Master of Science (Chemistry)

Course MC-SCICHE (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Year and Campus: 2010 - Parkville
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 200 credit points taken over 24 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Dr Craig Hutton
Email: chutton@unimelb.edu.au

Contact

Melbourne Graduate School of Science
Faculty of Science
The University of Melbourne

Tel: + 61 3 8344 6404
Fax: +61 3 8344 5803
Web: http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The Master of Science - Chemistry is one of the research training streams of the Master of Science. The research training streams give students the opportunity to undertake a substantive research project in a field of choice as well as a broad range of coursework subjects including a professional tools component, as a pathway to PhD study or to the workforce.
Objectives: The objectives of this course are to:
  • develop the process and practice of chemical research;
  • increase the student's knowledge and understanding of chemical science;
  • encourage the development of individual investigative skills, critical thought and the ability to evaluate information and to analyse experimental data.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

Students undertaking the Master of Science (Chemistry program) must complete a total of 200 points over the two year full-time (or four year part-time) program, comprising:

Core discipline subject (12.5 points)

Students must take:

• 610-681 Advanced Spectroscopy

Elective discipline subjects (all subjects are 12.5 points, total points: 37.5–50)

Students must take:

• Two to four of the core Chemistry subjects: 610-682 Chemistry 4A; 610-683 Chemistry 4B; 610-501 Chemistry 5A; 610-502 Chemistry 5B and

• Up to 25 points from the Professional Entry MSc core discipline subjects (with the approval of the course coordinator), and/or up to 12.5 points of approved 300-level subjects.

Note: Students need not complete Chemistry 4A or 5A prior to enrolling in Chemistry 4B and 5B.

Professional tools (all subjects are 12.5 points, total points: 12.5–25)

Students must take one or two Professional Tools subjects from the following list:

Business Tools

• 600-614 Business Tools: Money, People and Processes,
• 600-622 Business Tools: The Market Environment,

Science Tools

• 615-668 Critical Analysis in Science;
• 615-505 e-Science;
• 600-617 Systems Modelling and Simulation;
• 600-618 Ethics and Responsibility in Science;
• 600-615 Thinking and Reasoning with Data.

Communication Tools

• 600-616 Science in Context;
• 600-619 Scientists, Communication and the Workplace

Research Project (125 credit points)

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 125 point Research Project:

(1) A preliminary literature survey and research plan (1500 words, up to 5 pages), due at the end of the first semester of study (pass/fail);

(2) A major thesis, page limit of 60 pages (20,000 words) due at the end of the fourth semester of study (90% made up from thesis evaluation (35%), oral examination (viva) on thesis (35%); supervisor’s assessment of research performance ((20%) based on attendance, application, initiative, and demonstrated skills]);

(3) A project related oral-presentation (up to 30 minutes) given at the end of the fourth semester of study (10%);

(4) Successful completion of a seminar series providing advanced theoretical and/or practical training (pass/fail).

Students enrolled in the Master of Science (Chemistry program) are required to complete a 125 point Research Project. Students may enrol in a combination of Research Project subjects as indicated below (each of which is available in the summer semester, semester one and semester two) over their two years of full-time study or over their four years of part-time study, to ensure they have completed a total of 125 points by the end of their course.

  • 610-671 Research Project - 12.5 points
  • 610-672 Research Project - 25.0 points
  • 610-673 Research Project - 37.5 points
  • 610-675 Research Project - 50.0 points
Subject Options:

Discipline Core

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Discipline Elective

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1
12.50

Professional Tools

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2010
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Research Project

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
37.50
Not offered in 2010
50.00
Entry Requirements: Bachelor degree with a major in chemistry or a related discipline with at least an H3 (65%) average in the major or equivalent.
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.
Further Study: The Research Training programs offer a pathway to a PhD.
Graduate Attributes:

Graduates will:

  • have the ability to demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry, analysis and reflection;
  • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
  • have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s);
  • reach a high level of achievement in writing, research or project activities, problem-solving and communication;
  • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning;
  • be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines;
  • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment;
  • be able to initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces.
Links to further information: http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/programs/msc/chemistry

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