Online Courses Handbook

Admission is to allow a person entrance to undertake a course of study at the University.

The Admissions and Matriculation Committee is a standing committee of the Academic Senate and is the body responsible for approving any particular qualification; for deeming any qualification as "equivalent" and for granting matriculation status recommended by schools.

An Academic Status is an academic standing, which can include Good Standing, Conditional, Terminated, Honours or Distinction.

Advanced Standing is recognition of prior learning and is displayed as credit towards a course on the student's academic record.

An Alternative Examination is any examination, scheduled individually from the centrally or school scheduled examinations, approved either by the University Counselling Services or the University Examinations Office, and held wherever possible, within the standard University Examination periods.

Anti-requisite is a unit that has the same curriculum as another unit and is usually studied within a different level and/or year.

Assessment is the method(s) and procedures by which a student's academic progress and performance is measured in an enrolled unit.

Assigned Base Score/Rank is a notational TER for admission to the University, allocated by the Admissions Office to non-school leaver applications in accordance with guidelines approved by the Admissions and Matriculation Committee.

An Availability indicates the location, study period and fee basis on which a unit or course is offered.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is a statutory authority responsible for the administration of Australia's taxation system.

The Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee (AVCC), is the Council of University Presidents, representing Australian Universities nationally and Internationally.

An Award with Distinction is granted in recognition by the Board of Examiners of outstanding performance in the course and shall not be awarded to more than ten (10) percent of graduates in that course.

An Award or Testamur is the official University certificate which confirms completion of an award course of study.

An Award Course is a structured combination of units approved by the University Academic Senate which when completed qualifies the student for an award from Curtin University of Technology.

Board of Discipline is a formal group convened in accordance with Statute 10 of the Curtin University of Technology Act 1966.

A Board of Examiners is a committee that is constituted for each award course to ensure that the assessment and determination of performance for each student enrolled in that course is conducted in a fair and equitable manner.

A Board of Study is a committee that is established, within a School, for each award course or group of award courses, to guide development and delivery of courses and propose changes, introduce new, discontinue inactive courses, and makes recommendations to the relevant Divisional Board on course matters.

A Bridging Course is a program of study, which is conducted prior to the commencement of a formal award course. It is designed to assist potential students, who have otherwise met matriculation requirements, to satisfy course selection or English literacy requirements.

A Bridging Unit is a unit of study designed to provide students with the required level of skills and knowledge necessary to undertake further studies.

Census date refers to the date set by DEST whereby after this date academic and financial penalties may apply.

A Centrally Scheduled Examination is one which is scheduled and coordinated by the University Examinations Office.

A Challenge Examination is where a school offers the student an opportunity to sit an examination to see whether the student has the necessary competencies to be granted an exemption. A fee will apply.

Clinical Practice is a subset of professional practice where the work environment is directly concerned with the physical or mental health of patients.

A Collaborative Award means Curtin degree programs that are delivered with the collaboration of other higher education institutions. Normally these lead to the award of a Curtin degree for which the testamur reflects the collaborative development and delivery of the education program. The term "Collaborative awards" is also used to refer to degree programs where Curtin is the collaborating partner, but not the initial enrolling partner.

Conditional is an academic status determined by the Board of Examiners. A student is permitted to re-enrol and may be subject to conditions determined by the Head of School and to the statutes and rules of the University.

Conditional Matriculation can be granted to applicants awaiting outstanding academic results.

Conferral is when the University Council approves the production of the testamur and the application of the Curtin Graduation Seal.

A Core Unit is a compulsory unit specified in the course outline.

The Course Completion Date is the date the student has completed the last requirement of the course.

Course Weighted Average is a calculation of a student's average of results (given a final percentage mark) for all units in a course. The calculation is based on the mark and value of the credit weighting.

Credit Transfer refers to the principle of accepting a student's academic record, in whole or in part, as either identical to or the equivalent of a part of a Curtin course.

Cross-institutional refers to a student who undertakes part of the course of study at an institution (host institution) other than the institution (home institution) which will award the degree.

The Curtin Graduation Seal is the official seal applied to the testamur as directed by University Council.

Curtin International College is a private college on the Bentley campus which provides pathway programs to Curtin mainstream courses.

Curtintrack is a program designed by the University for students in specific high schools to undertake tertiary studies whilst completing Year 12.

Curriculum Council is the government body responsible for the administration of the Western Australian Tertiary Entrance Examinations.

Curtin University Test of English (CUTE) is a test designed to measure whether candidates have a sufficient level of English language proficiency to undertake a course of tertiary study presented in the medium of English. This test is designed and administered by Curtin.

Curtin partner/Collaborator means an organisation that Curtin has selected to engage in the delivery of its offshore educational services.

Deferred Examination/Assessment is where any component of assessed work within a unit of study is approved to be done at a later date.

A Degree by Incorporation is where the equivalent study has been undertaken in another course and/or recognition of prior learning (advanced standing) is approved to meet the requirements of that course and where at least one third are Curtin provided units.

A Degree with Distinction is recognition by the Board of Examiners of outstanding performance in the course and shall not exceed more than ten (10) percent of graduates within a given course.

The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) is the statutory authority responsible for administering educational programs in Australia.

Designated credit refers to credit granted for studies provided through award courses, reciprocal exchange programs, extension and short courses registration and approved agencies and which are deemed to be equivalent in status to Curtin units.

Direct Entry is entry to the University but not through the TISC system.

Distance Education delivery is a term which covers print, audiovisual, computer of telecommunication based, materials, tutorial support, assignments, assessment and feedback.

Distance Education students is a term which covers students studying off-campus.

A Distinction is a grade granted for exceptional academic performance.

A Double Degree is an approved combined study program leading to two awards.

A Double Major is two full majors within one course.

An Elective Unit is a unit of study chosen by a student no specified in the course structure.

An Enabling Course is offered for the purpose of enabling a non-overseas student to undertake an award course in a student place, which is funded either partially or fully by the Commonwealth.

English Competency requirements are essential literacy provisions for admission to courses at Curtin. Competency requirements are published and reviewed annually.

An Enrolment Transaction Advice is a statement acknowledging the receipt and acceptance of initial enrolment and any enrolment amendments.

An Examination is a formal, supervised assessment activity used to assess student learning outcomes, which comprises at least thirty percent (30%) of the overall mark and which normally takes place at the conclusion of a formal teaching period.

An Examination Answer Booklet is a booklet, normally provided by the University, in which the student records answers to Examination questions.

Exempt is when a student is not required to undertake a part of a unit of study, a unit or units of study because of prior studies or work experience.

Extension Studies provides for matriculated and non-matriculated applicants to undertake study in a limited number of units. These units are available on a fee-paying basis, not for degree basis and may subsequently be used as a basis for applying to a degree course.

Exceptional circumstances refer to circumstances beyond the control of the student or circumstances not anticipated at the time of enrolment in the course.

A Field of Study is a classification of courses based on similarity of specialisation or principal subject matter of the course.

A Financial Statement is the University's statement of monies received and outstanding monies owning.

Foundation Courses are designed to prepare potential students, who otherwise do not meet matriculation requirements, to qualify for admission to undergraduate courses.

General Credit refers to the process where previous studies exempt a student from having to complete unspecified units in a course.

Good Standing is an academic status determined by the Board of Examiners, a student is permitted to re-enrol in that course, subject to the statutes and rules of the University.

Gown refers to the designated Curtin gown for the award being received.

A Grade refers to the alpha-numeric code used to signify a range of percentage marks or status of a result.

A Graduand is a student who has completed the requirements of the course and is awaiting conferral/confirmation of their award by University Council.

A Graduate is a student who has had their award conferred/confirmed by the University Council.

A Graduate Diploma is a postgraduate course undertaken in a different discipline as the previous undergraduate course.

The Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) is a scheme under the Higher Education Funding Act 1988 to which the University and all students must comply. Continued enrolment at the University is conditional upon full compliance with the associated regulations.

An Honorary Award is an award conferred by the University Council to a member of the community, in recognition of outstanding achievements and service.

An Honours award can be earned either as the outcome of a year of study that is additional to a bachelor degree in a discipline or as the outcome of an honours program that is studied concurrently with a normal pass degree of four years or more in a discipline.

An Honours year of study can be additional to a normal pass degree year in a discipline or an honours program of study, studied concurrently with a normal pass degree of four years or more in a discipline at an undergraduate level.

Hood/Sash refers to the coloured hood/sash worn with the gown and denotes the colour of the area of study and of the level of the award being presented.

Industry Experience Unit(s) count towards course completion, is accompanied by planned, ongoing instruction and supervision in accordance with agreed guidelines, but not paid for by the University. The work must make use of knowledge and skills relevant to the course and the student may be employed by the organisation in which the unit is undertaken.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test designed to measure whether candidates have a sufficient level of English language proficiency to undertake a course of tertiary study presented in the medium of English.

An Intermediate Award is an approved interim course, to acknowledge a student's achievements where, under exceptional circumstances, the student is unable to complete the requirements of the currently enrolled course.

A Student Fees and Charges Invoice is the University's request for payment of tuition and other fees for a given study period.

A Letter of Course Completion is an official document, issued by the Director, Student Services, stating that all academic requirements for the course have been met.

A Liability Notice is the University's official notification of a student's financial liability as at the census date for the relevant study period.

A Major is a series of units combined to satisfy the University's requirements in an area of specialisation and includes at least two units at final year level. There must be more components that constitute the major than components that constitute any other single area.

A Mark refers to the number used to signify the percentage awarded for the assessment.

Matriculation is the basic academic and literacy requirements for admission to Curtin. Selection procedures for specific courses are additional to this.

Mature Age Candidates for the purposes of admission to the University are those who will be twenty (20) years of age, or over, before 1 March of the year of admission to the University.

A Minor is a series of four units in the same subject, including at least two units at second year level or higher.

Misconduct is the improper conduct by a student which infringes on the reasonable freedom of others or which is otherwise detrimental to the proper conduct of the University.

A Non-Award Course is a program of study which does not lead to a formal award. It may comprise a unit or units of study from an award course and may be counted as credit towards an award course in some cases.

Non Standard Study Periods are those study periods outside the two (2) standard semesters as outlined in the University Academic Calendar.

A Non-Study Component is an additional requirement of the course eg first aid certificate.

An Open-Book Examination is an Examination where an appropriate, prescribed textbook, or similar, is approved to be used in the Examination.

Open Learning Agency provides a flexible and convenient way to access tertiary education. OLA offers students a variety of fully accredited courses all offered in distance mode. With OLA, there are no requirements to attend on-campus so you can study in the convenience of your own home.

An Optional Unit is a unit chosen, by the student, from a specified list provided by the School(s).

Plagiarism occurs when the work of another person, or persons, is used and presented as ones own, without the source of each quotation or piece of borrowed material is acknowledged with an appropriate citation.

A Postgraduate Diploma is a postgraduate course undertaken in the same discipline as the previous undergraduate course.

The Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS) is an interest-free loans facility for eligible students who are enrolled in fee-paying, postgraduate non-research courses.

Practical Unit(s) count towards course completion and can be undertaken in an organisation other than the University. They involve regular and planned supervision by the University and the use of skills and knowledge acquired in coursework undertaken within the University.

Preparatory program covers bridging, enabling and foundation programs.

A Prerequisite is a required subject/unit deemed necessary for entry to higher level studies in a particular area.

Prior qualifications includes all formal qualifications obtained through assessment and are awarded by recognised educational providers and professional bodies.

Privacy outlines the University's commitment to the national privacy principles.

A Prize is a reward or special recognition of a students' high achievement in an area or course.

A Program is a plan of academic study and related activities.

A Professional Practice Unit is one where a student extends knowledge and skills within a practical environment.

Published Information is information included in publications available to prospective and current students.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the recognition of relevant knowledge experience, or skills that a student has, before, undertaking the course.

Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is an organisation registered by a State or Territory recognition authority, to deliver training and/or conduct assessments and issue nationally recognised qualifications in accordance with the Australian Quality Training Framework.

A Result comprises a grade and, where applicable, a percentage mark.

A Sanction is a warning put on the Student's record, to alert the student of outstanding requirements and which may withhold certain privileges.

School Leaver Candidates are those applying for admission to the University on the basis of the Western Australian Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE), or an interstate or international equivalent, and who will be under twenty (20) years of age before 1 March in the year of admission to a university.

A School Scheduled Examination is one, which is set and coordinated by a school outside the standard University examination periods.

Selection refers to the decision by a Head of School to offer a place in a particular course to a specific applicant who has satisfied the University's matriculation requirements.

Semester Weighted Average is a calculation of a student's average of results (given a final percentage mark) for any units, over a study period. The calculation is based on the mark and value of the credit weighting.

A Significant Unit refers to a unit of study in an approved specified course in which failure twice may lead to the termination of a student's course.

Special Accommodation means the setting of examinations to provide for the needs of students with a disability or medical condition.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) refers to a range of specially designed tests administered by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to assist universities in assessing suitability of mature age candidates for admission to tertiary study. In certain circumstances, the STAT may also be used by school leaver candidates to satisfy literacy requirements.

The Standard List of Qualifications is a register of those qualifications both Australian and International, recognised by the University as meeting matriculation requirements.

A Standard Semester is a standard study period as outlined in the University Academic Calendar, comprised of fourteen (14) teaching weeks, two one week periods free from class contact (including one study week during which no examinations shall be held) and a two-week examination period.

A Statement of Academic Record (SAR) is the official record of the student's advanced standing, grade and mark obtained for units studied within a course.

A Stream is a specialised structure of units within a course.

A Student is any person enrolled in a University course.

A Student Declaration is where the students sign, on application to the University, to abide by all the rules of the University.

Students from Designated Groups are groups of students identified by the federal government, who on a national basis are not enrolled at Universities in numbers proportionate to their share of the population; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; students from low socio-economic status backgrounds; those from rural and isolated backgrounds; people with disabilities; women in non-traditional fields of study; and students from a non-English speaking background, and others, as determined by the relevant government body.

A Student Identification Card is a card issued by the University which provides a variety of access, library borrowing rights and proof of identity.

A Student with a Disability is a student who has a disability or medical condition as defined under the University Disability Services Plan.

A Study Package is a generic term used to describe what the University teaches, ie courses, majors, streams, minors, units and thesis.

A Study Period is a period of time in which a unit is available eg Semester 1, Trimester 3 etc.

A Study Plan is an overview specifying a student's advanced standing granted, past, present and intended enrolment.

A Supplementary Examination/Assessment, may be approved by the Board of Examiners, for students who have not met the requirements for successful completion of a unit.

Terminated is an academic status determined by the Board of Examiners. A student is not permitted to re-enrol in the course but may seek admission into another course.

Technical and Further Education (TAFE) offers a range of programs aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) provides the ranking which is used for allocating places in university courses. It is calculated from the Tertiary Entrance Score (TES).

Tertiary Entrance Score (TES) for school leavers is calculated using a student's best four or five tertiary entrance subject scores. For mature age tertiary entrance applicants, the score is normally calculated using two tertiary entrance subject marks.

Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) acts on behalf of the four Western Australian participating universities to receive and process applications from students for admission to their chosen courses.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a test of English designed to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English.

A Testamur is the official award bearing the Curtin Graduation Seal conferred by University Council.

A Thesis is a formal and substantial report of a research program and its outcome, investigated under supervision, presented in a prescribed format and examined in accordance with University Regulations.

Tuition Pattern refers to the different types of learning environments eg lectures, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, fieldwork, etc.

A Unit is a discrete entity of study within a subject area that is a component of a course.

The University Examinations Office is located within the Student Services Office, is responsible for scheduling and the coordination of centrally scheduled examinations and the issuing of final results.

The University Standard Examination Period is the examination period as outlined in the University Academic Calendar.

A Unit Outline is a summary of essential requirements of the unit being studied and is provided to each student enrolled in a unit during the first scheduled contact.

The University Academic Calender is comprised of two (2) standard semesters of twelve (12) teaching weeks, two (2) one week periods free from class contact (including one study week during which no examinations shall be held) and a two-week examination period.

The University Fees Centre is located within the Financial Services Office and is responsible for ensuring the setting of and approval of all fees, invoices and liability notices and all matters pertaining to HECS and fees.

Vocational, Training and Education Centre (VTEC) is a branch of Curtin University, located within the Division of Resources and Environment, that delivers a range of educational programs, aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework, are equivalent to and recognised by Training and Further Education (TAFE).

The Vice-Chancellor's List is for academic excellence, comprises students who have been selected from the top one percent (1%) of a course for a given study period.

The Visitor is an appointment as set out in the Curtin University of Technology Act and is currently the Western Australian Governor General.