Master of Science (Genetics)

Course MC-SCIGEN (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

Professor James Camakaris
Email: j.camakaris@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 - Genetics 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: Course objectives include:

  • extending students' abilities in oral and written scientific communication;
  • understanding the way in which experiments in genetics are designed, communicated and interpreted;
  • acquiring experience in planning and executing laboratory or field-based experimental research; and
  • developing effective skills in data collection and analysis and postulating testable hypotheses based on this data.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

Students undertaking the Master of Science (Genetics program) will complete 200 points comprising:

  • 25 points of Discipline subjects;
  • 25 points of Elective Discipline subjects;
  • 25 points of Professional Tools subjects; and
  • a 125 point Research Project.

Discipline Core subjects: 25 points

Students must take:

  • 652-603 Advanced Topics in Genetics A
  • 652-604 Advanced Topics in Genetics B

Students need not complete Advanced Topics in Genetics A prior to enrolling in Advanced Topics in Genetics B.

Discipline Elective subjects: 25 points

Students must take 25 points of the following:

  • 600-606 Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques;
  • 600-608 Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • 600-651 Microscopy for Biological Sciences; and
  • 12.5 or 25 points of other approved subjects.

Professional Tools subjects: 25 points

Students must take:

  • 600-619 Scientists, Communication and the Workplace
  • 600-615 Thinking and Reasoning with Data

Research Project: 125 points

Students enrolled in the Master of Science - Genetics program are required to complete a 125 point Research Project. Students will need to discuss their proposed combination of Research Project subjects with the course coordinator to ensure they will have completed a total of 125 points by the end of their course.

  • 652-671 Research Project - 12.5 points
  • 652-672 Research Project - 25.0 points
  • 652-673 Research Project - 37.5 points
  • 652-675 Research Project - 50.0 points


Students will gain research experience in Genetics by completing:

  • a research proposal including a literature review (10%, with a word limit of 5,000);
  • a minor thesis at the end of the first year (30%, with a word limit of 8,000); and
  • a thesis at the end of the second year (60%, with a word limit of 15,000).
Subject Options:

Discipline Core

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Discipline Elective

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Professional Tools

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

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
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
50
Entry Requirements: A bachelor degree with a major in genetics or equivalent with at least an H3 (65%) average in the major.
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; and
  • 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

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