application.
2. Notwithstanding point one, students may apply for credit based on concurrent learning obtained outside the course for which they are enrolled.
3. The faculty may grant enrolment with advanced standing where appropriate, and/or grant individual credits based on the assessment in one and two above.
4. The assessment of prior learning for advanced standing and associated admission procedures shall be the responsibility of the appropriate faculty credit transfer subcommittee and the office of the faculty registrar, and action in this regard shall be initiated promptly, and as a matter of course provided that full and sufficient information is supplied by applicants.
5. Students granted credit for prior learning but who do not wish to avail themselves of it shall not normally be required to do so, and should notify the faculty.
6. The faculty shall determine and make known the minimum proportion of study to be undertaken at the university for the completion of each of its courses.
7. The standard and content of previous learning, the results achieved, the period elapsed since its completion, and the student's perceived chances of success in the Monash course shall be the principal criteria in assessing credit.
8. When granting credit the faculty will advise the student of the specific requirements for the completion of the course for which that student is enrolled and has been granted credit.
9. The faculty will address the credit needs of all students wishing to pursue university-level studies.
10. Any enrolled student may appeal to the faculty's credit transfer policy subcommittee in matters relating to the granting of credit.
11. This policy, procedures and illustrating examples will be published in a separate credit transfer brochure.
12. These principles are subject to the selection policies of the faculty.
13. This policy is subject to annual review by the faculty.
However, prospective TAFE students should note that they have no automatic right of transfer into the Bachelor of Computing or the Bachelor of Digital Systems program offered by Monash University, but must be selected in competition with other students.
Candidates articulating from the Associate Diploma in Business (Computer Programming) or the Associate Diploma in Business (Microcomputing) into a Bachelor of Computing on the Caulfield and Peninsula campuses are granted one year of advanced standing in the degree (a total of forty-eight credit points of the 144 points required to complete the degree). The exact subjects to be exempted will vary, depending on which major of the Bachelor of Computing degree the student is studying. However, credits can be claimed for both computing and non-computing subjects. In general candidates entering with these qualifications commence their studies as second-year students.
In some cases the exact structure of the course as offered on any campus must be considered when claiming non-computing credits and students are advised to discuss these with the faculty in relation to the particular non-computing units they have studied as part of their associate diploma. For example, at the Caulfield campus, normally twelve points at first-year level can be granted regardless of the major chosen, where a student, as part of the associate diploma, has studied units that can be used as a foundation for a minor sequence in a non-computing discipline.
Detailed information about the computing majors mentioned above can be found in this handbook in the `Undergraduate courses' section and in the course information brochures for each campus. The specific credits which will be granted for any associate diploma other than those mentioned here can be determined by contacting the faculty office at Caulfield. For more advice on any matter relating to admission, articulation or credit transfer from TAFE studies, contact Ms Clare Cole (Caulfield campus) on telephone (03) 9903 2433.
The faculty is currently reviewing its articulation arrangements with a view to extending, if possible, the number of courses to which articulation applies.
Students considering undertaking a computing subject that is not designed specifically for their course should check with the faculty office on their home campus regarding potential problems associated with subject overlap.
Many subjects have prerequisites; for example, a third-year subject is likely to require a pass in the appropriate first- and second-year subjects. The relevant information can be obtained by studying the subject entries in the `Details of subjects' section of this handbook.
Each subject passed carries a number of points that represent the student workload associated with that subject. In general, the requirements for a degree are expressed in terms of the total number of points that must be accumulated by a student, subject to constraints covering the number of points that may be attempted in a semester and the combinations of subjects that are acceptable. The rules are covered under the specification for each degree in the relevant section of this handbook and in the relevant course regulations.
For details of the faculty's postgraduate programs, refer to the `Graduate studies' section later in this handbook.
Applications for graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and coursework masters degrees normally close in November for entry to programs commencing in February the following year. Applications for courses with a mid-year intake close in early June.
Applications for all distance education courses are made directly to the distance education office at Gippsland by mid-October (telephone 1800 671 845).
Applications for masters degrees by research and for Doctor of Philosophy may be made to the relevant faculty office at any time. Research scholarship applications should be submitted by the end of October to the research, training and support branch, Clayton campus.
Students enrolled in a masters degree by research or PhD undertake research into a topic of interest within a department of the faculty, under the supervision of an academic staff member. A research degree is defined as having a thesis or research component greater than 66 per cent of the course.
Masters by research students submit a major thesis which shows independence of thought and demonstrates the student's ability to carry out research in the field concerned.
There are a wide range of research interests pursued within the departments and schools in the faculty. For information about research interests in a specific department, refer to the `Department information' section in this handbook.
The rules applying to attendance are laid out in the PhD regulations and in the faculty's information on research courses. However, full-time PhD candidates should note that as well as meeting the attendance requirements laid down in section 7.3.2 of the PhD regulations, the faculty requires PhD candidates to pursue their research on campus unless they negotiate other arrangements with their supervisor. In the case of overseas study, permission must also be obtained from the PhD and Scholarships committee.
Part-time PhD candidates are also required to meet the on-campus residency requirements of the university.
(i) the candidate is appropriately qualified for admission to candidature;
(ii) the candidate appears to have the capacity required to undertake the course successfully;
(iii) the research project proposed is appropriate for the degree;
(iv) the department is the most appropriate one in which the research is to be undertaken;
(v) the project is feasible in terms of time, facilities, equipment, technical and resource staff, source material and funding for the expected duration of the research required for the masters degree;
It should be noted that the expected duration of candidature should usually be less than the period of candidature allowed under the regulations. It is generally suggested that a masters project should be designed to take approximately twelve to eighteen months of full- time equivalent candidature.
(vi) in determining the project, due recognition is given to the research interests and ability of the student;
(vii) the proposed supervisor is sufficiently expert and interested in the area of research to offer the candidate proper supervision;
(viii) a supervisor is not put in charge of more than five full-time equivalent students; where it is proposed that a supervisor undertakes supervision in excess of this number, the department must satisfy the Faculty Research Committee that the additional supervisory load will still allow the supervisor to discharge the supervisor's responsibilities satisfactorily;
(ix) the work load of the supervisor is such as to allow sufficient time to give proper supervision to the candidate;
(x) proper supervision is provided and maintained throughout the research period;
(xi) if the supervisor is to be absent in excess of six (6) weeks an alternative supervisor is appointed;
(xii) joint supervisors or associate supervisors are appointed as required for interdisciplinary or highly specialised research projects, and supervisory responsibility is clearly designated and understood by both supervisor and candidates;
(xiii) an academic staff member within a department is appointed to act as a coordinator of graduate studies, to monitor the general progress and welfare of postgraduate candidates and act as ombudsman where necessary;
(xiv) written information is produced and distributed to all postgraduates by the department with details on requirements and procedures relating to all postgraduate matters administered at the departmental level including:
+ grievance procedures, whereby candidates may make representation to the head of department, dean, faculty research committee or university committee, if they believe that their work is not proceeding satisfactorily for reasons outside their control, especially in situations involving problems of supervision or unresolved conflicts between candidates and supervisors;
+ a statement on the facilities and resources available to postgraduates within the department and within the university, (eg library, computing and technical facilities, training in word processing, statistical advice, English language tuition);
+ guidelines on appeals procedures at departmental level, consistent with university policy on appeals procedures;
+ guidelines on authorship and intellectual property and the procedures for monitoring them within the department, consistent with university policy on these matters;
+ departmental/faculty policy on the timing and mode of presentation of those reports by which a candidate's progress is assessed;
(xv) mechanisms are in place to promote regular consultation between departmental staff and candidates, and which include:
+ orientation programs at the departmental or appropriate level for postgraduates and their supervisors, to clarify procedures, give advice and discuss the expectation of candidates and staff;
+ seminars on research procedures relevant to postgraduate-level research;
+ a regular program of graduate seminars in the department's research areas;
+ training workshops on occupational health and safety procedures;
+ seminars or appropriate training in ethical issues and procedures;
(xvi) postgraduates are encouraged to make submissions regarding the provision of adequate human and physical resources within the department;
(xvii) the candidate's research program is not unreasonably influenced or redirected by political, commercial or industrial factors.
In addition, students can normally select for a number of elective subjects taught within the department or faculty or, in some cases, taught by other faculties within the university.
Subjects are normally conducted as a series of lectures and tutorials. However, masters-level subjects may take the form of seminars presented by visiting lecturers, focussing on the lecturer's current area of interest.
Part-time evening classes are available for all postgraduate courses on the Caulfield campus. Classes at the Clayton campus are normally available during the day; however, classes for postgraduate courses in digital communications and robotics are held in the early evening.
At the Peninsula campus classes are available only during the day. However, the tutorial arrangements for the Graduate Diploma in Computing may be negotiated between the tutor and the students.
Students who are undertaking masters degrees by research or the PhD and who hold permanent residency in Australia are formally liable for the HECS charge. However, full-time candidates in receipt of a Monash Graduate Scholarship or Australian Postgraduate Award are exempt from the HECS charge. Other full-time PhD candidates may be exempted from paying HECS if they enrol or re-enrol by a date set by the research training and support branch.
While full details of the proposed changes are not yet available, it is envisaged that students with single-subject graduate enrolment will be able to take subjects with an option to undertake or decline assessment in that subject.
Students would be able to take this program by completing a collection of individual subjects on a fee-for-service basis. The faculty is discussing the possibility of having two different fee levels. The first fee level (eg $1000 per subject), would be set for students enrolling in and attending a subject, including undertaking assessment. A second fee level (eg $750 per subject), would apply to students attending a subject but not undertaking any assessment.
Under this proposal it would be possible to accumulate subjects towards the Master of Information Technology and the Master of Computing without actually being formally enrolled in the course, ie by being enrolled as a non-award student. On completing the required number of subjects a candidate would be able to apply to have the degree awarded.
Admission requirements are likely to be amended under this proposal, to allow for a category of students who would have `open entry'. It is possible that this concept will be extended to cover all masters by coursework programs in the faculty.
At this stage, the proposed new subjects are:
+ Electronic record keeping
+ Software process management and improvement
+ System verification and validation
+ Intelligent software systems
+ Quality CASE environments
+ Programming in Smalltalk environments
+ Distributed object technology
+ Knowledge discovery and data mining
+ Software standards
+ Software systems engineering
+ Professional ethics and practice
+ Image and data compression
+ Computer graphics, animation, multimedia
+ Machine learning
+ Pattern recognition
+ Colour image processing
+ Theory and practice of constraint programming
+ Persistent programming
+ Modern cryptology
+ Software engineering environments and tools
+ Wireless computing and national information infrastructure