Bachelor of Business Science

The purpose of the qualification is to empower qualifiers with foundational, practical and reflexive competence at a graduate-level to enable them to pursue careers in the local, national, regional and global business and public sector economic environment.Furthermore, the purpose of the qualification is to provide Southern Africa with graduates competent in accounting, marketing and human resource management.

Rationale

This course provides an international degree in business and commerce. The degree is designed to provide maximum flexibility and to allow depth and breadth in the study of the major business and commerce discipline areas. Its structure provides the capacity to tailor applications and focus in different contexts and different environments while ensuring a knowledge of the theory, principles and core elements in the relevant discipline areas.

Students on entry to Monash normally hold the equivalent of satisfactory completion of upper secondary education in a course that prepares the students for University usually following 13 years of primary and secondary school study. Such students will have demonstrated potential to undertake work at the degree level and typically, hold a range of relevant skills and knowledge that is both generic and subject specific.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

A learner may receive credits based on prior work experience where appropriate work has been undertaken.

At present the learner is required to submit details of such experience to the faculty, and each application is handled on a case-by-case basis where the school evaluates the experience against the background of course requirements.

In order to formalise this process, Monash is developing policies that regulate the procedure of awarding these credits. These policies can be expected to address issues such as the format of the submission, guidance with the preparation of the submission and the recognition criteria.

Credits that have been received previously at an appropriate level will also be considered for credit to a Monash undergraduate degree. Credit could be specified for a specific module, or be granted in general towards the qualification. The learner is required to submit an application for credit transfer together with documentation as specified on the application form. Applications are assessed by the Faculty Credit Transfer Committee.

N/A

Critical cross-field outcomes

Successful learners will

• Be instilled with intellectual and cultural curiosity as a preparation for autonomous, self-directed, life-long learning.
• Have the knowledge, competence, skills and attitudes that will enable them to lead and accomplish in their chosen employment fields locally or overseas.
• Have a broad and critical understanding of knowledge in order to encourage and enable a continuing professional approach to work, community responsibilities and personal development.
• Have an understanding of different cultures that enriches experience and challenges assumptions.

Specific Outcomes

Successful learners will know

• A fundamental knowledge of general principles and applications of business and commerce.
• Developed technical and communication skills and knowledge that are appropriate in the area(s) of their chosen major studies.
• Developed skills in problem solving in business and commerce.
• Developed the knowledge of the local and international business and commercial environments.

Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

Competence is evident when the learner is able to

• Operate in any environment, managing uncertainty and an ever changing social context.
• Formulate and solve contextual problems and propose potential solutions.
• Participate as an active member of society by contributing to both personal and societal growth.
• Demonstrate the importance of ethical behaviour and the reliance of a behavioural value system that is sensitive across a range of social contexts.

Assessment Criteria for Specific Outcomes

Competence is evident when the learner is able to

• Contribute to the development of the learner, society and economy through the area of specialisation.
• Read and interpret academic and professional texts allowing the learner to formulate a written analysis in their area of specialisation.
• Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking. Formulate and propose potential solutions to a number of socio-economic problems.
• Identify and solve problems while working within a team, group, organisation or community.

Integrated assessment

In general, the assessment used in the various subjects encompasses most of the following

• final (ie terminal) invigilated examinations
• class tests (normally held in scheduled lecture or tutorial hours)
• written assignments
• class participation
• research projects
• oral presentations and assessment
• mid-semester tests
• group assessment
• self-administered computer tests

The package of assessment methods is designed to test progress in accumulation of knowledge and practical skills, and to provide additional insight for students regarding the application of knowledge.

Class presentations develop communication skills while case studies simulate reality in providing limited information on which decisions must be based. This results in the development by the student of management skills in situational analysis and decision making.

The written assignments require the student to research and refine material to be presented in a coherent and summarised form identifying an issue and a conclusion. The class tests and final examinations provide a means for students to demonstrate that the required level of knowledge, competence and skills have been achieved and retained by them.

The methods of assessment vary with the learning tasks. Theory covered in lectures will be assessed predominantly by formal written exams, although continual assessment will also take place through tests, assignments, tutorials, and student presentation of papers.