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Master of Computational Chemistry

Introduction

The Master of Computational Chemistry (MCompChem) aims to train students in a broad way in the new field of computational chemistry, provide them with a strong applications viewpoint supported by a good theoretical base, and provide the basis for a research degree leading to careers in industry or university.

Computational chemistry is a new branch of science with considerable potential to assist industries such as the pharmaceutical industry and those involved in designing new materials. This course will produce graduates with a broad knowledge of the field and a specialisation in one area. They could then move directly to industry or proceed to doctoral studies with a much better background.

The course is unique in two ways in that it will be taught substantially over the Internet using WWW-based materials, (http://www.chem.swin.edu.au/CAUT.html) and that it is a joint universities initiative. It is a result of a collaborative effort between Monash University, Northern Territory University, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Tasmania. The advantage is a broad range of expertise provided by the different perspectives offered by these universities and by the wide range of interactions provided over the Internet.

Use of interactive WWW pages allows students to perform calculations over the Internet, and gives access to interactive self-assessment pages and the use of molecular images and many other materials. This innovative approach encourages self-paced learning with students taking responsibility for their own learning. At the same time it allows rapid and effective access to tutors and to other students.

Admission requirements

Prerequisite is a bachelor degree in chemistry, pharmacy or biochemistry, plus one or two years of appropriate experience. This may include an honours year, a graduate diploma or experience in teaching, industry or a relevant area. Assumed knowledge is that of a bachelor degree with a major in chemistry and a reasonable level of mathematics and computer literacy.

Where applicants seek admission based on work experience they will need to show evidence that they have achieved an acceptable level of relevant experience and have established a commitment to the area of computational chemistry.

Admission at any time of the year is possible.

English is the language of instruction. Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English at a level equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Band 6 or the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 580.

It will be a requirement for the students to obtain their own visa for the Australian residency component of the course.

Fees

Duration

The course will be a four-semester full-time masters degree involving successful completion of ninety-six credit points. The period of distance education using the Internet, extending over three semesters for full-time students, may be extended to six semesters for part-time students. However, the other components will normally be available only on a full-time basis.

Course structure

The course outline, with subject coordinators shown in brackets, will involve successful completion over four semesters of ninety-six credit points made up of three components:

1 Common core

All students complete the following subjects

These core subjects can be completed within the first two semesters of the course. MCC410 is a prerequisite of MCC411 and MCC412. Since none of the remaining subjects is a prerequisite of the others, they may be completed in any sequence by arrangement with the subject coordinator. These subjects require at least forty-five hours per week over a normal thirteen-week semester composed of approximately thirty-five hours per week devoted to laboratory work in the form of Internet activities, plus ten hours per week extra time spent on individual study, library work and assessment.

2 Elective

Students will select one of the following for completion in the third semester of the course.

Each subject requires at least forty-five hours per week over eleven weeks composed of approximately thirty-five hours per week devoted to laboratory work in the form of Internet activities, plus ten hours per week extra time spent on individual study, library work and assessment.

3 Research project

The research project is to be done by all students and related to the chosen elective.

The project can be commenced in the third semester, on satisfactory completion of 1 and 2 above, and will be completed in the fourth semester. This subject requires at least fifty-five hours per week over a period of fifteen weeks composed of advanced computational laboratory work on a minor research project, and the writing of a project report which includes appropriate literature reviews.

* All staff will be involved in this subject.
M Wong (Swinburne) E Lloyd (Monash) and B Yates (Tasmania) will be involved.
Both B Salter-Duke (NTU) and B Yates (Tasmania) will be involved.

à M Wong (Swinburne) and E Lloyd (Monash) will be involved.

All students will be asked to carry out tasks from our first WWW module `Introduction to the Internet for chemists' before enrolling. This will ensure that students have an adequate Internet connection to the four universities and will give them insight into the scope of the course before finally committing themselves. This activity will not be assessed as part of the course, and should be seen as essential orientation. It will be the entry point to the subject, MCC410, providing the information that will be used in this subject as described above in the subject description.

Subjects MCC410 through to MCC415 and the elective chosen from MCC526, MCC527 or MCC528 will be carried out in distance mode within the first three semesters of study or the part-time equivalent. The assessment of each subject will be continuous but will be completed in the first few weeks of a final four-month period of internal study. MCC539 will be carried out during this period of internal study.

Course requirements

To do these subjects, students must have access not only to the Internet and a WWW browser, but to specialist chemical `viewer' programs. These are public domain and will be made available by file transfer protocol (FTP). Students will have email contact with the subject coordinator, the course coordinator, and each other. Where appropriate, Internet interactive discussions will be established and encouraged. Additional assignments and course materials will be sent by mail.

For a student to use the materials at their local learning site, the following are required:

Assessment

Core and elective subjects will be assessed from reports submitted by the student either by secured email or post. There will be no formal examinations.

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