Course code: 2701 + Course abbreviation: MSc + On-campus (Clayton)
Course coordinator: Professor Ray Cas
The School of Geosciences offers an MSc Preliminary/MSc program designed to
provide an alternative to the honours program. A candidate may complete the MSc
degree by coursework and minor thesis in two years full-time, or four years
part-time. The first two (or four part-time) semesters are designated as MSc
Preliminary. The MSc thesis may be submitted a minimum of 12 months later.
In both the MSc Preliminary and MSc years, the course contains a number of
components. During MSc Preliminary, candidates are required to complete a
review of relevant literature and the background to the research project
(incorporated into the research report), the equivalent of 12 credit points in
coursework units (25% of load), a seminar (10%) and a research report (65%).
During the MSc year, up to the equivalent of a further 12 points of coursework
units may be taken.
In practice, all full-time candidates are required to be working on their
research topic when they are not involved in formal coursework units or other
project units. Suitable coursework components may include:
(a) for MSc Preliminary candidates, no more than one six-point 300-level
geology or geophysics unit or equivalent to strengthen/broaden background in
areas relevant to the research project
(b) 4000 or 5000-level units, full-time over two weeks with essays/assignments
approved by the supervisor
Note that 'standard' Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences
(VIEPS) 4000/5000-level courses, normally conducted over five days during two
weeks, are assigned a weight of three credit points. If VIEPS two-day courses
are taken, a total of three of these courses also represents three credit
points.
In addition, candidates may undertake:
(c) minor independent project units (assignments/review topics)
(d) other equivalent work (for example mapping/symposia/laboratory classes)
assigned by the supervisor.
Candidates wishing to proceed to the MSc from the MSc Preliminary must present
a summary of their research in a seminar conducted by the School of
Geosciences. To be eligible for transition to the MSc, MSc Preliminary,
candidates must achieve results equivalent to BSc (Honours 2A) (an overall
grade of 70% or better). Lower grades are subject to review and may require
approval from the dean of the Faculty of Science.
Candidates should consult with appropriate staff members in order to determine
a suitable program of study.
Course units available vary from year to year depending on
the availability of academic staff. In addition, candidates may take courses
offered by Monash schools/departments other than Geosciences as well as
departments at La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne that are
members of VIEPS. All intending candidates should consult with the School of
Geoscience's MSc coordinator concerning their choice of course units. A
full listing of course units available in 2005 and the times at which they will
be offered will be available from the coordinator at the beginning of the
academic year.
More detailed information concerning the MSc program will be made available
through the Faculty of Science office and the School of Geosciences, including
detailed scheduling of courses when this information becomes available. Course
units offered may be identified in streams as follows.
Normally distinction (70% or better) average over 24 credit points in 3000-level units within major sequences in geology, geophysics, mathematics, physics or geography/environmental science; minimum average 65% with permission of head of school; approval of the Faculty of Science.
The School of Mathematical Sciences offers a number of MSc by coursework programs, particularly in the areas of statistics and meteorology. See also the 'Areas of graduate study' section below.
An
MSc degree specialising in meteorology is offered through the Centre for
Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography at Monash University. The course aims to
provide a strong background in the fundamentals of meteorology and their
practical application.
Current areas of research include, but are not restricted to, climate
variability and change; stratospheric dynamics and ozone; bushfire behaviour;
mesoscale meteorology; fronts, clouds, convection and aerosols; tropical
cyclones; atmospheric gravity waves; nonlinear wave dynamics; physical
oceanography; and geophysical fluid dynamics. Candidates may be offered joint
supervision with a supervisor from the Bureau of Meteorology or CSIRO
Atmospheric Research, and under this arrangement the range of research fields
is greatly extended.
An approved honours degree or equivalent relevant experience.
Two years (full-time) or four years (part-time).
This course is run as part of the Key Centre for Statistical Science, a joint program of Monash University, RMIT University, the University of Melbourne, and La Trobe University. To complete an MSc by coursework, candidates complete six units and a minor thesis.
An approved bachelors degree and honours in statistics.
Two years (full-time) or four years (part-time).
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