Students will undertake a supervised research project. Candidates may commence the honours year at the beginning of either the first or second semester. Students will carry out a research project and present the results of their study in both written and oral form. Information about research projects will be available from the course coordinator towards the end of the preceding semester.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Critically review the scientific literature in their discipline;
2. Understand, discuss and actively participate in the design, development and implementation of a research project;
3. Execute, analyse and evaluate a set of laboratory-based exercises, showing an improved ability to work with minimal supervision and to implement their own ideas;
4. Demonstrate proficiency in computer-based literature searching word processing and other computer programs commonly used in their chosen chemistry discipline;
5. Experience then discuss the breadth and diversity of the chemical sciences, specifically through, but not limited to, attendance at seminars;
6. Demonstrate proficiency in safe work practices for a chemical laboratory, including the use of MSDS and the performance of risk assessments;
7. Synthesise and present in a format suitable for the discipline, experimental results and data analysis associated with the research project;
8. Present orally the scientific research findings to an appropriate expert audience;
9. Integrate the research findings from the project into the larger context of research in that particular field, primarily through completion of the required thesis;
10. Demonstrate the capability to learn new technical skills within the research project ambit and use these proficiently and safely.

Thesis: 93%

Final presentation: 7% (Hurdle)

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must complete the proposal presentation.

30 hours of self-guided and supervised study and research per week

See also Unit timetable information

Medicinal chemistry

This unit provides advanced instruction in quantitative methods, thesis writing and current topics to students enrolled in the honours program in medicinal chemistry. Students will gain an understanding of advanced experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing that will assist them in completing their honours thesis. Further classes and coursework relating to current topics in medicinal chemistry will assist students in critical analysis of journal articles, providing further support for their academic development in research science.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop a realistic experimental plan, including a timeline, for the research project undertaken in CHM4180;
2. Appreciate and outline the key principals in Intellectual Property as it relates to the discipline and the CHM4180 research project;
3. Use and critically evaluate the extant OHS software;
4. Efficiently and competently use appropriate bibliographic software (eg. EndNote);
5. Explain the operation of, and where relevant and appropriate, competently use, the equipment discussed in the Workshops component of this course;
6. Demonstrate an appropriate high level of understanding of the material presented in the selected lecture modules - this understanding is demonstrated through the relevant assessment tasks.

Essay: 50%

Statistics coursework: 30%

Examination: 20%

One to three hours of lectures and/or tutorials per week over 12 weeks

See also Unit timetable information

Medicinal chemistry

The unit provides a practical introduction to the principles, techniques and applications in GIS for environmental problem solving and decision making. It covers a wide range of topics including general nature of spatial data, spatial data quality, georeferencing, raster and vector approaches, spatial data management, spatial analysis, spatial modelling, spatial visualisation, terrain analysis, and GIS applications in land use analysis, hydrology, ecology, geoscience, environmental policy and decision analysis.

On completion of this unit student will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental principles of GIS.
2. Comprehend the nature of spatial data and their importance in environmental science.
3. Identify environmental problems that can be solved with GIS.
4. Grasp basic GIS skills.
5. Demonstrate a high level of skills in the use of GIS software (ArcGIS).
6. Design GIS-based solutions to environmental problems.

Within semester assessment: 75%

Examination (2 hours): 25%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Environmental security

This unit, together with ENS5020, sets the context for considering the interactions and interdependence between nature and society and the basic principles of sustainability (social, economic and environmental), reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals.

This unit (Global challenges and sustainability) provides the scientific basis for understanding contemporary global environmental change and its implications for society.

Using the current global policy context in this area, it introduces the science of sustainability and the environment and its relevance to human well-being. It explores the key threats to sustainability, such as climate change, human migration, resource scarcity and emerging diseases. Core concepts covered in the unit include those of scale, systems and complexity.

The unit teaches problem structuring methods, evidence-based approaches and methods of interpreting risk and uncertainty. Particular emphasis is placed on developing skills to integrate evidence into sustainability actions across multiple sectors, systems and scales. Theory will be complemented with group learning exercises, professional development activities and engagement with practitioners.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Evaluate and integrate the multidisciplinary scientific evidence for contemporary global change and ecosystem services.
2. Forecast challenges associated with global change and sustainability through analysing evidence and applying scientific knowledge, concepts and methods.
3. Appraise, classify and prioritise complex systems, problems and solutions relevant to sustainability.
4. Devise evidence-based approaches to sustainability through integrating data with multidisciplinary tools, frameworks and principles.
5. Plan evidence-based sustainability actions across multiple sectors, systems and scales.
6. Effectively communicate scientific knowledge across disciplines and communities of practice in environment and sustainability.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours equivalent to minimum 4 hours per week.

Additional requirements of at least twenty hours of independent work.

See also Unit timetable information

International development practice

International sustainable tourism management

This unit, together with ENS5010, sets the context for considering the interactions and interdependence between nature and society and the basic principles of sustainability (social, economic and environmental), as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals.

This unit explores the values and perspectives of stakeholders alongside existing social structures that inform and affect how global challenges (as taught in unit ENS5010) are perceived and acted upon.

Within society there are varied understandings of the relationships between the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability. How sustainability is viewed and addressed is shaped by a diversity of multi-stakeholder perspectives and value systems along with their capacity to influence economic, regulatory, and policy regimes.

This unit develops student's capacity to map and critically analyse:

1. multi-stakeholders and social structures affecting sustainability; ii) different ideological, cultural, philosophical, psychological and disciplinary perspectives on sustainability; and,

   iii) their implications for policymaking, development of business cases, disciplinary research, and action.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Evaluate and critique the historical roots, conceptual notions, frameworks and current debates on sustainability and sustainable development.
2. Examine environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability, and their interactions, through analysing different philosophical and ideological values and perspectives on sustainability and sustainable development.
3. Recognise the complex economic, regulatory and policy regimes that stakeholders influence and are shaped by.
4. Integrate the perspectives of different disciplines within an interdisciplinary context.
5. Plan practical courses of action, policy-making and business cases by considering and analysing the implications of differing stakeholder perspectives and social structures.
6. Construct, articulate and effectively communicate critical and analytical arguments, in oral and written form, relevant to discussions of sustainability worldviews and philosophies.

Within semester assessment: 100%

• Contact hours equivalent to minimum 4 hours per week.
• Additional requirements for at least 20 hours of independent work.

See also Unit timetable information

International sustainable tourism management

This unit examines the ways in which multiple forms of global change interact to drive the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Solutions for securing biodiversity and ecosystem services and ensuring the protection and sustainable use of renewable resources are discussed.

The unit uses relevant policies and management approaches by which biodiversity and ecosystems are governed, to evaluate the scientific evidence base underpinning these, and to identify gaps and future solutions. Example topics covered include integrated land-use planning, area- and species-based conservation strategies, biosecurity, and the development of sustainable harvest systems.

Students will develop their understanding of the concepts and the skills needed for translating and integrating scientific evidence into decision-making for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems. To enhance this understanding students will collaborate with peers and experts to develop their capacity to use biological knowledge and evidence in professional planning, management and conservation.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Articulate fundamental scientific knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem services to a multidisciplinary audience.
2. Critically analyse contemporary topics and debates in biodiversity and ecosystem science and demonstrate a practical understanding of the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
3. Identify and use appropriate strategies and tools for planning, management and conservation.
4. Interpret and assess the validity and implications of biodiversity and ecosystem assessment and reporting.
5. Apply effective communication skills to collaborate across academia, government and non-governmental and corporate organisations and negotiate diverse perspectives on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours equivalent to 4-hours per week and additional requirements include at least 8-hours of independent pre and post class work per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Environmental security

This unit provides a fundamental understanding of the science, policy and regulatory frameworks relating to the nexus between climate change, renewable and non-renewable energy resources. The physical science, climate models, projections and impacts are discussed along with national and international climate change policy and regulatory aspects.

The unit will develop skills and understandings to translate the best contemporary climate change science into appropriate decision-making to preserve the physical, biological and economic systems upon which human security depends. Students will also gain understanding of climate change scenario development, vulnerability assessment and mitigation and adaptation responses at organisational, community and national levels.

The unit will involve site visits to both renewable (solar arrays and wind farms) and non-renewable energy generation facilities. To facilitate these understandings visits will also be made, for example, to local government authorities in Victoria dealing with climate change vulnerabilities and assessments. The critical links between climate change, climate change impacts and human security are emphasised throughout the unit.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Articulate the fundamental scientific principles and issues related to climate change, including the differences between mitigation and adaptation policies, to a multidisciplinary audience.
2. Critically analyse contemporary issues and debates in climate change science and demonstrate a practical understanding of the outputs, assumptions and limitations of climate change modelling, especially as it relates to scenario development.
3. Demonstrate the ability to research, construct and deliver professional scientific evidence-based proposals, technical reports, articles and policy documents.
4. Identify appropriate strategies and tools for climate change planning, management and impact assessment.
5. Apply effective communication skills to collaborate across academia, government and non-governmental and corporate organisations and negotiate diverse perspectives on relevant topics.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours equivalent to 4-hours per week including 16 hours of experiential activity (field trips/site visits).

Additional requirements include at least 8-hours of independent pre and post class work.

See also Unit timetable information

Environmental security

This unit will give students the knowledge and perspectives to manage water resources for human consumption, recreation and ecological values. The unit will commence by covering the basics of the hydrological cycle necessary to understand the factors controlling groundwater and surface water availability.

Fundamentals of water quality and pollutants and their behaviour including, metals, organic contaminants, nutrients and algal blooms, pathogens and acidification (within the context of acid sulfate soils, mine drainage and ocean acidification) will also be addressed. Application of this knowledge will then be undertaken with case studies of contaminated systems, their assessment and remediation approaches.

Finally the unit will cover the policy approaches used to manage water resources around the world including local and international examples of the development of water quality guidelines and frameworks. Current approaches used to balance the needs of ecological values and human water needs, will also be discussed with global and local examples.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Articulate the key aspects of the hydrological cycle that control surface and groundwater availability and evaluate approaches used to quantify and predict this.
2. Describe and understand the key physical, chemical and biological threats to water quality, including the key classes and behaviour of pollutants such as metals, organic contaminants, nutrients and acidity.
3. Understand, apply and design water quality guidelines to protect different water uses and purposes.
4. Design management strategies to maintain, improve and remediate water availability and quality in surface groundwater and marine systems.
5. Effectively communicate the key issues associated with water quantity and quality to the public and policy makers.

Within semester assessment: 100%

• Contact hours, within the seminar component, equate to 4 hours per week + Additional requirements include at least 8-hours of independent pre and post class work.

See also Unit timetable information

Environmental security

Leadership for sustainable development requires the ability to influence societal change in a range of complex contexts at varying scales. Critical appreciation is needed of processes and mechanisms that affect and guide such change.

The unit breaks down the complexity of change processes, examining the various components of societal change (rules, norms, values, knowledge), and the different dimensions of our social world (institutional, political, organisational, community), that either help or hinder sustainable development. The unit also explores a range of formal and informal processes of influence.

Blending theoretical and practical insights, the unit will equip students with a suite of tools and mechanisms for influencing, supporting and facilitating change towards sustainable development at a variety of scales, drawing on science-policy partnerships, strategic planning, social and organisational learning and advocacy networks.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Investigate, interpret and assess selected societal change theories, evaluating key conceptual frameworks, methods and current debates.
2. Explore the complexity of societal change processes and identify the dimensions of societal change.
3. Critically analyse and select processes and strategies for facilitating societal change at different scales (i.e. community, organisational, institutional, political).
4. Evaluate how organisations and communities can influence their social and political context and how this context can in turn encourage or require them to act in a sustainable way.
5. Design, develop and effectively communicate a change management intervention for a real-world sustainability challenge, grounded in theory, evidence and practice.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours equivalent to minimum 2 hours per week.

Additional requirements for at least 10 hours of independent work.

This unit is taught in intensive mode and will require attendance at up to four full days of face-to-face teaching, including two weekend days at Clayton, and three allocated weekday workshops within the semester period. Attendance at these sessions is compulsory. Independent online work will take place within semester in addition to the face to face teaching.

See also Unit timetable information

Leadership for sustainable development

International development practice

Behavioural change approaches are an important, and often very cost effective, part of the mix of solutions to many sustainability and other public policy issues, such as water conservation, energy efficiency and immunisation. Considerable opportunities exist in this space, as comparatively little time and effort is usually invested in understanding the drivers of individual behaviour and designing solutions that target these drivers.

With a mix of theoretical and practical work, this unit will enable students to understand individual behaviour in a way that identifies opportunities for change. It will take students through a process of unpacking public policy challenges and identifying real-life behavioural solutions. This involves prioritising behaviours and target audiences and understanding drivers of behaviour and potential solutions. Students will also learn to work collaboratively to design, test and evaluate behaviour change interventions.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Understand and evaluate selected theories of behaviour, including their historical roots, key conceptual notions, frameworks and current debates.
2. Diagnose the motives and drivers of individual behaviour.
3. Diagnose behavioural problems and develop prioritisation criteria and apply these to real-world scenarios.
4. Critically evaluate and apply a range of behavioural interventions to target priority behaviours.
5. Integrate principles for behavioural field trial interventions and analyse the effectiveness of these trials.
6. Collaboratively design and effectively communicate potential behaviour change programs.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours equivalent to minimum 2 hours per week + Additional requirements for at least 10 hours of independent work.

See also Unit timetable information

Leadership for sustainable development

International development practice

Building the capacity for effective leadership for sustainable development, at an individual, team and organisational scale, is one critical factor in addressing contemporary sustainability challenges.

This unit frames 'leadership' as a process of influence that delivers a shared vision, aligns resources towards that vision and generates commitment to collective success. It recognises the importance of individual and group-based leadership to successful sustainable development outcomes, and focuses on those aspects of leadership that can be consciously developed, such as critical leadership skills and choosing appropriate strategies to match the context. The unit differs from traditional MBA-style leadership training in that it selects the theoretical frameworks/models, leadership roles, case studies and skill sets from the vast leadership literature that are most relevant to practitioners who seek to advance sustainable development.

Starting with the concept of self-leadership, students will learn strategies and skills to develop their own leadership abilities as well as understand principles and practices for exerting influence and effecting change to support sustainable development.

Students will also develop an individual leadership development plan, drawing on the concept of 'self-leadership', the principles and methods of leadership development and the types of knowledge, skills and networks typically needed for sustainable development leadership. This plan will set out developmental objectives and specific actions to improve leadership performance and capacity.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Assess contexts in which sustainable development practitioners typically operate and examine the leadership implications.
2. Identify the characteristics of typical leadership roles in promoting sustainable development and analyse how leaders collaborate to achieve common goals.
3. Identify and assess the types of knowledge, skills and networks typically needed to perform in common leadership roles in sustainable development.
4. Examine the principles and methods of leaders and leadership development.
5. Critically analyse and evaluate case studies of leadership using relevant leadership theories, models and frameworks.
6. Create an individual leadership development plan.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours equivalent to minimum two hours per week.

Additional requirements for at least 10 hours of independent work.

See also Unit timetable information

Leadership for sustainable development

International development practice

ENS5900 (24 credit points) provides an opportunity for students to pursue a major academically-oriented piece of research in their chosen discipline during the advanced practice component of the course. A research thesis enables students to consolidate the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills acquired during the Master course in a research context. It requires independent learning and research by the student on a chosen topic related to the core and elective units offered in the specialisation. The unit primarily comprises independent research but includes some scheduled activities to enhance and develop transferable skills for success in research. Students are assessed primarily on the thesis. Students also undertake a reflective task to help develop and present novel perspectives on their research within the broader field of environment and sustainability. This authentic research experience represents a pathway to a PhD.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse, evaluate and integrate academic literature.
2. Formulate effective research questions.
3. Conceptualise, design and manage an academic research project.
4. Conduct independent and ethical research, applying sound principles of study design and appropriate data analysis methods.
5. Develop an academically sound and logical argument through correctly analysing, interpreting and presenting evidence.
6. Demonstrate advanced academic writing skills by producing a thesis appropriate for publication in the chosen field.
7. Articulate the implications and applications of research.

Within semester assessment: 100%

The minimum expected workload for independent research combined with scheduled activities is 576 hours over the course of one semester.

See also Unit timetable information

ENS5901 (12 credit points), in combination with ENS5902, enables students to undertake research over two semesters during the advanced practice component of the course. ENS5901 provides an opportunity for students to pursue a major academically-oriented piece of research in their chosen discipline. This advanced and authentic experience will develop transferable research skills for professional practice across sectors and provides a pathway to a PhD. Over the course of ENS5901 and ENS5902, students are assessed based on a research thesis (90%) and a conceptual development/reflection task (10%). The format and requirements of the research thesis will vary according to the requirements of the specialisation. In addition to independent research, the unit includes some scheduled activities to enhance and develop transferable research skills in study design, analysis and academic writing. Students from any specialisation can undertake the unit if they fulfil the academic requirements and gain approval from an appropriate supervisor. ENS5901 with ENS5902 provide the same experience as ENS5900, but enable students to undertake research over two semesters.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse, evaluate and integrate academic literature.
2. Formulate effective research questions.
3. Conceptualise, design and manage an academic research project.
4. Conduct independent and ethical research, applying sound principles of study design and appropriate data analysis methods.
5. Develop an academically sound and logical argument through correctly analysing, interpreting and presenting evidence.
6. Demonstrate advanced academic writing skills by producing a thesis appropriate for publication in the chosen field.
7. Articulate the implications and applications of research.

Within semester assessment: 100%

The minimum expected workload for independent research combined with scheduled activities is 288 hours over the course of one semester.

See also Unit timetable information

ENS5902 (12 credit points) is a continuation of ENS5901. ENS5902, in combination with ENS5901, enables students to undertake research over two semesters during the advanced practice component of the course. ENS5902 provides an opportunity for students to pursue a major academically-oriented piece of research in their chosen discipline. This advanced and authentic experience will develop transferable research skills for professional practice across sectors and provides a pathway to a PhD. Over the course of ENS5901 and ENS5902, students are assessed based on a research thesis (90%) and a conceptual development/reflection task (10%). The format and requirements of the research thesis will vary according to the requirements of the specialisation. In addition to independent research, the unit includes some scheduled activities to enhance and develop transferable research skills in study design, analysis and academic writing. Students from any specialisation can undertake the unit if they fulfil the academic requirements and gain approval from an appropriate supervisor. ENS5901 with ENS5902 provide the same experience as ENS5900, but enable students to undertake research over two semester

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse, evaluate and integrate academic literature
2. Formulate effective research questions
3. Conceptualise, design and manage an academic research project
4. Conduct independent and ethical research, applying sound principles of study design and appropriate data analysis methods
5. Develop an academically sound and logical argument through correctly analysing, interpreting and presenting evidence
6. Demonstrate advanced academic writing skills by producing a thesis appropriate for publication in the chosen field
7. Articulate the implications and applications of research

Within semester assessment: 100%

The minimum expected workload for independent research combined with scheduled activities is 288 hours over the course of one semester.

See also Unit timetable information

ENS5910 (12 points) is the unit for students who wish to develop their professional competencies for working effectively in an applied interdisciplinary context. In this unit, teams composed of 3-5 students from different disciplines will work in association with a partner organisation from government, private industry or not-for-profit to identify, analyse and address 'real-world' complex, sustainability challenges.

In their mixed-disciplinary teams, students will focus on a sustainability governance, policy or management topic that has been identified as a 'wicked problem' by a partner organisation associated with Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI).

With guidance from an MSDI supervisor and the partner organisation, the team will diagnose and analyse different perspectives, values at stake and politics of the project and will present a well-argued, plainly communicated and easily accessible analysis of the wicked problem. Within the team the students will negotiate and integrate their knowledge to develop a context specific and relevant solution to the identified sustainability challenge. The team will deliver a proposed solution implementation strategy to the partner organisation that includes mechanisms to create and enable the desired change.

Students will communicate the project findings in the format specified by the academic supervisor and/or partner organisation. Part of the teams' interdisciplinary project outcomes will be a project report that is to be shared with the partner organisation. The unit includes some scheduled activities alongside the project work to enhance and develop professional skills. Students from any specialisation can undertake this unit if they fulfil the academic requirements and gain approval from their specialisation and unit coordinator.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Plan and execute a collaborative team project in cooperation with a partner organisation.
2. Negotiate complexity, uncertainty and risk while practicing multi-disciplinary decision making.
3. Translate, evaluate and integrate varied disciplinary knowledge to find solutions to complex sustainability challenges.
4. Identify and critically appraise social, environmental and economic considerations when designing solutions for sustainable development.
5. Propose and justify a solution-based approach to a sustainable development challenge, alongside an implementation - change strategy.
6. Demonstrate critical understanding of the real-world challenges associated with addressing sustainable development.
7. Communicate in a clear and coherent way that is effective for the purpose and the intended audience.

Within semester assessment: 100%

The minimum expected workload for project work combined with any scheduled activities is 288 hours over the course of one semester.

See also Unit timetable information

ENS5920 (12 credit points) enables students to undertake an applied project in environment and sustainability during the advanced practice year of the course. It provides an opportunity to pursue a contained research topic, in an applied manner, in collaboration with other students. This involves developing the capacity to integrate and apply knowledge and skills from different specialisations. The topic, chosen by students from a list of research topics provided by the unit coordinator, will draw upon the subject matter covered in the course and address an applied challenge in the field of environment and sustainability. It will allow students to build upon the research skills and experiences developed within their specialisation. This unit culminates in an oral presentation and written research report. The unit includes some scheduled activities and a reflection task alongside the project work to enhance and develop professional skills.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse, reflect upon and synthesise the literature relevant to the project.
2. Design and select sound research questions and methodological approaches and frameworks.
3. Develop a project proposal, including a clear model or conceptualisation of the project.
4. Investigate and apply established professional practice relevant to the project.
5. Critically analyse outcomes, using appropriate data analysis and established theory and practice.
6. Communicate the findings, implications and limitations of the project in a clear and professional manner, in written and verbal forms.
7. Collaborate effectively to deliver a major project.

Within semester assessment: 100%

The minimum expected workload for project work combined with any scheduled activities is 288 hours over the course of one semester.

See also Unit timetable information

ENS5930 (12 points) is the unit for students who wish to undertake a professional internship during a semester of the advanced practice year of the Master of Environment and Sustainability. Students undertake a project defined by a host organisation domestically or internationally with the approval of the unit and specialisation coordinator. The placement may be an affiliated arrangement where a consultancy or research project is carried out in association with the organisation and physical location at the organisation is not required. Host organisations may be from a diverse range of industries and sectors, including government departments, private industry and not-for-profit organisations. Students communicate the project findings to the host organisation in the format specified by the host organisation, such as a consultation paper, report, commentary, manual, submission or speech. The host organisation provides field supervision, and the Faculty of Arts provides academic supervision. The unit includes some scheduled activities alongside the project work to enhance and develop professional skills. Students from any specialisation can undertake this unit if they fulfil the academic requirements and gain approval from the appropriate coordinators.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to find solutions to complex problems.
2. Exercise critical thinking and professional judgment in developing new understandings.
3. Show technical skill in designing, conducting and reporting on a research project.
4. Plan and execute a professional project with a degree of independence and accountability.
5. Communicate in a clear and coherent way that is effective for the purpose and the intended audience.
6. Collaborate with others on a project in a workplace setting.

Within semester assessment: 100%

The minimum expected workload for project work combined with any scheduled activities is 288 hours over the course of one semester.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit will explore the latest approaches and techniques for the genetic manipulation of organisms and their applications in contemporary biotechnology. Students will gain hands on experience in advanced molecular genetic techniques used to study and manipulate gene function and for generating a range of different transgenic organisms, including microbes, plants and animals. The application of these techniques in biotechnology will be demonstrated using a range of examples such as: bioremediation, bioprospecting, crop modification, disease modelling, gene drives, phage therapy, nanotechnology and assisted reproduction. Students will also gain appreciation of relevant ethical and regulatory considerations and of impacts of genetic biotechnology on society.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of contemporary areas of molecular genetics and biotechnology, and the challenges faced;
2. Illustrate and explain how transgenic organisms are produced via genome manipulation across a range of species;
3. Source, synthesise and critically analyse literature to form the basis of a project;
4. Independently design and implement experimental approaches to solve a research problem in genetics and biotechnology;
5. Demonstrate proficiency in molecular genetics laboratory techniques, in problem-solving and experimental design, and in data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation;

6. Convey to a non-specialist audience the relevance and value of genetics and biotechnology to human society.

Project proposal (3,000 words): (30%)

Journal club presentation: (10%)

Practical reports: (30%)

End of semester written exam (2 hour open book): (30%) (Hurdle)

• 5 contact hours (2 hours lectures/seminars and 3 hours practical/ workshop
• 7 hours of private study (assignments/projects and designated pre-class and post-class online learning activities to prepare for classes and consolidate knowledge)

See also Unit timetable information

Biotechnology

Genetics

Elliptic and Parabolic partial differential equations. Sobolev Spaces. Weak and strong solutions. Maximum principle. Comparison principle. Viscosity solutions. Stochastic control theory. The dynamic programing principle. Feynmann-Kac representation formulas.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised mathematical knowledge and skills within the field of partial differential equations.
2. Understand the complex connections between stochastic analysis and partial differential equations.
3. Apply critical thinking to problems in partial differential equations that relate to financial models.
4. Apply problem solving skills within the finance context.
5. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the field of partial differential equations.
6. Communicate complex information in an accessible format to a non-mathematical audience.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Four contact hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

Variations and quadratic variation of functions. Review of integration and probability. Brownian motion. Ito integrals and Ito's formula. Stochastic differential equations and diffusions. Calculation of expectations and PDE's, Feynman-Kac formula. Martingales and semimartingales. Change of probability measure and Girsanov theorem. Fundamental theorems of asset pricing. Change of numeraire. Application to options.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised mathematical knowledge and skills within the field of stochastic calculus.
2. Understand the complex connections between financial and probabilistic concepts.
3. Apply sophisticated stochastic modelling skills within the context of financial markets.
4. Apply critical thinking to problems in stochastic calculus and financial mathematics.
5. Apply problem solving skills within the finance context.
6. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the field of stochastic calculus.
7. Communicate complex information in an accessible format to a non-mathematical audience.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

See also Unit timetable information

Doob's convergence theorem. Optional sampling theorem. Discrete Stochastic integral. Martingale inequalities such as Doob and Burkholder-Davis-Gundy inequalities. Bucy-Kalman filter. Applications to finance. Option pricing - discrete Black-Scholes formula. Control theory.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised mathematical knowledge and skills within the theory of martingales.
2. Apply sophisticated stochastic modelling skills within a variety of contexts, from population biology to finance to management science, and more.
3. Apply critical thinking to problems in discrete-time stochastic processes in general, and in the theory of discrete-time martingales in particular.
4. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial, engineering or scientific problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the theory of discrete-time martingales.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 1.5 -hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

See also Unit timetable information

Homogeneous Markov chains in finite and countable state space. Foster-Lyapunov criterion for recurrence and transience. Random walks in one and more dimensions. Polya theorem. Limit theorems: law of iterated logarithms, functional central limit theorem. Connections with the Brownian motion and the heat equation. Applications of random walks to finance and insurance.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised mathematical knowledge and skills within the theories of markov chains and random walks.
2. Apply sophisticated stochastic modelling skills within a variety of contexts, from a wide range of scientific areas of knowledge.
3. Apply critical thinking to problems in Markov chains in general, and in the theory of random walks in particular.
4. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial, engineering or scientific problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the theories of markov chains and random walks.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 2-hour lectures per week

See also Unit timetable information

Introduction to options. The binomial model. The Black-Scholes model. Partial differential equations. Black-Scholes formulae. American options. Exotic options.

Basic concepts of risk management. Multivariate models. Copulas and dependence. Aggregate risk. Extreme value theory. Credit risk models and insurance analytics.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised mathematical knowledge and skills within the fields of partial differential equations and probability theory.
2. Understand the complex connections between specialised financial and mathematical concepts.
3. Apply critical thinking to problems in partial differential equations that relate to financial derivatives.
4. Apply critical thinking to problems in probability theory that relate to risk management.
5. Apply problem solving skills within the finance context.
6. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the fields of partial differential equations and probability theory.
7. Communicate complex information in an accessible format to a non-mathematical audience.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 2-hour lectures per week

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Interest rate curves. Zero-coupon bonds, spot and forward interest rates. Interest rate derivatives. Stochastic differential equations. Change of measures. No arbitrage pricing and change of numeraire. One-factor short rate models, including Vasicek, Hull and White, CIR and affine models. Two-factor short rate models. The HJM framework and models for forward rates. LIBOR models. Pricing of interest rate derivatives: swaps, caps and swaptions.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised mathematical knowledge and skills within the field of stochastic calculus.
2. Understand the complex connections between financial and probabilistic concepts.
3. Apply sophisticated stochastic modelling skills within the context of interest rate modelling.
4. Apply critical thinking to problems in interest rate modelling.
5. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the field of stochastic calculus.
6. Communicate complex information in an accessible format to a non-mathematical audience.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 2-hour lectures per week

See also Unit timetable information

Introduction to computational methods in finance. Partial differential equations. Numerical solutions of partial differential equations using finite-difference techniques, and the pricing of European options. Implicit, explicit and Crank-Nicolson schemes. Convergence and stability. Numerical solutions of free-boundary value problems and the pricing of American options. The Black-Scholes and Heston stochastic volatility models. Risk-neutral valuation. Tree methods. Introduction to Monte Carlo methods. Euler and Milstein discretization schemes. Variance reduction techniques. Monte Carlo methods for multi-dimensional problems.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised mathematical knowledge and computational skills within the fields of partial differential equations and probability theory.
2. Understand the complex connections between specialised financial and mathematical concepts.
3. Apply critical thinking to problems in partial differential equations that relate to financial derivatives.
4. Apply computational problem solving skills within the finance context.
5. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the fields of partial differential equations and probability theory.
6. Communicate complex information in an accessible format to a non-mathematical audience.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

See also Unit timetable information

Bayesian inference. Linear Gaussian models. Kalman filter. Maximum likelihood. Fischer information. Cramer-Rao bound. Supervised classification. Tree based methods. Support vector machines. Introduction to R.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised statistical knowledge and skills within the field of statistical learning.
2. Understand the complex connections between specialised financial and mathematical concepts.
3. Apply critical thinking to problems in statistical learning that relate to financial models.
4. Apply estimation and calibration solving skills within the finance context.
5. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the fields of statistical learning.
6. Communicate complex information in an accessible format to a non-mathematical audience.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

See also Unit timetable information

Mathematical formulation of trading strategies; order book modelling; market Impact and optimal execution; efficient market hypothesis; the CAPM model; portfolio optimisation; optimal trading; correlation and covariance estimators; multivariate analysis; co-integration; micro-economy of derivatives pricing.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Develop specialised financial skills within the fields of statistics and probability theory.
2. Understand the complex connections between specialised financial and mathematical concepts.
3. Apply critical thinking to problems in statistics and probability that relate to financial markets.
4. Apply problem solving skills within the finance context.
5. Formulate expert solutions to practical financial problems using specialised cognitive and technical skills within the fields of statistics and probability.
6. Communicate complex information in an accessible format to a non-mathematical audience.

Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)

Continuous assessment: 40%

Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.

Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

See also Unit timetable information

This unit is designed to provide students with industry research experience and project-based learning. Through the research project, students will be able to apply financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the Masters programme to solve real-life problems in finance and related areas. In the process they will acquire invaluable experience and knowledge working either independently or collaboratively on an applicable industry project.

Students must complete a 12 week industry research project at the Masters level.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Put into practice financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme;
2. Analyse financial and/or insurance data using tools developed throughout the programme;
3. Construct models and solutions in specific settings relating to financial and/or insurance problems;
4. Recommend solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas;
5. Design solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas based on financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme;
6. Exhibit effective reporting and writing skills at an industry standard.

   At the end of this capstone unit, students are expected to gain graduate placements in relevant industries.

Three minor reports (10% each): 30%

Oral presentation: 20%

Final report: 50%

This unit is designed to provide students with industry research experience and project-based learning. Through the research project, students will be able to apply financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the Masters programme to solve real-life problems in finance and related areas. In the process they will acquire invaluable experience and knowledge working either independently or collaboratively on an applicable industry project.

Students must complete a six week industry research project (or 12 weeks if part time) at the Masters level.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Put into practice financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme.
2. Analyse financial and/or in.
3. Construct models and solutions in specific settings relating to financial and/or insurance problems;
4. Recommend solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas.
5. Design solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas based on financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme.
6. Exhibit effective reporting and writing skills at an industry standard.

   At the end of this capstone unit, students are expected to gain graduate placements in relevant industries.

Minor reports (3 x 10%): 30%

Final report: 50%

Oral presentation: 20%

The workload in this unit is made up of two components:

• Research: On average 44 hours per week for 6 weeks (or 22 hours per week for 12 weeks), including meeting and discussion with the supervision team, background research, problem solving, numerical implementation and private study.
• Reporting and report writing: On average 4 hours per week for 6 weeks (or 2 hours per week for 12 weeks), including minor reports, final thesis and preparation of oral presentation.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit is designed to provide students with industry experience and work-based learning. Through the placement, students will be able to apply financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the Masters programme to solve real-life problems in finance and related areas. In the process they will acquire invaluable experience and knowledge on the functioning of a finance-related workplace.

Students must complete at least 360 hours of placement in a relevant industry.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Put into practice financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme;
2. Analyse financial and/or insurance data using tools developed throughout the programme;
3. Construct models and solutions in specific settings relating to financial and/or insurance problems;
4. Recommend solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas;
5. Design solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas based on financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme to;
6. Exhibit effective reporting and writing skills in the context of a workplace. At the end of this capstone unit, students are expected to gain graduate placements in relevant industries.

Three minor reports (10% each): 30%

Final report: 50%

Oral presentation: 20%

The workload in this unit is made up of two components:

1. Work hours as agreed to by the student, the industry partner and the teaching staff. Working hours and conditions may vary from partner to partner.
2. Reporting and report writing: 2 hours per week for the duration of the internship (at least 10 weeks) and 20 hours total for the final report.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit is designed to provide students with industry experience and work-based learning. Through the placement, students will be able to apply financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the Masters programme to solve real-life problems in finance and related areas. In the process they will acquire invaluable experience and knowledge on the functioning of a finance-related workplace.

Students must complete at least 180 hours of placement in a relevant industry.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Put into practice financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme;
2. Analyse financial and/or insurance data using tools developed throughout the programme;
3. Construct models and solutions in specific settings relating to financial and/or insurance problems;
4. Recommend solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas;
5. Design solutions to real-life problems in finance and related areas based on financial thinking, modelling techniques and mathematical and statistical skills acquired throughout the programme;
6. Exhibit effective reporting and writing skills in the context of a workplace. At the end of this capstone unit, students are expected to gain graduate placements in relevant industries.

Three minor reports: 30%

Oral presentation: 20%

Final report: 50%

Working in collaboration with innovative industry partners and the Faculty of Science, students will complete an independent research project. Through this process, students will be connected to industry partners to gain an understanding of the challenge that has been set, the nature of the industry and stakeholder needs. This is the preparatory unit to develop student's theoretical understanding of the industry challenge in preparation for the development of the project plan and commencement of the group based Challenge project in SCI4502.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Undertake and interpret independent research to demonstrate a critical and analytical understanding of the current scientific, social, corporate and/or political contexts of the project;
2. Execute a stakeholder analysis and appraise a range of needs to evaluate and illustrate the problem;
3. Integrate research into a professional report that articulates the problem and possible solutions and shows critical thinking and persuasive communication;
4. Use persuasive presentation skills to articulate the problem and possible solutions.

Literature review (individual): 20%

Oral presentation (individual): 10%

Research project (individual): 70%

The equivalent of 24 hours study per week comprised of independent research, meetings, and workshops.

This unit is part of the full-time fourth year program for the BSc Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours)

See also Unit timetable information

Students will collaboratively design and develop a solution/s to a real world problem identified by innovative industry partners. During this unit students will acquire practical skills in project design and management, negotiation, workplace communication and innovation to harness the skills and knowledge gained through previous impact through science units. The student's professional knowledge and skills will be developed through on-line modules, workshops and industry mentoring. Through this unit, students will gain exposure to professional practice and build relationships by having access to industry partners through the project. The unit will culminate in the presentation of a Challenge project report that outlines the solution to the problem presented by industry partners.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate project management to identify a feasible scope, timeline and resources needed to execute the project;
2. Work with others to articulate a feasible project plan using persuasive presentation skills;
3. Produce an innovative and feasible solution/s to a defined problem that utilises evidence and knowledge of the industry;
4. Reflect upon the development of professional skills gained through the unit and by seeking feedback from industry mentors, peers and academics and acting upon it;
5. Demonstrate active participation in the design, development and implementation of a project to a high standard of professionalism;
6. Demonstrate and reflect upon how to collaborate with others and effectively negotiate with a partner organisation.

Project plan (group): 15%

Oral presentation of plan to industry (group): 5%

Reflective progress report (individual): 10%

Challenge project (group): 65%

Oral presentation of the Challenge project (group): 5%

The equivalent of 24 hours study per week comprised of independent research, meetings and workshops.

This unit is part of the full-time fourth year program for the BSc Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours)

See also Unit timetable information

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.

This unit is used by the faculty and/or Monash Institute of Graduate Research to enrol students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES.