(1) This policy applies to courses leading to the award Bachelor of ................... (Honours). Such courses may be: (2) a. add-on, fourth year courses which follow a three year Bachelor degree; or (3) Add-on honours course - a one year (or full-time equivalent) course that leads to the award Bachelor of ..... (Honours) and is undertaken subsequent to (but separate from) a three-year Bachelor degree course upon which it builds. (4) Integrated honours course - a four year Bachelor degree course that has built into it an honours stream, the completion of which leads to the Bachelor award with (Honours) in the title. In December 2004, Academic Senate approved that the 'pass stream' and 'integrated honours stream' in an integrated honours course need not be of the same duration or point value. (5) Note: This policy is based upon the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee's "Fourth Year Honours Programs - Guidelines for Good Practice". (6) The objectives of the policy are to: (7) a. provide a framework for good practice in the delivery and administration of Bachelor (Honours) courses; and, in doing so (8) The primary objective of a Bachelor (Honours) course is research training. Faculties may specify secondary objectives which may include, for example, the mastery of advanced theory in a discipline, training in professional practice, the mastery of scholarship. (9) Faculties will specify in the Stage 2 course approval document the particular objectives of each Bachelor (Honours) course. (10) For integrated Bachelor (Honours) courses, the length of the honours program will typically be two years of the four year course. Where a three year honours program is proposed within a four year Bachelor degree course, it will be expected that a rationale will be provided in the Stage 2 course approval document that also indicates how honours potential will be assessed. (11) The integrated honours component may result in students undertaking honours to require a different number of points for course completion, and therefore different duration in the course and different course load reported to the relevant Federal Government Department. Prior to December 2004, this was not the case, as all Charles Sturt University integrated honours courses were of the same duration/points/load as the associated pass course. (12) Variations to the two types of honours courses identified in clause 1 of this Policy will be considered individually by Academic Senate, subject to the provision of a rationale for the variant proposed. (13) An investigation or project of at least 16 points will be included in a Bachelor (Honours) course, the results of which will be embodied in a dissertation or an approved alternative examinable work. Throughout this policy the word "project" will be used interchangeably to mean both project work and the resulting approved alternative examinable work. (14) To provide consistency in recording the nomenclature of honours dissertations and projects on the subject master file, Faculties will name their dissertations or projects thus: (15) [discipline area] Honours Project/Dissertation (16) The discipline area descriptor may be broad or specific as appropriate. (17) Dissertations and projects will comply with the following requirements: (18) a. they must address the topic approved by the Honours Coordinator; (19) Bachelor (Honours) courses may also contain coursework covering one or more of the following areas: (20) a. research methods; (21) Faculties wishing to offer a Bachelor (Honours) course must demonstrate in the Stage 1 course proposal document the level and depth of staff expertise and the necessary infrastructure to support the course. (22) The Executive Dean (Exec Dean) in consultation with the Heads of Schools, will appoint an Honours Coordinator (Hons Coord) to administer each Bachelor (Honours) course. (23) In addition to the normal duties of a Course Director (Course Dir) or Course Coordinator (Course Coord), if there is no appointed coordinator for the dissertation or project subject, the Honours Coordinator (Hons Coord) of a Bachelor (Honours) course will be accountable for: (24) a. approving the dissertation or project proposal for each enrolled student; (25) The official grades and level of awards for specific Bachelor (Honours) courses will be available to both the Division of Student Administration and the Scholarships Committee through the minutes of the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee (FAC) once the grades are finalised. Honours Coordinator are cognisant of the Universities Australia (AU) guidelines concerning the timing of the determination of final grades and level of awards. (26) For all Bachelor (Honours) students, the Executive Dean (Exec Dean), or delegate will appoint an appropriately qualified and experienced supervisor and, if appropriate, an associate supervisor(s), from the staff of the University. The Executive Dean (Exec Dean) may also appoint an associate supervisor from outside the University (for example from industry, the professions or another University or research establishment) if appropriate. (27) For the responsibilities of a supervisor, refer to Section 4 of the Higher Degrees by Research Policy - Supervision. (28) Any change to the appointments of a supervisor or associate supervisor must be approved by the Executive Dean (Exec Dean), or delegate. (29) Faculties will specify in the Stage 2 course approval document whether the course is open only to current Charles Sturt University students, or to former students and graduates of the University, or also to students or graduates of other universities. (30) Applications for admission to add-on, fourth year Bachelor (Honours) courses will be made on the prescribed form which shall be lodged with the Admissions Office by the advertised date each year. (31) Applications from current Charles Sturt Univeristy students for admission to the Honours strand of a four year integrated Bachelor (Honours) course shall be made on an Application for course transfer form and lodged with the Division of Student Administration (DSA). The application must be lodged by 1 October in the year in which the student will complete the second or third year (or part-time equivalent) of the course. The Faculty will prescribe whether an application has to be lodged in the second or third year. (32) Applications as appropriate from former students or graduates of the University, or from students or graduates of other universities for admission to the Honours strand of a four year integrated Bachelor (Honours) course will be made on the prescribed form which shall be lodged with the Admissions Office by the advertised date each year. (33) Faculties may admit students to Bachelor (Honours) courses in the internal or distance education modes and offer students the choice of full-time or part-time study loads. (34) Faculties will specify the admission criteria for each Bachelor (Honours) course in the Stage 2 course approval document for the course. These criteria should: (35) a. identify acceptable prior qualifications (normally a Bachelor degree course or, for an integrated Bachelor (Honours) course, the component of the Bachelor degree course up to the point where the honours stream commences) and specify minimum performance in those qualifications; and (36) Faculties may approve credit in a fourth year, add-on Bachelor (Honours) course up to a maximum of fifty percent of the point value for the course. Credit may only be granted in the coursework component of the course, not for the dissertation or project. (37) Faculties may approve credit in a four year integrated course in accordance with Credit Policy. Credit may not be granted for the dissertation or project. (38) Subject substitution cannot apply to the dissertation or project. (39) Applications for credit and subject substitution should be made on the prescribed form and lodged with the Admissions Office (Adm Office) at the time of applying for admission to the Bachelor (Honours) course, or with the Division of Student Administration (DSA) if lodged after enrolment in the course. (40) The Academic Policies with respect to enrolment, assessment, examinations, exclusion and graduation which apply to undergraduate students apply also to students in Bachelor (Honours) courses. (41) A Bachelor (Honours) student will have submitted a dissertation or project proposal before commencing the dissertation or project. (42) At the date set by the Honours Coordinator, students must submit a dissertation or project proposal which sets out the topic of investigation or work and the proposed methodology. The dissertation or project proposal must comply with the requirements specified by the Faculty. (43) The dissertation or project topic and the methodology may not be changed except with the approval of the Honours Coordinator (Hons Coord). (44) Performance in subjects taken in Bachelor (Honours) courses will be assessed by the Subject Coordinator (Sub Coord) and the grades will be determined by the Faculty Assessment Committee. (45) Policy on the following is determined at Faculty rather than University level: (46) a. dates for submission, with these being in line with Universities Australia guidelines; (47) A dissertation or project shall be submitted to the Honours Coordinator in accordance with the Higher Degree by Research Policy -Examinable Works (Presentation of Printed Works), except where a project is presented for examination in a predominantly non-written form. Candidates in these courses should consult their supervisor or course or honours coordinator regarding the presentation of their work. (48) Note: Where the policy for a particular Bachelor (Honours) course is that bachelor honours dissertations be lodged in the School rather than in the Library, the students in that course are not constrained by the binding requirements of the Rule. Such policy shall be determined by the individual Bachelor (Honours) Course Committee (BHonsCC). (49) The assessment of dissertations and projects will be in each case by one or more examiners appointed by the Executive Dean, or delegate. If an examiner is the student's supervisor and/or associate supervisor, an additional examiner must be appointed. (50) Examiners will provide a written report on the dissertation or project and, guided by Faculty policy, will recommend a grade for the dissertation, providing reasons for the recommendation. (51) Policy on how guidelines for marking dissertations and projects are communicated to examiners (especially those external to the University) is determined at Faculty rather than University level. (52) Explicit criteria for the assessment of dissertations and projects are determined at the Faculty rather than University level. From Autumn 2002, dissertations and projects deemed to be of a passing quality shall be graded according to the set of grades designed specifically for Bachelor (Honours) dissertation and project subjects in terms of the classes of honours. These grades are as follows: (53) Note: This grade will not necessarily be the same as the class of honours awarded for the course overall. (54) Bachelor (Honours) awards may be conferred at the following levels: (55) Policy for determining the level of award to be conferred on graduands of a Bachelor (Honours) course, including processes for the resolution of discrepant examiners' marks on dissertations and projects, is determined at Faculty rather than University level. The particular criteria for each course will be specified in the Stage 2 course approval document. A record of how the criteria were applied to individual students will also be maintained by the Faculty. (56) The level of award may be determined by level of performance in one of the following completed whilst enrolled in the Bachelor (Honours) course: (57) a. the project/dissertation alone; (58) Where specific coursework subjects in a particular course have been identified as not contributing to the level of award, the Faculty may not require that a grade higher than a pass be obtained in these subjects. (59) Faculties are required to ensure that the grading system used for any particular Bachelor (Honours) course has built into it as a criterion for Class 2, Division 1 honours a demonstrated capacity for independent research. (60) The grade for the dissertation or project and the level of the award to be conferred will be determined by the Faculty Assessment Committee on the recommendation of the Honours Coordinator made in accordance with Faculty protocol. (61) A candidate who is aggrieved by a decision of the University which is taken by a person or body of the University exercising an authority under the Academic policies and rules of the University, based essentially upon a question of academic judgement, may appeal against that decision. (62) A candidate who is aggrieved by a decision of the University or by action taken by the University which the candidate believes has or will result in him or her being treated less favourably than another candidate or candidates in the same or similar circumstances, may: (63) a. have his or her complaint, problem or concern mediated; or (64) A candidate who is subject to uninvited and unwelcomed behaviour by a person exercising an authority under this policy or a student of the University, which interferes with the candidate's right to study or live in a non-threatening environment, may: (65) a. have his or her complaint, problem or concern mediated; or (66) A candidate aggrieved by an academic decision as described in clause 48 above by a: (67) a. Principal Supervisor or Associate Supervisor; (68) A candidate may not appeal against a recommendation made by one of the above officers or bodies, but only against a decision of those officers or bodies. (69) Where the Executive Dean of Faculty is the candidate's supervisor, or Course Director or Course Coordinator, or has some other conflict of interest, the Executive Dean of Faculty shall advise the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (DVC (Ac)) who shall appoint another person who is not a member of the Executive Deans Faculty, to hear the appeal. That person shall exercise the authorities given to a Executive Dean of Faculty under clauses 54 - 62 below. (70) An appeal shall be in writing and shall be lodged with the Executive Dean of Faculty within 21 days of the date of notification of the decision. (71) An appeal shall specify the: (72) a. decision against which the candidate is appealing; (73) Documentary evidence in support of the appeal shall be provided in appropriate cases. (See the Special Consideration Policy.) (74) The Executive Dean of Faculty may decline to hear an appeal that is lodged after the 21 day appeal period. (75) The Executive Dean of Faculty shall determine the procedure for deciding each appeal but as a minimum shall: (76) a. refer the candidate's appeal to the person or the presiding officer of the body that made the decision which is the subject of the appeal, for written comment within seven days; and (77) If the candidate's response is not received within 21 days of the date on which the comments in clause 59a were sent to the candidate, the Executive Dean of Faculty may grant the candidate an extension of time or may decide the appeal in its absence. (78) In deciding an appeal the Executive Dean of Faculty may: (79) a. uphold the decision; or (80) The Executive Dean of Faculty shall notify the candidate in writing of the decision. (81) The Executive Dean of Faculty shall decide an appeal within 40 days of its receipt from the candidate unless granted an extension of time by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). (82) A candidate aggrieved by a decision of: (83) a. the Executive Dean of Faculty including a decision taken under clauses 52-63; or (84) An appeal shall be in writing and shall be lodged with the Secretary, Academic Appeals Committee within 21 days of the date of the decision. (85) An appeal shall specify the: (86) a. decision against which the candidate is appealing; (87) Documentary evidence in support of the appeal shall be provided in appropriate cases. (See the Special Consideration Policy.) (88) The Academic Appeals Committee may decline to hear an appeal that is lodged after the 21 day appeal period. (89) The Academic Appeals Committee shall determine the procedure for deciding each appeal. As a minimum the Academic Appeals Committee shall: (90) a. refer the candidate's appeal to the Executive Dean of Faculty, for written comment within seven days; and (91) If the candidate does not respond to the invitation within 21 days of the date on which the comments in clause 69a were sent to the candidate, the Academic Appeals Committee may grant the candidate an extension of time or may decide the appeal in its absence. (92) A candidate who chooses to be interviewed by the Academic Appeals Committee may elect to be interviewed in person, by telephone or at the Committee's discretion by videoconference. The expenses incurred by the candidate in presenting for interview shall be met by the candidate. (93) The candidate may be represented at an interview by an advisor if the Academic Appeals Committee so approves. An advisor shall not be a barrister or solicitor engaged by the candidate or by another person on the candidate's behalf. The adviser shall not be entitled to address or debate the Committee unless granted leave by the Committee. (94) In deciding an appeal against a decision of an Executive Dean of Faculty or the Faculty Board may: (95) a. uphold the decision; or (96) The decision of the Academic Appeals Committee shall be final. (97) The Academic Secretary shall notify the candidate in writing of the decision of the Academic Appeals Committee. (98) The Academic Appeals Committee shall decide an appeal within 40 days of its receipt from the candidate unless granted an extension of time by the Vice-Chancellor.Bachelor (Honours) Policy
Section 1 - Scope
Part A - Scope of the Policy
Section 2 - GLOSSARY
Section 3 - Objectives
Part B - Objectives of the Policy
Part C - Objectives of Honours Courses
Section 4 - Structure and Content of Honours Courses
Part D - Structure of Integrated Honours Courses
Part E - Variations to Types of Honours Courses
Part F - Dissertations and Projects
Nomenclature
For example:
Psychology Honours Project/DissertationRequirements
Part G - Other Course Components
Section 5 - Resources
Section 6 - Course Administration
Part H - Honours Coordinators
Part I - Supervisors
Part J - Change of Supervisor
Section 7 - Admission
Part K - Applications for Admission
Add-on Fourth Year Honours Courses
Integrated Honours Courses
Part L - Study Modes
Part M - Admission Criteria
Section 8 - Section Credit and Subject Substitution
Part N - Credit
Fourth Year Add-on Bachelor (Honours) Courses
Integrated Bachelor (Honours) Courses
Part O - Subject Substitution
Part P - Applications
Section 9 - Enrolment and Progression
Part Q - Dissertation or Project Proposal
Section 10 - Assessment
Part R - Coursework
Part S - Dissertations and Projects
Submission of the Dissertation or Project
Examiners
Grading
H1
Class 1
H2a
Class 2, Division 1
H2b
Class 2, Division 2
H3
Class 3
Part T - Level of Award
Class 1
Class 2, Division 1
Class 2, Division 2
Class 3
Section 11 - Grievances and Appeals
Part U - Academic Judgements, Discrimination, Harassment
Academic Judgements
Discrimination
Harassment
Part V - Appeals
Executive Dean of Faculty
Academic Decisions
Conflict of Interest
Appeals to be in Writing
Late Appeals
Deciding Appeals
Authority of the Executive Dean of Faculty
Notification
Time Limit
Academic Appeals Committee
Decisions of the Executive Dean or Faculty
Appeals to be in Writing
Late Appeals
Deciding Appeals
Interview with the Committee
Authority of the Committee
Notification
Time Limit
View Current
This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.
b. fourth year Bachelor degree courses which offer Honours as an integrated option.
Top of Pageb. acknowledge the importance of portability of individual Bachelor (Honours) courses among universities and enable flexibility in the range of honours courses offered (in content, modes of offering, etc.) by the location of responsibility for significant aspects of policy determination, delivery and management at Faculty (or course-specific) level rather than at University level.
b. dissertations must comply with the word-limit imposed by the Course Policy and the Higher Degree by Research Policy - Examinable Works (Presentation of Printed Components);
c. projects must comply with any limits imposed by the Course Policy;
d. dissertations and any text in a project must be written in English except where the nature of the investigation or project requires the dissertation or text to be written in another language;
e. dissertations and text in a project must reach a satisfactory standard of expression and presentation;
f. the investigation or other work on which the dissertation or project is based must have been completed by the student subsequent to admission to the Bachelor (Honours) course;
g. they must consist of an account of the student's own work but, in special cases, work done conjointly with other persons may be accepted provided the Honours Coordinator (Hons Coord) is satisfied about the extent of the student's contribution to the joint work; and
h. the dissertation or project or the work on which they are based must not have been previously submitted for a degree or similar award.
b. statistical analysis;
c. readings in advanced theory;
d. professional issues and practice;
e. readings in current issues;
f. other subjects approved by the Honours Coordinator (Hons Coord).
Top of Pageb. recommending to the Executive Dean (Exec Dean), or delegate, the appointment of a supervisor and, if appropriate, an associate supervisor for each student or appointing a supervisor and, if appropriate, an associate supervisor under delegation from the Executive Dean (Exec Dean);
c. recommending to the Executive Dean (Exec Dean), or delegate, the appointment of examiners for the dissertation of each enrolled student or appointing examiners under delegation from the Executive Dean (Exec Dean);
d. recommending to the Faculty Assessment Committee in accordance with Faculty protocols a final grade for the dissertation based on the examiners' reports and the level of award to be conferred; and
b. where non-standard admission criteria are also being included, identify these and, for each non-standard criterion, set out clearly what minimum level, duration, etc. of performance, professional experience, research experience, etc. (as appropriate) would represent an acceptable equivalent to standard admission criteria.
Top of Pageb. penalties for late submission; and
c. whether or not re-submission is permitted. Note: in those Faculties where re-submission is permitted, no re-submission can result in a grade higher than a Pass for that dissertation or project.
b. the project/dissertation and specified course work subjects; or
c. the project/dissertation and all coursework subjects.
b. lodge a formal grievance,
under the University's Complaints Policy and Procedures on the grounds of discrimination in respect of that decision or action. A candidate who invokes this clause in respect of a decision of the University is not prevented from exercising his or her rights of appeal against that decision under clause 48.
(The University's Complaints Policy and Procedures are published in the CSU Policy Library.)
b. lodge a formal grievance,
under the University's Complaints Policy and Procedures on the grounds of harassment in respect of that behaviour.
b. Academic Secretary (Ac Sec) or Course Coordinator or Honours Coordinator;
c. Sub-Dean;
d. Faculty Board
which relates to their candidature may appeal to the Executive Dean of Faculty.
b. name of the person or body that made the decision; and
c. reasons for the appeal.
b. refer the written comments to the candidate for a written response.
b. quash the decision; or
c. vary the decision provided that the effect of such variation is consistent with the University's Academic policies.
b. a person appointed under clause 54,
which relates to the candidate's Bachelor (Honours) studies may appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee.
b. name of the person or body that made the decision; and
c. reasons for the appeal.
b. refer the written comments in a) above to the candidate inviting the candidate to provide a written response and/or to request an interview with the Academic Appeals Committee.
b. quash the decision; or
c. vary the decision provided that the effect of such a variation is consistent with the University's Academic policies.