Q Manual

2 Student Performance

2.1 Faculty expectations of student performance

As students of the faculty, there are a number of business or commerce subjects which you will study as part of your course. Although these subjects have different assessment methods, the faculty has the following general expectations of performance:

2.1.1 Attendance and participation at lectures and tutorials
Lectures and tutorials are a fundamental part of university life. Lectures provide the direction and foundation material for the subject, with lecturers highlighting and discussing relevant theory and issues. Tutorials are also important since they reinforce lecture material and provide you with a forum for participating, challenging and questioning. The materials presented are not the whole truth nor the absolute truth. They are one view of the world. You are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials and to listen to and challenge what is said.

2.1.2 Role of lecturers/tutors
Lecturers/tutors are resources and facilitators of your learning. They are not necessarily total founts of wisdom or knowledge, but they are able and most willing to help you. They are not here merely to pass or fail you and they understand your needs. If you wish to raise an issue with tutors, you will need to find out their consultation hours. In most departments these are posted on a timetable outside the main administration office or on the door of the academic's office.

2.1.3 Role of course directors/coordinators
Occasionally there may be a need to consult with your course director concerning your academic performance, course progression or similar problems. Again, they will have consultation hours and it is simply a matter of finding out when these are and arranging an appointment time or consulting the information handbook.

2.1.4 Workload
You are expected to undertake private study and read beyond the material covered in lectures and tutorials. You will also be required to complete a number of assignments and projects and submit these on due dates. When taking into account the work carried out during mid- semester breaks and exam weeks, you would expect to work an average of 40 hours per week.

2.1.5 Self management
We believe that you are a highly motivated individual who has willingly chosen to do this course. This means that you will be self-managing and understand your limits and potential.

2.1.6 Taking the initiative
You should ask for help or advice when needed and not wait to be approached regarding your progress or problems.

2.1.7 Distance education students
If you have elected to study via distance education mode, it is essential that you are very disciplined in terms of self-management and time management. You must ensure that you have a study timetable that incorporates time for researching, reading, preparing and writing assignments, as well as reviewing and preparing for examinations.

Although you may not participate in lectures or tutorials, you do have access to tutors who will assist you with any problems you may have with your work. Details regarding consultation hours of lecturers and tutors and location of staff within each department are contained within the Distance Education Information Guide.

2.1.8 Learning from your mistakes
Learning often occurs through errors. Getting things right only confirms what you already know and it does not generate new information. The expectation that follows from this is that you are willing to risk being wrong.

2.1.9 Time management
The expectation here is that you are able to manage your own time. This will be particularly challenging for those of you who are undertaking full-time employment as well as study. The following chapter on study techniques provides, among other things, some helpful hints on how to better manage your time.

2.2 Student assessment

Details of assessment tasks for each subject appear in subject outlines. Assessment in a subject may be made up of several components: a formal examination, essays, tests, assignments, oral presentations and tutorial participation. Assessment details for each subject are provided in subject outlines that you will receive in the first week of each semester. The final mark that a student receives in a subject will be determined by the chief examiner of the subject who will take into account all aspects of assessment. The rights of students to have assessed work remarked is determined at departmental level. However, there is a process in place for verifying fail marks which contribute to a final fail result.

2.2.1 Examinations
For details of examination regulations, please refer to the Monash University Calendar, available in the library.

2.2.2 Use of English dictionaries and calculators
As English is the language of instruction within Monash University, foreign language translation dictionaries normally are not permitted to be used by students sitting an examination conducted by the faculty. Calculators are permitted if specified on the examination paper, but those containing a full set of alphabetic keys will not be permitted.

2.2.3 Results
At the end of each semester, following the completion of the examinations, a board of examiners considers each student's performance as a whole before the results are published. All undergraduate and most graduate students who pass, are graded into the categories of high distinction, distinction, credit and pass. Honours courses use a different grading system, classified into first class, second class division A, second class division B, third class and pass.

2.2.4 Marks and grades

Following is a list of marks and grades used within the faculty:

*These grades are applicable only to subjects taken at the Clayton campus.

2.2.5 Honours grading

Honours subjects are graded as follows: