Master of Science

Course code: 2700 + Course abbreviation: MSc + Total credit points required: 96 + 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton; Gippsland; Malaysia)

External (Clayton; Gippsland)

Course description

The MSc (by research) permits students to show independence of thought and demonstrate their ability to carry out research in their chosen discipline.

Assessment is by 100 per cent thesis, the length of which would not normally exceed 70,000 words. The thesis should embody the results of an investigation carried out by the candidate under supervision..

Course objectives

Successful completion of the program will signify that the candidate has successfully completed a course of research training and has satisfied the examiners that he/she can carry out a research project and analyse critically the results.

Entry requirements

Recent graduates

An applicant who graduated within three years from the time of application should normally hold a class 1 (H1) or class 2A honours (H2A) degree in a relevant field. Normally applicants would have a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and have completed a major sequence and research project in the research field for which admission is sought.

Completion of Master of Science Preliminary

An applicant who has completed a relevant Master of Science Preliminary course at the equivalent of a class 1 (H1) or class 2A honours (H2A) grade will be considered on a similar basis to a class 1 (H1) or class 2A honours (H2A) applicant for Master of Science by research candidature.

Other applicants

For graduates with honours in a different field (not regarded as a suitable preparation for direct admission to their proposed graduate studies), or applicants applying more than three 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 the applicant for admission to candidature, subject to a case successfully being made for H2A equivalence. Documentary evidence must be provided in support of the relevant experience. In recommending acceptance of such a candidate, the head of school should be satisfied that the candidate would not require an undue amount of supervision or be likely to make demands beyond the capacity of the school's resources.

Part-time candidature

Applicants may be admitted to part-time candidature if they can provide written evidence that they can devote at least two full working days per week or its equivalent to the research project.

A research assistant in full-time employment in the university may, on the recommendation of a head of school, be permitted to enrol as a part-time candidate. The Research Degrees Committee will require a letter from the supervisor, countersigned by the head of school, certifying:

that there is sufficient freedom to pursue original research
the extent to which the research undertaken as part of the employment overlaps with that undertaken as a candidate, and
that there will be no limitation on the publication of results of the candidate's primary research work.

Duration of candidature

Except where the faculty board in any particular case otherwise determines, a thesis must be submitted in a minimum of 12 months of full-time or 24 months of part-time candidature and a maximum of 24 months of full-time or 48 months of part-time candidature.

External candidature

External mode candidature allows candidates to undertake research in an approved research institution in Australia or in another country where resources and complementary supervision are available. Candidates may also have the option to spend some of their time at the Monash South Africa campus, if the project allows. External candidates must have access to email as well as telephone and/or video-conferencing facilities. An external supervisor with the appropriate expertise, based in the external location, will normally be appointed. This supervision will be in addition to the supervision provided by academic staff members of the university. Regular interactive communication between the candidate and the main supervisor should take place at least once per month. An annual 15-day attendance requirement in the school or department in which the candidate is enrolled must be met each year (or eight days in the case of part-time candidates), although in special circumstances a reduction in the 15-day attendance requirement after the first year may be considered by the Research Degrees Committee.

Thesis

Writing-up away

Approval to write the thesis away from the university may be sought by candidates who have been enrolled for at least the minimum time specified in the regulations, providing their supervisor has sighted the first draft of the thesis. A maximum of six months writing-up away may be approved in the first instance. Candidates should note that the writing-up away period is not additional to that of the length of candidature.

Thesis format and submission requirements

Guidelines for the presentation and preparation of masters theses can be found on the Faculty of Science website at www.sci.monash.edu.au/postgrad/. The thesis should normally have a word length of between 50,000 and 70,000 words although individual school requirements may differ. This should not include footnotes, references or appendices, nor should it include equations, tables, diagrams and other illustrations. Where it is proposed that the thesis will exceed the specified maximum length, the candidate will be required to submit a request to the Research Degrees Committee in advance of the thesis being submitted for examination.

Contact details

Further information can be obtained from the graduate studies website at www.sci.monash.edu.au/postgrad/ or from the Faculty of Science office by email at graduate.studies@sci.monash.edu.au.

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