2020 Undergraduate Course Guide - FUTURES - THE Essential guide for those going places WORLD READY- There is where you are right now, and there is where you want to get to. In between you need a bridge. ECU is that bridge between your world, and the whole world. Become World Ready at ECU. WORLD READY- 3 Vice - Chancellor’s Message Professor Steve Chapman CBE Vice-Chancellor At Edith Cowan University (ECU), we understand that choosing a career is an important decision. In addition to the information in this prospectus, our supportive staff are available to answer your questions about specific courses and pathways to university study. Located in Western Australia, our It is through our connections with industry groups industry‑relevant teaching and research, and professional bodies that ECU students supportive study environment and award winning can experience work placements, fieldwork, facilities have been recognised with five star practicums, networking events and volunteering ratings for teaching quality twelve years in a row opportunities as part of their studies. in the 2019 Good Universities Guide. ECU has been named in the Times Higher In the 2019 release of the Australian Education Young University Rankings for 2018, Government’s Quality Indicators for Learning recognising the world’s best 150 universities and Teaching, ECU was named the top public under the age of 50. university for teaching quality. This is the In addition to developing important academic fourth year we have achieved this result. and professional skills, at ECU you will have In addition we were the top ranked public the opportunity to make new, lifelong friends, university for overall education experience whilst also enjoying the welcoming culture and based on a 2 year aggregate result. friendly environment. Our courses are developed in consultation Become the graduate ready to make your with industry, and our teaching staff have mark on the world. Become world ready at ECU. extensive industry experience and networks. ECU was named in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings for 2018. Recognising the world’s 150 best universities less than 2018 TOP 150 50 years of age, the rankings are a global showcase of a new breed of university. They focus on performance indicators such as research, teaching excellence, international outlook and innovation, and highlight universities that are developing at an exceptional rate. ECU is proud to be recognised for its research productivity, research influence, quality of teaching, industry innovation and international focus. And we’re looking forward to building on this success. 2020 Undergraduate Course Guide‑Edith Cowan University 3 Who was Edith Cowan? Born in 1861 in Glengarry, near Geraldton, Edith Dircksey Cowan believed education was the key to growth, change and improvement. Edith’s contribution to the development of Western Australian education was significant. She strove to achieve social justice and campaigned for the rights of women, children and families, for the poor, the poorly-educated and the elderly. So it’s fitting that the State’s oldest education institution and newest public university, Edith Cowan University, bears her name. WORLD READY- 4 2020 Undergraduate Course Guide‑Edith Cowan University PB CONTENTS Vice‑Chancellor’s Message 3 Achievements over the past year 6 Why ECU? 8 Facilities, Services & Support 10 Our Campuses 12 Find a study area Arts & Humanities 14 Business & Law 16 Engineering & Technology 18 Medical & Health Sciences 20 Nursing & Midwifery 22 Science 24 Teacher Education 26 WAAPA 28 our courses and majors Courses & Majors A – Z 30 University Preparation Courses 116 Entry pathways and support Admission Pathways to ECU 118 Applying to ECU 119 Fees & Financial Assistance 122 Scholarships 123 Graduate Certificates 124 Honours 125 Key Uni Terms 126 ECU is committed to reconciliation and recognises and respects the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ communities, cultures and histories. ECU acknowledges and respects the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land. ECU acknowledges and respects its continuing association with Nyoongar people, the traditional custodians of the land upon which its campuses stand. PB 2020 Undergraduate Course Guide‑Edith Cowan University 5 achievements over the past year ECU Ranked Top Public One of the world’s best university in Australia young universities for teaching quality ECU has been named in the Times Higher ECU has been ranked the top public university Education Young University Rankings for 2018, in Australia for teaching quality in the QILT recognising the world’s best 150 universities (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching) under the age of 50. The rankings are a global survey released in 2019. We were also the showcase of a new breed of university. They top public university in Australia for skills focus on performance indicators such as development and on a 2 year aggregate research, teaching excellence, international the top for overall educational experience. outlook and innovation, and highlight universities that are developing at an exceptional rate. Australia Day accolade ECU’s teaching graduates for ECU head of nursing dominate education awards Professor Di Twigg AM has been recognised for ECU teaching graduates swept four categories her significant leadership and service to nursing at the 2018 WA Education Awards, which in the 2019 Australia Day Honours List. Professor recognise the best primary and secondary Twigg was among more than 1,100 Australians teachers and schools around the State. to be honoured in what was the largest Graduates won the Primary and Secondary Australia Day List in history. Principal of the Year, Beginning Teacher of the The Executive Dean of the School of Nursing Year and Primary Teacher of the Year awards. and Midwifery was appointed as a Member School of Education’s former Executive Dean (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) Professor Lynne Cohen, said the awards are by the Governor‑General Sir Peter Cosgrove. further recognition of ECU’s ongoing role in “I am so overwhelmed, excited and honoured,” producing excellent teachers. Professor Twigg said. “ECU has been training and supporting The Order of Australia is considered the most dedicated, passionate educators for more prestigious means of recognising outstanding than 100 years,” she said. members of the community at a national level. “We firmly believe in supporting and nurturing new teachers to help them become the very best educators they can be.” 6 2020 Undergraduate Course Guide‑Edith Cowan University PB Five-star teaching quality Building ECU’s Science future ECU was rated the maximum five‑stars for ECU is building a state‑of‑the‑art science teaching quality for the twelth year in a building as part of a $48 million project on our row by the Good Universities Guide. Joondalup Campus. Scheduled for completion at the end of 2019 the building façade will feature In the 2019 guide, graduates also rated ECU the largest permanent periodic table in the world. five stars for overall educational experience, Students in ECU’s School of Science and School skills development, student support and of Medical and Health Sciences will benefit from median graduate salary levels. the five‑storey building which includes 2,800 sqm of purpose‑built super‑laboratories, which will meet Australian standards for handling potentially hazardous materials. ECU A WINNER AT MAJOR AWARDS ECU Spots a solution to ECU’s WAAPA and School of Nursing & Midwifery early melanoma detection were big winners at the recent Australian Edith Cowan University (ECU) researchers Awards for University Teaching (AAUT). have made a world‑first breakthrough with a blood test able to detect early stage In the Awards for Programs that Enhance melanoma. Melanoma is diagnosed in more Learning category, the Bachelor of Arts (Acting) than 14,000 people in Australia each year, with program, led by Ms Glenda Linscott (featured more than 1,700 people – or 5 per day – dying right) was recognised for its innovative teaching from the disease. and outstanding student experience and graduate outcomes. The new blood test could provide doctors with a powerful new tool to detect melanoma before And in the same category, the State‑wide it spreads throughout the body. Early testing Partnership Enabling Assistant Nursing Training has achieved a success rate of almost 80%. in ECU’s Bachelor of Science (Nursing) program, led by Ms Carol Crevacore (featured left) The Melanoma Research Group at Edith Cowan was acknowledged for the skills, experience University in Western Australia is one of a growing and employment opportunities it provides list of world‑class research specialisations. students during their studies. Rounding off these exceptional achievements, Dr Marianne Knaus and Dr Steven Richardson both received citations for their personal contributions to student learning in the School of Education and the School of Science. 2020 Undergraduate Course Guide‑Edith Cowan University 7 We equip you with the confidence and practical skills to deal with whatever challenges may come your way, no matter where you are in the world. But if that isn’t enough, here are a few more reasons why you should choose ECU. 1 4 Learn from More the best choices Our high calibre staff have extensive We offer a diverse range of courses, experience as researchers, teachers, majors, minors and electives. advisers or consultants and have significant professional experience in their field. 2 5 Industry More links flexibility Many of our courses offer direct links Through a variety of entry pathways and with industry and organisations. study options, we enable people from all backgrounds to enrich their lives and their communities through education. 3 6 Supportive learning Award-winning environment facilities We offer a supportive study environment with We are known for our award‑winning approachable teaching staff and a range facilities and are at the forefront of of support staff, including counsellors and providing innovative education and academic skills advisers, to help you get the training solutions.