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Macquarie City Campus

New Curriculum 2010: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These FAQs are intended to help you as a new or current Macquarie City Campus student to understand aspects of the new curriculum being introduced in 2010, and how the changes might affect you. Detailed information about Undergraduate Rules is published in the 2010 Handbook of Undergraduate Studies.


Any amendments to the Rules will be published on the University's website as they occur.

 

 

When is the new curriculum being introduced?

The new curriculum is being introduced in January 2010. All current programs will no longer accept new enrolments. This means that all new students and students returning to Macquarie after an absence will join the new curriculum. Students already enrolled do not need to change to the new curriculum if they do not want to, but must complete their degree by the end of 2012.


Why is a new curriculum being introduced?

The new curriculum is being introduced in order to broaden the experience and expertise of Macquarie graduates, to better prepare them for the next stage in their career and to meet employers' demand for 'well-rounded' and workplace-prepared graduates.


What are the key features of the new curriculum?

From 2010, the number of degrees available at Macquarie University will be significantly reduced. Most Bachelor degrees will now be structured around a system of Majors and Minors to make it easier for students to choose an area to specialise in.


The new curriculum will introduce students to areas outside of their department and faculty through People and Planet units.


The new curriculum will also make it easier for the student to identify and select the key areas of learning they are interested in, whilst having the flexibility to explore other areas. Students will also complete a Capstone unit in the final stages of their studies. Students who commence at the University from 2012 onwards will be given the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and skills to the community through Participation units, which will be introduced at that time.


I've already started my degree - how will the new curriculum affect me?

If you are enrolled in an undergraduate degree in 2009, you will have a choice between continuing in your current degree program, or changing to the new version of your degree.


Option 1: Changing to the new Degree
If you decide to change to the new version, you will have to meet all the requirements for that degree to graduate, including completing the Capstone unit. There are no transition criteria, such as a specified Grade Point Average (GPA) to make this change, but if you are thinking of changing, you will need to check carefully what changing over will mean for your study program. If you are thinking of changing to the new version, you should attend the New Curriculum Information Session and consult with a Student Adviser as early as possible.
Once you have changed to the new degree, you will not be able to go back to your old degree if you change your mind. However, you will be exempt from any People and Planet unit requirements as long as you complete the degree before 31 December 2013.


Option 2: Not changing to the new degree
If you decide not to change to the new degree, it is likely the only change you will encounter is that a limited number of units will change from four (4) to three (3) credit points. If you feel this will impact on the expected duration of your completing the degree, you should consult an Academic Adviser.


If I don’t wish to change, how long do I have to finish the degree I'm in now?

If you decide not to change to a new degree, you have three (3) years (up to 31 December 2012) to complete the degree you are enrolled in now. If you haven't completed your studies by 31 December 2012, you will be automatically transferred into the related new program of study of your degree and you will have to satisfy the requirements for that program of study of the degree.


I'm enrolled in a degree in 2009. Would it be a good idea for me to change to the new version of that degree from 2010 onwards?

Some Bachelor of Arts students will want to transfer into the new programs of study because of the naming of the major on their testamur. The new system of majors is not relevant to current Macquarie City Campus students from the Faculty of Business and Economics.


If you transfer to the new curriculum, you will not be required to complete the new People and Planet units provided you complete your studies by 31 December 2012, but the Capstone unit is required.


If you transfer to the new curriculum,  you need to be aware that not all capstones for the new majors will be offered in 2010. That means that some current students who are nearing the end of their degree will need longer to complete their degree as the capstone unit for that major will be offered for the first time in 2011. You should speak to a Student Adviser to discuss this issue in greater depth since it may have implications for your visa.

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How do I transition to the new version of my degree?

Requests for first half-year transition to new curriculum version of your degree will be accepted online. If you make the transition now, your new degree will take effect from the first half-year of 2010. It would be useful for you to wait until the end of Semester 3 2009 once you know your exam results and whether or not you have completed your current degree. This means your transition would take place in the second half-year of 2010.


There is a link from this page to the application. You can also begin the transition via e-Student. Before you submit the application, you will be asked to confirm that you understand that once you have transferred to a new curriculum degree, you cannot ask to be put back in your pre-2010 degree if you change your mind. You will also be asked to confirm that you have sought academic advice about making the change.

Requests to transition will be handled in the order in which they are received, so if you are planning to enrol into your new curriculum degree in March 2010, the final date for first half-year transition requests is 29 January 2010.

Macquarie City Campus advises that you consult a Student Adviser before you transition to a new curriculum degree.

If I transfer to the new curriculum and then change my mind, can I transfer back to the old curriculum?

Unfortunately no, once you have transferred to a new curriculum degree, you cannot ask to be put back in your pre-2010 degree if you change your mind.

For this reason, you should think very carefully about making the change, and you should consult a Student Advisor before you request to change.

What happens to all the work I've done so far?

Units you have completed so far in your Macquarie studies will continue to count towards your degree/program of study.

What is a Capstone unit?

A capstone unit is completed towards the end of a degree and brings together all of the study completed throughout their major or program of study to develop problem-solving skills and prepare the student for life as a graduate.
You should check information from your department. If you are thinking about transferring to the new curriculum you should consult a Student Adviser to discuss the availability of capstone units as they are phased into new programs from 2010.


If I change to a new degree in 2010, will I have to do a Capstone Unit?

Yes, all students enrolling in one of the new degree programs from 1 January 2010 will be required to include a 300-level Capstone unit in their studies. If you are close to finishing your degree in 2009, you should check before you decide to change to a new program because there may not be a suitable Capstone unit available in your major area in 2010. More Capstone units will become available from 2011.You must discuss this with a Student Adviser.

What is a Participation unit?

A Participation unit will become a compulsory component in degree programs for all undergraduate students who first enrol at Macquarie University and Macquarie City Campus from 2012 onwards.

If you are currently enrolled in a degree in 2009, you will not be required to complete a Participation unit to finish your degree.

A Participation unit requires the student to bring their learning out into the community. The student has the opportunity to participate in many different areas, improving the student's expertise whilst contributing to the community. These units are being piloted now, and will be implemented in the next few years. Participation units may include internships, volunteering, special projects, accredited work in professional environments and community projects.

Must I do a PARTICIPATION unit?

No, only students who first enrol in 2012 (and after) need to do a Participation Unit. If you are a currently enrolled Macquarie student in 2009, you will not be required to complete a Participation unit to finish your degree.

I am an international student will this affect my visa?

Yes, your visa may be affected if you transfer to new program. If your degree name changes you will require a new Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), however this will not cause any changes you’re your visa unless your expected completion date changes. Should the date you expect to complete change, either due to transferring to new curriculum or due to a change in credit points, you will require a new eCOE  and possibly you will be required to extend your visa once your current visa expires. An Academic Adviser can guide you through the process of adjusting the expected duration of your eCoE and visa and you should definitely consult an Academic Adviser before you transition to the new degree.

Will the credit points for units change in 2010 under the new curriculum?

Units that are currently worth 3 credit points will not change their value. Most 200-level units will now be 3 credit points, and many 300-level units will change from 4 to 3 credit points. Eventually all units will be standardised to 3 credit points.
From 2011 the higher-level units will also be standardised to 3 credit points. Some departments have already dropped their 300-level units down to 3 credit points for next year (2010). These changes have been implemented to ensure that there is enough room in your degree to complete the extra units associated with the new curriculum. These credit point changes will affect everyone, even if you choose not to move to the new curriculum structure.


Will the new curriculum changes to credit points mean that I'll take longer to finish my degree?

If your degree has a number of units which will change from 4 to 3 credit points, then you may fall short the required number of credit points that you originally expected to attain in your planned study program. This means you may be required to take an extra unit in order to make up the difference.


If you have any concerns about your program and how this change will affect you, please contact a Student Adviser to discuss your study program.


If I want to transfer out of my degree into another, can I transfer to a pre-2010 program under the old rules?

No. From 1 January 2010, students will only be able to enter the new program (either as new students or transferring students). The old programs (and rules) will only apply to students currently enrolled in those programs.


If I take leave of absence, can I come back under the old rules?

No, you will have to return under the new rules.


Where can I find information on my obligations as a student?

You should make yourself familiar with the Undergraduate Rules. They are published in the Calendar of Governance. Rules may be amended from time to time, and these amendments will be published on the University's website, and in each case the information contained on the website supersedes the information in the printed Calendar of Governance.


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From 2010, Macquarie University is making a number of changes to its curriculum for all its degrees. These changes will affect you.