How exactly does UoM's subject studies work?

[UoM]

Well I've been lurking around these forums for a while now, and I guess these holidays would be the perfect time for me to begin investigating exactly I want to do next year. (Surprisingly my name was available aha.)

So I'm planning on going to Melbourne University no matter what, whether I receive an ATAR of 80, 90 or 99 will not affect my decision, it'll just adjust which course I'll be doing. (Personal choice; ideal location, parents have always pushed me towards UoM, rest of family's expectations, prestigious name, etc.)

I was flicking through the UoM '2014 Undergraduate Prospectus' booklet and there are a few things that I don't really understand.


I'd like to use the Bachelor of Science proceeding onto Master of Engineering as the example in this case.

In order for me to go onto the Master of Engineering, I have to major in one of the listed majors (bioengineering systems, chemical systems, civil systems, etc.).
When I select the major, there will be compulsory subjects along with elective subjects right?
What if in 2014 I do chemical systems but I strongly dislike it and want to change to computing and software systems as my major in 2015?
Will I have to redo another year's work or will it somehow back me up?
Along with these compulsory and elective subjects, I will also be forced to undertake a breadth subject?

What's the difference between the elective and breadth subjects?

Do breadth subjects help you in anyway? Like I understand if you decide to learn another language such as Spanish as a breadth subject, but how will learning something like International Politics in semester 1 of your first year of university help you in later life?

I don't really understand the layout of the course planners provided in the booklet, is there somewhere I could acquire more information/a simpler explanation?

And how about double degrees? There was a sample course plan for the Bachelor of Commerse with a double major in Accounting and Finance.
How would a double degree differ from just taking one degree?
The course outlilne doesn't look much different apart from the fact that the elective subjects have been replaced by major subjects.


I apologize if my thoughts seem a bit illogical/scrambled at the moment, no idea why I'm feeling tired, bleh. x]


Is there somewhere that has an ordered list of all the majors along with the compulsory and elective subjects that I could look at? Along with the breadth subjects associated? (Or are the breadth subjects independent of the major?)


Thank you in advance, I'll be responding to your responses.

[kaybee94]

I'm not too sure about the engineering question but I'm sure someone that does science and engineering will help you out with that. Since the Melbourne model came in there are no double degrees anymore. To do something such as engineering requires you to do a masters degree after your bachelor of science. Breadth subjects are meant to expand and explore your learning outside of your own faculty. It may not help you with your course specifically but I think the uni's take on it is to enrich your learning. What you see in the prospectus is justa  sample course plan. Subjects, prerequisites and availability change from year to year and when you do get admitted you can speak to a course adviser.

[UoM]

when you do get admitted you can speak to a course adviser.

Ohh thank god for that lol, I thought university forced you to be completely independent and that you had to do all the research and understand everything yourself ahaha.
Phew lol

There was a double degree in the bachelor of commerce as its course sample timetable though, but anyway thank you for your reply!

[kaybee94]

Uni is definitely independent but they don't leave you out to dry. There's a student centre for each faculty so you have to actively seek help or guidance if needed. The thing you saw with commerce isn't a double degree it's a double major. To get a double major for commerce you would usually have to complete specific subjects in your third year to obtain it (and usually these subjects will have prerequisites themselves).

[Professor Polonsky]

Yes, no double degrees in Melbourne. A major refers to a sequence of subjects taken within your degree. You can often major in more than one area.

As for how the course is structured, the handbook entry is your best bet. There are links there to all the different majors. Keep in mind that while only four subjects may be listed for the major, there would be prerequisite subjects to enrol in those.

You can see a course advisor to help you with this stuff. Also, have a read of this very helpful thread which may answer a lot of questions you might have.