University of Sydney Handbooks - 2011 Archive

Download full 2011 archive Page archived at: Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:21:48 +1000

Resolutions of the Faculty

 

Resolutions of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery for coursework awards


These resolutions apply to all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework award courses in the Faculty, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Students enrolled in postgraduate research awards should consult the resolutions for their course. These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the resolutions for the course of enrolment, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Part 1: Course enrolment

1 English language proficiency requirements

(1)
The faculty's English language proficiency requirements are applied in accordance with University policies. The faculty requires an IELTS overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each band, or equivalent score in another recognised test.
(2)
For admission to undergraduate courses, proof of English language proficiency may also be provided through a record of satisfactory achievement as detailed in the Coursework Rule.
(3)
For admission to postgraduate coursework courses, proof of English language proficiency may also be provided through a record of satisfactory achievement in tertiary studies in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English. The faculty defines satisfactory achievement as:
(a)
a three year degree, completed no more than five years prior to admission; or
(b)
a degree of two or more years' duration, completed no more than three years prior to admission.
(4)
In addition, external bodies such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency may specify additional English language proficiency requirements for professional registration.

2 Enrolment restrictions

(1)
Except as with the permission of the delegated academic a student may not enrol in units of study with a total value of more than:
(a)
24 credit points in either semester one or two; or
(b)
18 credit points in the summer session; or
(c)
12 credit points in the winter session.
(2)
Except as with the permission of the delegated academic a student may not enrol in units of study with a total value of less than 12 credit points in either semester one or two.

3 Suspension, discontinuation and lapse of candidature

The Coursework Rule specifies the conditions for suspending or discontinuing candidature, and return to candidature after these events. The Rule also defines the circumstances when candidature is deemed to have lapsed. Students should pay careful attention to the significant dates in these processes and their effect on results and financial liability.

4 Credit for previous study

(1)
The award of credit for previous study toward courses in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery will be consistent with the Coursework Rule. In addition:
(a)
Credit toward nursing units in the professional master's course will not be granted for recognised prior learning older than five years at the time of first enrolment.
(b)
Credit toward the graduate certificate, graduate diploma and advanced learning master's courses may be considered for recognised prior learning older than five years at the time of first enrolment provided the candidate can demonstrate ongoing experience within the discipline. Full credit will be granted for graduates of an award in an embedded program who become candidates for the higher award.
(c)
A student may be granted waivers in place of credit. In this case the student will be required to complete alternative units of study prescribed by the faculty.
(2)
Any variations from the above rules on credit for previous study are specified in the course resolutions.

Part 2: Unit of study enrolment

5 Cross-institutional study

(1)
The Dean may permit a student to complete a unit of study at another institution and have that unit credited to the student's course requirements, provided that:
(a)
permission has been obtained in advance;
(b)
the resolutions of the student's course of enrolment do not specifically exclude cross-institutional study; and
(c)
the unit of study content is not taught in any corresponding unit of study at the University; or
(d)
the student is unable, for good reason, to attend a corresponding unit of study at the University.
(2)
Cross-institutional study is another form of credit and this will be taken into consideration when considering eligibility.

6 International exchange

The faculty does not usually allow students to participate in international exchange programs due to the strict course requirements. Short term overseas study programs or clinical placements may be available.

Part 3: Studying and Assessment

7 Attendance

(1)
Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim Special Consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment and may result in an Absent Fail for the unit of study. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.
(2)
Students are expected to attend 100% of clinical placement activities and a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the dean. The dean may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

8 Late submission policy

(1)
It is expected that unless Special Consideration or an extension has been granted, students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the specified due date. If the assessment is completed or submitted within the period of extension, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment.
(2)
If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as follows:
(a)
For work submitted after the deadline but up to seven calendar days late, a penalty of 2 per cent per day of the maximum mark awardable for the assignment will apply.
(b)
For work submitted after seven calendar days and less than two weeks after the deadline, a penalty of 5 per cent per day of the maximum mark awardable for the assignment will apply.
(c)
Work submitted more than two weeks after deadline will be awarded a zero mark.

9 Special Consideration for illness, injury or misadventure

(1)
Special Consideration is a process that affords equal opportunity to students who have experienced circumstances that adversely impact their ability to adequately complete an assessment task in a unit of study. The Coursework Rule provides full details of the University policy. The procedures for applying for Special Consideration are described in each unit of study outline.
(2)
Where students are unable to complete a clinical placement due to illness, injury or misadventure and Special Consideration has been granted, they will be required to make up all the missed time.

10 Concessional pass

In this faculty the grade PCON (Concessional Pass) is not awarded except at the discretion of the Dean.

11 Re-assessment

(1)
The faculty does not offer opportunities for re-assessment other than on the grounds of approved Special Consideration.
(2)
Students who have successfully requested Special Consideration may be allowed to sit an exam or submit required work on an alternative date determined by the faculty. In normal circumstances, further sittings of end of semester examinations will be scheduled during the two weeks following the University's formal examination period. Students should be given at least three days notice of the timing of a test. Marks will be awarded at full value for re-assessment where Special Consideration is approved. Non-submission of work or non-attendance at exams by the agreed time will be considered a failure of the assessment item.

Part 4: Progression, Results and Graduation

12 Satisfactory progress

(1)
The faculty will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of their award course. In addition to the common triggers used to identify students not meeting academic progression requirements (as defined by the Progression requirements of the Coursework Rule), students must satisfy any requirements identified in the course resolutions as being critical to progression through the course.
(2)
In addition, students must meet all requirements of off-campus clinical placement components of any unit of study undertaken. Performance in clinical placements will be monitored in accordance with the faculty's Clinical Policy.

13 Weighted average mark (WAM)

The University has a formula for calculating a Weighted Average Mark and this is defined in the University Glossary. WAMs are used by the University as one indicator of performance. For example, WAMs can be used in assessing admission to and award of honours, eligibility for prizes and scholarships, or assessing progression through a course.

Part 5: Other

14 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Students who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.