R05 RB Master of Science - Botany

Students must complete 200 points comprising:
* 50 or 87.5 points of discipline subjects;
* 25 or 37.5 points of Professional Tools subjects; and
* a 125 point major or a 75 point minor Research Project

Discipline Subjects: 50 or 87.5 points

Students will enrol in subjects available through the Master of Science ( http://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2009/R05 ) programs and in particular from the Master of Science (Biotechnology) (http://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2009/!R05-SPC+1000 ), Master of Science (Environmental Science) (http://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2009/!R05-SPC+1001) and through the Office for Environmental Programs (http://www.oep.unimelb.edu.au/Current_Students/course_planning/subject_list.html) and the Master of Forest Ecosystem Science ( http://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2009/K01AA)

Subjects will be selected in consultation with the research supervisor and approved by the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator. Subjects will be selected both to broaden the student’s training and to enhance the skills relevant to the chosen research area. Where appropriate and with approval, a student may complete up to two 300 level subjects.


Professional Tools Subjects: 25 or 37.5 points

Depending on the choice of a Major or Minor Research Project in Botany, students will take two or three of the following subjects:

• 600-619 Science and Communication
• Critical analysis in Science (available from semester 2 2010)
• eScience (available from semester 2 2010)
• 600-615 Thinking and Reasoning with Data
• 600-617 Systems Modelling and Simulation
• 600-616 Science in Context
• 600-618 Ethics and Responsibility in Science
• 600-614 Business Tools: Money, People and Projects
• Business Tools: The Market Environment (available from semester 1, 2010)

Research project: 125 or 75 points

A major 125 point or a minor 75 point research project provides an opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, in the areas of cellular, molecular and functional plant sciences, plant systematics and evolution, marine botany and environmental science. The major thesis allows a student to focus on a substantial project while the minor thesis allows a student to maximise coursework training. Both are pathways to the PhD. Each project will be designed in consultation with a supervisor(s) and approved by the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator. The research project will provide: experience in reviewing scientific literature (3,000 words; 10% for the Major and 15% for the Minor), hypothesis testing, design of laboratory and/or field experiments, training in experimental techniques, data analysis and interpretation, and development of written (thesis; 85% for the Major and 80% for the Minor) and oral presentation skills (40 minute seminar; 5% for the Major and 25 minute seminar; 5% for the Minor). The research project will be assessed by thesis (Major, 17,000 - 22,000 words and Minor 10,000 – 12,000 words).


Depending on whether a student is completing a 125 point major research project or a 75 point minor research project, a student 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 either 125 points for the major research project or a total of 75 points for the minor research project by the end of their course.

125 point Major Research Project:

• 606-671 Botany Research Project Major – 12.5 points
• 606-672 Botany Research Project Major – 25 points
• 606-673 Botany Research Project Major – 37.5 points
• 606-675 Botany Research Project Major – 50 points

75 point Minor Research Project:

• 606-639 Botany Research Project Minor – 12.5 points
• 606-638 Botany Research Project Minor – 25 points
• 606-637 Botany Research Project Minor – 37.5 points
• 606-636 Botany Research Project Minor – 50 points

The objectives of this course are to provide students with:

• high-level experience in, and ability to conduct independent research in a field of plant science;

• ability in reviewing and assessing scientific literature;

• ability in hypothesis testing, design of laboratory and/or field experiments;

• ability in advanced scientific techniques, data analysis and interpretation;

• written and oral presentations;and

• potential to proceed to the PhD degree.