Master of Science (Chemistry)

Course MC-SCICHE (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Year and Campus: 2012 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 062189B
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 6128
Fax: +61 3 8344 3351

Web: http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview:

The Master of Science (Chemistry) is a coursework masters degree incorporating a substantial research project.
The Master of Science gives 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 skills 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:

All students must complete 200 points including:

  • Discipline Core subjects (12.5 points);
  • Discipline Elective subjects (25 - 50 points);
  • Professional Skills subjects (12.5 - 25 points);
  • Research Project (125 points).
Subject Options:

Discipline Core

Students must take:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Discipline Elective

Students must take two to four of the following subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

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

Professional Skills

Students must select one or two subjects from the following list:

Business Skills

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Science Skills

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2012
12.50

Communication Skills

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Research Project

Students enrolled in the Master of Science (Chemistry) program are required to complete a 125 point Research Project.

The project will be taken over four consecutive semesters and will begin on the Monday of semester of entry (semesters 1 or 2) (indicative for 2012: Monday 27th February or Monday 23rd July) and continue for up to 88 weeks until the end of the fourth semester, minus recreation leave of between 4 and 8 weeks (22 weeks per semester over the four semesters).

For how long and at what time within the enrolment the actual period of leave is to be taken needs to be negotiated with a student’s supervisor.

The Research Project will be due for submission by the end of the formal examination period of the fourth semester of enrolment if an earlier date is not specified.

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 125 point Research Project:
* attendance at a safety and induction program with >65% result in a 45 minute safety examination held during the first week (pass/fail);
* a preliminary literature survey and research plan (1500 words, up to 5 pages), due at the end of the first semester (hurdle);
* a major thesis, page limit of 60 pages, due at the end of the fourth semester (55%);
* an oral exam (viva) on the content of the thesis (35%);
* two project-related oral presentations (up to 30 minutes each), given at the end of the second and fourth semesters (10%);
* attendance at a seminar series providing advanced theoretical and/or practical training (hurdle).

Students may enrol in a combination of research project subjects and coursework subjects over their two years of full-time study or over their four years of part-time study as long as once the Research Project is commenced (which may not be the first semester in the case of part-time course enrolments), the consecutive enrolment requirement is met and to ensure they have completed a total of 125 points for the research project by the end of their course.. Students may need to enrol in a subject of the same credit point value more than once which is why there are multiple Chemistry Masters Research Project subjects of the same points value.

Some suggested enrolment examples are available on the Melbourne Graduate School website - http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/programs/msc/chemistry.php . Students are encouraged to review these examples to inform their ISIS enrolment.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
37.50
Entry Requirements:

An undergraduate degree with a major in Chemistry, or equivalent discipline, with at least an H3 (65%) in the major, or equivalent, including at least 25 points of third-year university-level Chemistry subjects.


Quotas may be applied and preference may be given to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research. Entry is subject to the capacity of the department to provide adequate supervision in, and resources for, a research project appropriate to the interests and preparation of the individual student and may be subject to the agreement of a member of academic staff to supervise the project module. Selection is not automatic and, in particular, is subject to competition.

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 Master of Science offers a pathway to a PhD.

Graduate Attributes: None
Links to further information: http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/programs/msc/chemistry

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