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[Bluebeard Sally]

Hi, I'm after a little bit of guidance, so any help at all would be appreciated.

I'm currently in my 2nd year of a B.A. and am not sure it's where I want to be. I enrolled with the plan of majoring in Ancient History and althought I really love it, don't think it's right for me. Thus far I've sampled quite a lot of humanities/social science subjects; Cul100, Hist112, Ahst101, Engl120, Phil131, and am currently doing Wst110, Phil132, Cul200. I really like all my subjects and can't seem to settle on a major. So, my question is what is the limit on majors? (I really don't know the technicalities of my degree, even though I should).

Also, secondly, when I first applied for Macq my first preference was B.A./Psych as I'm really interested in Psych. However, I didn't get into that, so always thought about transferring and as such haven't yet. So, my questions for that are what's Psych like? Assessment-wise/Level of work-wise? And would any of you recommend it?

Thirdly and lastly I've also looked into the B. Social Science in Social Theory as maybe transferring into, because out of all my B.A. courses I've liked the ones that fall under this degree most so. Is it right to switch degrees based on where you're subjects fall under, even though I can just as easily do all those subjects under my B.A. already? However, that takes away any interest in Psych.

Final questions, do the subjects I do now, and have done, count when and if I transfer degrees? I'm pretty sure they do, but just want to make sure. And what about career prospects? I'm being stupid and only choosing courses/degrees that sound appealing now, without much thought for the future mainly because I don't know what I want to do in the future, because my interests are so varied I can't make decisions.

Any help? Sorry for the long post, but any comments or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AsyLum]

1. As far as I know, almost all Macquarie degrees allow for ONE major.

2. You could probably do a quick search here for Psych, there are quite a few threads detailing most questions answered from previous posts. Transferring: http://community.boredofstudies.org/1718890-post7.html

3. The award (the degree) shouldn't really matter if the subjects fall in line, but just make sure you satisfy all the requirements otherwise you may not be eligible for the award.

4. All your grades, marks, GPA transfer over until you leave uni. Career prospects, you'd have to find that out yourself or talk to someone who does. Most specialist/structured degrees have easy pathways, but those with a bit more freedom are kinda harder to pinpoint a certain pathway to take.

 

[xeuyrawp]

Hmm, here are all the majors.

My major, HST01 is a double major in modern history (HIST) and ancient history (AHST). It's not a major in 'History', it's a double major, becuase they come from different departments, like the double major in Cultural Studies and Media. I'm pretty sure you need to find the major from that list -- I don't think there's any provision for creating your own, so to speak...

Like Mike said, if you do psych, you have to enrol in the BA(Psych) degree. The reason for this is because it's standardised by a government body -- ie, the government says 'if you want to become a psychologist, we want to know you've done x, y, z subjects'.

Hence, you can't really pick and chose the psych subjects, you need to do all of them in the BA(Psych) degree.

Say you transfer to the BA(Psych) -- the subjects you do will count if there is enough room for electives. The BA(Psych) has 31 cps of electives, if you've done more than 31 cps, some won't count. Alternatively, if you've already done a core/required subject, eg STAT170, you won't have to repeat it once you're in the psych degree. Also note that this degree requires 8cps from PSY 'electives'.

 

[Bluebeard Sally]

Thanks to you both for your help.

One more question, what happens if I exceed the "TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM" part? Is that allowed? Because for me it seems to be unavoidable.

Similarily, what if I exceed the "Maximum number of credit points at 100 level" part as well?

 

[AsyLum]

From what I gathered, thats actually a typo, and is meant to be Minimum.

As for exceeding, the only problem you'll face is when signing up for non-core subjects online through e-student. You'll have to request additional units be made available (its just the 'procedure' they say).

 

[xeuyrawp]

From what I gathered, thats actually a typo, and is meant to be Minimum.

I doubt it: Think about what they're saying -- they're saying 'We want you to do x cps, but we don't want you to do heaps of 100 level (basic) subjects. There's a maximum amount of 100 level units, and x is it.' They specify numbers of 200+ level units and 300+ level units as well -- it's just them ensuring that students don't do too many intro subjects.

They wouldn't put 'Minimum' in there, most students would capitalise on 100 units and *just* do them throughout their career anyway.

 

[AsyLum]

I meant, I think that it was actually a typo, seeing as there was a notice when we were doing the PR stuff, and the handbook had Maximum, and it was supposed to be Minimum.

Im not too sure on it though, and you may be right, but best to call them up. (And yes the logic works, except that they wouldn't progress past 1st year with their degree, trust me, I know )

 

[xeuyrawp]

I meant, I think that it was actually a typo, seeing as there was a notice when we were doing the PR stuff, and the handbook had Maximum, and it was supposed to be Minimum.

1. Minimum number of credit points : 68
2. Maximum [Minimum] number of credit points at 100 level: 30
3. Minimum number of credit points at 300 level or above: 18
4. and completion of other specific requirements as set out in the Schedule of Undergraduate Programs

So BA students have to do 30 or more 100 level cps, which is effectively 10 units? Nope. I would have done 7 100 level units in a BA, and I know that it's fine as I've planned it if I wanted to transfer to the BA degree.