- Opportunity to specialise by undertaking research in an area of interest
- A pathway to further research-based postgraduate studies
- Career opportunities can be found in academia, government or large corporations
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Business (Honours)
Award abbreviation: BBus(Hons)
QTAC code: Not applicable—direct application to USC
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: GPA requirement
Duration: 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English, Maths A,B or C
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 96
USC program code: BU401
CRICOS code: 028849J. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Continue your business undergraduate studies at a higher level and specialise in an area of interest.
In this program you develop an independent style of learning, combined with advanced knowledge in a specific research area. This academic background can give you an advantage in the employment market. An honours program is the main pathway to further postgraduate study, particularly research-focused study. Your studies are supervised by a Faculty of Arts and Business academic who has relevant research interests and expertise in your field of study. There is a thesis component.
Specialisations
Human resource management; information systems; international business; management; marketing; tourism, leisure and event management.
Career opportunities
Depending on the research area selected: academia, government / corporate positions in business management, human resource management, marketing management, market research, international business, computing, systems analysis.
Admission requirements
- Students must have completed a Bachelor of Business, or a related degree, from a recognised higher education institution, with at least eight courses in the area of study that will form their thesis topic.
- Potential applicants should have sustained a minimum GPA of 5.0 over the final two years of their undergraduate degree.
- A high level of achievement in the intended area of study must be demonstrated.
These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Importantly, enrolment is contingent upon the Faculty's capacity to provide appropriate supervision.
Enquiries
Faculty of Arts and Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1221
Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au
Program Leader
Dr Bishnu Sharma
Tel: +61 7 5430 2854
Email: bsharma@usc.edu.au
Program structure
The Bachelor of Business (Honours) structure is usually as follows:
- a 48-unit coursework component (consisting of four 12-unit courses), and
- a 48-unit thesis component
Coursework component
Required courses (4):
BUS512 Introduction to Research Concepts and Design
BUS513 The Literature Review
BUS514 Qualitative Research Methods
BUS515 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
Thesis component
A research project is conducted over the full year of enrolment, resulting in a thesis. The nature and topic of the thesis is determined by the student's interests, the interests of potential supervisors and the availability of appropriate supervision.
Students are required to complete a literature review and detailed methodology by the end of the first semester for full-time students, and the end of the second semester for part-time students.
The completed thesis is normally 12,000 to 20,000 words in length. The required length is determined by the precise nature of the research, in consultation with the supervisor and subject to the approval of the Head of School, Business.
Program requirements and notes
Faculty Honours Seminar Program
The University’s Honours Seminar Program helps build an honours research culture within USC, and provides opportunities for honours students from across the University to meet. Students are required to attend the Faculty’s fortnightly research seminar and thesis seminar with other research students, and will be required to present a minimum of two oral presentations on the progress of their studies.
Typically, the first oral presentation will occur after the formulation of the research project, while the second presentation will take place prior to formal preparation of the thesis.
Assessment and examination
All coursework is normally graded internally. A copy of your thesis will be sent to two independent examiners, one of whom is normally internal and the other of whom is external to the University of the Sunshine Coast.
To be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Business (Honours), students are required to pass both the coursework and thesis components of the program. Satisfactory participation in the Faculty’s honours seminars, including completion of at least two oral presentations, is also required.
Enrolment and fees
- In any semester, standard full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL
- In any semester, standard part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 census date
- Commonwealth supported students pay student contributions
- Students who are not Commonwealth supported pay full tuition fees
EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.
Classes of Honours
The degree will be awarded in one of the three classes:
- Class 1
- Class 2 (awarded as Division 1 or Division 2)
- Class 3
The class of honours awarded may not be more than one grade higher than the grade for the thesis. For example, if you receive a ‘Credit’ grade for your thesis, you may not be awarded the honours degree at a higher level than Class 2 Division 1, regardless of the average mark.