Master of Science (MSCI) - MSc

CRICOS code (International applicants): 030313A

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Program focus

This program provides opportunities for the students to undertake advanced study and to produce a research-based dissertation in Biology, Chemistry, Climatology, Physics or Ecology and Conservation. The emphasis of the program is to develop the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake independent research and professional practice.

Program aims

This program provides opportunities for motivated and highly qualified students to undertake advanced study and to produce a research-based dissertation. Students will develop appropriate research skills and specialist area knowledge that will enhance their career prospects or allow them to proceed to further appropriate higher degree studies.

Program objectives

General Objectives

Successful completion of this program will enable graduates to:

• identify, interpret and evaluate major issues of contemporary theory and practice in their discipline area

• comprehend and evaluate developments in a chosen discipline area and critically examine the relationships between such developments and contemporary theory

• apply a knowledge of the principles and ethics of research within their chosen discipline area

• identify research topics and undertake research using appropriate methodology and current techniques

• report and publish research outcomes.

Major Objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable a graduate to:

• identify, interpret and evaluate major issues in contemporary theory and practice of Biology, Physical Sciences or Land Use Studies

• apply current research techniques and methodology to the pursuit of specific research goals.

Admission requirements

Application for Admission

The degree is centred on a research project, supervised by a principal and an associate supervisor. It is therefore essential that intending candidates clarify their topic for research and seek an academic staff member able to provide principal supervision. Application forms and advice on procedures for enrolment may be obtained from the Program Coordinator. Intending candidates are advised to allow several months for discussion with potential supervisors and for consideration of the application prior to the commencement of candidature.

Intending applicants must consult the Program Coordinator before they apply. Applicants must then submit a Direct Entry application form together with other information as specified by the Program Coordinator, to Student Administration. The applicants must receive approval from the Program Coordinator for the proposed study plan, and may also be required to attend an interview with the Dean, or the Dean's nominee, prior to confirmation of acceptance.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science, applicants must have either:

• completed a three-year degree at an Australian university or equivalent, with a GPA of 4.5 or above, in a relevant discipline,

or

• completed a three-year degree at an Australian university or equivalent and have the equivalent of a minimum of two years' work experience deemed to be appropriate by the Dean,

and

• successfully completed an interview conducted by the Dean or the Dean's nominee to assess the candidate's suitability for enrolment in the course.

Acceptance will be subject to the availability of, and endorsement by, a USQ supervisor.

Pre-requisite Knowledge

Students who are not considered to have sufficient previous knowledge may be required to undertake a limited number of additional relevant courses. All students must discuss their enrolment pattern with the Program Coordinator prior to nominating courses on their enrolment form.

How to apply

International students 2010

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Domestic students 2010

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder, however please note that until the 2010 fees are published on 1 October 2009 these amounts may be used as an estimate only.

International full fee paying place

You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder, however please note that until the 2010 fees are published on 1 October 2009 these amounts may be used as an estimate only.

Research training scheme (RTS)

The Research Training Scheme (RTS) provides Commonwealth-funded higher degree by research (HDR) students with an ‘entitlement’ to an exemption from course fees for the equivalent of four years full-time study in an accredited HDR program. If a student's RTS entitlement expires before they have completed their program they will be required to pay full tuition fees. As there may be limited RTS places available, some students may be required to pay fees for all or part of their program. The USQ Office of Research and Higher Degrees will advise students of their eligibility for an RTS place.

Program structure

Candidates will be expected to conduct their studies in areas of science research that reflect the expertise of current staff in the Faculty of Sciences, particularly within the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences and the Department of Mathematics and Computing. Most research active staff are also members of a USQ Research Centre. Details of current research programs and potential supervisors can be found on the relevant Biological and Physical Sciences and Mathematics and Computing Departmental and Research Centre webpages.

The emphasis of the program will be on developing the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake independent research and professional practice. Accordingly, a major component of the program will be a supervised research project.

There are 16 units in the program. There are four units of coursework and a 12-unit research project. There is some flexibility offered in the coursework courses that can be studied, and also in the order of undertaking the coursework courses and project work. Coursework courses will normally be chosen from structured courses relevant to the area of the student’s research project, or from a range of independent study courses tailored to the specific needs of the student. Enrolment in all coursework courses will require prior approval from the Program Coordinator and should be chosen in consultation with the candidate’s principal supervisor.

The student will prepare a dissertation based on independently conducted research. To successfully complete the dissertation, students will be required to select a research topic, carry out supervised research on the chosen topic using an appropriate research method and present and defend the results.

The four units of coursework will consist of: the course SCI4405 Research Practice and Ethics (1 unit), together with other elective courses worth a total of three additional units. Elective courses should be chosen in consultation with the intended supervisor and must be approved by the Program Coordinator. Elective courses should normally be chosen from those at 3000 level or above.

Students who have previously completed SCI4405 or an equivalent course elsewhere, will be granted an exemption for this course. Students may be granted further exemptions in the coursework component of this program with the permission of the Program Coordinator, following consultation with the student’s supervisor.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this program.

Articulation

The articulates into the Master of Science with credit being given for coursework courses from a completed Postgraduate Diploma of Science. No credit will be given for project courses from a completed Postgraduate Diploma of Science.

Exit points

Students enrolled in this Master's program, who wish to exit without completing the program, may be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Science (GCSC) on successful completion of four units of credit for coursework courses chosen as outlined above, providing they are consistent with the requirements of the GCSC.

Students enrolled in this Master's program, who wish to exit without completing the program, may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PDSC) on successful completion of eight units of credit, which include four units of credit for coursework courses as outlined above, and four units of credit towards their research project. In these cases, a passing grade will be awarded in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the document “Guidelines for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science” available from the Faculty of Sciences Postgraduate Coordinator. Students will be required to submit a report on the research activities completed and present a seminar on their work.

Students wishing to exit as above must discuss the procedures with the Program Coordinator.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern (full-time)
• Recommended enrolment pattern (part-time)

Recommended enrolment pattern (full-time)

Recommended enrolment pattern (part-time)

Notes

Recommended Electives Any courses at 3000 level or above deemed appropriate by the project supervisor and approved by the program Coordinator.