wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Thu May 25 16:53:16 EST 2000
Auth: S Steele, ITS Web and Internet Facilities
Copyright © Monash University 1999 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
The
Master of Computational Chemistry (MCompChem) aims to train students in a broad
way in the new field of computational chemistry, provide them with a strong
applications viewpoint supported by a good theoretical base, and provide the
basis for a research degree leading to careers in industry or university.
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 to doctoral studies with a much better
background.
The course is unique in two ways in that it will be taught substantially over
the Internet using WWW-based materials
(http://www.chem.university.swin.edu.au/), and that it is a joint initiative of
Monash University, Northern Territory University, Swinburne University of
Technology and the University of Tasmania. The advantage is a broad range of
expertise provided by the different perspectives offered by these universities
and by the wide range of interactions provided over the Internet.
Use of interactive WWW pages allows students to perform calculations over the
Internet and gives access to interactive self-assessment pages and the use of
molecular images and many other materials. This innovative approach encourages
self-paced learning, with students taking responsibility for their own
learning. At the same time it allows rapid and effective access to tutors and
to other students.
Prerequisite
is a bachelors 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. Assumed
knowledge is that of a bachelors degree with a major in chemistry and a
reasonable level of mathematics and computer literacy.
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.
English is the language 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 6
or the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 580.
It will be a requirement for the students to obtain their own visa for the
Australian residency component of the course.
The course will be a four-semester full-time masters degree involving successful completion of 96 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. However, the other components will normally be available only on a full-time basis.
The course outline, with subject coordinators shown in brackets, will involve successful completion over four semesters of 96 credit points made up of three components:
All students complete the following subjects:
These core subjects can be completed within the first two semesters of the course. MCC410 is a prerequisite of MCC411 and MCC412. Since none of the remaining subjects is a prerequisite of the others, they may be completed in any sequence by arrangement with the subject coordinator. These subjects require at least 45 hours per week over a normal 13-week semester composed of approximately 35 hours per week devoted to laboratory work in the form of Internet activities, plus ten hours per week extra time spent on individual study, library work and assessment.
Students will select one of the following for completion in the third semester of the course:
Each subject requires at least 45 hours per week over 11 weeks composed of approximately 35 hours per week devoted to laboratory work in the form of Internet activities, plus 10 hours per week extra time spent on individual study, library work and assessment.
The research project is to be done by all students and is dependent on the chosen elective.
The project can be commenced in the third
semester, on satisfactory completion of 1 and 2 above, and will be completed in
the fourth semester. This subject requires at least 55 hours per week over a
period of 15 weeks composed of advanced computational laboratory work on a
minor research project, and the writing of a project report which includes
appropriate literature reviews.
* ALL STAFF WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS SUBJECT.
_ M WONG (SWINBURNE) E LLOYD (MONASH) AND B YATES (TASMANIA)
WILL BE INVOLVED.
_ BOTH B SALTER-DUKE (NTU) AND B YATES (TASMANIA) WILL BE
INVOLVED.
** M WONG (SWINBURNE) AND E LLOYD (MONASH) WILL BE INVOLVED.
All students will be asked to carry out tasks from our first WWW module
'Introduction to the Internet for chemists' before enrolling. This will ensure
that students have an adequate Internet connection to the four universities and
will give them insight into the scope of the course before finally committing
themselves. This activity will not be assessed as part of the course, and
should be seen as essential orientation. It will be the entry point to the
subject, MCC410, providing the information that will be used in this subject as
described above in the subject description.
Subjects MCC410 through to MCC415 and the elective chosen from MCC526, MCC527
or MCC528 will be carried out in distance mode within the first three semesters
of study or the part-time equivalent. The assessment of each subject will be
continuous but will be completed in the first few weeks of a final four-month
period of internal study. MCC539 will be carried out during this period of
internal study.
To
do these subjects, students must have access not only to the Internet and a WWW
browser, but also to specialist chemical 'viewer' programs. These are public
domain and will be made available by file transfer protocol (FTP). Students
will have email contact with the subject coordinator, the course coordinator,
and with each other. Where appropriate, Internet interactive discussions will
be established and encouraged. Additional assignments and course materials will
be sent by mail.
For a student to use the materials at their local learning site, the following
are required:
Core and elective subjects will be assessed from reports submitted by the student either by secured email or post. There will be no formal examinations.
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Thu May 25 16:53:16 EST 2000