This might be a stupid question.. (*course help*)

[simpak]

I appreciate the fact that doing something unrelated can be eye-opening, and makes the student more 'all-rounded' and knowledgeable. But is it necessary to make it examinable? I would much rather have a conversation than be tested on how well I can regurgitate.

Probably not, but nobody is forcing people who don't want to take breadth to enroll in Melbourne over Monash if that's the way they feel.
There's just no point in getting angry about a model that you elect to partake in.  If someone has such an issue with breadth, that's a reason why they might look elsewhere.

[paulsterio]

I can see both sides of the argument - although Mao, I must disagree with you - having a conversation is not really equivalent to taking subjects in it.

With Breadth, I see it as an opportunity to be able to pursue an interest. For example with myself, I wish to do Medicine, but I have a strong interest in Mathematics and Writing (Creative Writing) - so that's why I wish that Monash allows us the opportunity to take breadth subjects as part of their MBBS course - but they don't

[Mao]

I appreciate the fact that doing something unrelated can be eye-opening, and makes the student more 'all-rounded' and knowledgeable. But is it necessary to make it examinable? I would much rather have a conversation than be tested on how well I can regurgitate.

Probably not, but nobody is forcing people who don't want to take breadth to enroll in Melbourne over Monash if that's the way they feel.
There's just no point in getting angry about a model that you elect to partake in.  If someone has such an issue with breadth, that's a reason why they might look elsewhere.

Valid point. However, it can put people at huge inconveniences, such as people in western suburbs having to travel all the way to Monash to avoid breadths. I personally am a huge fan of breadth of knowledge, but I wouldn't like to think everyone must strive for the same breadth of knowledge to qualify for my degree.

Maybe the compulsory breadth is what makes UoM bachelor 'better'.

I can see both sides of the argument - although Mao, I must disagree with you - having a conversation is not really equivalent to taking subjects in it.

No it's not, but you cannot deny having a conversation is a great way to learn (if you talk to the right people). Over the last couple of years, I have learnt much more by chatting to people than sitting in any lecture room.

With Breadth, I see it as an opportunity to be able to pursue an interest. For example with myself, I wish to do Medicine, but I have a strong interest in Mathematics and Writing (Creative Writing) - so that's why I wish that Monash allows us the opportunity to take breadth subjects as part of their MBBS course - but they don't

You must also appreciate that some people have interests that doesn't involve in taking a class, or some people would like to pursue it in their own time instead of having to sit an assessment in it. Whilst it is regrettable you don't get to take electives, I think it's even worse to force people to take subjects they are not interested in.

[simpak]

However, with the amount of variety in breadth options, I think it's nearly impossible to find something you wouldn't be interested in.  Perhaps you ideally wouldn't take the subjects if you were given an option, but to suggest people aren't interested in anything but (for instance) straight Science is too simplistic.

Still, this issue is obviously what prompted the reduction in the breadth requirements for current degrees.  Perhaps it would be ideal for the university to reduce the /requirements/ even further (but not the possibility of doing six), to two or three subjects.  That would probably please a greater majority of students and future applicants.

I still think that some breadth is important though, even if it's just the slightest bit.

[Chromeo33]

Mavisgibbons, it's just that I wanted to do calculus 1, calculus 2 and linear algebra in my degree so I could be eligible for consideration into the Master of Engineering postgrad courses. But seeing as we have to do breadth I was just wondering if I would've been able to fit those math courses into breadth spaces without having to significantly sacrifice subject spaces. I didn't intend for my post to be much of an attack on the Melbourne Model, soz.

I was just wondering if I could save subject space by not having to do some breadth!

[simpak]

Mavisgibbons, it's just that I wanted to do calculus 1, calculus 2 and linear algebra in my degree so I could be eligible for consideration into the Master of Engineering postgrad courses. But seeing as we have to do breadth I was just wondering if I would've been able to fit those math courses into breadth spaces without having to significantly sacrifice subject spaces. I didn't intend for my post to be much of an attack on the Melbourne Model, soz.

I was just wondering if I could save subject space by not having to do some breadth!

Lol I totally understand, I'm not offended man!  Don't worry

[schmalex]

Mavisgibbons, it's just that I wanted to do calculus 1, calculus 2 and linear algebra in my degree so I could be eligible for consideration into the Master of Engineering postgrad courses. But seeing as we have to do breadth I was just wondering if I would've been able to fit those math courses into breadth spaces without having to significantly sacrifice subject spaces. I didn't intend for my post to be much of an attack on the Melbourne Model, soz.

I was just wondering if I could save subject space by not having to do some breadth!

You only have to do four breadth in total, and these can be spread out at any point in your degree, so it's fairly flexible, and the four subjects shouldn't really be enough to stop you doing anything that you want to do.

Also, another point on the usefulness of breadth, even if you're not using the information you've learnt, I think a big part is the actual skills. A lot of science students don't know how to write well or analyse academic essays etc., which they can learn to do by taking a breadth subject that is about science, but requires them to do more than just science experiments and things. You'd be surprised how important certain skills can be in the future that your degree might not directly teach.

[Chromeo33]

Mmm yeah schmalex, I only found out about that 4 breadth subject only rule a couple of days ago so now I really do see the flexibility in the Melbourne Mod!

Lol mavisgibbons, <3 Melbourne Uni!