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Murina is a preparation program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are thinking of doing university studies and who feel they might need some extra learning and support before they begin their degree studies.
Murina is designed to help beginning students in two ways. First, Murina offers ‘taster’ units to familiarise students with the types of teaching and learning they will encounter in degree subjects. Second, Murina helps to build learning, communication, writing and computer skills and gets you ready for university study.
Murina students study the units they need in their own tailored pathway. They can take one or more Murina units, as well as University Preparation Units (UPP) to build skills and confidence. They may also be eligible to undertake first year Associate Degree units if their enrolment is accepted.
Murina is a bridging program for Indigenous people - this means it will help you:
Murina students are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from anywhere in Australia. They may be mature aged people who have been away from study for a long time, young people aged 18 or over who’ve recently finished school or people who have tried a number of courses over the years and now want to know more about university study. Murina assists all of these students to build their skills and confidence and get them ready to move into the first year of a degree.
Murina Preparation Pathway students enrol in up to four units (subjects) each semester. Murina offers a range of units which are taught at the three university campuses. Classes are small and students work through their learning material with the help of a tutor in weekly sessions at the university’s Riawunna Centre.
Murina Pathway students progress through their units with the support and assistance of their tutor until they are ready to begin undergraduate studies. Students may then apply for admission to an undergraduate degree or associate degree course and if accepted, they can enrol in one or more first year units. Some Murina students who have already successfully applied for admission to an undergraduate degree course may study a first year subject alongside their Murina units.
Murina students may select either Murina (RWA code) units or University Preparation program (UPP code) as part of their pathway. Each student chooses their units with the help of a Murina tutor to help tailor the best pathway to suit their individual needs.
Murina units are for Indigenous students and are taught by staff within the Riawunna Centre or tutors selected by them. UPP units are offered to all students.
Murina units are run in the two 13 week university semesters. There is a week-long break in each semester and a break of a few weeks in between them. Students taking a full-time Murina Preparation Pathway course would do three or four units in each semester, while part-time students would do just one or two units. It is best to do at least two and preferably more units each semester as this will give you the best preparation for university study.
Murina Pathway Semester Dates for 2012
Semester 1: Monday, February 27 – Friday, June 1
Semester 2: Monday, July 16– Friday, October 19
There are no pre-requisites for enrolling in Murina, except a keen dedicated attitude. Good basic communication and numeracy skills will also help. If you can write reasonably clear sentences, understand basic maths operations, like reading and are willing to try new challenges, then Murina may be able to help you get to uni.
Before enrolling in Murina you may be offered some quick assessment tasks to do on writing, maths and comprehension to get an idea of the level of skills you already have. This also helps us to give you good advice about which Murina or UPP units will best suit your needs.
Some UPP units have pre-requisites and we can make sure you meet these requirements at enrolment.
Two or three weeks after your enrolment has been lodged you will get a formal letter from the university saying that you have been accepted into the Murina Preparation Pathway. You will also receive a Student ID number, computer access information (login name and password) and a UTAS email address. Closer to the start of semester you will receive information about the UPP Orientation Workshop (if you have enrolled in UPP units), your timetable and other important information.
Murina Preparation Pathway includes units which will help you learn the study skills you will need for university study. Other units are ‘tasters’ of undergraduate study in various university disciplines such as Aboriginal studies, science, business and sociology. Check the availability of units at the campus you will be attending with your Murina tutor at the time of your enrolment so that you can carefully plan your course of study.
You must choose your units and enrol with the help of Murina staff who can guide your selection to best suit your needs. Please remember that not all units are available on every campus and in each semester.
Murina units vary in their availability each semester and at each campus. Check with your Murina student adviser when choosing units for enrolment
These descriptions will help you decide which Murina and UPP units you would like to study.
| Semester 1, 2012 Murina Preparation Pathway units | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Unit Title | Description | Campus |
| RWA102 | Intro to University Studies: Business | Experience and sample learning in a humanities course area of your interest. This ‘taster’ unit is available in a variety of learning areas such as Sociology, Art and Business. Subject on demand. | TBA |
| RWA104 | Computer Skills | Learn to use a computer for all aspects of your university studies whether you are a beginner or already able to operate a computer. | |
| RWA111 | Cultural Studies 1 | Deepen your understanding of Aboriginal culture and heritage and strengthen the positive aspects of these in your daily life, while learning more about the range of skills needed to succeed at university. | TBA |
| RWA113 | Academic Study Skills 1 | Learn about yourself as a student and set up your own study routines based on your personal learning style. Learn basic academic skills and find out what a lecture is like. | H, L, CC |
| RWA116 | Learning and Communication Skills 1 | Communicate your own ideas and develop skills in understanding others through speaking, listening, writing and body language. Improve your skills in academic writing. | H, L, CC |
| RWA123 | Intro to Aboriginal Studies 1 | Learn about University study with hands-on experience with Aboriginal Studies. Develop your skills in note taking, reading, academic writing and referencing. Reflect on Indigenous Australian history. | H, L, CC |
| RWA127 | Intro to University Studies: Art | Be introduced to the practice of contemporary visual arts connected to landscape, patterns and symbols and learn techniques of drawing, painting, exploring form, line, perspective, shading and colour. Try print making, collage and jewellery making and exhibit your work. | CC |
| RWA129 | Intro to University Studies: Sociology | Become familiar with the expectations of university study by providing hands on experience with aspects of under-graduate study in sociology topics including, gender, class, inequality, deviance, crime, media and health. | H, L |
| RWA150 | Intro to Science | Experience and sample learning in a science course area of your interest. This ‘taster’ unit is available in a variety of science areas in Hobart such as biology, ecology and botany. At Cradle Coast and Launceston this unit is tailored to provide an introduction for students interested in Nursing. | H |
| Semester 2, 2012 Murina Preparation Pathway units include: |
|||
| Code | Unit Title | Description | Campus |
| RWA103 | Intro to University Studies 2 | Experience and sample learning in a humanities course area of your interest. This ‘taster’ unit is available in a variety of learning areas such as Sociology, Art and Business. Subject on demand. | TBA |
| RWA104 | Computer Skills | Learn to use a computer for all aspects of your university studies whether you are a beginner or already able to operate a computer. | H, L, CC |
| RWA112 | Cultural Studies 2 | Deepen your understanding of Aboriginal culture and heritage and strengthen the positive aspects of these in your daily life, while learning more about the range of skills needed to succeed at university. | TBA |
| RWA114 | Academic Study Skills 2 | Review basic mathematical operations, learn to use spreadsheets and look at how statistics are gathered and manipulated. Integrate your learning into the discipline you choose to study in mainstream. Useful for anyone considering business or nursing courses. | H, L, CC |
| RWA117 | Learning and Communication Skills 2 | Builds skills in communicating through writing academic essays. Practice reading and understanding academic articles and books. | H, L, CC |
| RWA124 | Intro to Aboriginal Studies 2 | Study topics covered in Indigenous studies and reflect on material from a varied range of topics including demography, race, Indigenous health, art, film and writing. | H, L, CC |
| RWA128 | Intro to University Studies: Education | Learn about children and how they learn. This unit is ideal for students thinking of an early childhood/primary teaching degree or a career in child care. | L |
| RWA129 | Intro to University Studies: Sociology | Become familiar with the expectations of university study by providing hands on experience with aspects of under-graduate study in sociology topics including, gender, class, inequality, deviance, crime, media and health. | H, L |
| RWA150 | Intro to Science | Experience and sample learning in a science course area of your interest. This ‘taster’ unit is available in a variety of science areas in Hobart such as biology, ecology and botany. At Cradle Coast and Launceston this unit is tailored to provide an introduction for students interested in Nursing. | H |
| Semester 4 (Winter School), 2012 Murina Preparation Pathway units | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Unit Title | Description | Campus |
| RWA127 | Intro to University Studies: Art | L | |
Murina students may also enrol in University Preparation Units (UPP) which are taught in small groups and offered to any intending university student to help them build up their study skills. UPP units available are listed below.
| University Preparation Pathway units which complement Murina | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Unit Title | Description | Campus |
| UPP020 | Written Communications | Develop your ability to write successfully in a university environment, learn skills and strategies to communicate clearly and efficiently in an academic essay. Learn how to analyse tasks, develop critical thinking skills, structure your academic writing, and use referencing standards. | H1&2; L1&2; CC1&2 |
| UPP040 | Information Literacy | Get the skills and knowledge needed to research and organise sources of information. Learn how to effectively use libraries and other information sources and become aware of the diversity of possible sources, including the internet. Pre-requisite is UPP020. | H2; CC2; |
| UPP050 | Using Technology | An introductory course for beginners or near beginners covering basic computer skills, including: email, internet, online learning basics, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation applications and using the internet for university level research. | H1; L1; CC1&2; |
| UPP091 | Numeracy for Tertiary Studies | This unit is designed for students intending to study degrees with no formal mathematical requirements. It will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to understand and use the numeracy skills required for academic work. These include interpreting and analysing published data, graphs, tables and other numerical summaries. Topics will include relevant aspects of numeracy, algebra and critical reasoning skills for analysing arguments involving numbers. This unit can also be used as preparation for UPP090. | H1; L2 |
| UPP090 | Bridging Maths | This unit is designed for students intending to study degrees which assume a Year 10 standard of mathematics or are preparing to study maths at a higher level. It aims to develop numeracy, algebra, graphing, descriptive statistics and problem solving skills. Applications to a variety of academic disciplines will be presented including Economics, Science and the Humanities. | H1&2; CC1 |
Some Murina Pathway units have exams. As many of the university’s undergraduate units have exams it is helpful for your preparation if you learn exam study skills.
You are not required to pay fees under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) for this course. AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY is available to students who are accepted into this course and meet appropriate criteria. This means that your costs will be limited to personal spending on items such as paper, copying, internet connections and computer software and hardware.
If so, what kind?
Yes. All units will deliver resources via the internet. Some units may also require online participation as part of the learning process. If you do not have access to this technology in your home or workplace you may use computer and internet resources available at UTAS campuses. Alternatively, you can explore what is available in your local area, including at Online Access Centres and libraries. Information about whether or not your system is suitable for use at UTAS is available on the UTAS website: MYLO.
No. Murina Preparation Pathway and UPP are bridging courses only. You will receive awards for the units you undertake and these results will be recorded on your university transcript. You will also receive a certificate at the end of your studies detailing units you have successfully completed, and the award gained. You can use your results as supporting evidence in an application for a degree course or in other evidence such as a resume. However, these awards will not count towards, or give you credit in, any degree program at UTAS or other tertiary institutions.
Each unit has a weekly three-hour session (or equivalent). You should expect to spend at least that amount of your personal time each week studying and completing assignments, and probably more if possible. Each unit runs for 13 weeks.
There will be three assessments for each unit which can include regular assignments, ongoing projects, presentations and exams. Your tutor or unit coordinator will mark, comment on and return all of your assignments and provide ongoing support and encouragement throughout the course. You are encouraged to maintain close contact with your tutor. We aim to maintain a fast turnaround of assignments so that progress can be carefully monitored and help given if necessary.
Our goal is to support you in a friendly and encouraging environment so that you can do your best. Staff will provide support wherever they can and if they are unable to help, will advise you about other support available at UTAS, including, disability support services, counselling and study advice. Murina students may be eligible for ITAS tutoring support which provides two hours of one-to-one tutorial support for Indigenous students for each unit they are studying.
By the end of the course you will have:
Authorised by the Director, Riawunna Centre
17 February, 2012
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