Breadth
Definition
There are two types of breadth subjects: University Breadth Subjects (UBS) and other subjects that are available as breadth.University Breadth Subjects are interdisciplinary subjects taught collaboratively by different teaching departments and examining contemporary social issues from multiple perspectives. University Breadth Subjects are available as breadth in all bachelor degrees that require a breadth component.
The other type of breadth subjects are subjects approved as breadth in individual undergraduate degrees. These subjects may be taught as part of another degree (e.g. a botany subject is available as part of the Bachelor of Science, but may be approved as breadth in the Bachelor of COmmerce), or may have been developed specifically as a breadth subject (e.g. a subject taught by a gradaute school which does not offer an undergraduate degree, such as law).
A breadth track is a coherent group of subjects that progressively develops knowledge and skills relevant to some domain, theme, topic or issue. Breadth tracks may consist of subjects from a single discipline, subjects from different disciplines which each provide a different perspective on a common theme or issue, interdisciplinary subjects which each integrate different disciplinary perspectives on a common theme or issue, or a combination of these subjects. Students will be strongly encouraged to take at least one approved breadth track of 37.5 points or more. However, students will still be able to construct their own breadth component with the assistance of a Student Adviser if they choose. Breadth tracks are published in the Handbook.
Approval of Subjects as Breadth
The process below outlines how subjects are approved as breadth in individual degrees. See University breadth subjects and breadth tracks for an explanation of the approval processes for University breadth subjects and breadth tracks.
ACADEMIC APPROVAL
The establishment of new subjects follows the standard processes, i.e. faculties/gradaute schools may establish new elective subjects under delegated authority, while the establishment of new compulsory subjects requires the approval of the Academic Board if:
- the new subjects involve an increase in the compulsory component of a a course, major or specialisation; or
- establishment of the new subjects involves a change to more than 25% of the compulsory component of a course, major or specialisation.
APPROVAL AS BREADTH
The Course Standing Committee (CSC) for each of the New Generation degrees has responsibility for determining which subjects can be taken as breadth within their respective degrees. The process is managed by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
- For subjects established or changed under delegated authority, forward the subject form to provost-policies@unimelb.edu.au.
- For subjects established or changed as part of a new course proposal or major change, after Academic Board approval has been received, forward the subject proposal form to provost-policies@unimelb.edu.au. (Note that academic approval of a subject by the Academic Board does not in any way guarantee approval of the subject as breadth in any of the New Generation degrees. Likewise, approval of a subject as breadth by the Program Directors before seeking academic approval does not guarantee Academic Board approval for the subject.)
Please see Breadth Approvals on the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) website for more details about this process.
Forms
As appropriate: