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Search : Index : Faculty of Economics and Commerce
Prev 6. Combined degrees
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7. General information for all undergraduate students
7.1. Credits and exemptions
7.2. Subject prerequisites
7.3. Subject levels
7.4. Repeated failure in a subject
7.5. Workloads
7.6. Subject changes
7.7. Attendance and timetable
7.8. Special consideration
7.9. Special exams
7.10. Final subject rule
7.11. Commerce computer laboratories
7.12. Printing credits
7.13. Teaching and Learning Unit (TLU)
7.14. Disability Contact Officer
7.15. Mental Health Contact Officer
7.16. Transition
7.17. Students at risk
7.18. Unsatisfactory progress
7.18.1. Unsatisfactory progress is:
7.18.2. Procedures
7.18.3. Right to be heard
7.18.4. Extenuating circumstances
7.19. Re-enrolment/course planning
7.20. Leave of absence or course discontinuation
7.21. Resumption of course
7.22. Communication skills and ESL subjects
7.23. Concurrent diplomas
7.24. Community Access Program (CAP)
7.25. Professional experience program
7.26. Faculty awards
7.26.1. Subject prizes
7.26.2. Dean's Honours List
7.27. Membership of professional bodies
7.27.1. CPA Australia
7.27.2. Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
7.27.3. Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
7.27.4. Australian Institute of Banking and Finance
7.27.5. Institute of Actuaries of Australia
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.
Students who have successfully completed MUPHAS or other enhancement studies may be eligible to apply for credit toward the Bachelor of Commerce. Credit will be granted for subjects that, in the opinion of the faculty, are equivalent to those that could normally be undertaken as part of the Bachelor of Commerce.
Students who have achieved a study score of 44 or above in VCE Units 3 and 4 Accounting or a score of 88 or above in Trinity Foundation Accounting are eligible to apply for an exemption from 306-103 Accounting 1A.
Students who have achieved a study score of 40 or above in VCE Units 3 and 4 Information Technology or a score of 80 or above in Trinity Foundation Computing and Information Management are eligible to apply for an exemption from 306-105 Business Computing.
Students who have achieved a score of 6 or above in the IB Higher Level Economics are eligible to apply for an exemption from 316-101 Introductory Macroeconomics.
Students commencing the BCom with previous, incomplete university studies may be given credit for up to 150 points towards the BCom. Credit will only be given for subjects successfully completed, which, in the opinion of the faculty, are equivalent to those subjects permitted to be undertaken as part of the BCom. Students who have undertaken studies at other institutions must complete, or be granted credit for, the four compulsory subjects, and must complete at least 50 level-3 points within the faculty in order to be eligible to graduate.
Graduates admitted to the BCom course will receive credit for a maximum of 100 points. A diplomate with a three year qualification may receive credit for up to 100 points as approved by the general manager.
Credit must be applied for upon enrolment in the BCom. Credit applications cannot be considered after a student has commenced studies.
Students wishing to apply for credit or an exemption should consult the faculty's credit and exemptions policy and procedure brochure available from the faculty office.
Students are not permitted to enrol in subjects without first completing all prerequisite and/or corequisite subjects as listed in this Handbook. In addition to specific subject prerequisites, students should be aware of the general year level prerequisites for each subject. For further information about these see Subject levels.
Subjects are taught at either level-1 (first year), level-2 (second year) or level-3 (third year). The year level of economics and commerce subjects is indicated by the fourth numeral of the subject code. Students may not enrol in level-2 subjects until they have completed at least 75 level-1 points and students may not enrol in level-3 subjects until they have completed at least 175 level-1 and level-2 points.
Students will not be permitted to enrol in a non-compulsory subject for a third time. Students who fail a non-compulsory subject twice and wish to enrol in it again may only do so through the Community Access Program (CAP) and will not have the subject credited toward their Bachelor of Commerce. Students who fail one of the four compulsory subjects three times are likely to be recommended for suspension from the BCom. For further information, please see Unsatisfactory progress.
The following guidelines apply to the granting of permission to overload.
Students will not be permitted to overload in their first year of study;
A maximum overload of up to 62.5 points is permitted;
Students who have achieved an average of at least 70 in a full-time load (at least 37.5 points) in the previous semester will be permitted to overload in the subsequent semester;
Third year students who have passed all subjects in the previous semester will be permitted to overload to complete their degree in their final semester.
Students will not be permitted to exceed a total of 300 points (24 subjects) in the single BCom or 500 points in a combined BCom course. Permission to overload in any semester will only be granted if the faculty believes that the student has the ability to pass all the subjects in the overloaded course, and that the overload will not result in a substantially diminished performance in the course.
BCom and BCom combined students must attend a subject change session to change their subjects. At these sessions a course adviser will consider the change and counsel you if they believe it is not appropriate. If approved the change will be made on the spot. Combined course students can only make changes to the BCom component of their degree at the Faculty of Economics and Commerce. Changes to the other component must be made at the faculty administering that course. The dates relating to subject changes are detailed in Course and subject changes in the general information section of this handbook and subject change session times are published on the faculty's web site prior to the commencement of each semester.
Students are expected to attend all classes (lectures, tutorials, practical work etc.), and submit all set assignments. Many subjects have assessed tutorial attendance and if you do not meet this requirement, you may be excluded from examinations in the subject concerned. It is important, therefore, to keep informed of the requirements of each subject you undertake. Make sure that you obtain all programs, instructions and guidelines issued by staff.
While every effort is made to avoid timetable clashes, the number of subjects available to BCom students makes it impossible to accommodate every possible subject combination. If a subject combination results in lecture or tutorial time clashes, students must change their subjects. Attendance is expected at all scheduled lectures, tutorials and seminars.
Students who suffer particular disadvantage or illness during a semester may apply for special consideration. Special consideration applications must be lodged within three days of the due date of the final piece of assessment in a subject (usually the exam). All applications for special consideration for economics and commerce subjects are considered by a Faculty Committee. Applications must be accompanied by detailed independent supporting documentation. Applications lodged without adequate documentation cannot be considered.
Students are not advised of the outcome of their application but if a special exam is to be awarded these will usually be held very shortly after the release of results and students will receive short notice (minimum 48 hours) of the award of these exams. Advice is usually provided via email to a student's University account and this should be checked regularly if an application for special consideration has been lodged.
Further information about Special consideration can be found in the general information section of this Handbook.
There are no supplementary examinations in subjects taught by this faculty, but examiners may require candidates to present for further written or oral exams to be held around the time of the release of results in July and December. Students should be aware that only very short notice of these exams 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. Special exams are only granted to students whose performance has been substantially hampered by circumstances beyond their control and who have lodged an application for special consideration within the time limits.
Students in the final year of the BCom or BCom combined course requiring no more than 25 points to graduate owing to having failed no more than one subject (i.e. one 6.25, 12.5 or 25 point subject) in their final year, (or final semester for students expecting to complete at the end of Semester 1), and have;
achieved at least 40% in the failed subject, and
have not previously sat for a special test in the failed subject (unless special consideration was the reason)
may be offered additional assessment in the failed subject.
Students are warned that only very short notice of this additional assessment can be given and it is important therefore that students who are eligible are available and can be reached at the address held by the University as no rescheduling of these tests is possible.
The computer facilities on-campus can be grouped into two broad categories:
general access laboratories provided by ITS and the Student Union
faculty and departmental laboratories
You must have your student card with you for identification when you use any computer facilities at the University of Melbourne. For information on general access computer laboratories, including a 24 hour laboratory, go to http://www.its.unimelb.edu.au/students.html. Information on economics and commerce computing laboratories is in the Computer Laboratories Guide at http://www.studentlab.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/.
Undergraduate students enrolled in commerce subjects are able to use the Economics and Commerce Undergraduate Computer Laboratory in the Doug McDonell Building. Printing credits are allocated to these students as follows:
one or two commerce subjects receive 200 printing credits;
three or more commerce subjects receive 400 printing credits
(For the purpose of printing credits and laboratory use, commerce subjects are those taught by Departments of Accounting, Finance, Economics and Management and Business Law subjects taught by the Faculty of Law.)
All credits will be negated at the end of the academic year.
Additional printing credits can be purchased at a minimum of 300 pages at a cost of 15c per page.
Technical staff are available in the Undergraduate Laboratory to answer any questions relating to laboratory accounts and/or printing credits.
The Teaching and Learning Unit (TLU) has been established to support students' learning in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce. The TLU is committed to assisting students to make the most effective use of the learning environment in the faculty and to making this experience a rewarding and successful one. The unit provides a range of services to help with study. These include individual consultations to assist with time management, reading skills, writing skills and exam preparation. The unit also provides subject specific study groups, lectures early in Semester 1 on effective learning strategies in the various departments in the faculty, and can also provide you with a peer mentor to help you to find your way to the wide variety of resources in the faculty. Learning resource booklets for economics and commerce students are available either directly from the unit or from their web site http://www.tlu.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/home/.
The unit offers ESL assistance to students whose first language is not English. These services include:
Individual consultations - to provide assistance with effective reading, understanding questions, planning, structuring and organising ideas, drafting and citing. The consultations also provide an opportunity to learn to express ideas in clear and coherent English.
ESL workshops to develop language skills - these workshops are designed to develop the skills of effective note taking, reading, writing, organising ideas, writing introductions and conclusions.
ESL study groups - groups of students whose first language is not English who wish to study together to improve both their English and their understanding of the subject material.
ESL lectures - during the year a series of lectures are held which are designed to assist with specific skills for subjects you are studying.
Students with a temporary or permanent disability or medical condition requiring additional assistance should contact the Faculty's Disability Contact Officer (FDCO). The FDCO can ensure students with special needs have access to a number of university services provided by the Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) including alternative examination arrangements (such as additional writing time or a venue which is wheelchair accessible), notetakers or sign language interpreters, specialised equipment (such as computer screen reading software) and overall support in liaising with academic and other general staff. Students who think that they may require alternative exam arrangements should discuss this matter with the faculty's Disability Contact Officer early in the academic year (or, in the case of acute conditions, as soon as possible). Some form of documentation will normally be required. It is now possible for students with permanent disabilities with non-changing effects to have appropriate examination arrangements on an on-going basis. Note that English as a second language is not grounds for alternative exam arrangements.
For more information on the wide range of services that the DLU provide, go to their we bsite http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability or visit them on campus to make a time to discuss your needs. Handbooks for students with disabilities are available at the DLU.
The Faculty of Economics and Commerce has a nominated Mental Health Contact Officer (MHCO) who has undertaken awareness training on issues that affect students with mental illnesses. MHCOs are available to assist students with faculty-related matters when the student is either unsure where to seek advice or feels unable to manage an issue. They endeavour to streamline and clarify processes and are available to discuss items such as leave of absence, HECS cut off dates, special consideration etc. and can assist by liaising with academic and other administrative staff. An MHCO is not a trained psychologist and cannot provide counselling or help you with managing your illness but can refer you to other University services such as Counselling, Health Service, or Chaplaincy.
To become eligible for the MHCO program, you must first register with the Disability Liaison Unit (DLU). If you have previously registered with the DLU, ask them to refer you to the faculty's MHCO. The DLU will discuss your needs and view medical documentation that outlines your mental health condition. All information is held confidentially and will not be stored on your student file but is essential in order to provide support for your academic needs. After the DLU makes a referral to an MHCO, you will need to make an appointment to meet with them to ensure that you are both clear about roles, information sharing and procedures.
The Faculty of Economics and Commerce has a number of transition programs designed to support first year students in achieving their full potential in their studies, as well as providing opportunities to meet other students. These programs include:
peer mentoring;
study groups;
lectures on effective learning;
individual learning skills consultations.
Information about these programs is given to all new commerce students at enrolment and can be obtained from the faculty office or the Teaching and Learning Unit (TLU).
Many first year students experience academic difficulties, particularly during their first semester of university study. Students who fail two or more of the subjects attempted in their first semester, or those who feel that their performance was well below expectations, are invited to discuss any problems and ways of improving their performance. Interviews with a course adviser will be held as soon as possible after the release of results. Students will also be invited to participate in seminars offered by the Teaching and Learning Unit and encouraged to meet regularly with course advisers during semester.
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.
failure in one half or more of a course load in two 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.
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 of 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.
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.
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.
First year students receive individual assistance in planning their courses when they enrol. Continuing students are required to annually submit and have approved a course plan of their intended studies for the year ahead. If required, you should consult with a Faculty course adviser for assistance in planning your subject enrolment. Full details of the re-enrolment process will be provided to students in September.
Provided students have had their course plan approved by the faculty and have passed all their subjects, they should receive an authorised enrolment from student administration. If an authorised enrolment is received students will not be required to attend the University during the re-enrolment period to complete re-enrolment. Re-enrolment is completed by following all the procedures set out in the information pack sent to students. Students who do not receive re-enrolment information should contact the faculty office for further information. If students do not re-enol by the required date, a late fee will be incurred.
Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Commerce combined students may be granted up to two semesters of leave from study. In extenuating circumstances additional leave may be granted. Applications for leave of absence are available from the faculty office.
Students wishing to discontinue their studies must provide written advice of this to the faculty. Forms to advise of a course discontinuation are also available from the faculty office.
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 10 years.
BCom students are permitted to enrol in a maximum of one subject from communication skills and ESL in their course. Approval for such enrolments is discretionary and is given on an individual basis.
The Faculty of Arts offers a Diploma in Modern Languages and a Diploma of Arts to students undertaking courses in faculties other than arts. For further information see Diploma in Modern Languages and see Diploma of Arts. The Faculty of Music offers a Diploma of Music to students undertaking courses in faculties other than music. For more information see Diploma in Music (Practical). The Faculty of Science offers a Diploma in Information Systems to students undertaking courses in faculties other than science. For further information see Diploma in Information Systems. The School of Creative Arts (Faculty of Arts) offers a Diploma in Creative Arts. For further information, please see Diploma in Creative Arts.
The Community Access Program (CAP) enables students to undertake individual subjects on a fee-paying basis. Students wishing to resume their studies after being suspended may apply to enrol through CAP to show academic rehabilitation.
Students currently enrolled in Faculty of Economics and Commerce courses who wish to enrol in subjects for which they will not receive credit in their course should enrol in such subjects through CAP. For further information see Community Access Program (for enrolled students).
Members of the public interested in undertaking CAP subjects for professional body requirements or to enhance knowledge in a particular area should visit the CAP we bsite at http://www.unimelb.edu.au/ExtRels/CAP/.
All CAP applicants must meet relevant subject prerequisites. For further information, please contact the CAP officer in the faculty office or email commerce-cap@unimelb.edu.au.
Opportunities are available for students studying a Bachelor of Commerce degree to gain valuable employment experience with a large range of employers.
There are several ways in which students can participate in professional experience programs, these include:
industry year
The industry year component of the Professional Experience Program's activities generally targets students with between 6-18 months remaining in their degree(s) and recruits them to commence work in positions the following year for a period of 12 months. Some employers offer employment in the year prior to entering the honours (fourth) year of the degree.
vacation work
eight-12 weeks paid industry placement offered during summer break, usually offered to penultimate year students.
graduate employment program
Employers come onto campus to recruit final year students for graduate positions.
international student programs
Information about employers and work opportunities for international students studying at the University of Melbourne.
industry consultancy
Project-based work for students from all faculties at all year levels.
There are a number of prizes awarded in commerce subjects across all disciplines. Students who receive a subject prize will usually have this noted on their academic transcript. Details of all subject prizes are available on the faculty's homepage http://www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/.
The Dean's Honours List recognises high achieving students in the Bachelor of Commerce. Students on the Dean's Honours List receive a certificate from the Dean of the Faculty at an annual presentation evening and will have the award noted on their academic transcript.
Individuals who hold the Bachelor of Commerce degree with a three-year sequence in accounting and finance may apply for associate membership of CPA Australia.
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 306-103 Accounting 1A and 306-104 Accounting 1B, 306-202 Intermediate Financial Accounting, 306-201 Cost Management (previously titled Intermediate Managerial Accounting), 306-106 Enterprise Process Analysis 1, 306-301 Financial Accounting, 306-302 Enterprise Performance Management (previously titled Managerial Accounting), 333-201 Business Finance and 732-103 Principles of Business Law (previously titled Introduction to Business Law).
Associate sequences are:
306-304 Auditing and Assurance Services, 732-202 Corporate Law and 732-303 Taxation Law;
333-302 Corporate Finance, 333-301 Investments, 732-302 Banking And Finance Law, and one of 316-306 Money and Banking, 316-351 Economics of Financial Markets, 333-202 Management of Financial Institutions, 333-303 International Finance and 333-203 Personal Financial Management.
Persons who seek full CPA membership after graduation must complete further external studies specified by CPA Australia. For more information, including details of admission requirements, contact the State Registrar of the CPA, Victorian Division, 28th floor, 385 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000.
Those who hold the Bachelor of Commerce degree including 306-103 Accounting 1A and 306-104 Accounting 1B, 306-201 Cost Management (previously titled Intermediate Managerial Accounting), 306-202 Intermediate Financial Accounting, 306-106 Enterprise Process Analysis 1, 306-301 Financial Accounting, 306-302 Enterprise Performance Management (previously titled Managerial Accounting), 333-201 Business Finance, 306-304 Auditing and Assurance Services, 732-103 Principles of Business Law (previously titled Introduction to Business Law), 732-202 Corporate Law and 732-303 Taxation Law, may apply to participate in the ICAA's professional year of study.
The ICAA 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.
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.
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.
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 Intermediate 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 IAAust. Exemption from the remaining Part I subjects and from Part II may be obtained by passing all taught honours actuarial studies subjects plus 333-301 Investments at an appropriate high standard. For more information, refer to the Centre for Actuarial Studies web page www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/actwww/.
| 1. | Alternatively the business systems requirement may be satisfied by completing either 615-120 Information Systems in Organisations or 615-150 Organisational Processes or 316-205 Business Computing (in 2001 or earlier only) instead of 306-106 Enterprise Process Analysis. |
Status: Official 2002 Last Modified: Tuesday May 07 22:11 SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
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