Course rules

Resolutions of the Senate

1 Degrees, diplomas and certificates of the Sydney College of the Arts

(1)

With the exception of the Doctor of Philosophy, the Senate, by authority of the University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended), provides and confers the following degrees, diplomas and certificates, according to the rules specified by the Sydney College of the Arts. The Doctor of Philosophy is provided and conferred according to the rules specified by the Senate and the Academic Board.

(2)

This list is amended with effect from 1 January, 2011. Degrees, diplomas and certificates no longer open for admission will be conferred by the Senate according to the rules previously specified by the Faculty.

2 Degrees

*Code*	*Course title and stream*	*Abbreviation*	*Credit points*
VB000	Doctor of Philosophy	PhD	Research
VC003	Master of Fine Arts	MFA	Research
VC032	Master of Documentary Photography	MDP	48
VC031	Master of Film and Digital Image	MFDI	48
VC033	Master of Interactive and Digital Media	MIDM	48
VC001	Master of Studio Art	MSA	48
VH000	Bachelor of Visual Arts*	BVA	144
	Fine Arts	BVA	144
	Media Arts	BVA	144
	Object Art and Design	BVA	144

*may be awarded with honours following a further year of study.

Resolutions of the Sydney College of the Arts 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 Enrolment restrictions

The Coursework Rule limits the maximum number of credit points students may take in any given semester. The Faculty does not encourage full time students to exceed the recommended enrolment patterns for its courses.

2 Time limits

The Coursework Rule limits the time students may take to complete their course; part time students should ensure their enrolment pattern allows completion within the maximum time. The Rule also defines how time limits are affected by periods of suspension or absence, and the time limits for recognition of credit for previous study.

3 Suspension, discontinuation and lapse of candidature

Suspension of candidature is governed by the Coursework Rule, except that:

(a)

the maximum period of suspension of candidature permitted by the Faculty in any course is one year; and

(b)

no suspension of candidature will be granted from an undergraduate honours year.

4 Credit for previous study

A student may be granted credit towards an award course on the basis of studies, regarded by the dean as equivalent in workload and academic standard, successfully completed at this or another university or tertiary institution. Credit will be granted according to the provisions of the Coursework Rule.

Part 2: Unit of study enrolment

5 Cross-institutional study

(1)

Provided permission has been obtained in advance, 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)

the unit of study content is not taught in any corresponding unit of study at the University; or

(b)

the student is unable, for good reason, to attend a corresponding unit of study at the University

(2)

Cross institutional study is regarded as another form of credit and will be counted as such when considering eligibility.

6 International exchange

(1)

Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) has a number of faculty-specific exchange programs available to currently enrolled students of SCA after successful completion of one year of study.

(2)

The following conditions and limitations apply:

(a)

The faculty does not allow candidates for undergraduate honours or postgraduate coursework awards to participate in international exchange programs.

(b)

Only one exchange is permissible during a postgraduate research degree.

(c)

Only one exchange is permissible during an undergraduate degree and exchange offers are subject to a credit average and successful completion of all units of study in the semesters preceding the exchange.

(3)

Refer to the Faculty and International Office for more information.

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 is insufficient to claim special consideration thus resulting in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. 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 a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, nominee or lecturer most concerned. The Dean, nominee or lecturer most concerned 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 an application for special consideration has been approved, students will submit an assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified. If the assessment is completed and 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 10 working days late, a penalty of one per cent of the maximum mark awardable for the assignment will apply for each working day.

(b)

Work submitted after 10 working days and up to 15 working days after the deadline will be assessed on a pass/fail basis and without comments.

(c)

Work submitted more than 15 working days after the deadline will not be assessed (Fail).

9 Special consideration for illness, injury or misadventure

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 the Faculty handbook and on its website.

10 Concessional pass

(1)

In this Faculty the grade PCON (Concessional Pass) may be awarded.

(2)

A PCON result cannot be recorded in more than one unit of study per semester or where other units of study are failed. A PCON result cannot be recorded in a unit of study if a PCON or lower was awarded in a pre-requisite unit of study.

11 Re-assessment

The Faculty does not offer opportunities for re-assessment other than on the grounds of approved special consideration.

Part 4: Progression, Results and Graduation

12 Satisfactory progress

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 pass any unit of study identified in the course resolutions as being critical to progression through the course.

13 Weighted average mark (WAM)

(1)

The University WAM is calculated using the following formula:

	WAM =	sum(Wc x Mc)
		sum(Wc)

Where Wc is the unit of study credit points multiplied by the unit weighting and Mc is the mark achieved for the unit. The mark used for units with a grade AF is zero. Pass/ fail units and credited units from other institutions are not counted. However, the marks from all attempts at a unit of study are included.

(2)

The weight of a unit of study is assigned by the owning faculty. In this Faculty, junior units are weighted zero, Intermediate units are weighted two, Senior units are weighted three and graduate units are weighted one.

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)

Candidates 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.

University of Sydney Handbooks - 2011 Archive

The University of Sydney - Sydney College of the Arts Handbook