Choosing Units : Questions (1 Viewer)

[b00f]

Enrolling in Business Administration and Information Technology on Tuesday, just need help clearing a few things up with my proposed timetable, trying to figure out the best way to organise my year.

- How many units are you allowed to do each semester?

Managed to work out a way to do four (twelve credit points or sixteen hours worth each week) in first semester and six (eighteen credit points or twenty hours worth each week) in second semester, while still only having to attend three days per week. For me, this would be perfect, to get as much out of the way as quickly as possible and still having a reasonable workload with breaks in between. Not particularly interested in whether or not it's recommended to do more, but rather whether or not it's permitted.

- Why are evening classes structured differently to equivalent during the day?

It seems as if there's a clash between BBA111 and ISYS114, as one of their lectures overlap, so in order to complete them both in first year, you have to do one or the other in the evening. Usually you have a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial for BBA111, but if you take it in the evening there's only a one hour seminar. If someone could explain this and how it works, that would be great, cause it doesn't make much sense to me at the moment.

- What is the enrolment preparation session about?

Obviously they are there to answer questions like those above, but if there was no real necessity to go then it would be alot better than having to leave home at 7:30 and wait around for the rest of the day for enrolment.

- Is there anything else worth knowing?

Just wondered if anybody had any particular advice on pretty much anything except not doing more units per semester than normal due to the workload.

 

[AsyLum]

For a first year, 14cp per semester requires academic approval.

I'd imagine the seminar pitches the concepts differently, not too sure on that one.

Its there for those who aren't sure on enrolment, thats why its optional.

Go look at our FAQ thread, http://www.handbook.mq.edu.au/PDFs/2007/ug-glossary-of-terms.pdf and the handbook.

 

[b00f]

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

Do you have any idea under what circumstances academic approval would or wouldn't be granted?

It just seems that, for example, doing eighteen credit points in second semester with twenty hours worth of classes per week, wouldn't be particularly demanding in terms of workload. Most people who do a normal number of units don't even have any days off, let alone two as mine could. Granted, the other three are fairly long days (with breaks in between though) but that shouldn't be much of a problem.

 

[AsyLum]

It'd have to depend on the academic/dean at the time, and what subjects you're doing. While its good to say you'll be able to do these straight off, some people realise quickly how much of a workload uni really is.

 

[b00f]

True, it's just hard to make decisions for first year without any experience, only the possible timetable and my sister's advice to go off. In fact it was surprising for me, didn't think there'd be any days off or as many half days off. That's probably contributing to me wanting to take up too much.

 

[glitterfairy]

yeah.

I know you don't want to hear about what's not recommended but I'll say it anyway because to not listen would be foolish Don't be fooled by the amount of contact hours... especially if you're a non-humanities type person (which is true for you) you will still be doing a hell of a lot of work outside of uni. The general rule of thumb is for every contact hour, three hours of work (for a first year subject).

12cp I found was roughly equivalent to what I did in my HSC (and I'm a lowly scmp student). 14 would have made me sweat, 18 is plain overkill :/

EDIT: "Most people who do a normal number of units don't even have any days off"

Not true, not true!

I do a "normal" number of units, and until this year I've always had about two days off. It's a mac thing - since we plan our timetables we're able to tweak classes so that they're close together. Most people who are at uni "almost every day" a) are either post grads or b) don't go to macquarie.

Every hour you spent at uni will be intense, whereas at high school sometimes you can almost nap during classes. You'll be covering a lot of information very quickly, with no catch-up period... better to give yourself manuvering room than overestimating your capabilities. They give you a minimum/maximum cp level for a reason...

EDIT: as for the seminar thing, I don't know... I can only assume they expect all evening students to listen to the i-lecture?

 

[Kegs]

18 credit pointsfor a first year will never be approved. 14 in first semester is very rare. You must prove yourself first, then they will decide. The amount of hours in class is not something to judge the class on. Just cause you have a 1 hour lecture and 1 hour tute doesnt mean you do any less work than the physics student with a 4 hour prac and 2 hour lecture. There is shit loads to be don at home usually. 1 credit point is usually 3 hours of work including class and study time.

 

[AsyLum]

I've done 17 before, without question.

 

[glitterfairy]

really? wow

I had a friend that wanted to do 15... she had to go through the full system and explain how she could handle the workload, etc etc... (she did this in second year)

 

[Kegs]

My gf just did 18, including 2 law subjects, and it was really hard. There isnt much time to do it all, at some points in the semester it is overwhelming (even if you are superman/woman). She could only prepare for 2-3 tutes per week, as there was too much reading to be done across the board. She has had to get permission to study her subjects 3 out of the 4 semesters so far, and after last semester, I dont think she will do it again. You will get a good feel for it all in first semester and see how you go. Try to find some people who have done he subjects you want to do and ask them about the workload/assessments. Then you will have a better idea about it all.

 

[AsyLum]

really? wow

I had a friend that wanted to do 15... she had to go through the full system and explain how she could handle the workload, etc etc... (she did this in second year)

She's probably doing a real degree like Ben's gf

 

[onebytwo]

in the B com (acst) / B Eco program, they recommend doing 15cp in second semester.
whats with that?

 

[mserica]

Being an evening student I'll clear up the Seminar issue.. it is acutally a tutorial though the University has to identify it seperate to a tutorial to ensure that day students do not enrol or are less likely to enrol so that there are space for evening students.

We are expected to listen to ilectures and attend tutorials, if you do attend an evening tutorial - you will notice that majority of students in the evening classes are in full time employment, but we cover exactly the same outline and its the same as if you were to attend during the day - though we are all dressed in business attire.

Hope this clears it up for you!

 

[glitterfairy]

She's probably doing a real degree like Ben's gf

nah it was a bca

I've been advising all my "people" to think very carefully before applying for more than 14cp, because I doubt they can handle the work. No, EE2 and ME2 is not equivalent to 15cp etc, etc.

 

[jake2.0]

in the B com (acst) / B Eco program, they recommend doing 15cp in second semester.
whats with that?

That is doable since ACST101 is a relatively easy subject (well its meant to be for acst students).

 

[onebytwo]

That is doable since ACST101 is a relatively easy subject (well its meant to be for acst students).

oh i see, i was worried there for a while

 

[Lexiandrews]

what about Advanced mathematics at Macquarie university. I just read somewhere that advanced mathematics is highly regarded by the university and they just accept a limited number of students and they are all very well qualified students who have exceptionally excellent results and the university allows them to have 5 units per semester.They also can take math237 in the first semester of first year while that is designed to study in the second year.

 

[...]

math237 is easy..they only make it a "second" year unit because of various degree structure..
alot of ppl take 237 in their first yr anyway along with math136