James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

Admission and Enrolment Procedures, Admission Rules, Planning a Degree Course and Enrolment

ADMISSION AND ENROLMENT

Rules

Persons who wish to enrol for Bachelor degree and diploma courses must satisfy the Admission Rules (see page 20) and/or the enrolment requirements specified in the course rules.

Admission

Applications for admission and enquiries from persons wishing to enrol in:

1. Certificate courses;
2. Tertiary Access courses for Aboriginal and Islander students;
3. Advanced Diploma of Communications, Diploma of Indigenous Health and Advanced Diploma of Indigenous Health which are normally available only to students of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
4. graduate courses; and
5. all higher degree courses,

Applications for admission from persons who wish to enrol for any other course and who have never previously enrolled at the University are processed by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), PO Box 1331, Milton, Q 4064, telephone (07) 3368 1166. Application forms and full details of procedures can be obtained from the Managing Director of QTAC at that address. A telephone registration application service is available for Queensland Year 12 students attending secondary school. Applications may also be lodged electronically by way of the World Wide Web http//www.qtac.edu.au. For all other students a Tertiary Study Application Form can be obtained from Queensland tertiary institutions.

The James Cook University Student Administration offices are located as follows:

Townsville Campus

Ground floor of the Humanities II Building, Douglas Campus.

Cairns Campus

Ground floor of building A1.

Enrolment

Applicants who receive from QTAC, offers of admission to the University will receive with the letter of offer, a ‘Response to Offer’ form. An enrolment form and enrolment information will be sent direct from the University.

Prerequisites

Senior English (or its equivalent) is a general prerequisite for entry to all under­graduate courses. In addition, some courses have other prerequisites. Full details are given in the Admission Rules, Schedule II (pp. 22-26).

Enrolment in a Bachelor Honours Course

Graduates of other tertiary institutions (or students who are eligible to graduate at the end of 2000) who wish to enrol for an honours course should write to the Manager, Student Administration and request the form Application for Admission to Candidature for Honours.

Re-enrolment

1. Continuing students
   Students enrolled at the University in 1999 who wish to re-enrol in 2000 should submit the appropriate form to the Manager, Student Administration not later than 7 January 2000. The form will be mailed along with examination results.
2. Returning students
   Students previously enrolled at the University but not enrolled in 1999, who wish to return to the University in 2000 should obtain the appropriate forms from the Manager, Student Administration and submit them by the due date.

Credit for Other Studies

Students may in certain circumstances be given credit towards awards of this University for studies successfully undertaken in other tertiary institutions. Students should refer to the Faculty policy statement on credit transfer included in specific Faculty Handbooks.

Any candidate for an award of this University who wishes to be considered for the granting of credit towards an award for subjects already successfully completed at another institution must apply in writing to Student Administration, enclosing a full official transcript from the institution concerned. No credit towards an award of this University can be considered to have been approved unless it has been formally granted by the Registrar.

Variation or Cancellation of Enrolment

Students who wish to vary their enrolment in any way or to cancel totally must complete the appropriate form, obtainable from the Faculty Student Offices. Following the normal enrolment verification process, subsequent variations to enrolment are not accepted until the second week of each semester. A list of dates by which enrolments may be varied or cancelled without penalty of failure is printed in the Important Dates section inside the front cover of this publication.

Students who withdraw from subjects or cancel their enrolments after the appropriate date will normally be regarded as having failed unless at the time of withdrawal or cancellation they provide a statement which satisfies the appropriate officer of the Faculty that failure should not be recorded.

Students should be careful not to confuse the dates for withdrawal from a subject on academic grounds and withdrawal to avoid financial liability under the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). To avoid HECS liability, withdrawal from first semester subjects must take place by 30 March and withdrawal from second semester subjects by 30 August.

After Hours Studies

Degree studies may be undertaken on a part-time basis by attending lectures offered in the late afternoon, generally after 3.30 pm. Not all subjects are so offered each year. A program of subject alternation from year to year permits a substantial number of subjects to be timetabled in the late afternoon, and therefore, to be made available to part-time students over the period which such students will normally take to complete the requirements for their Awards. Reference should be made to the lecture timetables for 2000 for information regarding the subjects that have been timetabled for 3.30 pm and later.

Complementary Enrolment

1. Cross-institutional students under­­taking subjects at James Cook University for credit towards an award of another University
   Students are required to satisfy the following criteria:
   1. evidence must be provided by the home institution that the James Cook University subjects will be accepted for credit towards the student’s award;
      
   2. approval to enrol for each subject must be obtained from the appropriate Head of School at James Cook University;
      
   3. an application for ‘complementary enrolment’ (obtained from Student Administration) must be submitted to James Cook University by 12 February 2000 for first semester and 9 July 2000 for second semester.
   
   
2. Students enrolling for subjects at other universities for credit towards an award of James Cook University
   Students are required to satisfy the following criteria:
   1. at least the first 50% of the award must have been completed at James Cook University;
      
   2. prior approval must be obtained from the appropriate Head of School and appropriate Faculty Officer at James Cook University;
      
   3. approval must be obtained from the appropriate officer/Executive Dean at the host university and, where required, by that university’s Registrar.
      
   
   Those seeking to enrol in 2000 should contact the host university to enquire about its admission requirements.

FLEXIBLE DELIVERY STUDIES

Flexible delivery learning at James Cook University offers students off-campus access to some higher education courses through a combination of self-instructional materials and, in some cases, on-campus workshops.

Lecturer/student interaction is a major feature of the courses. Students receive self-instructional material regarding the subject and details of the work to be covered during the semester. Selected readings from books and journals, in either electronic or print form, may also be issued.

The administration of flexible delivery is the responsibility of Teaching and Learning Resources. While subjects are prepared and taught by lecturers in the academic Schools who are also responsible for teaching internal subjects, the actual production of materials, mailing and other administrative matters such as recording details of receipt and despatch of assignments, are handled by Teaching and Learning Resources.

The following courses are available via flexible delivery:

Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences

Postgraduate programs:

Master of Cultural Heritage Studies
Master of Social Policy
Master of Social Work

Undergraduate programs:

Bachelor of Community Welfare

School of Nursing Sciences

Postgraduate programs:

Ageing; Clinical Teaching; Critical Care; Midwifery

Undergraduate programs:

Bachelor of Nursing Science (Qld residents only)
Diploma of Indigenous Health
Advanced Diploma of Indigenous Health
Bachelor of Indigenous Health

School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Postgraduate programs

Indigenous Health Care; Mental Health Nursing; Public Health; Rural and Remote Health; Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; Travel Medicine.

Centre for Women’s Studies

Postgraduate studies:

Postgraduate Certificate of Women’s Studies
Postgraduate Diploma of Women’s Studies
Master of Women’s Studies
Graduate Diploma of Women’s Studies

Undergraduate studies:

Advanced Diploma of Women’s Studies

Partial studies are also available in a number of other courses. Students should check the section of this Handbook where subjects are described in full to determine what is available.

To assist students in the Mackay area, a study centre has been established. Within Queensland an Open Learning Centre Network has been established to help develop and expand access to higher education for all individuals. Refer to your local telephone directory to see if there is one in your area.

An off-campus library service is available. A range of services are provided including book loans, a photocopy service, literature searches and inter-library loans. The library’s catalogue may also be accessed electronically by external users. A printed guide is available to assist off-campus students in the use of library facilities and services.

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

Application Procedure

Before making formal application for a postgraduate course, an intending applicant is advised to consult initially with the Head of the relevant School so that a proposed program of advanced study and research can be formulated.

The prescribed application form, available from Student Administration, duly completed along with original or certified copies of academic transcripts, should be submitted to Student Administration. If an applicant was not born in Australia proof of residency should be supplied.

ADMISSION RULES

1.  Types of Admission

Admission of a person to the University shall be by:

1. Ordinary Admission
   or
2. Alternative Entry
   or
3. Miscellaneous Admission.

2.  Ordinary Admission

To gain Ordinary Admission, a person who wishes to enrol for a course listed in Schedule I shall:

2.1  if the final year of that person’s secondary education has been undertaken in Queensland: either

1. have been allotted by the Tertiary Entrance Procedures Authority, an OP (Overall Position) of at least the level indicated against the name of the course in Schedule I;
   or
2. have obtained in not more than two years of study for the Queensland Senior Certificate;
   either
   1. at least 88 semester points in 20 semester units in Senior subjects
      or
   2. an exit assessment of at least Sound Achievement in five Senior subjects provided that at least three of these subjects have been studied over four semesters
   
   (such subjects being those approved by the Board of Senior Secondary School Studies and listed in Schedule III),
   together with
   a Tertiary Rank or Overall Position (OP) considered acceptable by the Executive Dean of the relevant Faculty;
   and
3. have obtained results in prerequisite Senior subjects at the level indicated in Schedule II;
   in addition

   (d)  
   

   1. a person who wishes to enrol for the Bachelor of Community Welfare course may be required to demon­strate, at interview, suitability for welfare work;
   2. a person who wishes to enrol for the Bachelor of Music, or for the Bachelor of Theatre course shall be required to demon­strate, at interview and/or audition, suitability for the course;
   3. a person who wishes to enrol for the Bachelor of Nursing Science course shall provide an appropriate statement of health;
   4. a person who wishes to enrol for the Bachelor of Communi­cation Design, Bachelor of Photography or Bachelor of Visual Arts course shall be required to demonstrate at interview suitability for the course and provide a portfolio of relevant work;

2.2  if the final year of that person’s secondary education has been undertaken elsewhere than in Queensland:

have obtained qualifi­cations deemed by the Registrar to be equivalent to those prescribed in Rule 2.1;



2.3  if that person does not satisfy the provisions of either Rule 2.1 or Rule 2.2:

satisfy the Executive Dean^* of the appropriate Faculty that the standard of education attained by such person is sufficient to allow pursuit of the proposed course.

3.  Alternative Entry

A person who does not qualify for Ordinary Admission may gain admission through Alternative Entry if the Executive Dean of the appropriate Faculty is satisfied that such person has reasonable prospects of success in the course for which that person wishes to enrol.

4  Miscellaneous Admission

Miscellaneous admission may be available to those who wish to enrol for a particular subject or subjects but not for any course.

The following will apply:

1. enrolment in a subject must be acceptable to both the Head of the School which offers the subject and the Executive Dean of the appropriate Faculty;
   
2. enrolment will normally be permitted to a maximum of 25% of a full load per year.
   

5.  Successful completion of a subject or subjects by a person who has gained Miscellaneous Admission does not of itself entitle that person to Ordinary Admission or admission through Alternative Entry.

6.  Quotas

Notwithstanding the preceding Rules, the Vice-Chancellor, having regard to the physical and other resources of the University, may, from time to time, determine, on the recommendation of the Academic Board, a quota for the number of qualified persons to enrol, in a particular academic year, for a particular course/subject.

Schedule I

Schedule II

Schedule III

PLANNING A DEGREE COURSE AND ENROLMENT

University Study

This is an introductory description for general guidance — it is most important that students also read the Requirements for Undergraduate Coursework Awards, Faculty Award Requirements and specific Degree and Diploma Award Requirements to ensure familiarity with the conditions of the degree regulations.

Degree Structure

The University’s policy on the structure of its academic awards is detailed in this Handbook.

The minimum duration of each level of award offered at the University is shown below.

Units system

The structure of the University’s awards is based on a system of units. A full year of study normally requires a student to complete subjects to the value of 24 units. Most subjects at the undergraduate level have values of three or four units, though some have higher values. The guideline adopted by the University in determining the number of units represented by each subject is that the usual full-time student load in a semester is 12 units; thus, a three unit subject should be planned to require approximately a quarter of a student’s available time and effort in a semester and a four unit subject should be planned to require approximately one third of a student’s available time and effort in a semester.

Programs and Strands of study

In selecting subjects students are assisted by the identification within courses of Programs and Strands of study.

Programs and Strands are defined as follows:

Program —

A program is a specialised scheme of study within a degree. A program has different specifications within the degree requirements (e.g. Bachelor of Applied Science in Aquaculture).

Strand —

A strand is a sequence or cluster of subjects that together form a coherent course of study (e.g. Bachelor of Arts in English Literature).

Full-time and part-time study

Full-time study

A full-time student normally enrols for 12 units in each semester and 24 units in each academic year. It is important to note that a student must be enrolled in at least 9 units in a semester to be regarded as full-time; those whose enrolment drops below 9 units at any stage in the semester normally will no longer be eligible for Austudy or, if an overseas student, for a student visa.

Part-time study

A part-time student normally enrols for fewer than 9 units in a semester and fewer than 18 units in an academic year. Part time study in most courses is available, but classes during the evening can be offered in only a limited number of subjects. Students who foresee difficulty in attending classes during the day should therefore take note of published lecture times in planning their enrolment.

A part-time student is normally permitted to enrol in a workload that suits the student’s requirements provided that any specifications within degree requirements concerning minimum enrolment and/or maximum period of candidature are complied with.

FINALISING ENROLMENT

New Students

New students must take the following steps to secure their offer of a place in a course at the University:

• accept the offer through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre by the date shown on the Response to Offer form;

• complete and submit to the University, within 14 days of the offer date, the enrolment application form and the HECS payment option form;

• pay the Union Membership fee;

• attend an enrolment verification session as detailed in the guidelines for enrolment which are included in the enrolment package.

The enrolment application form must be submitted by the due date. Late submission will result in a $30 late fee.

Those who wish to defer their studies must complete the “QTAC Response to Offer” form indicating that deferment is required.

Note: Deferment is permitted for up to one year after the offer of a place in a course and by making appropriate application to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre. Some courses require that an applicant must have obtained in the year deferment is sought an overall position or rank as specified in the admission rules displayed in student handbooks.

Deferment is not available to “alternative entry” students who do not meet the minimum required OP or rank as printed in the Student Handbook.

Continuing Students

Continuing students must take the following steps to finalise their enrolment:

• submit the re-enrolment application form to the University by 7 January 2000;
• attend an enrolment verification session if so advised in their confirmation letter.

The re-enrolment application form must be submitted by the due date; late submission will result in the following late fee:

• from immediately after the due date to the first day of semester $30
• on or after the first day of semester $50.

COMPLETION OF THE ENROLMENT FORM

The enrolment application form contains guidelines on how to complete each section. There are some sections that require further clarification. These are as follows:

Course of Study

Each course of study offered at the University has a special computer code which must be shown on the form. Select the appropriate code for your course, as shown in the Enrolment Guide, and insert it, where indicated.

Subject selection

The subjects which are offered at the University are listed in the Master Schedule of Subjects which is included later in this handbook. The letters in the subject code indicate the discipline in which the subject is located, e.g. AN1001 is an Anthropology subject. The first number in the code indicates the level at which the subject is taught; in this case AN1001 is a level 1 subject. The remaining digits in the subject code relate to the specific requirements of each school.

Strands and Programs of study have been identified within degrees and include suggested combinations of subjects organised to provide a cohesive course of study. Students completing one or more strands should follow the sequence of subjects as indicated in the strands which appear in the handbook immediately after the Award Requirements. Students undertaking study within generalist degrees such as the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science may undertake a General strand of study in lieu of a prescribed strand. Subjects for the current year of enrolment should be selected and shown in the appropriate place on the enrolment application form. Note that there are separate boxes for semester 1, semester 2 and full-year subjects. If subjects cannot be finalised until after discussion with an academic adviser, insert as many subjects as possible. The enrolment application form should be submitted by the due date whether or not subjects have been selected. Subjects can be added to or changed during the enrolment verification process.

James Cook University Union

Townsville

The enquiry counter located on the first floor of the Union Administration building, telephone (07) 4781 4400 or internal extension numbers 4478/4400.

The address for all correspondence is:

Cairns

The Student Association offices, next to the Refectory on the ground floor of building 2, Smithfield Campus, telephone (07) 4042 1160 or internal 1160, facsimile (07) 4042 1161 or internal 1161.

The address for all correspondence is:

Union Membership Fee – Cairns and Townsville – 2000

No student may enrol at the University unless he/she:

1. becomes and continues to be a member of the James Cook University Union by payment of the appropriate Union Membership Fee; or
2. seeks exemption from such fee through a bona fide conscientious or religious objection. In such a case, the student must make a payment equivalent to the prescribed Union Membership Fee to the “Building Development Fund”.

The 1999 James Cook University Union membership fee for a student admitted to membership of the Union for the first time was:

from which membership fee:

1. in relation to a full-time student the sum of $50.00 was appropriated to a building fund;
2. in relation to a part-time student the sum of $10.00 was appropriated to a building fund;

the membership fee for a student admitted to membership of the Union otherwise than for the first time was:

These fees may change for 2000, subject to GST.

Students may apply to the Union for a refund of their Union Fees if they formally cancel or vary their enrolment from full-time to part-time or full year to single semester by the following dates:

Full refund — if withdrawal or variation is lodged on or before the HECS Census date for semester one as published in this publication.

Half refund — if withdrawal or variation is lodged on or before the HECS Census date for semester two as published in this publication.

Part refund — if variation is lodged before the HECS Census date for semester two but after the HECS Census date for semester one, refund of the difference between half the full-time fee and half the part-time fee.

Submitting the enrolment application form

Use the following check list to ensure that you have completed all of the requirements before forwarding your enrolment application form to the University.

Applications for enrolment must be complete and be accompanied by the necessary documentation and evidence of payments. (Note: please ensure you sign the enrolment application form.)

Please ensure that you have completed all sections/boxes on the application form and that you enclose:

• HECS payment options form;
• Documentary evidence of qualifications, if required;
• Statistics form;
• Evidence of payment of Student Union Membership fee;
• Evidence of payment of late fees, if lodging after the due date.

Applications that do not comply with these conditions may be returned.

Townsville

The enrolment application form may be submitted personally to:

or if submitted by mail should be posted to:

Cairns

The enrolment application form may be submitted personally to:

or if submitted by mail should be posted to:

ENROLMENT VERIFICATION

All new students except those undertaking an Award offered on a flexible delivery basis must attend the enrolment verification process. Enrolment verification includes:

• meeting with an enrolment adviser to discuss subject selection;
• meeting with the Academic Adviser to have the enrolment approved;
• having a student identity card prepared.

It is important to note that a person is not formally enrolled for the academic year until the above procedures have been finalised.

Continuing students may be required to attend the enrolment verification process, on advice from the Faculty.

Further details about the enrolment verification process including dates and times of sessions are included in the enrolment package.