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Postgraduate Handbook 2009 - Faculty of Science

Science

Faculty information

• Structure and organisation of the faculty
  • Schools within the faculty
  • Science disciplines offered by departments and schools in other faculties
  • Academic and administration affairs of the faculty
• Where to get help and advice in the faculty
• Schools and centres of the faculty
• Graduate studies by research
  • Supervision
    
  • Scholarships and exemptions
    
  • Master of Science Preliminary

Areas of study

• Areas of research, graduate study and specialist centres

Course information

• Outline of postgraduate studies
  • Courses offered in 2009

Course-related policies and rules

• Government and University legislation

Structure and organisation of the faculty - Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science conducts undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the Clayton, Gippsland and Sunway, Malaysia campuses. Postgraduate programs offered by the faculty include the Graduate Certificate in Science Studies (GradCertScStud) and Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSc), which are available by on-campus and off-campus learning, and the Master of Science Preliminary (MSc (Prelim), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) postgraduate programs, which may be undertaken on campus and by external mode.

Schools within the faculty

The faculty comprises the following seven schools, each of which is responsible for carrying out teaching and research activities within the areas of expertise of their academic staff:

• Applied Sciences and Engineering (Gippsland)
• Sciences (Sunway)
• Biological Sciences (Clayton)
• Chemistry (Clayton)
• Geosciences (Clayton)
• Mathematical Sciences (Clayton)
• Physics (Clayton).

The School of Applied Sciences and Engineering is a multidisciplinary school that operates on the Gippsland campus. The school offers a range of studies and conducts research in applied biology, applied chemistry, human physiology, mathematics and modelling, and environmental management. The School of Sciences is a multidisciplinary school that operates on the Sunway campus.

Science disciplines offered by departments and schools in other faculties

Departments and schools in the following faculties also offer science disciplines:

• Faculty of Arts - School of Geography and Environmental Science
• Faculty of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering
• Faculty of Information Technology - School of Information Technology (Clayton) and School of Computing and Information Technology (Gippsland)
• Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences - Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Microbiology; Immunology; Pharmacology; Physiology; and the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine

Collaborative research is also undertaken with schools and departments from other faculties.

Academic and administration affairs of the faculty

The academic operations of the faculty are governed by the faculty board, which is chaired by the dean of the faculty. The dean exercises a general superintendence over the academic and administrative affairs of the faculty and is assisted by four associate deans (external, graduate studies, research, and teaching). The heads of schools are ex-officio members of the board, and there are elected members representing various groups of staff within the schools of the faculty. Membership of the faculty board includes representatives of undergraduate, graduate, and off-campus learning students, who may be contacted through the appropriate campus candidate organisation. The board also comprises representatives from other faculties and of extra-faculty departments/schools who teach science students. The board seeks advice from a number of standing committees, such as the faculty's education committee, research committee, and research degrees committee.

The faculty academic manager, with the assistance of other managers and administrative officers, is responsible for the activities of the Faculty of Science office and works closely with the dean in the provision of administrative support to the faculty.

Where to get help and advice in the faculty - Faculty of Science

Intending and current students are strongly encouraged to seek advice and information from the Faculty of Science office or from any of the schools. Details can be found at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/postgrad/index.html.

Clayton

Location: ground floor, central Science building (building 19) - where it adjoins building 27 on the south side

Telephone: +61 3 9905 9052
Fax: +61 3 9905 1450
Email: graduate.studies@sci.monash.edu.au

Postal address

Faculty of Science Office
Clayton campus
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

Gippsland

Location: building 3W

Telephone: +61 3 9902 6431
Fax: +61 3 9902 6931
Email: scienceinquiries@sci.monash.edu.au

Postal address

School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Faculty of Science
Monash University Gippsland Campus
Northways Road
Churchill Victoria 3842
Australia

Schools and centres of the faculty - Faculty of Science

Listed below are the schools and centres of the faculty. School staff can provide advice about a range of matters, including unit details for postgraduate coursework programs as well as information on areas of research focus and available resources and supervision for higher degree by research programs.

Schools

School of Applied Sciences and Engineering

Research strengths and focus include applied biology and chemistry, human physiology, mathematics and modelling, and environmental management.

• Location: building 3W, Gippsland campus
• Telephone: +60 3 5514 6121
• Fax: +60 3 5514 6364
  
• Email: scienceinquiries@sci.monash.edu.au
• http://www.gippsland.monash.edu.au/science

Postal address

School of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Science
Monash University
Gippsland campus
Northways Road
Churchill Victoria 3842
Australia

School of Sciences

• Location: building 2, level 5, Sunway campus
• Telephone: +60 3 5514 6121
• Fax: +60 3 5514 6364
• Email: study@monash.edu
• http://www.sci.monash.edu.my

Postal address

School of Sciences
Monash University
Jalan Lagoon Selatan
Bandar Sunway, 46150
Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia

School of Biological Sciences

Research strengths and focus include biology and physiology of algae; ecology and conservation biology; evolutionary processes; molecular genetics and cell biology; and vertebrate physiology, development and behaviour.

• Location: building 18, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 5647
  
• Fax: +61 3 9905 5613
  
• http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au

Postal address

School of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Chemistry

Research strengths and focus include electrolytes, water studies, sustainable and green chemistry, electrochemistry, biospectroscopy, environmental and analytical science, biological and medicinal chemistry, materials chemistry and synthetic and catalytic chemistry.

• Location: building 19C, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4593
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4597
• Email: head.chemistry@sci.monash.edu.au
• http://www.chem.monash.edu.au

Postal address

School of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
Box 23
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Geosciences

Research strengths and focus include economic geology, environmental geoscience and hydrogeology, geochemistry and petrology, geophysics, palaeontology, geodynamics, volcanology and ore deposits, sedimentology and basin studies and tectonics.

• Location: building 28, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4879
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4903
• http://www.geosci.monash.edu.au

Postal address

School of Geosciences
Faculty of Science
Building 28
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Mathematical Sciences

Research strengths and focus include algebra and discrete mathematics, analysis and geometry, astrophysics and general relativity, atmospheric science and geophysical fluid dynamics, computational mathematics, statistics, and tertiary mathematics education.

• Location: building 28, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4465
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4403
• Email: enquiries@maths.monash.edu.au
• http://www.maths.monash.edu.au

Postal address

School of Mathematical Sciences
Faculty of Science
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Physics

Research strengths and focus include electron scattering in materials, magnetic studies, computational physics, topological methods in physics, particle cosmology, EPR studies, applications of Mössbauer spectroscopy, engineering of metals and alloys, polymer physics and engineering, thin films, diffraction studies, computed tomography, digital image processing and X-ray and synchrotron radiation physics, ceramic engineering, corrosion, fracture of materials, production and properties of composites, mechanical properties, fracture, mathematical and computer modelling of materials and processes and biomaterials.

• Location: building 27, Clayton campus
• Telephone inquiries: +61 3 9905 3652
• Fax: +61 3 9905 3637
• Email: Physics.Enquiries@.sci.monash.edu.au
• http://www.physics.monash.edu.au

Postal address

School of Physics
Faculty of Science
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

Centres

Australian Centre for Biodiversity Analysis, Policy and Management

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 5642
• Fax: +61 3 9905 5613
• http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/research/acb

Australian Crustal Research Centre

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4897
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4903
• http://www.geosci.monash.edu.au/research/acrc.html

Centre for Biospectroscopy

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4525
• http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/biospec

Centre for Green Chemistry

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4547
• Fax: +61 3 9905 8501
• http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/green-chem

Centre for Modelling of Stochastic Systems

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4409
• Fax: +61 3 9905 9520
• http://www.cmss.monash.edu.au/

Centre for Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4440
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4403
• http://www.cspa.monash.edu.au

Water Studies Centre

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4062
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4196
• http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/wsc

 

Graduate studies by research - Faculty of Science

Introduction

The Master of Science (MSc) is a research-based program primarily aimed at further training for Bachelor of Science with honours graduates. Research may be undertaken within all schools of the faculty, the School of Geography and Environmental Science in the Faculty of Arts, and the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC). The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees are extensive research-based programs offering further training also primarily for Bachelor of Science with honours graduates. Candidates for the MSc by research, MPhil or PhD who do not meet the standard eligibility requirements for entry to these programs may undertake the Master of Science Preliminary (MScPrelim). This involves a combination of both coursework and research activities, but is included below in this `Graduate studies by research' section because of its role in preparation of students for further research studies.

Supervision

On admitting a candidate to a research program, the faculty board will, on the recommendation of the head of school, appoint a member of the academic staff of the university as a 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 and postdoctoral fellows may be appointed as supervisors if their terms of appointment exceed the periods of candidature, they have previous experience in supervising higher degree candidates, and they have a proven and current research record. Otherwise they may be appointed as associate supervisors.

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

Scholarships and exemptions

Full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and masters by research candidates with an honours H1 degree or the equivalent may apply for a range of research scholarships, including the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and the Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS). Further details may be obtained from the Monash Research Graduate School by email at mrgs@adm.monash.edu.au or by telephone on +61 3 9905 3009.

Master of Science Preliminary

This is a qualifying program combining research and coursework for candidates seeking admission to further studies at masters or PhD level. See the entry in the `Graduate studies by research' section above.

Areas of research, graduate study and specialist centres - Faculty of Science

Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs are offered by all schools of the Faculty of Science. Prospective MSc candidates are also referred to the Faculty of Arts entry in this handbook. Broad areas of study available for pure or applied research for candidates/coursework students in the Faculty of Science are detailed below.

• Biological sciences
• Chemistry
• Geosciences
• Geography and environmental science
• Mathematical sciences
• Physics

Courses offered in 2009 - Faculty of Science

Research

• 0054 Master of Science Preliminary (combines research and coursework units)
• 2700 or 3532 Master of Science*
• 3521 or 3533 Master of Philosophy*
• 0057 or 3531 Doctor of Philosophy*

* Students enrolled in the second course code listed for these degrees should refer to the course details as outlined under the entry for the first course code listed.

Coursework

• 3525 Graduate Certificate in Mathematics Studies
• 3515 Graduate Certificate in Science Studies
• 3516 Graduate Diploma in Science