Murdoch University Preparation Course (MUPC)

Foundational Academic English provides an opportunity for you to explore, respond to, analyse, and produce a range of academic and non-academic texts.

Through reading, viewing, writing, listening, speaking, and using information and communication technologies, the unit develops students’ confidence and competence in using the English language; their understanding of how different text-types are constructed for academic purposes and audiences; and their competence in key academic literacies.

You will develop research skills; the ability to ask critical questions about the texts which they encounter; and the skills and confidence necessary to participate in academic argument, and to express their own views with clarity and accuracy, whilst also valuing and respecting different perspectives.

This unit is designed to develop your English language skills and study skills to a level that will allow you to successfully transition into tertiary study in Australia. The unit focuses on developing speaking, reading, listening, writing, summarising and note taking skills. It also introduces you to the concept of critical thinking by teaching you the skills to analyze a range of multimedia texts. Throughout the unit these skills are taught and practiced in an Australian historical context which provides a basic understanding of the Australian people and cultural environment in which you have chosen to further your studies.

This unit is designed to enable you to develop the oral and written skills that are required for tertiary level studies, including the skills and knowledge required to gather, organize, and present information using the most efficient communication processes. You will learn effective strategies to research and analyse information from a variety of sources and present that information in essays, oral presentations, and reports.

This unit is designed to equip you with knowledge of mathematical concepts and tools to foster their problem-solving skills. This unit covers the foundational themes of algebra, consumer and financial arithmetic and statistics to give you preparation for entry into further studies in a non-Science, Technology or Engineering context, i.e. in Arts, Business or Education pathways.

This unit is designed to prepare you for tertiary-level mathematics and to develop skills with calculations and problem-solving required for Science and Engineering studies at university.

The emphasis of the unit is to develop written presentational skills which you will be able to apply to assignments and assessments in your chosen university units and future career choices. This unit explores the advanced formatting options and features of the Microsoft Office suite and takes you through practical exercises in producing professional looking documents and multimedia presentations. The class will also explore the place of computers in society through an examination of ethical, legal, and practical issues. You will be encouraged to search the internet for supplementary and complementary materials to enhance your presentational skills.

The purpose of the unit is to examine key concepts and develop some practical and theoretical skills in the field of Computer Science. You will investigate the science behind modern digital computers. You will be introduced to the use of software development tools, standard industry practices, data management techniques and database systems.

Physics is a discipline that aims to explore and explain the elementary workings of the universe through the fundamental principles of energy and matter. This core subject provides you with an overview of some of the fundamental principles of Physics, including topics such as: motion, force, energy, waves, and electromagnetic radiation.

This unit is designed for students who need to develop an understanding of the basic concepts of Chemistry that are required for tertiary level studies in the areas of Science and Engineering. This unit will also provide you with fundamental laboratory skills required for the study of Chemistry at a tertiary level.

This unit is designed to provide you with an overview of basic biological concepts, both anatomical and physiological.

It looks at how structure and function support cellular metabolism. The environment in which cells operate is dynamic to cater for the changing needs of cellular activities. Cells contain structures that carry out a range of functions related to metabolism. Materials are exchanged in a variety of ways within and between the internal and external environment to supply inputs and remove outputs of metabolism. The respiratory, circulatory, digestive and excretory systems control the exchange and transport of materials in support of metabolism, particularly cellular respiration. These organ systems have a range of non-specific and specific internal and external defences against pathogens that disrupt body functions.

It also provides a background into the endocrine system as well as the complex interactions between body systems in response to changes in the internal and external environments which facilitate the optimal functioning of cells. Feedback systems involving the the endocrine system and behavioural mechanisms, maintain the internal environment within tolerance limits for body temperature, body fluid composition, blood sugar, gas concentrations and blood pressure.

Biology also provides opportunities to explore the mechanisms of the transmission of genetic material to the next generation. It develops an understanding that the genetic information encoded in DNA needs to be translated and transcribed to produce proteins for a wide range of functions in the cell including enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. It also looks at the continuity of species over time, through evolutionary processes.

This subject is designed to enable you to develop the oral, written skills and laboratory skills that are required for tertiary level studies. It includes the skills and knowledge required to gather, organise, and present information using efficient communication processes. You will learn effective strategies to research and analyse information from a variety of sources and present that information in essays or laboratory reports.

The media is the most widespread and influential system of communication in the contemporary world and is used to shape our sense of self and our relationships with others. This unit provides you with the opportunity to develop life skills which will enable them to analyse these forms of communication. You will learn how journalism, public relations, social media, and advertising manipulate their products to construct representations of people, places and events. You are encouraged to be users and creators of media products, and seriously consider the important role and effects of the audiences in which they target. You are supported to discover, investigate, and create individual media products. You are encouraged to represent themselves and other traditional brands through media products.

Digital media technologies have changed the way audiences and media producers interact. Students’ opportunity to practice with various digital media technologies enables them to engage with current media and adapt to the changing media landscape. When producing media work, you will learn to make decisions about all aspects of production, including creative choices across pre-production, production, and post-production phases. You will create and experiment with media products, resulting in established specific industry required skills. This empowers you with confidence that you can create successful media products with purpose.

This subject covers the recording of business events in an accounting worksheet and the preparation of important accounting reports, such as, an income statement, a balance sheet and a statement of cash flows. Other topics include companies, depreciation, ratio analysis and cost volume profit analysis.

This unit is designed to give you an awareness of the role of management within various types of businesses in Australia and the wider trading community. It provides an overview of the influencing factors to be considered by managers and includes aspects such as planning, organising, developing strong leadership skills, monitoring performances, and developing creativity and innovation.

Critical issues surrounding decision making such as ethical, economic, financial, and technological issues and the impact of globalisation will also be discussed. Together, these topics will prepare you for tertiary studies in Business and Commerce or provide basic skills for employment.

This unit is designed to provide students with an introduction to the world of economics, where they learn the vital role of economics in the functioning and wellbeing of societies.

This unit will equip students with knowledge of the basic principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. They will gain an understanding of how economies operate, how economics influences individual and business decision-making processes and the role of government intervention in the form of economic policies.