Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment - 2012 Faculty Credit Guideline
| Document Number | 000988 |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 11 July 2012 |
1. Context/Overview
This Guideline supports the Faculty’s commitment to complying with the Credit provisions listed in the Rules Governing Awards and Programs [000958] and the Program Management Policy and Procedure Manual – Coursework [000967]. This Guideline will be reviewed annually to ensure it is consistent with the Program Management Policy and Procedure Manual.
In the event of an inconsistency between lower level policy documents and a Rule(s) or Schedule to the Rule(s), the Rule(s) made by Council prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
In the event of an inconsistency between an Academic Senate policy document and a Faculty policy, procedure or guideline, the policy document of Academic Senate prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
2. Definitions
In the context of this document:
Final year courses, in the context of undergraduate programs, means the final 80 units of highest level courses in a program according to the requirements for completion set out in the program information;
Credit means the formal acceptance of a student's prior learning or previous studies as being, in whole or in part, either identical to or the equivalent of studies contributing to a University of Newcastle award;
Specified credit means credit granted for the successful completion of a specific course or courses where there is substantial overlap of content, as determined by the Faculty, and where the level is deemed to be equivalent to a University of Newcastle course or courses.
Unspecified credit means credit granted for the successful completion of courses deemed to be at an appropriate level and in an appropriate field of study.
3. Guidelines
3.1. General Provisions
3.1.1. In accordance with Clause 6.2.7 of the Program Management Policy and Procedure Manual - Coursework [000967], credit will not be granted for courses awarded:
i. a terminating pass; or
ii. a conceded pass; or
iii. an equivalent pass; or
iv. a fail grade.
3.1.2. The maximum credit is listed in the relevant Schedules to the Rules Governing Awards and Programs [000958], including the:
-
Undergraduate Award and Program Schedule;
-
Postgraduate Coursework Award and Program Schedule; and
3.1.3. some exceptions apply at a program level, see Clause 3.4.In accordance with Clause 12.4.3 of the Rules Governing Awards and Programs [000958], the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) of the Faculty is authorised, in accordance with the policies and procedures approved by Academic Senate, to grant credit, exceeding the maximum credit listed in the relevant Award and Program Schedule, at his or her discretion for studies undertaken at the University of Newcastle not already counted towards a completed Award.
3.1.4. In accordance with the Maximum Time for Completion of Programs Schedule [000962], the period refers to elapsed calendar years from admission, inclusive of periods of leave of absence, exclusion or academic suspension.
3.1.5. Credit will not normally be granted for undergraduate courses into postgraduate programs.
3.1.6. A student will not be permitted to gain credit for any course that is substantially equivalent to one that the student has previously counted towards the same award.
3.1.7. The completion of core courses allows a student to demonstrate that they have acquired the learning outcomes required by the program. Credit for core courses will be assessed and will only be granted where it is deemed that the student has met the learning outcomes and at least 80% of the content was the same.
3.1.8. All students who are awarded credit must complete more than 50% of their final year courses at the University.
3.1.9. Unless otherwise stated in these guidelines the Pro Vice-Chancellor's nominee will be the Program Convenor for the program for which credit is being assessed.
3.2. Currency of Courses
3.2.1. In accordance with Clause 12.4.2 of the Rules Governing Awards and Programs [000958], Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) of the Faculty is authorised, in accordance with the policies and procedures approved by Academic Senate, to determine the currency of courses for which a student is seeking credit.
3.2.2. Within the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment credit may only be granted for studies completed in the preceding ten (10) years. For studies completed more than ten (10) years ago, some credit may be granted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the Program Convenor. In making credit determinations, the currency of course content will be considered.
3.3. Use of Precedents
In accordance with Clause 6.2.8 of the Program Management Policy and Procedure Manual [000967], where specified credit has been approved, such approval may be used as a precedent for the awarding of that credit in matching circumstances for three years, subject to any guidelines approved by the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor.
3.4. Programs with Credit Limitations or Conditions
|
Program |
Credit Limitation/Conditions |
|
Master of Architecture |
Maximum of 40 units |
|
|
|
|
Bachelor of Engineering (All Disciplines) |
Maximum of 160 units unless approved by Pro Vice-Chancellor. |
|
Bachelor of Construction Management |
Maximum of 160 units unless approved by Pro Vice-Chancellor. |
3.5. Exclusions
No credit is available within the following programs:
-
Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours)
-
Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Transfer)
3.6. Cross Institutional Credit
3.6.1. Credit may be awarded for cross-institutional enrolment subject to the requirements set out in Clause 6.3 of the Program Management Policy and Procedure Manual [000967].
3.6.2. In accordance with the Academic Governance and Support Delegation Schedule A7.4 the Pro-Vice Chancellor (or nominee) is authorised to approve cross-institutional study.
3.6.3. Approval for Cross-institutional study will not be granted for students who are under exclusion, suspension or restriction for the period of their exclusion, suspension or restriction.
3.7. Authority to Approve the Awarding of Individual Credit
In accordance with the Academic Governance and Support Delegation Schedule A7.4 the Pro-Vice Chancellor (or nominee) is authorised to grant credit. The decision to grant credit to an individual applicant will be approved as follows:
3.7.1. Specified Credit
i. The awarding of specified credit will be approved by the Program Convenor in consultation, where appropriate, with the relevant Course Coordinator.
ii. Credit precedents will be stored in the Credit Application Tracking System for the term of their currency and may be applied by the relevant Program Officer.
3.7.2. Unspecified Credit
i. The awarding of unspecified credit will be approved by the Program Convenor unless the application falls within the provisions of Clause 4.
3.7.3. Articulation and Block Credit Agreements
i. The awarding of specified and unspecified credit as part of articulation and block credit arrangements will be approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the Program Convenor.
4. Authority of Program Officers
4.1. In accordance with the Academic Governance and Support Delegation Schedule A7.4 the Pro-Vice Chancellor authorises Program Officers to:
i. approve specified credit for courses that have precedence in the Credit Application Tracking System (CATS) of not more than 3 years;
ii. approve credit for identical courses taken at the University that meet the currency provision of this guideline including identified equivalent courses that form part of a transition arrangement for a program;
iii. approve unspecified elective credit for courses taken at the University;
iv. approve up to 20 units of unspecified elective credit for courses taken at other universities or for completed studies at the Diploma level or above taken at Registered Training Organisations or equivalent; and
v. reject credit applications that plainly fall outside the eligibility criteria.
5. Relaxation
5.1. Provisions of this Faculty Credit Guideline may be relaxed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty.
6. Essential Supporting Documents
Rules Governing Awards and Programs 000958
Undergraduate Awards and Programs Schedule 000960
Postgraduate Coursework Awards and Programs Schedule 009961
Program Management Policy – Coursework 000964
Program Management Policy and Procedure Manual – Coursework 000967
Credit and Articulation Procedure 000862
Delegation of Authority Policy 000083
Academic Governance and Support Delegation Schedule A7.4
Recognition of Prior Learning Policy 000282
7. Related Documents
| Approval Authority | Faculty Board, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 11 July 2012 |
| Policy Sponsor | President of Academic Senate |
| Policy Owner | Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engineering and Built Environment) |
| Policy Contact | Assistant Academic Registrar, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment |