Faculty of Economics and Commerce : Guide to courses

15. Student information

Table of Contents

 15. Student information

Students should be aware of their rights and obligations while at the University. Essential information on matters such as enrolment, assessment, special consideration in the event of illness or other difficulties, etc., is contained in the Student Diary, issued to every student on enrolment.

 15.1. Special tests

There are no supplementary examinations in subjects taught by this Faculty, but the examiners may require candidates to present for further written or oral tests to be held before the publication of results in July and December. Candidates are warned that only very short notice of these tests can be given and it is important therefore that they are available and can be reached at the address held by the University as no rescheduling of these tests is possible.

 15.2. Final commerce subject rule

Students in the final year of the BCom or BCom combined course requiring no more than 12.5 points to graduate due to having failed no more than one Economics and Commerce subject in their final year, (or final semester for students expecting to complete at the end of semester one), and have;

1. achieved at least 40% in the failed subject, and

2. have not previously sat for a special test in the failed subject (unless special consideration was the reason)

will be offered additional assessment in the failed subject.

Note: that only very short notice of this additional assessment can be given and it is important therefore that students who are eligble are available and can be reached at the address held by the University as no rescheduling of these tests is possible.

 15.3. Unsatisfactory progress

The Student Progress Committee reviews the academic performance of students whose progress is considered unsatisfactory. It meets at the end of each semester in July and December. The Committee's primary role is to determine the most suitable arrangements for a student's academic future and not to discipline a student for unsatisfactory progress.

 15.3.1. Unsatisfactory progess is:

• failure in one half or more of a course load in 2 consecutive semesters in which a student is enrolled; or

• failure in the same subject twice; or

• failure in any subject after receiving a warning letter.

 15.3.2. Procedures

Full-time students who fail for the first time in half of their course load in one year, or part-time students who fail for the first time in all of their course load in one year, receive a warning letter.

Full-time students who fail in more than half of their course load in their first two consecutive semesters (i.e. first year students) or part-time students who fail in half or more of their course load in their equivalent first year of study will receive a warning letter.

Students whose unsatisfactory performance consists only in failing twice in a non-compulsory subject may not be permitted to enrol in that subject for a third time.

The Committee will recommend to the Academic Board that a student be suspended from a course if:

• There is failure in all subjects in two consecutive semesters subsequent to the first two semesters of study by a full-time student, or in four consecutive semesters by a part-time student;

• There is a failure of the same three or more subjects at two attempts;

• There is failure in a compulsory subject at three attempts; unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances.

No action to recommend a student for suspension will normally be taken against those students who have 50 points or less remaining to complete their degrees.

All other students whose progress is unsatisfactory will be considered individually by the Committee. Depending on what extenuating circumstances there may be the Committee may decide to recommend suspension, restriction or limitation of the subjects a student may take in the coming semester.

Students recommended for suspension by the Faculty to the Academic Board have the right to be heard by the Board, but, if the Board confirms the recommendation, the student is then excluded from the course.

Students suspended from a course, or who discontinue from a course, may apply to be reselected into the course in competition with other applicants during the selection period.

 15.3.3. Right to be heard

All students may submit written evidence and if requested appear before the Committee detailing any extenuating circumstances which they feel should be taken into account by the Committee before it makes its decision.

 15.3.4. Extenuating circumstances

In considering a student's progress the Committee will normally take into account personal, financial and study problems. Students are advised, however, that excessive commitments outside their studies are not considered extenuating circumstances. In particular, full-time students should not take more than six to eight hours of employment per week in the academic year.

 15.4. Leave of absence or course discontinuation

An undergraduate student seeking leave of absence must request permission from the General Manager in writing, specifying the proposed period of absence. Students who wish to discontinue their courses must notify the General Manager in writing.

 15.5. Resumption of course

Students suspended from a course, or who discontinue from a course, may apply to be re-selected into the course in competition with other applicants during the selection period. Students may not retain credit for a subject for longer than nine years.

 15.6. Membership of professional bodies

 15.6.1. Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants

Individuals who hold the Bachelor of Commerce degree with a three-year sequence in Accounting and Finance may apply for Associate membership of the Society.

Specific requirements of Associate membership are a core set of subjects and one of two 'Associate sequences'.

Core subjects include the compulsory subjects from the Commerce degree plus Accounting 1A and 1B, Intermediate Financial Accounting, Intermediate Managerial Accounting, Business Computing, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Business Finance and Introduction to Business Law.

Associate sequences are:

• Auditing and Assurance Services, Corporate Law and Taxation Law;

• Corporate Finance, Investments, Banking and Finance Law, and one of Money and Banking, Economics of Financial Markets, Management of Financial Institutions, International Finance and Personal Financial Management.

Persons who seek full CPA membership after graduation must complete further external studies specified by the Society. For more information, including details of admission requirements, contact the State Registrar of the CPA, Victorian Division, 170 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000.

 15.6.2. Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

Those who hold the Bachelor of Commerce degree including: Accounting 1A and 1B, Intermediate Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Financial Accounting, Business Computing, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Business Finance, Auditing, Introduction to Business Law, Corporate Law and Taxation Law, may apply to participate in the Institute's Professional Year of Study.

The Institute requires Professional Year students other than holders of honours degrees to complete a minimum of 52 weeks (at least 39 of which must be mentored by a Chartered Accountant) service with a firm of chartered accountants in public practice or one of more than 400 accredited organisations in Australia before the commencement of the Professional Year. For further information on admission requirements, contact the State Director, ICAA, Level 10, 600 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000.

 15.6.3. Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

Persons who have completed the Bachelor of Commerce degree, including the Accounting and Business Law sequences, may apply for exemption from eight of the 13 subjects of the Institute's examinations.

 15.6.4. Australian Institute of Banking and Finance

Persons who have completed the degree of Bachelor of Commerce and are employed in the banking and finance industry are eligible for affiliate membership of the Institute. Student membership is also available. Interested students should consult the Institute at level 19, 385 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000.

 15.6.5. Institute of Actuaries of Australia

The Bachelor of Commerce course allows students with strong mathematical backgrounds to undertake studies for the actuarial profession in their degrees.

Students who pass 300-203 Financial Mathematics I, 620-201 Probability, 620-202 Statistics, 316-102 Introductory Microeconomics, 316-201 Intermdediate Macroeconomics, 306-104 Accounting 1B, 300-330 Survival Models: Theory and Applications, 300-331 Modelling in Insurance and Finance I, 300-332 Modelling in Insurance and Finance II, 300-341 Actuarial Mathematics I, 300-342 Actuarial Mathematics II at the appropriate high standard are able to apply for exemption from seven of the nine subjects required to complete Part I of the examinations of the IAA. Exemption from the remaining two IAA Part 1 examinations can be obtained by passing honours subjects which will be introduced in 2001 plus 306-331 Investments at an appropriate high standard. In addition, two current honours subjects cover Part II of the IAA syllabus. For more information, contact the Actuarial Tuition Service, 447 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000.

Status:                   Official 2000
Last Modified:            Thursday November 25 15:10
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au