C04267v1 Master of Science (Honours)

Overview

The Master of Science (Honours) provides students with a unique opportunity to undertake original research and gain in-depth knowledge in their particular scientific field. Students have access to staff that are leading researchers and experts in their field. Undertaking this course allows students to explore their research potential and develop research skills. This course is designed to provide a scholarship pathway to the PhD program.

The course contains a compulsory core of professional subjects relevant to all science disciplines. The subjects in the core provide a backbone of skills important to a professional scientist; be they engaged in research, science businesses, industries or government organisations. These are the skills of communication, critical analysis, project management and innovation and commercialisation. The professional strand is complemented by a choice of major study in a specific science or mathematics discipline. Students in the Marine Science and Management major, for example, are exposed to multidisciplinary and cross-institutional coursework, with a capstone project taught at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and multiple lecture series and practical components using real-life data from the Australian Integrated Marine Observatory System.

The second half of the course comprises a substantial research component, giving students an opportunity to undertake original, cutting-edge research. For students with suitable achievement levels, this provides a direct pathway to a PhD, and carries points that can be used in the scholarship application process.

Course aims

The course provides graduates with analytic tools and disciplinary knowledge, combined with creative, logical approaches to problem solving and professional skills that facilitate real-world application of the science such as project management, IP management and commercialisation. With a substantial research component, students develop and expand their research skills, which can be utilised either in industry R&D or as the initial foundations of a professional research career.

Career options

Career options vary according to the major chosen, but all graduates have training in the professional attributes that employers seek. The skills learnt expand career horizons and enhance prospects for promotion in the rapidly evolving science professions. Graduates in all majors may also proceed to a career in research through entry to a PhD.

• Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering major are well prepared for careers in medical device and biotechnology companies, government policy and regulation, hospitals, and research organisations where the ability to combine biology and engineering knowledge and skills is required.
• Graduates of the Marine Science and Management major can pursue careers worldwide in private and public agencies, or as private consultants in fields such as policy and conservation, fisheries, environmental sustainability and management, impact assessment, tourism, and education.
• Graduates of the Environmental Change Management major may find management and leadership positions in government agencies, the private sector and community organisations concerned with biodiversity, coastal zone management, climate change adaptation, environmental policy, environmental remediation, environmental sustainability, fisheries, infrastructure, land and water resources, national parks and wildlife, planning, and natural resources management.
• Forensic Science major graduates may take up positions in police forensic laboratories, state and federal law enforcement agencies, government and private forensic or drug detection laboratories, customs and border protection agencies, and environmental protection agencies.
• Graduates of the Mathematical and Statistical Modelling major may expect to apply their logistic, statistical and modelling skills in careers in a wide range of diverse organisations and industries, including banking and finance, health, information technology, and market research.
• Career options for Medical Biotechnology major graduates include senior positions in public health units, hospitals or government departments, or as policy analysts or consultants, providing links with bodies such as state health departments. Graduates may also pursue management positions in diagnostic medical laboratories, or in pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.

Credit recognition

Students enrolled in this course may be eligible for credit recognition of up to 36 credit points if the subjects previously studied are deemed by UTS: Science to be equivalent to those specified for their course.

To be considered for credit recognition, subjects must normally have been completed no more than five years prior to the commencement of this course.

Course duration and attendance

The course is offered on a two-year, full-time basis.

Course structure

The course requires 96 credit points of study, comprising 24 credit points of professional stream subjects, a 24-credit-point major and a 48-credit-point intensive research component.

This honours component of the course is a research project that extends over the final year and normally takes the form of an experimental, analytical or theoretical investigation. Candidates may also be required to undertake one or more critical reviews of the literature in designated areas and to attend formal classes devoted to advanced coursework. The results of the project are presented in an oral seminar and in a written thesis, both of which are formally assessed.

Course program

Example programs for students commencing in either Autumn or Spring sessions for all majors are shown below.

The Forensic Science major contains a mix of subjects from different forensic disciplines and example programs are more difficult to predict because subject choices are influenced by prior study. A typical program focusing on the forensic chemistry discipline with admission in Autumn session is shown below, as well as a typical program focusing on the forensic biology discipline with admission in Spring session. Students with appropriate backgrounds wishing to choose a mixture of forensic chemistry and forensic biology subjects should seek advice from their program advisers.

The Biomedical Engineering major contains a mix of subjects from different science and engineering disciplines and example programs are more difficult to predict because subject choices are influenced by prior study. Typical programs for students admitted in either Autumn or Spring session, with prior backgrounds in either biomedical or physical science are shown below. Depending on selection of electives, the number of elective credit points in a given session may differ from that listed below.

The Marine Science and Management major requires two subjects to be chosen from external partner universities and the subject chosen may affect the course duration, depending on session of offer of the selected subject.

Other information

Further information is available from: