Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Science Preliminary programs are offered by all schools in the Faculty of Science, as well as the Department of Geography and Environmental Science in the Faculty of Arts and the Accident Research Centre.
The admission of applicants to MSc and MSc Preliminary
candidature is controlled by the faculty Committee on Graduate Matters on
behalf of the Science faculty board. Prospective applicants should direct their
initial inquiries to the postgraduate coordinator of the relevant school to
ascertain the possibility of undertaking a research program in that prospective
school or academic unit. Applicants should note that admission to masters
candidature is dependent upon the availability of facilities in the proposed
field of research and the availability and willingness of a member of the
academic staff to supervise the candidate; a staff member may decline to accept
a candidate. The procedure for application is as follows:
1. Applications, supported by certified evidence of prior qualifications should
be made on the appropriate form and submitted to the Faculty of Science office.
2. Applications, with a recommendation from the head of school, will go to the
Committee on Graduate Matters. The faculty will communicate the decision of the
Committee on Graduate Matters to the applicant and to the school.
3. Any admission decision taken by the Committee on Graduate Matters is subject
to endorsement by the Science faculty board.
On admitting a candidate, the faculty board will, on the recommendation of the head of school, appoint a member of the academic staff of the university as supervisor. It may also appoint an associate supervisor who need not be an academic staff member but someone of recognised standing in the field. Both supervisors are responsible to the faculty board.
Research fellows may be appointed as supervisors if their terms of appointment exceed the periods of candidature and they have previous experience in supervising higher degree candidates. Otherwise they may be appointed as associate supervisors.
The faculty board may review the academic progress of a candidate. After taking into account any recommendations from the head of school and the supervisor, and after giving the candidate an opportunity to be heard, faculty board may terminate the candidature on grounds of unsatisfactory performance.
The MSc Preliminary is a course of study involving both coursework and research which is undertaken as preparation for admission to further studies at masters (or PhD) level. It is intended primarily for graduates who do not meet the standard eligibility requirements for entry into MSc. For admission into MSc, MSc Preliminary candidates must complete such courses and pass such examinations as prescribed by their school with results equivalent to H2A or better. The MSc Preliminary is not a formal qualification and candidates therefore cannot graduate. Candidates are not eligible for HECS exemption scholarships.
For admission to the MSc Preliminary, new graduates with only a pass degree in a relevant field who have not attempted honours in that field will normally be required to have achieved at least a credit average (60 per cent) in relevant third-year units.
For graduates with honours in a different field (not regarded as a suitable preparation for direct admission to their proposed graduate studies), or for applicants applying several years after graduation and whose subsequent training and experience is deemed inadequate for direct admission to the proposed graduate studies, or non-university graduates with a diploma or other qualifications, admission to a MSc Preliminary may be approved if the applicant is judged to have sufficient aptitude for research in the proposed field and a suitable attitude towards relevant studies.
The MSc Preliminary will usually include a combination of coursework and research, and it is anticipated that the research component undertaken in this course will form the basis of the research thesis required under the MSc.
Full-time candidates are required to complete the MSc Preliminary within 12 months. Part-time candidates are required to complete this course within 24 months.
The MSc is a research masters degree for which candidates are required to submit a major thesis for examination. The thesis should embody the results of an investigation carried out by the candidate, under supervision, which shows independence of thought and which demonstrates their ability to carry out research in their discipline.
For a new graduate, normally a class I or class IIA honours degree in a relevant field is expected.
An applicant who has completed a relevant MSc Preliminary examination at the
equivalent of a class I or class IIA honours grade will be considered on a
similar basis to a class I or class IIA honours applicant for MSc
candidature.
A head of school may, however, recommend for admission an applicant holding a
class IIB or class III honours degree or who has completed the masters
preliminary examination at the equivalent of one of these levels, if the head
believes that the applicant has the qualities necessary to complete
satisfactorily a MSc degree. Such a recommendation should comment specifically
on any circumstances which may have affected the applicant's result in the
honours or MSc Preliminary course, as well as on the applicant's research
ability, aptitude and attitude towards the proposed program inasmuch as they
can be determined by the head at the time. In making such a recommendation, a
head should be satisfied that the applicant will not require an undue amount of
supervision.
For an applicant applying several years after graduation, or a non- university
graduate with a diploma or other qualifications, a period of research,
industrial, teaching or other relevant experience may qualify that applicant
for admission to candidature. In recommending acceptance of such a candidate
the head of school should be satisfied that the candidate will not require an
undue amount of supervision or be likely to make demands beyond the capacity of
the school's resources.
Applicants may be admitted to part-time candidature if they can
provide written evidence that they can devote:
1. at least two full working days per week or its equivalent to their studies
if in a laboratory discipline, or
2. at least one full working day per week or its equivalent if in a non-
laboratory discipline.
Applicants in full-time employment shall provide written evidence from the
employer to the effect that sufficient time as defined above will be made
available for them to undertake studies.
A research assistant in full-time employment in the university may, on the
recommendation of a head, be permitted to enrol as a part-time MSc candidate
and shall be required to provide a statement from the supervisor, countersigned
by the head of school, certifying that sufficient freedom to pursue original
research, which may or may not be related to the work as a research assistant,
will be permitted, and that there will be no limitation on publication of
results of the research work.
In special circumstances, the Committee on Graduate Matters may recommend
exceptions to these provisions in support of approval of a particular
application.
Except where faculty board determines, a thesis may not be submitted in less than 12 months of candidature and not more than 24 months of full- time or 48 months of part-time candidature.
A candidate for the MSc who has been a candidate for at least the minimum time specified in the regulations may be permitted by faculty board to write the thesis away from the university provided that the supervisor has sighted the first draft of the thesis. The thesis must be submitted by the maximum period specified for the candidate in the regulations or any shorter period specified by the board. Writing-up away is usually limited to a maximum of six months.
Guidelines for the presentation and preparation of masters theses can be found on the graduate studies website at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/graduate/ policies.html. As an alternative to the traditional thesis, candidates have the option of submitting a thesis based or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished work (see the relevant section below for further detail).
A maximum limit of between 50,000 and 70,000 words is recommended for a MSc thesis. This word length should not include footnotes, references or appendices, nor should it include equations, tables, diagrams and other illustrations. Where it is proposed that a thesis will exceed the specified maximum length candidates should submit a request to the Committee on Graduate Matters in advance of the thesis being submitted for examination.
A candidate shall state in the thesis, generally in a preface and specifically in notes, the sources of all information and shall indicate the extent to which the thesis represents work done in collaboration with other persons. A candidate may not submit work previously accepted for a degree in this or another university, nor may the candidate without the permission of the faculty board, submit work which has previously been submitted for any such degree. When a candidate has submitted a thesis, the supervisor shall submit a statement, endorsed by the head of the school, certifying to the best of his or her knowledge, the extent to which the work was carried out by the candidate and whether, in his or her opinion, the thesis is properly presented and is prima facie worthy of examination. Where the supervisor does not certify that the thesis is properly presented and is prima facie worthy of examination, the faculty board shall determine whether or not the thesis is to be examined.
The faculty requires four copies of the thesis to be submitted for
examination, bound securely along the spine.
After a successful examination process, the faculty will recommend that the
degree be awarded. A candidate who has not submitted four copies of the thesis
in hardcover binding shall then be required to have bound in hardcover form,
four copies of the thesis, one for retention by the library*, one for
transmission to the head of school, one shall be retained by the candidate's
supervisor and the remaining copy returned to the candidate.
Candidates are advised that spiral soft-cover binding may not be desirable for
copies which have to be rebound in hardcover binding, since a substantial
amount of trimming is required.
A candidate who will be departing from Melbourne after the submission of the
thesis and who wishes to submit all four examination copies in soft-cover
binding should consult the relevant school office concerning arrangements for
the hard cover binding of the final copies.
* When the thesis has been accepted, it may be made available by the librarian
to any person for consultation and photocopying provided that for a period of
three years after the thesis is lodged it shall not be made available in this
way without the written consent of the author.
When a thesis is submitted, faculty board will appoint two examiners on the recommendation of the head of school, of whom at least one shall be external.
It is expected that the head of school will consult with the candidate's
supervisor, with regard to the names of possible examiners. Candidates should
be invited to name individuals whom they do not wish appointed as examiners.
Choice of examiners is made with regard to their knowledge and standing in the
field of study involved, but qualities such as reputation and experience in
thesis examining should not be overlooked. A person who has had involvement in
the student's research should not be nominated. Experience here and elsewhere
suggests that speediness in completing the examination and submission of
report, clarity of the examiner's report, and a reasonable expectation about
the standard required of a masters thesis are important qualities to seek in
potential examiners, in addition to their scholarly standing.
It is advisable for both examiners to be asked informally before the thesis is
submitted whether they are willing to examine the thesis. It is also
appropriate at this stage to ask whether an examiner would be able to complete
the examination within eight weeks from the estimated date of receipt of the
thesis.
For a major thesis, each examiner shall evaluate the thesis and shall recommend to the faculty board whether or not the work of the candidate merits the award of the degree.
For a minor thesis, the head shall determine, for advice to the examiners,
the weight to be attached to the thesis in assessing the candidate's overall
performance. Each examiner shall evaluate the thesis and report the evaluation
to the Committee on Graduate Matters. The committee shall receive a report from
the head on the performance of the candidate in the courses completed and will
recommend to the faculty board through the head of school whether or not the
work of the candidate merits the award of the degree.
Where there is, in the opinion of the faculty board, a difference of substance
between the recommendations of any two examiners, the faculty board may appoint
an external adjudicator whose advice shall be taken into account by the board
in determining whether the candidate has satisfied the requirements for the
degree.
The reports of the examiners and the results of any oral examination shall be
transmitted to the faculty board which shall decide whether (i) the candidate
has satisfied the requirements for the degree, or (ii) the candidate has failed
to satisfy the requirements for the degree, or (iii) the candidate be given
leave to submit an amended thesis or to complete further coursework, as the
case may require, within such further period and on such conditions as it may
prescribe.
This option allows MSc candidates to submit for examination a thesis consisting of, or partially consisting of, conjointly published or unpublished work, linked by a clear theme. A detailed statement at the front of the thesis must indicate the nature and extent of the student's contribution to the work presented and the underlying research. Essentially, the initiation, key ideas, development and writing up of each of the works should be the primary responsibility of the candidate. An introductory chapter which places the specific work in the broader context of its relevant research area and a concluding chapter which draws together the research documented in the preceding chapters are required. Other linking material which converts the work into a coherent whole is also essential. Candidates considering this option should consult with their supervisor and obtain further information from the faculty office.
Students shall comply with the university statute and regulations which require all students to assign intellectual property rights to the university.
External candidature allows candidates the flexibility to undertake a masters degree in their workplace or an external organisation, provided the appropriate supervision, resources and support for the project can be demonstrated. An external supervisor with the appropriate expertise, based in the external location, will normally be appointed. This supervisor will be in addition to the supervision provided by a Monash academic. This mode of candidature must be approved by the Faculty of Science. External candidates have the advantage of access and close proximity to special facilities needed for research projects that are locally or nationally based. Candidates may enrol on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time candidates must be able to devote a minimum of four days per week to the pursuit of the research project. Part-time candidates must be able to devote the equivalent of two days per week to the pursuit of the research project. Candidates must maintain regular interactive communication with the university supervisor and must have access to email as well as to telephone and/or video conferencing facilities. Candidates will normally be required to undertake the equivalent of 15 days (for full-time students) of attendance at the school in which they are enrolled. All candidates applying for external mode shall be admitted to candidature on a probationary basis for the first six months of full-time equivalent candidature. Confirmation of candidature may be approved on the basis of a review, including an oral presentation and written report.
Subject to the following conditions, graduates of Monash University holding the degree of Bachelor of Science (pass or honours) or another appropriate Monash pass or honours degree will be given the opportunity to submit a thesis for examination in fulfilment of the requirements of the MSc regulations.
Candidates will not be required to have any close association with the university and their MSc work will not be supervised by the university. External candidates will not be eligible to submit a thesis until three years after qualifying for their Monash degree.
A candidate will be able to submit for examination either published or unpublished work embodying the results of an investigation carried out by the candidate without formal supervision or attendance at the university, provided that, if the thesis contains published work, the candidate will be required to include in the presentation a coordinating summary, embracing at least the nature, sequence and relevance of the candidate's work.
Prior to submission of a thesis, the candidate will be required to have the field of study approved by the appropriate head of school. The candidate will also be required to enrol, although no student union fees are levied. The thesis shall be submitted not less than six months and not more than 12 months after the approval of the head of the school has been granted. When submitting a thesis, the candidate will be required to discuss the work with the head and present the thesis for his or her approval.
The requirements for submission and certifications of theses and examiners are the same as for internal candidates.
A candidate shall state in the thesis, generally in a preface and specifically in notes, the sources of the information and shall indicate the extent to which the thesis represents work done in collaboration with other persons. The candidate will be required to provide a statement on where, and under what circumstances, the work was carried out. The faculty may consult with the candidate's collaborators regarding the extent of their participation in the various papers presented.
All external candidates submitting a thesis for examination will be required to undergo an oral examination.
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