The Master of Science is a 72-unit program offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The Master of Science has specialisations in Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics. There is a 54-unit pathway for students with a Bachelor’s degree in the same discipline as their specialisation.

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related discipline to the specialisation selected. The Master of Science is not available to students who hold an Honours degree in the same discipline as the specialisation selected.

Chemistry

Applicants must normally hold an approved Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a major in Chemistry or a closely related discipline from an approved institution. Knowledge of second year chemistry is assumed.

Computer Science

Applicants must normally hold an approved Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Information Technology, ICT-based engineering or a closely related discipline from an approved institution. Applicants with an approved degree in behavioural science or psychology, which includes a major in Artificial Intelligence or Computer Science, are also eligible to apply. Knowledge of second year information technology is assumed.

Mathematics

Applicants must normally hold an approved Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mathematics or Statistics or a closely related discipline from an approved institution. Applicants with an approved degree that contains substantial mathematics or statistics (up to 2nd year level) are also eligible to apply. Knowledge of second year mathematics or statistics is assumed.

Physics

Applicants must normally hold an approved Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a major in Physics or a closely related discipline from an approved institution. Knowledge of second year physics and mathematics is assumed.

Course aims

This award aims to provide students with:

  • a strengthened knowledge in both the theoretical and the practical aspects of the selected specialisation
  • a strong understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them
  • well developed written and oral communication skills
  • an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • an awareness of social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of the selected specialisation
  • the ability to work professionally as an individual and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams
  • an ability to undertake research in the selected specialisation
  • an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
  • preparation for future professional roles as a scientist.

The award provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing students for admission to a research higher degree or for a career as a professional.

Learning outcomes 

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • proficiently use cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in the systematic development of solutions to complex problems
  • apply their skills and knowledge in a professionally responsible manner with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability
  • communicate effectively with other scientists and the wider global community using a wide range of methods
  • work professionally as an individual and in a team
  • develop solutions appropriate to the social, political, international, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
  • demonstrate knowledge of the research principles and methods applicable to the selected specialisation and complete a research project

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Science (specialisation), a student must complete 72 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

Students entering with a Bachelor degree in the same discipline as the specialisation will be eligible to follow a 54 unit pathway. Students will need to contact the Faculty Office for approval to undertake this pathway.

Master of Science (Chemistry)

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:*

CHEM8701 Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry GE (4.5 units)
CHEM8702 Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry GE (4.5 units)
CHEM8711 Organic Synthesis and Mechanism GE(4.5 units)
CHEM8712 Introduction to Polymer Science GE (4.5 units)

Plus 18 units from:

CPES8700 Research Project GE (4.5 units)
NANO8702 Frontiers of Nanotechnology GE (4.5 units)
FACH8702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis GE (4.5 units)
ENGR9742 Standards, Ethics and Compliance (4.5 units)
BIOL8004  DNA to Genome GE (4.5 units)
PHYS8711 Quantum Physics GE (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

CPES7701 Advanced Research Skills (4.5 units)
CPES7711 Advanced Techniques in Chemical and Physical Sciences (4.5 units)
CPES7721 Advanced Chemical and Physical Sciences (4.5 units)

PLUS

CPES9700A Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700B Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700C Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700D Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700E Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)

Notes:
*With the permission of the Director of Studies, one of these topics can be substituted with any appropriate science topic at level 7000 or above.

Master of Science (Computer Science)

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

18 units selected from the following topics:

COMP9712 Computer Programming 3 GE (4.5 units)
COMP9721 Enterprise Information Security GE (4.5 units)
COMP9722 Theory and Practice of Computation GE (4.5 units)
COMP9732 Enterprise Cloud Systems GE (4.5 units)
COMP9742 Intelligent Systems GE (4.5 units)
COMP9751 Interactive Computer Systems GE (4.5 units)
COMP9752 Computer Game Development GE (4.5 units)
COMP9771 Advanced Database GE (4.5 units)

PLUS

ENGR9742 Standards, Ethics and Compliance (4.5 units)
STAT9702 Statistical Methods for Engineering and Science (4.5 units)

PLUS

27 units of option topics selected from Table A from the following groups: *

  • Group C (Computer Science/Information Technology)
  • Group D (Digital Media)
  • Group S (Software Engineering) or
  • Group M (Mathematics).

PLUS

COMP9700A Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
COMP9700B Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
COMP9700C Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
COMP9700D Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)

Notes:
*With the permission of the Director of Studies, up to 9 units may be substituted with appropriate topics in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Human Factors or Digital Media or by alternative appropriate topics in Computer Science. Such topics must be level 7000 or above.

Master of Science (Mathematics)

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

22.5 units selected from the following topics*:

MATH8701 Numerical Analysis GE (4.5 units)
MATH8702 Methods of Applied Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
MATH8711 Complex Analysis GE (4.5 units)
MATH8712 Partial Differential Equations GE (4.5 units)
STAT8701 Statistical Science GE (4.5 units)
STAT8702 Stochastic Processes GE (4.5 units)

PLUS

ENGR9742 Standards, Ethics and Compliance (4.5 units)

PLUS

27 units of option topics selected from Table A from those topics labeled as Group M (Mathematics).

PLUS

MATH9700A Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
MATH9700B Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
MATH9700C Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
MATH9700D Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)

Notes:
*With the permission of the Director of Studies, one of these topics can be substituted with any appropriate science topic at level 7000 or above.

Master of Science (Physics)

Core - Year 1 topics

22.5 units comprising:*

PHYS8701 Nuclear and Statistical Physics GE (4.5 units)
PHYS8702 Cosmology and Optoelectronics GE (4.5 units)
PHYS8711 Quantum Physics GE (4.5 units)
NANO8702 Frontiers of Nanotechnology GE (4.5 units)
CPES8700 Research Project GE (4.5 units)

PLUS

ENGR9742 Standards, Ethics and Compliance (4.5 units)

PLUS Two of:

MATH8701 Numerical Analysis GE (4.5 units)
MATH8702 Methods of Applied Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
MATH8711 Complex Analysis GE (4.5 units)
MATH8712 Partial Differential Equations GE (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

CPES7701 Advanced Research Skills (4.5 units)
CPES7711 Advanced Techniques in Chemical and Physical Sciences (4.5 units)
CPES7721 Advanced Chemical and Physical Sciences (4.5 units)

PLUS

CPES9700A Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700B Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700C Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700D Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
CPES9700E Masters Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)

Notes:
*With the permission of the Director of Studies, one of these topics can be substituted with any appropriate science topic at level 7000 or above.