ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => University of Melbourne => Topic started by: pyro-53 on October 14, 2012, 09:00:51 pm

Title: Breadth vs Electives
Post by: pyro-53 on October 14, 2012, 09:00:51 pm
How is breadth from Melb different from electives of other unis?

Is it because it's compulsory?
Title: Re: Breadth vs Electives
Post by: seretide on October 15, 2012, 08:18:02 pm
I'm not too sure on this... but, from what I know Melbourne uni i think is the only(?) uni to have a compulsory breadth subject. Other uni's i dont believe have the same thing - they have like an elective subject that come from within your course
Title: Re: Breadth vs Electives
Post by: Jenny_2108 on October 15, 2012, 08:34:25 pm
I think breadth means you choose the units which are not in your major
Eg: if you study bachelor of science, you can select breadth like law
Title: Re: Breadth vs Electives
Post by: slothpomba on October 15, 2012, 10:54:56 pm
Breadth is just a  fancy name for electives, just as Ferrari is a fancy name for a car. It's essentially a marketing creation.

Most generalist degrees "force" you to diversify a bit. In first year science for example, you can't just take chemistry, that would only be 2 subjects, you need 8. So, you might choose some physics or biology or something like that.

Breadth at UoM takes it one step further i guess. They believe they're training you for more than a job like a tafe would, they're training you to think, to be an intellectual and broaden you mind. That's probably some of the idea behind it. Granted, its not a choice but they recently changed it to allow some room (i just totally made these numbers up but say you used to have to take 6 breadths, you now have a choice between taking 3-6, the numbers aren't real but they put a bit more flexibility into it in the past few years, rather than a set number everyone has to take).
Title: Re: Breadth vs Electives
Post by: simpak on October 16, 2012, 09:39:26 am
It went from 6 to the option to do 6 or take a minimum of 4.
But one of them has to be above 1st year level.
Title: Re: Breadth vs Electives
Post by: pyro-53 on October 16, 2012, 03:27:24 pm
Have to do something out of my comfort zone is such a pain!  :( :(
Title: Re: Breadth vs Electives
Post by: simpak on October 17, 2012, 11:56:15 am
Have to do something out of my comfort zone is such a pain!  :( :(

It's really not, it will make you a better person.