UTS course code: C03017
Testamur title: Master of Engineering
Abbreviation: ME
Course fee: see note (local); $9,000 per semester (international)

Note: Research degrees are offered on a sponsored, scholarship, faculty part-sponsored, or full-fee-paying basis. Students should contact the Faculty or the University Graduate School for further details. There are, however, student service fees to be paid (see Fees and costs).

Overview
Admission requirements
Attendance
Course duration
Assessment
Other information

Overview

The degree of Master of Engineering (by thesis) may be awarded to candidates who have completed an individual program of supervised work and submitted a thesis embodying the results. A formal course of study or other work may also be prescribed.

In keeping with the Faculty's overall policies, the accent is on applied research and development work, although basic research proposals are also welcomed and supported. Topics which involve close cooperation with industry are strongly encouraged, and a majority of current candidates are engaged in topics which are actively supported by their employers.

The degree has been established to provide practising engineers with an opportunity to pursue, in depth, the solution of an engineering problem which requires individual effort beyond the scope of a Bachelor's degree. The thesis must be a distinct contribution to knowledge in the area covered by the research. Its contents may report the results of an original investigation or review, or criticise some aspect of engineering knowledge, or present an engineering design or solution involving the application of new or known techniques to an engineering problem of significance.

Admission requirements

To qualify for admission to candidature for a Master's degree (by thesis), applicants must hold a Bachelor of Engineering degree from UTS or the former NSWIT, or another qualification deemed to be equivalent. In special circumstances, engineers who do not possess a degree or equivalent may be admitted to the program if they can provide evidence of general and professional qualifications which will satisfy the UTS Graduate School Board that they possess the educational preparation and capacity to pursue postgraduate studies.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for admission to candidature for Master's degree (by thesis) may be admitted as Master's qualifying students, for the purpose of preparing for candidature. Further details are given in the Rules relating to Master's Degree (by thesis) Students, set out in full in the UTS: Calendar.

Attendance

Candidature may be on a full-time or part-time basis. The work may be carried out either using Faculty facilities, or in an industrial location.

Course duration

For full-time candidates, the program is normally of at least three semesters' duration from the time of registration as a Master's degree candidate. For part-time candidates, duration is normally at least five semesters. Candidates who are specially qualified in the relevant discipline may be allowed to complete the program in less than the minimum time.

Assessment

For Master's students there is a formal assessment of their progress at the end of the first two semesters for both full-time and part-time candidates.

The Master's assessment is conducted in accordance with University Rule 3.4.9.1.

The objectives of the assessment are to ensure that: the candidate has gained the prerequisite knowledge and skills to allow successful and timely completion of the proposed research program; and the candidate's progress is consistent with completion of the research program in the prescribed time and demonstrates potential to complete the work to a Master's standard. Candidates who, for any reason, are not equipped with requisites necessary to bring the proposed research program to a successful completion or have not demonstrated sufficient aptitude are made aware of this assessment before they invest further time and money. Where it is proposed (at the candidate's instigation) that the nature or scope of the research program be changed significantly, there is continued commitment by the Faculty for provision of adequate human and physical resources, including proper supervision.

Other information

Initial inquiries regarding research areas may be made with the:

Administrative Officer, Research
Office of the Associate Dean
Research and Development
CB02.5.11
telephone (02) 9514 2686
fax (02) 9514 2633

Academic advice on research is also available from the members of the Faculty Research Degrees Committee.