Breadth needs depth

The announcement by the University of Melbourne that it is considering changing the structure of its degree programs provides more choices for potential students and adds to the diversity of university education in Australia. At present, Australian universities offer a broad range of undergraduate degrees including generalist programs, such as arts and science, and professional programs, such as engineering, business, medicine, psychology, design and information technology. These undergraduate programs are of varying length but generally between three and four years. The Melbourne University plan proposes moving from this structure to one where generalist qualifications are offered at undergraduate level through three-year degrees. Students would then undertake a further two-year fee-paying masters qualification if they want to enter a profession. Should such a proposal be implemented across the University of Melbourne it would indeed be a bold move, and one that I personally welcome. My own institution, Swinburne University of Technology, has and will continue to take quite a different approach to education. I acknowledge that a broad general education, as proposed by Melbourne University, is critical for a modern society. The question is: How can this broad education be coupled with the depth of knowledge required to function in a competitive world