The Master of Commerce (MCom) degree allows for the development of individual research. Starting with a sound background of coursework, students will have the opportunity to contribute to existing fields or to begin to develop new areas of research. The MCom can be pursued by a combination of papers and thesis, or by thesis only. Students who have a good Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) will complete the MCom by papers and thesis (at least two years' full-time study). The first year consists of a selection of papers worth 144 points, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce (PGDipCom). Students who have a good Honours degree or a PGDipCom (or equivalent qualification) can complete an MCom by thesis only (minimum one year). The value of study in management cannot be overestimated. Whatever your interests in life and work and whatever your future hopes, wishes and goals, management will help you succeed. Management skills are needed by everyone in a position of responsibility. For example the top jobs in manufacturing, commerce, healthcare, education, legal, nonprofit, recreational and science organisations will include managerial responsibilities. Management is equally applicable to self-employment, small business, national businesses, government organisations and multinational companies. Often described as 'the art of getting things done through people', Management teaches students how to apply principles which focus on people at work, the day to day job of 'managing' and on organisations as a whole. Students may also take courses which attempt to explain the implications of managerial roles both in and out of the workplace. A Management major is an essential component for all those who wish to participate and succeed in the business or organisational world because the management role is critical to both economic performance and human satisfaction in the workplace. Management provides theoretical groundings and frameworks for understanding and developing solutions to the challenges of human resource and operations management. However, all students benefit from Management study because management activities support other specialist responsibilities. For instance, a senior medical laboratory technician is both a scientist and a manager, a school principal is a teacher and a manager. A senior accountant is both a financial interpreter and a manager and a religious leader is a spiritual teacher and a manager. Management is relevant to a wide range of areas, and is an excellent subject to combine with others in a double degree or major. Thesis Thesis: MANT 5 Structure of the program: The programme of study shall consist of the preparation and submission of a thesis embodying the results of supervised research. In some cases, a candidate may also be required to take and pass approved papers, normally at 400-level, in addition to completing a thesis. The candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in the thesis, secure the approval of the Head of the Department concerned for the topic, the supervisor(s) and the proposed course of the investigation. A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree. For the thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.