Timetabling Policy

Timetabling is to be an automatic (or automated) process using commercially proven software and based on the fundamental principles of:

• effective teaching and learning

• efficient utilisation of resources

• equity

1.

All scheduled classes at all campuses be timetabled and managed centrally, with all available teaching space recorded on a central register. Central timetabling will allow for both exclusive and preferential usage, where justified and authorised at the Executive Dean level.

• The School had paid a substantial amount from its own budget for the upgrading of facilities or for equipping them

• The space has been purpose-built for particular teaching related activities of the School

• The space houses expensive equipment which requires special security or where there are occupational health and safety issues

• The security or occupational health and safety arguments are overwhelming, and the venue is secure outside class times

• The venue is unsuitable for use by others

3.

In scheduling classes, that priority be given to matching the size and nature of the teaching space with the nature of the teaching activity and the number of students expected in the class.

4.

In scheduling classes, that priority be given to assigning teaching times to those units with significant student needs, with such priorities to be justified and authorised by the relevant Executive Dean.

5.

There be a clear description of all teaching spaces with details recorded of design features, facilities and suitability for various teaching modes, the maximum student levels for each mode, and disability access.

6.

The teaching mode, required facilities and expected class size be clearly stated by staff when lodging a request for teaching space.

7.

Facilities be developed to enable available teaching space and the characteristics of that space, to be viewed via the Murdoch website.

8.

Where possible, the location of the teaching space be matched with the location of the Division making the request.

9.

It is highly desirable there be provision for one, one-hour common non-teaching break each week on either a Tuesday or Wednesday between 12 noon and 2.00pm.

10.

Classes be timetabled between 8.30am and 6.30pm (i.e. the last class scheduled at 5.30pm) from Monday to Friday, with later classes available on request. Classes are not to finish beyond 9.30pm.

11.

 Where staff teach on more than one campus for a given teaching period, sufficient time be allowed when scheduling units for travel between campuses.

12.

The teaching timetable be fixed, subject to change, at the end of the preceding year with regard to the timing of scheduled units. Teaching locations, as a function of class size, be advised as soon as practicable and prior to the commencement of the teaching period.

13.

All timetable changes be authorised by the Director of Commercial Services in consultation with the Executive Dean (or a nominee) of the relevant Division, on recommendation from the Head of School.

14.

Unit results be made available to students as soon as possible after the completion of each teaching period with the objective of providing sufficient time to facilitate the re-enrolment process.

15.

Changes of enrolments not to be accepted after the last day of the second week of the teaching period (or equivalent for non-standard teaching patterns) without the approval of the Divisional Executive Officer.

16.

The teaching timetable include the names of Unit Coordinators together with contact details.

17.

The teaching and examination timetables be constructed with reference to one another and within a consistent policy framework.

18.

‘Block teaching’ of scheduled classes in a unit be available on request where practicable and desirable given the level of part-time enrolments.

19.

That the approval process for all new courses and/or units include an assessment of the teaching and examination timetabling implications.

20.

Taking into consideration the requirements of clauses 3 and 4 above, that there be the following priorities among units in timetabling:

(a)

that Foundation units and part I required units with enrolments over 100 be given first priority in the timetabling of units;

(b)

that in the lecture timetable, Foundation units be clashed with each other but not be permitted to clash with any other part I units;

(c)

that the Foundation Units be timetabled to take into account the practice of offering science laboratory classes in the afternoon and the requirements of part-time students;

(d)

units with large enrolments numbers then be timetabled in descending order of enrolment size, with some priority for service courses;

(e)

that the same venue be used for all lectures in a unit, where possible.

21.

Where a unit has enrolments of less than 10 students, it will be allocated teaching space after all other timetabling needs have been met, and may need to be held in non-teaching space.

Small Group Teaching Principles