Master of Science (Chemistry)

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.

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.

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).

Discipline Core

Students must take:

Discipline Elective

Students must take two to four of the following subjects:

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

Science Skills

Communication Skills

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 2013: March 4 and July 29) 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 at least a 65% result in a 60 minute safety examination held during the first week (pass/fail);
• a preliminary literature survey and research plan (up to 10 pages of mixed text, diagrams and formulas) due at the end of the first semester of enrolment or after the student has enrolled in 25 points of Research project (pass/fail);
• a project-related oral presentation (up to 25 min), given at the end of the second semester (pass/fail);
• a project-related oral presentation (up to 30 min), given at the end of the fourth semester (10%);
• a major thesis, page limit of 60 pages, due at the end of the fourth semester (35%);
• an oral exam (viva) on the content of the thesis (35%);
• assessment of research performance based on attendance, application, initiative and demonstrated skills (20%);
• 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.

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 of which 12.5 points must be practical-based 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.

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.

The Master of Science offers a pathway to a PhD.