Master of Dental Science (Para Clinical-Thesis)

This course is unavailable for new students and is being phased out. Prospective students should refer to the Master of Philosophy.

The MDSc by research aims to enhance the academic and research skills of dental graduates developing an academic or research career. The MDSc could lead to or be converted into a PhD. The majority of your time will be spent working on your research project and writing a major thesis of approximately 40,000 words. Research projects are available in the following areas: Dental Materials Science; Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; Oral Biology; Preventive and Community Dentistry. Although not formally enrolled in the subjects, you are required to complete 511731 Research Design 1 and 511732 Reseach Design 2.

In this course, you would define and manage an original, independent research project. This would equip you for more sustained and original work at the doctoral level or for applied research positions in a wide context.

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You must hold an undergraduate degree in dentistry with very good academic results, and have completed at least two years full-time, continuous clinical work experience since graduation. Completion of professional development courses and a strong record in research publications would be highly regarded.

The following selection criteria are also taken into account:

• Referees' reports and interviews -You will need to nominate three professional referees. An interview, in person or by telephone, may also by conducted.

• Evidence of additional study - Many applicants will have completed primary Fellowship examinations, a postgraduate diploma or higher degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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Our research master's graduates should develop:

• an ability to initiate research projects and to formulate viable research questions;
• a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a closely-defined project;
• an ability to manage time to maximise the quality of research;
• an understanding of the major directions of international research in the research area;
• a capacity for critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature;
• well-developed and flexible problem-solving abilities appropriate to the discipline;
• the ability to analyse research data within a changing disciplinary environment;
• a capacity to communicate effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication;
• an understanding of and facility with scholarly conventions in the discipline area;
• a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
• a capacity to cooperate with other researchers;
• an ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study.

1. Research projects are subject to the availability of teaching and supervisory staff.

2. This course does NOT qualify international students without a registerable undergraduate degree to practice dentistry in Victoria. Please refer to the Dental Practice Board of Victoria for further information (http://www.dentprac.vic.gov.au).

3. Refer to the University's Masters by Research Generic Guidelines for general information about masters by research course requirements at the University of Melbourne.

4. Refer to the Melbourne School of Graduate Research for information about thesis examination and submission.