Bachelor of Business and Commerce, Undergraduate Courses, Business and Economics, Monash University

Graduate profile: Raelene Fisher

Course: Bachelor of Business and Commerce
Campus: Gippsland
Majors: Economics and Marketing
Current role: Trainee Financial Planner, Financial Light

"Monash University was the only university at the time offering a business course that allowed me to choose from a wide variety of majors. This was important to me as I wasn't exactly sure of what my chosen majors were going to be. So being able to experience the different areas before making a decision about what to study was really valuable.

"My Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree at Monash has given me a real understanding of the world of business. What I learnt in my degree is extremely relevant to my job - I am always drawing on the basic concepts and theories from my studies.

"Gippsland is a rural campus and I found everyone there very helpful and friendly. Also, because of its size, I was able to get to know a fair portion of the people that studied at Gippsland; I don't think I would have been able to do this at a larger campus."

The Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree is offered at the Berwick, Gippsland, Malaysia, Peninsula and South Africa campuses, as well as off-campus. The degree offers a range of specialisations or majors as well as core units in the main business and commerce disciplines.

Students can specialise in two areas of business by taking two majors. The major(s) can be chosen at the start of the course, or at the end of the first year, after sampling the core units.

Courses

Double degrees/award programs

Honours

Selected students undertake further in-depth study in their chosen area and learn how to conduct business-related research at an advanced level. The specialisation is chosen from accounting, economics, human resource management, management, marketing, marketing communication, public relations, or tourism.

Professional recognition

This course, given the appropriate choice of units in the major, may satisfy academic requirements of the following professional bodies:

Major studies

The following major studies may be undertaken as part of the Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree. Please note the availablity of each major at each campus or off-campus:

Accounting

Accounting is a system that identifies, measures, and communicates economic information to permit informed judgements and decisions by the users of that information. It is the language of business.

Career opportunities: Financial accountants, Management accountants, Financial controllers, Finance management, Auditing, Tax management, Liquidation, Banking.

Banking and Finance

Banking and finance is the system that includes the circulation of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments, the acquisition of financing and the provision of banking facilities.

Career opportunities: International banking, international finance, investment management, treasury management, corporate finance, consumer finance, project finance, financial modelling and forecasting.

Business Law

The law is the backbone of business. For instance, it regulates financial transactions and marketing processes, and in doing so applies the law of contract and tort; it regulates those engaged in companies and partnerships and their banking and tax needs. It regulates new economic frontiers, such as e-business via the development of cyber laws.

Career opportunities: Corporate governance, Banking and finance, Employment matters, Taxation, Trade practices, Corporations law.

Econometrics and Business Statistics

Careers in the business world that utilise quantitative skills include the financial sector (stockbrokers, the insurance industry, banking, the manufacturing sector, and market research. Opportunities in the public sector include economic modelling, policy evaluation, and research into industry development.

Economics

Economics is the study of the production, distribution and consumption of wealth. Economics is concerned with the welfare of individuals and of society at large and directs attention to how scarce resources can best be allocated, and knowledge of economics therefore helps both individuals and societies.

Career opportunities: Management consultancy, Business development, Investment/financial consultancy, Media service, policy advising, International trade.

e-Business

The increased availability of computers and communications, the expansion of the internet and online services and the drive towards global competitiveness have all contributed to the growth of e-business and the resulting opportunities in private enterprise, in electronic marketing and in e-business performance management.

Finance and Macroeconomics

Finance and macroeconomics is an interdisciplinary field of study combining economics and finance. The issues of how financial markets impact on the economy, and how the economy influences financial markets is important for business and public policy decision making.

Career opportunities: Corporate and international finance, Corporate and international banking, Economic consultancy, Policy advice

Human resource management

Human resource management is the study of managing people within the employer/employee relationship. It involves learning about strategies and activities that enable people to fulfil their individual needs in the work environment as well as achieve the organisation's strategic business objectives.

Career opportunities: Training and development, Occupational health and safety,

International business

International business covers all business transactions that involve participants from two or more countries. It is a field of management, and concerns the special features of transnational business. This includes movements of goods, services, capital, personnel, information and technology.

Career opportunities: Import/export, Banking, International marketing, Tourism and hospitality International logistics, Human resource management, Consultancy.

Management

Management is the process by which organisational goals are attained through integrating human activity. It is largely about people and human endeavour. This major provides the body of knowledge for future managers.

Career opportunities: General management, Human resource management, Training and development, Recruitment and selection, Occupational health and safety, Industrial relations, Quality management, Business development, Entrepreneurship, Project management.

Marketing

Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services. Marketing aims to satisfy individuals and organisational objectives efficiently and profitably. The focus of this major is to develop an understanding of fundamental marketing principles and practices, and to provide the ability to apply marketing within any context.

Career opportunities: Marketing management, Advertising and promotion, Marketing research, Marketing consultancy, Media and communications, Customer service, Sales management, Public relations.

Marketing communication

Marketing communication is about the added value of a range of communication activities for businesses. This major emphasises the role and contribution of advertising to marketing success in corporations. In the final unit, students undertake a project to develop an advertising campaign for a business, using the knowledge and skills acquired from the units listed in the major.

Career opportunities: Advertising and promotion, Brand management, Sales, Marketing communications.

Public relations

Public relations is the effective management of two-way communication between an organisation and its 'publics' or audiences. It is one of the faster growing business and management disciplines in the world today. Public relations requires a thorough understanding of all forms of communication, marketing principles, ethics, issues management, as well as the broad area of business, and current events and their implications.

Career opportunities: Consulting, Public affairs, Events management, Promotion and publicity, Employee communication, Crisis and issues management.

Quantitative Economics

Quantitative economics is an interdisciplinary field of studies combining economics with business statistics and econometrics. Quantitative analysis is an increasingly important aspect of contemporary business practice. On completion of the major graduates will be able to apply principles of economics and statistical methods to decision making in the areas of business and public economic policy.

Career opportunities: Economic forecasting, Banking and finance, Insurance, Marketing research, Economics consultancy, International trade, Public policy

Sport management

Sport is a global business and one of the world's most important cultural activities. Sport management focuses on the cultural and economic influences of sport and the marketing and administration of sport.

Career opportunities: Sports administration (eg AFL, Cricket Victoria, IOC), Sports marketing, Event management, Sponsorship implementation, Sports star management, Local government, leisure and recreation management.

Tourism

The study of tourism includes the behaviour and motivations of tourists, the businesses which service the tourists and the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism. Skills developed are primarily in management, marketing and general business studies and include critical thinking, research, analysis and communication.

Career opportunities: Accommodation, Travel and tourism, Hospitality, Conferences and events.