Bachelor of Commerce

The Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) at Melbourne equips graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The course also prepares students for subsequent graduate studies and allows them to achieve the highest level of success in their professional careers.

The Bachelor of Commerce provides a solid foundation in economics, quantitative methods and organisational behaviour. The structure of the course requires students to study compulsory and elective subjects from the core program. These determine a student's major field of study.

A feature of all the new generation undergraduate degrees is the compulsory breadth component. Students choose a number of subjects from disciplines outside of commerce, exposing them to multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills.

The course allows students to meet accreditation requirements specified by accounting and actuarial professional bodies. Graduate options upon completion of the degree include proceeding directly to employment, an Honours year, or further professional or research related graduate studies.

The Bachelor of Commerce has the objective of preparing graduates who embody the University of Melbourne graduate attributes. It seeks to provide students with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world, to prepare them for subsequent graduate studies and to allow them to achieve the highest level of success in their professional careers.

1. Learning goal: Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable across the disciplines of the faculty.

Objectives to achieve this goal
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in the core program of study, with an in-depth understanding in at least one of these fields.
• Explain the basic concepts and theories and institutional arrangements underlying the operations and performance of modern mixed economies using Australia as a principal example but also exploring other economies in the region.

2. Learning goal: Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable of disciplines outside the faculty.

Objectives to achieve this goal
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Reflect a general understanding of the concepts, principles, theories and arguments of selected areas of study outside the core disciplines of economics and business.
• Explain and use theories, concepts, and findings from the social sciences to effectively manage people and organisations for the benefit of the full range of organisational stakeholders, and contribute positively to the development of organisations and society particularly in relation to business, government and commercial professions.

3. Learning goal: Graduates of this degree will be capable of using basic research methodologies and information sources.

Objectives to achieve this goal
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Engage confidently in self-directed study and research and have a continuing commitment to learning.
• Demonstrate ability to access, evaluate and utilise information from diverse sources and be proficient in the use of appropriate modern technologies.
• Be independent in their learning and respond in a critically informed manner to new ideas, research findings, methodologies and theoretical frameworks in their specialised field of study.

4. Learning goal: Graduates of this degree will be effective problem solvers.

Objectives to achieve this goal
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification, evaluation and resolution of complex problems and to do so from the standpoint of specialised knowledge developed in at least one specific commerce disciplines.
• Contribute to issues of concern to society within the framework of disciplines studied both within and outside the core program.
• Appreciate and participate in national and international debates and discussions on economic, commercial, and business issues.

5. Learning goal: Graduates of this degree will be productive workplace communicators.

Objectives to achieve this goal
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate ideas effectively in both written and oral formats.
• Qualify for employment in a wide range of occupations.
• Work competently and productively in groups, exercising teamwork and interpersonal skills.

General Bachelor of Commerce Course Requirements

The Bachelor of Commerce requires the successful completion of 300 points comprising:

200 points of Commerce discipline subjects including:

Compulsory Requirements

Students must meet the quantitative requirement of the course. This can be satisfied through the standard quantitative (above), alternative mathematics (MAST20006 Probability for Statistics and MAST20005 Statistics) or accredited Actuarial Studies path (MAST20004 Probability and MAST20005 Statistics).

Students must complete at least one Commerce major, and may complete up to two commerce majors. With the exception of the multidisciplinary business major, a major requires completion of three specified subjects at Level 3.

Special Arrangements

2010, 2011 and beyond commencing students pursuing an approved Engineering breadth sequence in the Civil, Electrical, Mechanical or Software streams will undertake 112.5 points of breadth and free points and 187.5 points of Commerce discipline subjects.

Students pursuing accreditation in Actuarial Studies will take 75 – 87.5 points of breadth and free subjects outside the Commerce disciplines including two breadth subjects that are neither mathematics nor statistics.

Progression

Students must normally complete 50 points of study at one year ‐ level before proceeding to the next year ‐ level.

Quantitative requirement
There are two ways to satisfy the quantitative requirement of the course:

• Option 1 – standard path:
  ECON10005 Quantitative Methods 1 ; and one level-2 quantitative subject from the list below:
• ECON20003 Quantitative Methods 2 or
• ECON10004 Introductory Microeconomics or
• MGMT20005 Managerial Decision Analysis or
• MKTG20004 Market Research

Option 2 – mathematics path:
Two level-2 subjects are taken in second year:
• EITHER MAST20006 Probability for Statistics (for students not pursuing Actuarial Studies) OR MAST20004 Probability (for students pursuing Actuarial Studies); and MAST20005 Statistics

The level-1 prerequisites for the mathematics path subjects above are as follows:

Prerequisites for students with a study score of 25 or above in units 3 and 4 VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent):

• MAST10005 Calculus 1
• MAST10006 Calculus 2
• MAST10007 Linear Algebra

Prerequisites for students with a study score of 27 or above in units 3 and 4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent):

• MAST10006 Calculus 2
• MAST10007 Linear Algebra

Prerequisites for students with a study score of 38 or above in units 3 and 4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent):

• MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
• MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2

It is recommended that students not pursuing actuarial studies meet the prerequisites for MAST20006 Probability for Statistics and MAST20004 Probability by enrolling in MAST10006 Calculus 2and MAST10007 Linear Algebra, even if they meet prerequisites for MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2. Students intending to pursue actuarial studies will take the mathematics path and enrol in MAST20004 Probability .

Which Quantitative Subjects?
The choice of quantitative subjects will depend on your chosen field/s of study, your level of ability and interest in mathematics and the subjects in which you wish to enrol later in your degree.

Through the mathematics path, it is possible to satisfy the quantitative requirement of the course by taking mathematics subjects as breadth. This option is suitable for students who enjoy mathematics and have strong mathematical skills.

In deciding which quantitative subjects to take, you should check the prerequisites of the level-2 and level-3 subjects you wish to take to ensure you make the most appropriate choice.

Majors Available for the Bachelor of Commerce
Students must complete at least one major and can complete up to two majors within the BCom. With the exception of the multidisciplinary business major, a major requires completion of 3 specified subjects at level-3. Subjects required for each of the majors are:

Concurrent Diplomas
Certain breadth subjects may be cross-credited toward a concurrent diploma. These diplomas offer specialised study in a range of areas. For further information, refer to the relevant website:
Diploma in Informatics
Diploma in Languages
Diploma in Mathematical Sciences
Diploma in Music (Practical)

Commencing students interested in pursuing a diploma should seek advice from both the Commerce Student Centre and the owning faculty of the diploma.

Available Breadth Tracks

For the most up-to-date admission requirements visit:

www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au

The Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Faculty’s programs.

The BCom and Masters degrees of the Faculty of Business and Economics equip graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The degrees include the following academic requirements for study:

(1) The ability to explain and evaluate concepts, theories, institutional arrangements and operations of modern mixed economies;
(2) The ability to critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context;
(3) The ability to explain and apply concepts across a range of commerce and business disciplines in solving business and policy problems;
(4) The ability to contribute positively to the development of organisations and society in relation to business, government and the commercial professions.

All students of the Faculty’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates for the BCom degree and for FBE Masters degrees must have abilities and skills in communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

I. Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and/or written form. A student must have the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of a discipline, principles or practices during assessment tasks, and in some discipline streams.
II. Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem‐solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish study plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students should also have the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross disciplinary information related to the BCom and Masters degrees.
III. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A student must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment and the emotional health equired for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in FBE courses.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Masters courses are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, but students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

Graduate degrees offer the opportunity for graduates to obtain a professional qualification or develop their expertise in an individual field. Graduate studies in commerce are also available for non-commerce graduates.

Graduate Professional Degrees are professional qualifications in disciplines including law, engineering and teaching. Fifty percent of designated places will be Commonwealth supported.

Graduate Programs in Commerce are business qualifications open to graduates from any discipline. They also allow commerce graduates to broaden their knowledge of business and management or extend their expertise in a particular field.

The Honours year provides advanced studies in individual commerce disciplines and is a gateway to research degrees such as the PhD.

Bachelor of Commerce graduates will have the following attributes and skills:

Academically excellent

• Analysis and evaluation of evidence in the commerce disciplines in support of an argument, proposition or solution to problems in organisations and in society.
• Strategic and critical thinking in relation to business and commerce related issues.
• Research skills including the retrieval of information from variety of business, commerce and economics sources.

Knowledgeable across disciplines

• Synthesis of knowledge across disciplines.
• Problem solving through the application of appropriate theories, principles and data.
• Skilled in the use of computer systems and software used in commerce and business through practical assignments, exercises and demonstrations.

Attuned to cultural diversity

• Aware of cultural differences and able to account for these in developing solutions to commerce related problems.

Active global citizens

• Effective communicators on matters related to economics and commerce.
• Participants in discussion and debate on national and international issues related to the disciplines of the faculty.

Leaders in communities

• Effective decision makers in business and commerce.
• Ethical and collegial in professional practice.

• Effective communication on matters related to business and economics and to an area of specialisation
• Appropriate use of computer systems and software used in business and economics
• Critical thinking and analysis skills
• Information discovery, synthesis, retrieval and evaluation skills
• Application of theory to practice
• Interpretation and analysis of data using statistical reasoning
• Attention to detail
• Independence in learning
• Positive contribution to teamwork skills
• Time management skills