Master of Scientific Studies

Why study the Master of Scientific Studies at UNE?

The Master of Scientific Studies is a course work plus research degree designed to provide specialised training in a specific field of study. The degree involves advanced level course work study and students must complete one of the following majors: Biochemistry; Biodiversity Science; Biomedical Science; Chemistry; Genetics; Mathematics; Medicinal Chemistry; Quantitative Ecology or Zoology.

Students also complete either a thesis embodying the results of a research project or two mini-research projects. The research is completed under the supervision of a member of academic staff in an area relevant to the Major being completed.

Graduates who have included SCI599 in their program of study are eligible to apply for admission to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Career Opportunities

Graduates are also qualified for employment in research organisations such as CSIRO and ANSTO, universities, environmental protection agencies and scientific research laboratories.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

2 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

FEES

CSP (quotas apply)
Full Fee
International

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus

Official Abbreviation MScStud
Course Type Postgraduate
CRICOS Code 000441G
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Course Duration
  • 2 Years Full-time
  • Up to 6 years Part-time
Fees CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International
Total Credit Points 96
Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline* at the level of Credit (GPA 5) or above; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours in a relevant discipline* at the level of Credit (GPA 5) or above.

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to: Biochemistry; Biology; Botany; Chemistry; Genetics; Geology; Mathematics; Microbiology; Physics; Physiology; Statistics; and Zoology. A degree will be considered relevant to a nominated major if it includes study that covers the minimum assumed knowledge. Where it is not clear from their academic background, applicants may include a cover letter with their application describing how they have achieved the minimum assumed knowledge.

Minimum Assumed Knowledge for Each Major

Biochemistry: two units of biology and two units of chemistry or equivalent

Biodiversity Science: two units of biology and two units in any biological or earth science at 200-level or above or equivalent

Biomedical Science: two units of biology and two units of chemistry or equivalent

Chemistry: four units of chemistry or equivalent

Genetics: two units of biology and two units of chemistry or equivalent

Mathematics: two units of (calculus-based) mathematics and an additional two units in mathematics at 200-level or above or equivalent

Medicinal Chemistry: two units of chemistry and an additional two units of chemistry, biochemistry or pharmaceutical science

Quantitative Ecology: one unit of statistics or probability, one unit of (calculus-based) mathematics, and two units of ecology, physical geography, or related sciences, or equivalent

Zoology: two units of biology and two units in any biological science at the 200-level or above equivalent

Note: Students wishing to complete the course on a full-time basis are strongly encouraged to have greater than the minimum assumed knowledge and to begin their study in first trimester.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) or Rule (b) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which their admission was based.

Advanced standing will not be granted for SCI500, SCI501, SCI502 or SCI599.

Academic Colours

Strawberry Pink (BCC 182)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Master of Scientific Studies in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline*at the level of Credit (GPA 5) or above; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours in a relevant discipline* at the level of Credit (GPA 5) or above.

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to: Biochemistry; Biology; Botany; Chemistry; Genetics; Geology; Mathematics; Microbiology; Physics; Physiology; Statistics; and Zoology. A degree will be considered relevant to a nominated major if it includes study that covers the minimum assumed knowledge. Where it is not clear from their academic background, applicants may include a cover letter with their application describing how they have achieved the minimum assumed knowledge.

Minimum Assumed Knowledge for each Major

Biochemistry: two units of biology and two units of chemistry or equivalent
Biodiversity Science: two units of biology and two units in any biological or earth science at 200-level or above or equivalent
Biomedical Science: two units of biology and two units of chemistry or equivalent
Chemistry: four units of chemistry or equivalent
Genetics: two units of biology and two units of chemistry or equivalent
Mathematics: two units of (calculus-based) mathematics and an additional two units in mathematics at 200-level or above or equivalent
Medicinal Chemistry: two units of chemistry and an additional two units of chemistry, biochemistry or pharmaceutical science
Quantitative Ecology: one unit of statistics or probability, one unit of (calculus-based) mathematics, and two units of ecology, physical geography or related sciences or equivalent
Zoology: two units of biology and two units in any biological science at 200-level or above or equivalent

Note: Students wishing to complete the course on a full-time basis are strongly encouraged to have greater than the minimum assumed knowledge and to begin their study in first trimester.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) or Rule (b) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which their admission was based.

Advanced standing will not be granted for SCI500, SCI501, SCI502 or SCI599.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

In exceptional circumstances and on the recommendation of the candidate's supervisor, the period of candidature may be extended.

Course Requirements

1. Each candidate shall complete a program of study approved by the School and pass such examinations as shall be prescribed.

2. To qualify for the award a candidate must complete units to the value of 96 credit points with not more than 12 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study comprising:

Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 18 or 30 cps
One Approved Major 54-78 cps
Elective Units 0-12 cps
Total 96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Biochemistry
Biodiversity Science
Biomedical Science
Chemistry
Genetics
Mathematics
Medicinal Chemistry
Quantitative Ecology
Zoology

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Scientific Studies.

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted under Rule (a) who discontinue their studies in the Master of Scientific Studies may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Science on completion of 24 credit points or the Graduate Diploma in Science on completion of 48 credit points.

Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Scientific Studies. This may mean that students may not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Thesis

The thesis unit SCI599 is only available to candidates who have achieved 48 credit points (including SCI500) with a grade point average of 5 and permission of head of school (otherwise students complete SCI501 and SCI502). The thesis topic must be approved in advance by the course coordinator who will also approve the appointment of a UNE staff-member as principal supervisor for the thesis. The thesis may take the form of a design or a field or laboratory investigation or other research. Depending upon the candidate's academic and professional background and the nature of the research thesis, the School may permit the candidate to undertake, part or all, of the thesis away from the University.

Submission of Thesis

1. The thesis shall be written concisely in English and, except with the special permission of the School in exceptional circumstances, shall not exceed 20,000 words, exclusive of tables, plates, figures and appendices. A successful thesis shall show capacity on the part of the candidate for independence of thought and critical evaluation of the candidate's own and published work in his or her field of study. The candidate shall state generally in the preface and specifically throughout the thesis, the source of his or her information and the extent to which he or she has used the work of others. The candidate may not present, as the thesis, any work that has been the basis of the award of a degree of this University, or other institution, but is not precluded from incorporating such work in the thesis provided that, in presenting the thesis, the candidate indicates the part of the work that has been so incorporated. The thesis may be presented in: (1) a format with multiple chapters including introductory and concluding chapters; or (2) in a three-section format where the first section includes a statment of the research question being addressed and a review of literature, the second section is a self-contained article in a journal format, and the third section is an extended conclusion and/or practical applications. In addition to these sections, appendices may be added to include additional methodology, data, software, or other technical details.

2. The candidate shall submit a pdf copy of the thesis to the School's Academic Manager's office.

Examination of Thesis

On the recommendation of the supervisor or supervisors, the School Teaching and Learning Committee will appoint two examiners, at least one will be external to the University. Examiners will be sent the relevant degree information.

The examiners of the thesis will make recommendations on a grade and mark in accordance with the University Assessment Policy. Students will not be required to make subsequent changes or corrections to the examined thesis but the examiners' reports will be provided to the student as feedback.

In the case of where the examiners' mark differ by greater than 10%, examiners may consult with each other to reach a closer agreement, prior to a third examiner being sought.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

To have an understanding that

· Science encompasses both a body of knowledge and a reliable process of discovery. It is founded upon the recognition of fundamental laws that make nature systematic and reproducible.

· Scientists observe, measure, classify and perform experiments upon the natural world. They employ scientific methods to test hypotheses and use empirical evidence to support or refute their hypotheses. The natural variability, or uncertainty, inherent in the natural world means that scientific conclusions are reliable but contestable: they may be revised or modified as new evidence emerges. Scientists are curious about the natural world and are creative in formulating hypotheses and in designing approaches to problem solving.

· Mathematics is used in science to model real-world systems and scientific data are often analysed using statistical methods.

· Science operates within a paradigm of peer review and replication that provides a collective responsibility for the reliability of scientific knowledge. Scientists have a responsibility to communicate the outcomes of their work accurately and without bias to their peers and to society.

· Science is embedded within a context that reflects both the history of scientific endeavor and the culture of present society. Scientists generate and build knowledge, develop technologies, investigate and solve problems.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate through their own practice and research a mastery of scientific knowledge that includes knowledge of recent developments in science, established knowledge and practices and specialised skills in a chosen discipline;
  2. demonstrate through their own practice and research mastery of technical competencies in the field, laboratory and professional workplace related to their discipline area; and knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to their science discipline;
  3. demonstrate mastery of a body of scientific knowledge by planning and executing a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of research that integrates their own research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms; demonstrating a capacity to make original contributions to scientific knowledge;
  4. conduct a research investigation under academic supervision in a research environment by critically analyse a complex problem, identify research questions and apply established theories to their research question; justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating research findings;
  5. be effective communicators of science by communicating scientific ideas and research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a variety of written and oral communication modes; and
  6. be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by applying creativity and initiative to new situations; operating with a high level of personal autonomy within a research environment; planning and executing a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of research while complying with regulatory frameworks and practising professional ethics relevant to their disciplinary area.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Students demonstrate an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning. Our graduates possess a global perspective (both national and international) on the developments over time relevant to their field(s) of study and their discipline(s); and, a capacity to understand the implications of international events for their area(s) of study.

Communication Skills

Students demonstrate communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences; including, where applicable, the possession of these skills in languages other than English.

Problem Solving

Students demonstrate cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice.

Information Literacy

Students demonstrate technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Students demonstrate understanding and practice of the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with their discipline or profession including an understanding of own ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community and the environment.

Lifelong Learning

Students demonstrate cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship; and with high-level personal autonomy and accountability.

Independence and Collaboration

Graduates will have the ability to function effectively as members of teams or individually.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

For more information, click here

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