University Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures
Agreements on Articulation
and Advanced Standing
PRIVACY POLICY
1. The appropriate collection and management of information is crucial in the achievement of James Cook University's mission to serve tropical Queensland and the nation by providing education and research of international standing. The administrative operations related to the teaching and research activities of the University occasionally require the collection and retention of personal information
2. The Guiding Principles of James Cook University include setting "exemplary standards of integrity in all aspects of its affairs". This integrity includes maintaining and protecting the privacy of personal information, and taking all possible measures to ensure the information is accurate. Personal information, for the purposes of these guidelines, is any information or opinions that can identify a living person.
3. The University will comply with relevant legislation in the collection, maintenance, use and disclosure of personal information. All aspects of the University's dealings with personal information will be underpinned by Queensland Government Information Standard 42 Information Privacy (IS42) and the accompanying guidelines. IS42 requires personal information to be managed in accordance with a set of 11 Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) which have been adapted from the Information Privacy Principles in the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988. The IPPs can be accessed via the Queensland Government's web page at http://www.iie.qld.gov.au/informationstandards/current.asp. It should be noted that in some instances, the IPPs may be superceded by other legislative requirements, such as the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (Qld), Whistleblowers Protection Act 1994, or section 63 of the Health Services Act 1991.
SCHOLARSHIPS1
The following provisions shall apply to each of the scholarships listed in the Scholarships, Bursaries, Grants and Prizes section of this Handbook.
James Cook University encourages prospective students and continuing students to apply for scholarships appropriate to their needs from a wide range of scholarships that are offered by the University and its benefactors.
The primary purposes of a scholarship are to attract new students to JCU, in particular high calibre students, and to retain existing students. Other scholarships also serve to reward continuing students for maintaining or achieving required levels of academic performance.
The University has established Model Requirements2 for scholarship schemes. One such requirement is that the target(s) of the Scholarship are to be clearly stated. The establishment of a new Scholarship is to be approved by the University Council on the advice of Academic Board. Council will determine whether, having regard to the circumstances, the proposed Scholarship is consistent with University objectives. Academic Board will propose only such schemes as conform with the Model Requirements. In exceptional circumstances, new scholarships may be approved by the Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the Chair of the Academic Board and amendments to existing scholarships may be approved by the Chair of Academic Board. Such scholarships to be noted by Council and Academic Board and amendments to be noted by Academic Board.
The award of scholarships within an established Scheme requires the approval of Academic Board. Academic Board will satisfy itself that the award requirements have been met.
The awarding of a scholarship is to be an open and transparent activity: each is established with its own Award Requirements and a written record of steps taken in reaching the decision will be required.
In order to achieve the primary purposes, the timing of promotion and awarding of scholarships for new students in particular, is critical. Promotion must occur as early as possible, but preferably no later than December of each year. The award of a Scholarship should be made by no later than the end of January.
A Scholarship is defined as an award of money or benefits in excess of $5,000 per annum provided to a student for support while undertaking a course of study at the University. A Scholarship is to be distinguished from a bursary, grant, fellowship, studentship or prize.
The Office of Advancement is responsible for attracting new scholarships into the University and for liaising with either the relevant head of discipline, school or faculty or the Scholarships Officer.
Responsibility for the administration and maintenance of Scholarships rests with the relevant discipline, school or faculty. Where the Scholarship is offered University-wide or across several faculties, the part-time Scholarships Officer will be responsible. The part-time Scholarships Officer will also be responsible for overseeing compliance with the Award Requirements for all Scholarships, maintaining the Scholarships website and the review and updating of the Model Requirements from time to time.
Applications for Scholarships shall be directed to the relevant area responsible for administering the Scholarship. All applications will be acknowledged in writing. All recipients and unsuccessful applicants will be formally notified and all successful applicants together with benefactors will receive publicity and official recognition by the University.
PRIZES
1. The following provisions shall apply to each of the prizes listed in the Scholarships, Bursaries, Grants and Prizes section of this Handbook, except in so far as they are inconsistent with any special provisions made below in relation to the prize:
Except where a prize is stated to be a fixed sum of money, where a fund supports one prize the prize shall, if stated to be money, be a sum approximately equal to the annual income from the fund and if stated to be books, instruments, or things other than money, shall be such things of a value approximately equal to the income from the fund; and where a fund supports two or more prizes the value of each prize shall be approximately equal to a corresponding share of the annual income.
Where a prize is stated to be money the Vice-Chancellor may direct that, in lieu of money, books, instruments or other equipment necessary to the student's course may be awarded to a value approximately equal to the stated amount of the prize, unless the terms of any trust or the conditions laid down by the donor of the award expressly provided otherwise.
Where the prize consists of books or things other than money, the prize shall be selected by the person to whom it is awarded, subject to the approval of the recommending authority or, where the recommending authority is a committee, the executive officer of the committee.
A prize shall not be awarded in any year if in the opinion of the recommending authority there is no candidate of sufficient merit to justify its award.
Where a prize is awarded subject to the later performance of some condition by the person to whom it is awarded and the requirements relating to the award do not necessitate applications to be lodged, the Faculty Committee or other authority concerned with making a recommendation in the matter may prepare a list of persons qualified in order of merit and recommend to the Council or other awarding authority that the award be made to the person highest on the list who gives an undertaking to perform the condition. If the Council or other authority approves the recommendation, the award shall be deemed to be made to that person. If before the time arrives for performing the condition that person intimates that they no longer intend to perform the condition, the award shall be deemed to have been made to the person next highest on the list who gives the undertaking.
The special provisions relating to each prize are set out in prize requirements which are approved by Council. In those provisions, paragraph (a) indicates the number of prizes where more than one are awarded under the same name, the authority which awards the prize or prizes, and the authority, if any, which recommends to the awarding authority the person or persons to whom they are to be awarded; paragraph (b) indicates the person or persons to whom the award is to be made, the required qualifications of candidates for each prize, and the basis on which the award is to be made; paragraph (c) states the nature of the prize or its amount where it is a fixed sum of money; and paragraph (d) sets out any other provisions relating to the prize or prizes.
STUDENT EQUITY POLICY
The University recognises the value of a diverse student population and is committed to meeting the educational needs of people from all backgrounds and at all stages of their lives. In doing so, the University is particularly committed to the region of tropical Queensland. The Student Equity Policy may be accessed via the University's web address http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/services/equity/policies/studentequity.htm
GRIEVANCES
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The University is committed to maintaining an environment for work and study that is free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwelcome, unsolicited and unreciprocated and that it is reasonable for you to regard as offensive, humiliating or intimidating. The range of unwelcome behaviour may be verbal, visual, auditory or physical. It covers material sent by electronic means including computers. In all cases it is both unacceptable and unlawful.
Sexual harassment may be a single incident or a prolonged pattern of behaviour. It may occur among equals - from student to student or staff member to staff member - or it may occur from a staff member to a student or a student to a staff member. It can be initiated by or directed towards a woman or a man.
The University has established procedures to assist any person who has experienced sexual harassment from a staff member or student. Action is taken in accordance with the reasonable requests of the complainant.
RACISM
The University is committed to fostering cultural diversity and to eliminating racial discrimination and harassment. The University aims to achieve an environment in which staff and students can work and study free from all forms of unfavourable distinctions, exclusions and restrictions based on race, colour, descent or ancestry, ethnicity or ethnic origin, nationality, national origin or immigration.
The University has established procedures to assist any person who has experienced racial discrimination or harassment from a staff member or student. Action is taken in accordance with the reasonable requests of the complainant.
COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
Information about discrimination and harassment is available from the Equal Opportunity website http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/eandsd. Assistance may be sought under the complaint resolution procedures for cases of discrimination or harassment based on any other attributes included in State or Federal anti-discrimination legislation, such as disability or age.
These procedures are set out in full in the document
Policy and Grievance Procedures for Cases of Discrimination and Harassment
and are available from the Equal Opportunity Unit and at the website
http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/Policy/pershar1.htm
Enquiries concerning harassment or discrimination based on sex, race, disability or any grounds listed in State or Federal Anti-Discrimination laws and requests for referral to a Discrimination Adviser may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Unit, Telephone (07) 4781 5016, Facsimile (07) 4781 5240. A list of Discrimination Advisers may be found at
http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/eandsd/discrimination/discrim.html
All staff and students are responsible for eliminating sexual and racial harassment and discrimination.
PhD AND MASTERS BY RESEARCH CANDIDATES
Information on Grievances: Policy and Procedures for PhD and Masters by Research students can be obtained from the website below or from the Research Students' Office, telephone (07) 4781 4575.
http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/grs/links/grievance_procedures.html
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
The University Workplace Health and Safety Committee oversees the important work of ensuring optimum health and safety for employees, students and visitors at James Cook University. The Student Association nominates a representative to this committee.
In addition, there are also School Workplace Health and Safety Committees, as well as specialist bodies such as the University Radiation Safety Committee, Diving and Boating Safety Committee and a Biosafety Advisory Committee.
Written information is available from the Safety Coordinator with regard to safety in:
The Workplace Health and Safety Act imposes obligations not only on employers and organisational management, but also on individuals. Students have a statutory obligation to follow directions specific to sites, safety procedures involved in training and research activities.
Students must meet required dress standards for laboratory and workshop areas and for field trips. Footwear standards are also in place for various buildings and hazardous areas. Failure of any person to follow directions of staff regarding safety matters may result in that person being denied access to facilities.
Each school or building has an assigned Safety Officer. This officer has responsibilities to advise and guide staff and students on health and safety within the School.
Non-sporting accidents at University sites involving personal injury should be reported immediately to your supervisor, or a School Safety Officer, or UniHealth, or the Safety Coordinator. An accident, injury and incident report form should be completed and returned within three days. The forms are available from Safety Officers, UniHealth and the Student Union Welfare Office. Incidents involving serious bodily injury or dangerous events must be reported to the Safety Coordinator immediately for investigation and formal reporting to the statutory authorities within 24 hours.
Health and safety hazards, and any other safety concerns should in the first instance be taken up with the Student Union representative on the Workplace Health and Safety Committee, reported to a Safety Officer or to the Safety Coordinator.
Safety information is available in the General Safety Manual (copy held by JCU Student Association) and from the Workplace Health and Safety site under `Safety via the JCU web A-Z Index'.
The JCU website lists officers associated with the above safety committees, as well as the location of first aid kits and emergency telephone numbers. The University Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator, Leigh Winsor, can be contacted at the Central Services Office on 4781 5418.
RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES IN RESEARCH
All research conducted at James Cook University should enhance the good name of the University. Researchers should only participate in work that conforms to ethical standards and which they are competent to perform. When in doubt they should seek assistance from their supervisors. All research that involves human participants, animals or genetic manipulation must obtain ethics approval from the relevant University ethics committee. Research that employs known pathogens/carcinogens or ionising radiation must be approved by the Biosafety Committee.
All forms of research fraud, e.g. fabrication and/or falsification of data, plagiarism and misleading ascription of authorship, will be penalised severely by the University.
For further details please refer to the Guidelines for Responsible Practices in Research in the James Cook University Policy and Procedures Manual or on the Web:
http://www.avcc.edu.au/avcc/pubs/cophd.htm
http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/Policy/resresp.htm
http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/research_office/Ethics/index.html
CONDITIONS FOR USE OF UNIVERSITY COMPUTING AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
1. In these conditions unless the contrary intention appears:
"Account"
means a user name or other identifier which, with or without a password, allows a user to access the facilities.
"Authorised"
means having been given approval to use an Account by the Director, Information Technology and Resources (hereafter IT&R), or nominee (hereafter Director), a School Representative, a member of Academic Staff, a head of a section of the University, an official of an Outside User or by the Authorised User of an Account other than a University student.
"Authorised User"
means:
any University student who has been allocated an Account or who has been authorised by a member of Academic Staff to use a specific Account allocated to a group of students or to the member of staff
any member of staff who has been allocated an Account or who has been authorised to use an Account allocated to another person or to a group of people or to a section of the University
any student of another educational institution authorised by that institution to use an Account allocated to the institution
"Category"
means a group of persons belonging to a particular class, e.g. University students, all members of the University, Outside Users, etc.
"Computing and Communications Resources"
means any measurable quantity supplied by the facilities including, but not restricted to, central processor time, disk space, data, voice and video transfers, memory, connect time and stationery.
"School Representative"
means a person appointed as such by a School or a section of the University or an Outside User whose role is to control use of Computing and Communications Resources allocated to their school or section or to the Outside User.
"Facilities"
means the University's Central Computing and Communication Facilities which comprise processing equipment and peripheral units managed by IT&R together with any workstations connected to the university network and any other computing and communications equipment deemed by the Director from time to time to be Computing and Communication Facilities governed by these conditions.
"Central Computing Bulletins"
means information supplied by IT&R automatically output on a workstation or on the web-based University bulletin boards.
"Outside User"
means a person or organisation normally external to the University who has entered into a contract with the University to use the facilities.
"Supported Software"
means information published from time to time by IT&R containing details of software available to users together with any usage restrictions and/or qualifications.
"Relevant Member of Academic Staff"
means a member of the Academic Staff who is wholly or partly responsible for a subject or subjects in connection with which a student is using the facilities or for which the student is enrolled.
"Section of the University"
means any definable unit within the University including, but not limited to the Chancellory, Faculties and Schools, Divisions and Offices or Research Units.
3. Authorised Users may access the facilities only by using an Account which they have been authorised to use.
4. No Account may be used by any person other than the Authorised User of the Account except on the authorisation of such Authorised User.
5. No University student may authorise or permit any other person, whether a University student or not, to use their Account for any purpose. The relevant School Representative or any Relevant Member of Academic Staff may use a University student's Account for any required purpose.
6. No person may access or attempt to access software, files or other information stored under another person's Account or on another person's workstation unless authorised by these conditions or by the other person to do so.
7. No student may use any method or technique, to prevent the relevant School Representative or any relevant member of Academic Staff from accessing any software, files or other information stored on the student's workstation or disk area or in any other machine-readable form.
8. Only users belonging to the appropriate categories may use or attempt to use any items of software to which restricted and/or qualified usage, as described in "Licensing Agreements and Offers" or in IT&R published newsletters, announcements and documentation provided on Central Computing Bulletins or the official university website.
9. No person may use an Account to undertake work for which a charge or a greater charge should be levied. Specifically:
Accounts allocated to students may be used only for purposes related to normal teaching or research activities and only for work related to the School which has allocated the Account or for which that School has given specific approval.
Accounts allocated to academic staff may be used only for purposes related to normal teaching or research activities. No such Account may be used for research for which funds to meet the cost of using the facilities have been provided nor for any consulting work nor for any purpose as a result of which the staff member receives a fee additional to their University salary.
Accounts allocated for University purposes other than normal teaching or research may be used only for the specific activity of the section of the University to which the Account has been allocated.
10. No person shall make a copy or attempt to make a copy of any software, files or other information held on a system disk area or workstation other than any information provided specifically for the purpose of providing assistance to users or any information for which copying is permitted by means of a statement to that effect as described in "Licensing Agreements and Offers" or in IT&R published newsletters, announcements and documentation provided on Central Computing Bulletins or the official university website.
11. No person shall remove a copy of any software, files or other information from the University without the approval of the owner of the software, files or other information.
12. No person shall do anything intended to evade the effect of controls on use of the facilities or act in any way designed to be unfair to other users. In this context controls shall include, but not be limited to, any mechanisms designed to limit use of any workstations or any computing and communications resource.
13. No person shall assist any person who is not an Authorised User to gain access to the facilities or to access any workstation or other device connected to the facilities.
15. No person may remove from its location any University facilities or any provided computer stationery other than that which has been used by that person in connection with authorised use of facilities.
16. The Director may prohibit any practice considered to be detrimental to the interests of the University, of users generally or of a specific user or users. The prohibition will be published via IT&R published newsletters, announcements and documentation provided on Central Computing Bulletins or the official university website and by such other means as are appropriate or required by the circumstances.
17. Use of University computing and communications facilities for game playing, for the retrieval and storage of copyright material without the permission of the owner of copyright or for personal gain is prohibited.
18. Penalties for use of the facilities other than in accordance with the above conditions may be imposed as follows:
the Director may suspend the user's right of access to the facilities for a period not exceeding four weeks and may additionally refer any matter to the Vice-Chancellor to be dealt with under (b) below;
the Vice-Chancellor may suspend the user's right of access to the facilities for such period as the Vice-Chancellor considers appropriate and action may also be taken in respect of University students under the student Discipline Statute or in respect of all persons by prosecution in the appropriate court;
where the breach has resulted in the facilities being used for a charge which is less than the charge which would normally have been levied for such use the Director may certify in writing as to the amount of the difference and on service on the user of a copy of the certificate, certified in writing by the Registrar as being a correct copy, that amount shall become a debt payable by the user to the University.
CONDITIONS FOR USE OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FACILITIES
1. Persons entitled to use the library buildings
1.1 Anyone may enter the library buildings and use information resources within the building providing they conform with all rules and policies in force at the time. The Director, Information Services (hereafter referred to as the Director) may limit the rights of those who are neither staff nor students of the University.
2. Conditions of use of the library buildings
2.1 Anyone on library building premises must comply with any lawful direction from a member of staff.
2.2 Any behaviour, which in the opinion of a member of staff, is likely to cause damage to informatin resources or to cause disturbance or inconvenience to others within the library building is forbidden.
4.1 A borrower is the person who borrows information resources from the library building. Borrowers must use their current James Cook University borrowing card.
4.2 A borrower accepts complete responsibility for the care of information resources borrowed and for its return. All information resources must be returned in good condition to the designated place on or before the due date or time indicated. Information resources will be deemed not to have been returned until such time as the transaction has been recorded by library staff.
POLICIES AND CONDITIONS
Food or drink (except bottled water) may not be consumed in the library building.
Bags and cases may be taken into the library building.
Mobile phones should be switched off in the library building.
Conversation is not generally permitted but quiet conversation is permitted in designated areas and in service areas.
Clients may not enter non-public areas of the building except by invitation.
Children under 15 within the library building must be supervised and controlled by an adult.
Anyone within the library building must present their books, bags, folders etc. for examination by staff on request.
No equipment brought into the library building may be used in a way that produces noise in a "no conversation" area.
| By Category of Borrower | Number of Loans at One Time | Length of Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 10 | 2 weeks |
| Fourth year honours | 20 | 4 weeks |
| Graduate/Postgraduate Certificate | 20 | 4 weeks |
| Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma | 20 | 4 weeks |
| Masters & Doctorate | 40 | End of semester |
| Staff | 40 | End of semester |
| Members of Council & Heads of Colleges | 30 | End of semester |
| Associate Borrowers | 5 | 2 weeks |
| Associate Borrowers (Advanced Status) | 10 | 4 weeks |
| Associate Borrowers (Staff Status) | 30 | End of semester |
| Others | As determined by the Director | |
| Community, Corporate and Remote Borrowers | By Category of Loan | |
| Reserve Items | 1 | 2 hours or overnight |
Information resources from the Periodicals, Reference and Special Collections are available for loan only in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the Director.
Information resources may be renewed three times before they must be sighted by staff.
Students or staff members leaving the University must return all information resources before they do so.
Some borrowers may qualify under more than one category. When one of these categories is the undergraduate category, this category will be applied for information resources borrowed for undergraduate purposes.
Information resources from the Curriculum Collection may be borrowed in addition to the limit specified above by the staff and students.
Information resources purchased from research funds may be retained by the purchaser for the duration of the relevant research.
Special loan conditions may be applied to particular categories of information resources.
STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY
1. Students must not engage in any conduct that:
1.1 impairs the reasonable freedom of other persons to pursue their studies, research, duties or lawful activities in the University or to participate in the life of the University; or
2. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to:
2.1 disrupting any teaching, study, assessment or research activities or the administration of the University;
2.4 wrongful or inappropriate use of University Computing and Communication Facilities as outlined under "Conditions for use of University Computing and Communication Facilities";
2.5 wrongful or inappropriate use of University Library Facilities as outlined under "Conditions for use of University Library Facilities";
2.7 without lawful excuse, disobeying any lawful instruction of an officer or employee of the University, including failing to leave any building or part of a building when directed to do so;
2.8 knowingly withholding relevant information or furnishing false or misleading information for purposes connected with academic progression or enrolment or proposed enrolment as a student, whether such withholding or furnishing of information takes place before or after the person becomes a student of the University;
3. Any officer, student or member of the University community or public may immediately refer an instance of suspected inappropriate conduct to the police or other relevant emergency service where circumstances warrant.
3.1 In the first instance, allegations of inappropriate conduct on the part of a student received by the University shall normally be drawn to the attention of the relevant Head of School or, for conduct on the part of student residents taking place within the boundaries or proximity of the JCU Halls of Residence, other University-managed or associated student residences or Affiliated Colleges, to the Manager/Head of College for appropriate action.
CEREMONIAL
ACADEMIC DRESS
GRADUATION PROCEDURES
Notification of intention to graduate
Students who have completed the requirements for their course and wish to be awarded a degree, diploma or certificate, should complete a `Finalisation of an Award' form. This form is available at Examinations and Ceremonies (contact details on page 49) or at each Faculty office.
Graduation Ceremonies
Information regarding Graduation Ceremonies will be forwarded to graduands no later than three weeks before the date of their ceremony. Graduands may attend the relevant ceremony in either Townsville or Cairns.
Graduation dates are shown in Important Dates inside the front cover.
Students with outstanding debts are not permitted to graduate.
Any student who does not wish to attend a Graduation Ceremony can have their award conferred in absentia at a University Council meeting.
UNIVERSITY MEDALS
A. CONDITIONS
1. Each year the Council may award a University Medal to each person who satisfies the four criteria listed below:
In normal circumstances, not more than ten percent of students graduating with first class honours may be awarded a University Medal each year. If the number of nominees for a University Medal exceeds 10% of students across the University graduating with first class honours, the eligibility will be restricted to the top 10% of nominees ranked according to their weighted average score.
2. A recommendation for the award of a Medal shall be made by the appropriate Faculty to the Standing Committee of the Academic Board.
3. A faculty may recommend the award of a Medal only if the person concerned
4. A faculty may recommend the award of a Medal to a person who normally has taken no more than one year more than the minimum time to complete a degree course provided that the extra time was due to circumstances other than academic failure.
5. A faculty may recommend the award of a Medal to two or more persons who have studied in the same School in the same year.
6. A faculty may recommend the award of a Medal to a person who has qualified for a second bachelor degree with first class honours and who otherwise fulfils these conditions.
7. In considering recommendations from the faculties, the Standing Committee shall maintain, as far as possible, uniformity of practice. Each recommendation of which the Committee approves shall be transmitted to the Academic Board for further recommendation to Council.
B. PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING NOMINATIONS
1. The Graduate Research School will forward a list of students who have received first class, level A honours to Examinations.
2. Examinations will calculate the weighted average score for each of these students.
3. Examinations will send a list of relevant students, and their weighted average score, to each of the Executive Deans informing them that these students are eligible to be nominated to receive a University Medal.
4. The Executive Deans will consult the relevant Heads of Schools as to their support of any nomination.
5. The nominations will then be considered by the appropriate Faculty or Faculty Committee as soon as practicable.
6. The Faculty's recommendations for the award of University Medals will be submitted for consideration by the Standing Committee as soon as practicable and in sufficient time for the Standing Committee to make its own recommendations to the March meeting of the Academic Board.
7. The Standing Committee regards 3.6 as the weighted average score below which a candidate would not normally be considered eligible - exceptional circumstances which would merit consideration of a candidate with a slightly lower score would include clear evidence of outstanding distinction in final honours result, or evidence that the weighted score fell below 3.6 solely because of illness affecting results in one subject.
C. FORMULA FOR CALCULATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SCORE
1. The purpose of the formula is to convert into a single score the overall grades obtained by a person being considered for a medal. In the case of a person who undertakes honours after completing the requirements of a three year degree, the WAS is calculated on the basis of the grades obtained in the first three years of study in subjects which have contributed to the honours degree. In the case of a person undertaking a four year professional degree, the WAS is calculated on the basis of the grades obtained in the four years of the degree.
In calculating the score, no account is taken of:
Account is, however, taken of subjects taken at another University and credited to the honours degree (see Condition 3.)
2. A result in a deferred or special examination is treated as though obtained in the corresponding mid-year or end-of-year examination.
3. Results in a supplementary examination are ignored; the original failure is regarded as the result for the subject concerned.
4. The Weighted Average Score (referred to as WAS and calculated to two decimal places) is arrived at by the following formula:
Policy on credit towards degrees and diplomas
The faculties, in line with the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee's guidelines, are able to offer advanced standing, i.e. credit, to students who have completed subjects in other programs at James Cook University or at other tertiary institutions, or have completed other forms of prior learning.
This credit takes various forms. The terms used are based on Credit Transfer Principles: Guidelines on the Recognition of Prior Learning approved by the AVCC, December 1993.
CREDIT is recognition granted towards meeting the requirements of an award course.
CREDIT TRANSFER is the granting of credit/advanced status by the faculties to students/candidates on the basis of previous formal study at another university.
BLOCK CREDIT is credit given in the form of exemption from a period of study, e.g. credit given for one semester.
SPECIFIED CREDIT is granted in the form of exemption from the requirements of a particular subject.
UNSPECIFIED CREDIT is granted for previous learning for which there is no precise equivalent in this University.
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) is credit granted for learning outside formal study in this or other Universities.
CREDIT TRANSFER BETWEEN JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY AND TAFE QUEENSLAND
The University has a credit transfer arrangement with respect to many Queensland TAFE courses. Details are outlined in the publication "Credit Transfer and Learning Pathways". This information is available on the Web at http:// www.tld.jcu.edu.au/general/creditTransfer
The publication sets out how students can make formal application for credit.
RULES FOR CREDIT TO THE BACHELOR DEGREES
Subject to rules 2 to 5 below, the Executive Dean may grant a candidate for a degree offered by the faculty, credit within the limits described below:
a candidate who, having completed any other degree or diploma in this University, enrols for a Bachelor degree in the faculty may be granted credit for subjects passed when qualifying for the award of the other degree or diploma. The maximum credit allowed for such subjects shall be 48 units towards a three year degree and 64 units towards a four year degree. In granting such credit the Executive Dean shall not, except in exceptional circumstances approved by the faculty, allow credit, in the case of a three year degree, for more than 8 units at level 3 nor, in the case of a four year degree, more than 16 units in total at level 3 or level 4;
a candidate who, having partially completed another degree or diploma in this University, enrols for a Bachelor degree in the faculty may be granted credit for such subjects passed while so enrolled as would have been credited towards a degree of the faculty had the student been enrolled for that degree at that time;
a candidate who, having completed all or a portion of a degree or diploma in another university or institution of higher education, enrols for a Bachelor degree in the faculty may be granted specified or unspecified credit for subjects equivalent to those passed at the other university or institution of higher education. The maximum credit allowed for such subjects shall be 48 units towards a three year degree or 64 units towards a four year degree. In granting such credit the Executive Dean shall not, except in exceptional circumstances approved by the faculty, allow credit, in the case of a three year degree, for more than 8 units at level 3 nor, in the case of a four year degree, more than 16 units in total at level 3 or level 4.
2. Credit transfer will only be approved if the following conditions are met:
the subjects which were successfully completed at another recognised university or institution of higher education and for which credit is sought must be assessed by the Executive Dean as equivalent in standard to subjects offered in this University;
a candidate may not undertake in subsequent degree studies, subjects that are substantially similar to subjects credited pursuant to Rule 1;
3. Credit will not be granted for subjects completed more than 10 years prior to enrolment in the faculty degree.
4. Candidates applying for credit transfer must submit a certified copy of their prior Academic Record/s showing the results achieved in all subjects for which credit transfer is sought, together with such additional information as the Executive Dean may require to determine the sufficiency and standing of such subjects for credit transfer purposes. All material is to be submitted to the Executive Dean through Student Administration at the University.
Credit Transfer for Recognition of Prior Learning
1. Prior Learning may be recognised by an applicant demonstrating equivalent learning/knowledge by one or more of the following methods:
2. The maximum credit available as a result of RPL shall not exceed 24 units towards a three year degree, or 32 units towards a four year degree.
Notwithstanding clause 2 above, existing University policy regarding the total number of units of credit available towards particular degree programs shall not be exceeded as a result of RPL, or through a combination of RPL and credit given for previous study at a recognised tertiary institution.
RULES FOR CREDIT TO DIPLOMAS AND ADVANCED DIPLOMAS
Normally the award of credit towards Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in the faculties is decided in accordance with the principles outlined in relation to the Bachelor degrees. Variations in requirements for a particular Diploma are outlined below.
Degree and Diploma Specific Policies
These apply in addition to those detailed above.
Credit cannot be given for Psychology subjects completed over ten years prior to enrolment in the BPsych degree.
Bachelor of Social Work;
Bachelor of Community Welfare
The Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences has agreed to comply with the AVCC Credit Transfer Project Pilot Scheme Guidelines (1995-6) for credit towards Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social (Community) Welfare degrees. Accordingly the faculty will grant:
for candidates holding a completed Associate Diploma in a related field of study and admitted to a four-year Social work degree program, a minimum credit of 25% of that degree program;
for candidates holding a completed Associate Diploma in a related field of study and admitted to a three-year Social (Community) Welfare degree program, a minimum credit of 33% of that degree program;
for candidates having completed two years of a three-year Social (Community) Welfare degree program, or holding a completed three year Social (Community) Welfare degree, and admitted to a four-year Social Work degree program for credit, credit will be granted at a minimum of 25%, and normally in the range of 25-50%, of that degree program;
for candidates having completed one year of a three-year Social (Community) Welfare degree program and admitted to a four year Social Work degree program, a minimum credit of 25% of the degree program;
A reference to an Associate Diploma in related field of study means an Associate Diploma program accredited by the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers or recognised by the university granting the credit.
A reference to a three-year Social (Community) Welfare degree means a degree program accredited by the Australian Institute of Welfare and community workers.
A reference to a four-year Social Work degree means a degree program approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
In the Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences:
The granting of credit is subject to University requirements for admission.
The granting of credit is subject to faculty policy concerning the minimum amount of study required at James Cook University before a qualification can be awarded.
The faculty may accept, for the purposes of granting credit, associate diplomas and degree programs in addition to those contained within the above definitions.
It should be noted that the Australian Association of Social Workers does not permit credit to be given for field education undertaken in non-social work programs.
Candidates in the Bachelor of Community Welfare degree may apply to the Head of School of Social Work and Community Welfare for exemption from some of the field placement requirements on the basis of recognition of prior learning and completion of a challenge test.
Credit to the Bachelor of Education degrees
CREDIT TRANSFER is accepted for subjects completed successfully at other Australian universities and many overseas universities if they are considered to be equivalent in standing to the Faculty's BEd (Professional Development) subjects. To obtain such credit, students must submit a certified copy of the results of such subjects along with sufficient information to determine the standing of such subjects. Credit granted will be identified as specified or unspecified credit.
There is a range of ways in which recognition is given for prior learning.
BLOCK CREDIT of one semester is given for professional experience to two-year trained teachers who enrol to complete the Bachelor of Education (Professional Development) degree. Consequently, such students have to complete 36 units to be awarded the degree.
SPECIFIED OR UNSPECIFIED CREDIT will be granted for professional development courses completed by teachers. Because there are many types of such courses, different courses are considered differently. The way each type of course is considered is:
The majority of courses offered by outside bodies:
SPECIFIED OR UNSPECIFIED CREDIT can be obtained for these professional development courses by teachers enrolled in a Bachelor of Education (Professional Development) degree. To obtain credit, a teacher will submit to the faculty the work produced on the course. The faculty will arrange for assessment of this work and determine the appropriate credit based on this assessment.
There will be an assessment fee (currently $50) for this process which must be paid at the time of submission of the work. The level of these fees may be reviewed by the faculty from time to time.
Courses which are conducted within the quality control mechanisms of the faculty:
All professional development courses developed in conjunction with the faculty and which are subject to the quality control mechanisms of the faculty will declare to prospective participants the credit available for the courses.
In all cases, credit will be subject to the successful completion of assessment requirements of the course. The certificate of completion for the course must be submitted to obtain credit. The faculty keeps no records of these professional development courses so lost certificates cannot be reissued.
Outside courses with rigorous and demonstrable quality control mechanisms:
Occasionally, organisations other than the faculty provide courses with rigorous and demonstrable quality control mechanisms. In such cases, through prior consultation with the faculty, indications of credit available for the course will be provided.
RECOGNITION OF CURRENT COMPETENCE
Recognition of Current Competence (RCC) may apply where a teacher education student can clearly demonstrate outcomes relevant to a specific professional experience component of a Bachelor of Education program. If these outcomes can be demonstrated, the preservice teacher will be granted advanced standing for part of the requisite 100 days of the professional experience requirement. Demonstration of attainment of outcomes may be in the form of professional experience reports from other institutions and/or statements of teaching or related service.
The reports and/or statements provided should include information on:
Evidence should be indicated on, or attached to, a Recognition of Current Competence application form available at the faculty office and submitted to that office. Applications will be assessed jointly by the Associate Dean of Education and the Director of Professional Experience in terms of the August 2002 Board of Teacher Registration Guidelines for Preservice Teacher Education programs. Recognition of current competence, if approved, will be indicated on the student's academic record that can be viewed on Students Online.
Amount of credit granted
The maximum amount of credit granted towards the degree will be 50% of the units required for the degree.
The maximum credit allowable for professional development courses within the degree is one subject except where one course is judged to be larger in size than one faculty subject.
Credit will be granted for professional development courses smaller than a faculty subject. However, no credit will be given for courses smaller than 2 units.
Credit to Postgraduate Degrees, Diplomas or Certificates
1. Specific requirements regarding credit are contained in the Award Requirements for each postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate.
2. Notwithstanding the limits specified in the specific postgraduate Award Requirements, it is faculties' practice that a candidate who has successfully completed subjects at this University for credit towards a postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate that has not been conferred may be given credit for such subjects towards another postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate undertaken within the faculties, provided that the conditions of the Award Requirements of the particular award, e.g. those governing prescribed subjects and unit structures, are met.
RULES FOR CREDIT TO THE BACHELOR DEGREES
The faculties' policy is as follows:
1. Provided that the requirements of Rules 2 and 3 (following) are observed:
a candidate who has successfully completed subjects at this University for credit towards a degree or diploma that has not been conferred may be given credit for such subjects towards another degree or diploma undertaken within the faculties;
a candidate who has successfully completed subjects at another recognised university or institution of higher education for credit towards a degree or diploma that has not been conferred may be granted credit as follows:
2. No credit may be granted towards a bachelor degree of the faculties unless the following requirements are met:
subjects of this University for which credit is sought must be listed in Tables Ia, Ib or III of the Master Schedule of Subjects;
subjects successfully completed at another recognised university or institution of higher education for which credit is sought must be equivalent in standard to subjects offered in this University;
the candidate may not undertake subjects that are substantially the same as subjects already credited to a previous degree;
In addition to the above policy on credit and credit transfer, in certain circumstances the Executive Dean may also approve credit on the basis of recognition of prior learning, for example, for selected Institute of Modern Languages subjects, for study towards an Associate Diploma at TAFE, or on the basis of hospital-based Nursing Registration.
Credit Transfer for Recognition of Prior Learning
1. Prior Learning may be recognised by an applicant demonstrating equivalent learning/knowledge by one or more of the following methods:
2. The maximum credit available as a result of RPL shall not exceed 24 units towards a three year degree, or 32 units towards a four year degree.
3. Notwithstanding clause 2 above, existing University policy regarding the total number of units of credit available towards particular degree programs shall not be exceeded as a result of RPL, or through a combination of RPL and credit given for previous study at a recognised tertiary institution.
RULES FOR CREDIT TO DIPLOMAS AND ADVANCED DIPLOMAS
Normally the award of credit towards Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in the faculties is decided in accordance with the principles outlined in relation to the Bachelor degrees. Variations in requirements for a particular Diploma are outlined below.
Degree and Diploma Specific Policies
These apply in addition to those detailed above.
Bachelor of Music; Bachelor of Theatre;
Bachelor of Visual Arts
A candidate holding a Diploma in Music or a Diploma in Art that closely parallels the Bachelor of Music or the Bachelor of Visual Arts of the Faculty of Law, Business and the Creative Arts may upgrade the diploma to the corresponding bachelor degree by undertaking at least one additional year's work, if the faculty deems the standard and content of the diploma appropriate and the candidate agrees that the diploma and the bachelor degree will constitute one award.
Prior to the award of credit in the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Theatre an audition normally will be required.
Formal credit arrangements towards the Bachelor of Visual Arts for the following Queensland TAFE programs have been negotiated: Associate Diploma in Arts (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander); Associate Diploma in Arts (Ceramics); Associate Diploma in Arts (Commercial Art); Associate Diploma in Arts (Graphic Design : Creative). Details are available from the faculty office and from the Head of the College of Music, Visual Arts and Theatre.
CREDIT TO POSTGRADUATE DEGREES, DIPLOMAS OR CERTIFICATES
1. Specific requirements regarding credit are contained in the Award Requirements for each postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate.
2. Notwithstanding the limits specified in the specific postgraduate Award Requirements, it is faculty's practice that a candidate who has successfully completed subjects at this University for credit towards a postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate that has not been conferred may be given credit for such subjects towards another postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate undertaken within the faculty, provided that the conditions of the Award Requirements of the particular award, e.g. those governing prescribed subjects and unit structures, are met.
RULES FOR CREDIT, BACHELOR DEGREES
CREDIT TRANSFER may be accepted for subjects completed successfully at other Australian or overseas universities if they are considered equivalent in standing to subjects offered by the faculty.
Candidates applying for credit must submit a certified copy of the results or academic record of all subjects for which credit is requested, along with sufficient information to determine the standing of such subjects. The latter is normally a photocopy of the appropriate handbook entries or subject outlines. This evidence must be sent or presented to the appropriate school.
SPECIFIED OR UNSPECIFIED CREDIT will be granted for studies completed by prospective students and this will be done on a subject-by-subject basis. This type of credit should be applied for prior to entering the course.
In some subjects exemption will be granted for the practical component of subjects. Application for these exemptions will be made through the appropriate school and will normally be submitted during the early stages of a course.
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING Candidates for the degrees within the faculty may be eligible for credit which recognises prior learning.
This usually takes the form of specified or unspecified credit. Credit is given at the discretion of the school. Each application is considered individually on merit.
Rules for Credit, Bachelor Degrees, School of Engineering
CREDIT TRANSFER may be granted for subjects completed successfully at another university if these subjects are considered to be equivalent to subjects in the Bachelor of Engineering degree.
This credit can take the form of either BLOCK CREDIT (e.g. credit for a complete level (year) or SPECIFIED CREDIT for specified subjects.
The maximum amount of credit granted will be 50% of the units required for the degree. If the candidate requests credit approaching this maximum level, then the credit should be predominantly from the first two levels (years) of the Bachelor of Engineering program. At least 18 units should be completed at James Cook University for each of levels three and four. The fourth year thesis (6 units, full year subject) should be included in this minimum requirement.
Students or prospective students who desire credit are required to submit a proposal to the School of Engineering. Details of the application can be obtained from:
RULES FOR CREDIT, BACHELOR DEGREES, SCIENCE
CREDIT TRANSFER may be approved for subjects completed successfully at other Australian or overseas universities if they are considered equivalent in standing to subjects offered in the Faculties. The current credit transfer policy for Science degrees is:
a candidate who, having completed any other degree in this University, enrols for the degree of Bachelor of Science may, with the approval of the appropriate faculty, be given credit for subjects passed when qualifying for the award of the other degree. The maximum credit allowed for such subjects shall be 48 units for a three year degree. Additionally, the candidate shall be required to gain credit for at least 18 units from subjects listed in Table Vc of the Master Schedule of Subjects;
a candidate who, having partially completed another degree in this University, enrols for the degree of Bachelor of Science may, with the approval of the appropriate faculty, be given credit for such subjects as would have counted towards the Bachelor of Science degree if the student had been enrolled for that degree;
A candidate who, having completed all or a portion of any Bachelor degree in another university or institution of higher education, applies to enrol for the Bachelor of Science degree, may, with the approval of the appropriate faculty, be given credit for subjects equivalent to those passed at the other university or institution of higher education. The maximum credit allowed in respect of such subjects shall not exceed 48 units and shall not include the equivalent of any subjects from Table Vc of the Master Schedule of Subjects in order to meet requirements that at least 18 units be subjects listed in Table Vc;
A candidate enrolled in another degree within the faculties may be given credit as outlined in (i), (ii) or (iii), provided that specific degree requirements, as outlined in the Award Requirements, are met. Maximum credit for four year degrees is proportional, viz. 48 units for 3 years then 64 units for 4 years.
Students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in this University may be given credit for up to 72 units where these subjects meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Applied Science field of study. They will be required to complete a further 24 units to graduate. If their subjects do not meet the approved faculty guidelines, the Bachelor of Applied Science will be awarded without reference to a particular field of study. Students will be required to relinquish an existing Bachelor of Science prior to graduating with the Bachelor of Applied Science.
Students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in this University who wish to obtain a Bachelor of Applied Science as a second degree may be given credit for up to 60 units where these subjects meet faculty requirements for a Bachelor of Applied Science field of study. They will be required to complete a further 36 units to graduate. If their subjects do not meet the approved faculty guidelines, the Bachelor of Applied Science will be awarded without reference to a particular field of study.
Students who have completed a three or four year degree at another higher education institution recognised by the faculty who wish to obtain a Bachelor of Applied Science as a second degree may be given credit for up to 60 units (for a three year degree) and 72 units (for a four year degree), where these subjects meet the Faculty requirements for a Bachelor of Applied Science field of study. They will be required to complete a further 36 units (with an existing three year degree) or 24 units (with an existing four year degree) to graduate. If their subjects do not meet the approved Faculty guidelines, the Bachelor of Applied Science will be awarded without reference to a particular field of study.
Candidates for the degrees within the faculty may be eligible for credit which recognises prior learning.
This usually takes the form of specified or unspecified credit. Credit is given at the discretion of the faculty. Each application is considered individually on merit. As a guideline,
Candidates applying for credit must submit a certified copy of the results of all such subjects for which credit is requested, along with sufficient information to determine the standing of such subjects. The latter is normally a photocopy of appropriate handbook entries or subject outlines. This evidence must be sent or presented to the faculty.
AGREEMENTS ON ARTICULATION AND ADVANCED STANDING - JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY AND AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION ORGANISATIONS
1. Scholarships for the purpose of these guidelines exclude scholarships for project and stipend support of research higher degree students.
2.
Students should refer to the Scholarships website for details of scholarships currently offered by the University and the requirements attaching to each.
http://cobweb.jcu.edu.au/scholarships