Policy
Approval of prerequisite requirements for science units
Specification of prerequisite requirements for any science unit should be based on appropriate academic considerations alone, and in particular that the expected initial knowledge, skills and attitudes for students to undertake that unit should build upon the teaching and learning outcomes of units in the same, or a related, area of study at the previous level (and in some cases a unit in the previous semester at the same level).
Objectives of science sequences
Objectives must be published for all science minor, major and double-major sequences that are directly related to the objectives of the units specified in the sequence requirements. These objectives must be approved by the Faculty Education Committee and a concise version will be published under the relevant area of study in the science section of the Undergraduate Handbook.
Sequence core units
Particular units which are essential to the achievement of the sequence objectives are to be identified as ‘core sequence’ units. As far as practicable, an appropriate number of these units may be given preferential treatment in the development of the timetable to ensure that they are accessible to the appropriate cohort of students.
Guidelines for prerequisites of science units
Level one
Units at level one typically comprise ‘foundation’ studies in a limited number of broad areas of the fundamental sciences, with a pair of linked units normally required for progression to level-two studies in that broad area, or related areas.
There are two types of level-one science units – those that assume a background in the same area from previous year-12 studies, and those that require no year-12 studies in the area. Students without a year-12 preparation in that area of science should normally be able to complete a major sequence in that area, but it may be necessary to complete additional level-one studies to achieve that objective.
Level two
Units at level two typically comprise either:
- ‘introductory specialist’ studies in more specialised areas across a broader range of sciences at level two, built upon the foundation science studies at level one , typically forming a self-contained minor sequence that provides a suitable foundation for progression to more advanced studies in each of those areas; or
- ‘intermediate foundation’ studies across a range of related specialised areas of study.
Generally, it may be expected that a level-two science unit will have a prerequisite of at least one level-one science unit, and normally most will have a prerequisite of a 12-point level-one sequence in that, or the related, ‘foundation’ area. In the unusual situation where a level-two unit does not require an understanding of any specific prerequisite material, the unit should normally require the completion of at least 12-points of science units at level one and, given the breadth of the science course at Monash, preferably those units should be specified to be in a broadly-related area of science.
Level three
Units at level three typically comprise either:
- ‘advanced specialist’ studies in each specialised area that form part of a major sequence, with each unit building upon the foundations established as part of the minor sequence; or
- ‘advanced foundation’ studies across a range of related specialised areas of study.
Generally, it may be expected that a level-three science unit will have a prerequisite of at least one level-two science unit. In the unusual situation where a level-three unit does not require an understanding of any specific prerequisite material, the unit should normally require the completion of at least 24-points of science units at level two and, given the breadth of the science course at Monash, preferably at least 12-points of those science units should be in a broadly-related area of science.
Academic basis of unit prerequisite requirements
The unit proposal (and unit amendment form) will require a statement of the prerequisite requirements that includes more information than existing unit codes alone, for example that it is also expressed in terms of the particular assumed knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required of students in order to learn at an appropriate rate in that unit.
Permission to waive unit prerequisites
In exceptional circumstances, unit prerequisites can be waived for individual students upon submission of the appropriate documentation to the Faculty of Science office, and with the authorisation of a senior member of staff in the school/department that teaches that unit. Normally, the authoriser would not be the unit coordinator, but might be the convenor of the School/Department Education Committee or their senior delegate (for example a sequence or year coordinator) upon receiving advice from the unit coordinator. The Faculty Education Committee will receive an annual report on the number of waivers that have been approved for each science unit.
Prerequisites for sequence core units
Level-one science ‘sequence core’ units will normally comprise a 12-point level-one sequence in the most closely-related area of study.
Level-two science ‘sequence core’ units will normally have a prerequisite of at least one level-one science unit, and most will have a prerequisite of a 12-point level-one sequence in that, or the related, ‘foundation’ area. Where a level-two ‘sequence core’ unit does not require any specific prerequisite material from a particular unit, the unit should normally require the completion of at least 12 points of science units at level one in the same, or a broadly-related, area of science.
Level-three science ‘sequence core’ units will normally have a prerequisite of at least one level-two science unit. Where a level-three ‘sequence core’ unit does not require any specific prerequisite material from a particular unit, the unit should normally require the completion of at least 12 points of science units at level two in the same, or a broadly-related, area of science.
Recommendations for honours studies
For each broad area of science, for example behavioural sciences, computational sciences, environmental sciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences, and physical sciences, some clear recommendations may be developed for supplementary studies that are considered beneficial to students who are planning to undertake research in that area, including at honours level. In some areas of study, these ‘recommendations’ may be approved requirements on the completion of a major sequence, or to undertake honours in that area of study.
Where approved by the Faculty Education Committee, these recommendations should be published in the Undergraduate Handbook for each major sequence in that area, and advised to students at enrolment and re-enrolment. In some of these areas, these supplementary studies may be required for progression to honours, in addition to the completion of the appropriate studies at level three. |
