Macquarie University's undergraduate degree in Museum Studies

Abstract

In 2002, Macquarie University introduced a 4-year programme of study leading to a B.Sc./B.A. in Natural History, Culture and Museum Studies. The double degree programme covers speciality areas of particular interest to national, state and regional museums and for which Macquarie has a high reputation. This interdisciplinary degree is designed to: a) provide students with a modern background for the field of Museum Studies, b) allow students to qualify with coherencies (majors) in at least three segments of study, and c) allow students to develop strong generic skills in information management. Most of the University's museums are involved in the delivery of the degree programme. This creates opportunities for students to experience practical museum-based projects. The development of this undergraduate degree programme also enables the University to more effectively engage its museums with its academic mission and to encourage its museum staff to strive for appropriate standards of professionalism.

A Universidade de Macquarie (Nova Gales do Sul, Australia) iniciou em 2002 um curso de quatre anos de duraçâo conducente a um diploma 'B.Sc./B.A.' em 'História Naturai, Cultura e Museologia'. O respectivo curriculum engloba areas de interesse para museus nacionais, estatais e regionais, junto dos quais a Universidade de Macquarie goza de excelente reputaçâo. O curso, de natureza interdiscipìinar, envolve directamente a maioria dos museus da Universidade, suscitando nos estudantes naturais e intéressantes oportunidades de desenvolvimento de projectos de pratica museológica e simultaneamente permitindo à Universidade envolver de urna forma mais directa os seus museus na sua missâo académica global. Finalmente, o curso tem a clara vantagem de estimular nos profissionais dos museus da Universidade de Macquarie urna constante reciclagem e aprofundamento profissional.