Master of Computational Chemistry


Course information

Course code: TBA
Victorian College of Pharmacy, Parkville campus
Fee paying course: course fee $5000; subject fee $500 per eight-credit point subject; $1000 per sixteen-credit point subject; $2000 per thirty two-credit point subject.
Overseas student fees: course fee $12,000; subject fee $1000 per eight-credit point subject; $2000 per sixteen-credit point subject; $4000 per thirty two-credit point subject.

Aims

Computational chemistry is a new branch of science with considerable potential to assist industries such as the pharmaceutical industry and those involved in designing new materials. This course will produce graduates with a broad knowledge of the field and a specialisation in one area. They could then move directly to industry or proceed with a much better background for a PhD.
The course will be taught substantially over the Internet using www-based materials, (http://www.chem.university.swin.edu.au/) and is a joint universities degree between Monash University, Northern Territory University, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Tasmania.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree in chemistry, pharmacy or biochemistry, plus one or two years of appropriate experience. This may include an honours year, a graduate diploma or experience in teaching, industry or a relevant area.
Where applicants seek admission based on work experience they will need to show evidence that they have achieved an acceptable level of relevant experience and have established a commitment to the area of computational chemistry.
Admission at any time of the year is possible.
Assumed knowledge is that of a normal degree in chemistry with a reasonable level of mathematics and computer literacy.

Special requirements

English is the medium of instruction. Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English at a level equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band six.
It will be a requirement for the students to obtain their own visa for the Australian residency.
For a student to use the materials at their local learning site, the following are required:

Compulsory attendance

A period of up to one month of internal mode study in one of the participating universities during which the student will carry out a series of intensive exercises to finalise assessment on the core subjects is compulsory. The purpose of these exercises is to consolidate the work carried out on the Internet and to ensure that the work carried out previously is the student's own work. Where possible this work will be completed in less than four weeks at the end of the third semester, allowing more time for the project.
A semester of on-campus study (subject MCC539) in one of the participating universities in which the student will carry out a research project and write a thesis. This will normally (and initially) be supervised by one of the ACCVIP project team. The project report will be examined by an external examiner with expertise in the area and one other person. Components one and two will be carried out in the same university. The successful graduating student would obtain the degree of the university where these components are completed.

Course structure

The course will be a four-semester full-time master's degree involving successful completion of ninety-six credit points. The period of distance education using the Internet, extending over three semesters for full-time students, may be extended to six semesters for part-time students. The other components, however, will normally be available only on a full-time basis.
Students are required to complete the following core subjects, each worth 8 credit points:

Together with one subject from the following, each worth 16 credit points:

As well as:

Assessment

There are no formal examinations. Assessment is through reports, assignments and essays submitted over the Internet, and a minor theses submitted as part of the project.

Further information

For more detailed information contact Dr E J Lloyd, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Victorian College of Pharmacy, Parkville campus, Monash University, telephone (03) 9903 9537, fax (03) 9903 9582, email ted.lloyd@vcp.monash.edu.au. Also look at http://lacebark.ntu.edu.au/msc/.

Completed applications

Completed applications are to be forwarded to the registrar, Mr M D Watson, Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University Parkville campus, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052.

Details of year-one subjects

  • MCC410: The scope of computational chemistry
  • MCC411: Molecular modelling
  • MCC412: Approximate quantum chemistry
  • MCC413: Basic QSAR
  • MCC414: Ab initio quantum chemistry
  • MCC415: Molecular mechanics and dynamics