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Course Approval
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING A PROPOSAL FOR A
SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO A COURSE
These instructions provide advice on the information required by University Committees to enable them to consider significant changes to courses.
Proposals for a significant change must be submitted on the Significant Change to a Course Form. The Faculty Office will provide advice on whether this is the appropriate form and on how to complete the form. A significant change is defined as any change to an exisiting course which substantially affects the funding arrangements, resources or profile of the University or particular Faculties, or changes to the structure or content of an existing course or other changes such as those itemised in 1.4 below.
Before completing the form, the proposal should be discussed with the Head of AOU and the Executive Dean. The Faculty General Manager should review the proposal before it is formally submitted to the relevant Faculty committees.
Following endorsement by the Faculty, the form must be submitted to the Secretary of Academic Senate. It must be accompanied by the Record of Course Approval Form, in which the relevance of the change to the University's Strategic Goals and resource requirements are addressed by the Executive Dean. The form will then be referred to the Vice-Chancellor's Committee, Academic Senate and Course Reference Group.
1 BASIC INFORMATION
1.1 Course affected
Indicate the full name of the course.
1.2 Faculty administering the course
Indicate which Faculty will be responsible for administering the course; do not indicate Faculties whose role is only to contribute to teaching in the course.
1.3 Year and semester when the change will take effect
Indicate the first year and semester in which the changes to the course are to apply.
1.4 Nature of the change
Indicate in detail the nature and significance of the proposed change to the course, for example, in relation to:
For new streams, specialisations, areas of study or honours programs, list the topics and show how the new program or stream is consistent with the course aims and expected learning outcomes. (The structure of 36 unit Honours programs designed to be taken after the completion of a pass level Bachelor's degree must also be consistent with section 5 of the Policy on Honours Programs.
For a change to deliver the course off-shore, describe any curriculum adaptations to meet local markets (e.g. provision of additional topics and bridging topics). Where there has been a change in the curriculum, provide evidence (e.g. curriculum mapping) that the offshore program is of an equivalent standard to the curriculum of the same course offered on campus and is consistent with the course aims and learning outcomes.
1.5 Transition arrangements
Where a change impacts on the ability of continuing students to complete under the arrangements in which they commenced the course (e.g. discontinuation of a major, change to the duration of a course) describe any transitional arrangements.
1.6 Quality Assurance arrangements for courses taught onshore jointly with another institution, on-shore using non-Flinders staff, or offshore.
Complete this section where, as a result of the change, the course is to be taught:
• offshore; or
• onshore jointly with another institution; or
• onshore using non-Flinders staff.
Please note that while Flinders policies apply to all courses, some additional measures are likely to be required to address the specific circumstances which apply in these cases. This additional information is required as evidence that approppriate quality assurance arrangements have been addressed.
Where relevant provide information about the following:
1.6a academic standing of the other institution(s) (where the significant change will result in all or part of the course being delivered by another provider in Australia consult with the International Office regarding any potential effect on CRICOS registration for the course);
1.6b assurance process in respect of the qualifications of non-Flinders staff teaching in the course;
1.6c arrangements for ensuring the equivalency of academic standards (e.g. moderation of assessment and arrangements for ongoing monitoring of standards);
1.6d arrangements for the monitoring of teaching quality (including student evaluation of teaching and providing feedback to students on outcomes);
1.6e arrangements for teaching offshore courses in a language other than English, including translation of course materials (indicate and justify the language of instruction);
1.6f admission and enrolment processes, including arrangements for ongoing monitoring of processes.
Where applicable also provide information about the following:
• support services for students
• student system support
• Flinders' involvement in student recruitment and marketing;
• host institution quality assurance processes
• host government quality assurance processes
For off-shore programs, the University Policy on the Development of Off-shore Programs applies in addition to the Policy on Course and Topic Development, Approval and Management, and the requirements specified in this form. The process described in that policy can be undertaken in conjuction with the course approval process.
2 ACADEMIC AND EDUCATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
2.1 Rationale for the change and relationship to content and structure of the course
Indicate the rationale for the change to the course, including any changes to the course aims or student learning outcomes.
2.2 Strategic significance of the change: to the AOU, the Faculty, to the University and the community
Briefly describe the strategic significance of the change to the course, identifying how the change to the course contributes to the strategic goals and objectives of the University, Faculty and AOU. Please refer to Flinders University Strategic Priorities and Future Directions, and the Faculty's Strategic Overview Action Plan (SOAP).
Note that the statement provided here will be extracted for separate consideration by Academic Senate. It should be capable of being reproduced as a stand-alone statement of the strategic significance of the change to the course.
2.3 Evidence of demand for the change and investigation of potential markets
What evidence is there to indicate that the change to the course must be made? Evidence of consultation with the clientele and employers is required. The Faculty must show that there is a need for the change which is proposed.
3 IMPLICATIONS
OF THE CHANGE 3.1 Resource requirements
Indicate the impact of the introduction of the change on the Faculty's resources and on other areas of the University. Indicate where additional resources will be required or need to be re-deployed. In particular specify the impact on the following areas:
3.1a Staff resources
Consult with the Head of AOU for an assessment of the impact on staff resources, including the use of sessional staff and specialist lecturers. In addition, identify additional staffing resources required for curriculum development, including the development of new topics amd course materials.
3.1b Library resources
Consult the University Librarian for an assessment of the cost of providing identified new library resources. New library resources might include: books, multiple copies of books where student load is large, new journals or data base subscriptions, access to electronic publications or an increase in the number of students requiring access. In some cases the additional costs may be able to be accommodated within the library budget. In other cases additional funding will be required. The source(s) of funding for new library resources must be identified.
3.1c Physical resources
Identify any impact on space, facilities and other infrastructure requirements. In particular, identify any information and communication technology (ICT) facilities and access requirements. For assistance with this section consult with the Head of AOU, in the first instance.
3.1d Student support and administration
Where appropriate, consult the Director, Academic and Student Services for an assessment of the resource implications for academic and student services (e.g. enrolment, graduation and the Student Learning Centre).
3.1e Other costs
Idenitfy any other costs associated with the significant change to the course. For example:
• development of course materials;
• marketing;
• provision of practicum or placement topics.
3.2 Relationship to other Flinders' courses (existing or proposed)
Indicate the way in which the amended course will fit within the framework of other related courses, articulate with prior study and will be a precursor for further study. Any change in the place of the course in the range of study available in a particular discipline area should be shown, and whether that discipline area exists solely within the University or articulates with programs outside the University should be indicated.
3.3 Impact on other faculties/AOUs
The University is concerned to ensure that teaching resources are used as efficiently as possible, so that there is no undue duplication of offerings. It is expected that there will have been close consultation with other AOUs and Faculties which offer topics or courses in the area concerned or in related areas, to ensure that the efficiency of resource use is maximised. Outline the contribution (if any) from other AOUs, including AOUs in other Faculties, to the course and show the percentage of total teaching load which each of these AOUs will carry. Describe the consultation undertaken with the affected AOUs/Faculties.3.4 Linkages with other tertiary institutions
Indicate whether the proposed change involves collaboration with another institution and if so what the arrangements will be for student load, teaching, access to facilities and administrative support.
4 CONTACT STAFF MEMBER
Name: ………………………………………………...
Contact No: ………………………………………………...
5 ENDORSEMENT OF HEAD OF ACADEMIC ORGANISATIONAL UNIT
This authorisation indicates that the Head of the Academic Organisational Unit (AOU) responsible for the management of teaching resources affected by the significant change, has been consulted and endorses the proposal:
Name: ………………………………………………...
Signature: …………………………………………
Date: …………………………..
If the significant change to the course significantly affects teaching resources not managed by the AOU proposing the change, include the endorsement of the Heads of the affected AOUs.
6 ENDORSEMENT BY EXECUTIVE DEAN OF FACULTY
Signature: ………………………………………… Date: …………………………..
For a significant change to a combined degrees program, where another Faculty is responsible for managing one of the contributing degrees, ensure the proposal has been endorsed by the Executive Dean of the other Faculty.
Comments to: anne.reichstein@flinders.edu.au
amended 26.09.07:hfs