Glossary

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Science/Philosophy - 8694

Program Summary

Faculty: UNSW Canberra at ADFA

Contact: UNSW Canberra, Student Administrative Services

Campus: UNSW Canberra at ADFA

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 2 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 96

View program information for previous years

Program Description

This combined degree program provides students with a structured two-year full-time or part-time equivalent program of study leading to the award of two Masters degrees: a Masters by coursework in Science and the Master of Philosophy through research.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

The program provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to attain both a coursework and a research qualification to strengthen their existing knowledge and skills while defining a pathway to further study, particularly higher-level research.

Program Structure

The first year of the program is centred on the Masters by coursework. On completion of this 48 UOC program of study, with an average mark of at least 70%, students in the combined degree will be admitted to the Master of Philosophy with Advanced Standing for the 24 UOC coursework component of that degree. Completion of the MPhil in the second year by this route requires students to undertake only the 48 UOC research thesis.

The full-time structure of the combined degree program would normally be:

Semester	Academic Program	Units of Credit (UOC)
1	4 courses from the coursework Masters of Science	24
2	4 courses from the coursework Masters of Science	24
3	Research Thesis component of MPhil	24
4	Research Thesis component of MPhil	24

The research component of the MPhil in the combined degree program will be normally be in the same field of study as the coursework program or one closely related to it. Students completing the MSc would undertake the MPhil through the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering or the School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences. Enrolment in the research thesis will be at the discretion of the relevant Head of School.

Students enrolled in a separate Masters by coursework may articulate to the combined degree program with credit for all completed courses. Students enrolled separately in the MPhil may articulate to the combined degree with credit for completed coursework providing course requirements in the chosen stream of study are met.

Academic Rules

The rules for the award of the Masters by coursework component of the combined degree program are those that apply to existing Masters by coursework programs. Please refer to the rules for Masters by coursework programs by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

The rules for the award of the Master of Philosophy component of the combined degree program are those that apply to existing Masters of Philosophy program, except that Advanced Standing for the coursework component will be granted on successful completion of the coursework program. The rules governing enrolment, progression, the thesis and the examination progress remain unchanged.

The following rules apply specifically to the combined degree program:

Candidates shall complete the 48 UOC coursework component of the combined degree (the Masters by coursework) prior to commencing the research component of the MPhil.
While undertaking the coursework component of the combined degree, candidates shall be subject to the same rules as those applying to the appropriate Masters by coursework. If there is any inconsistency between the rules covering the combined program and the rules covering the coursework degree, the rules covering the combined program shall take precedence.
The coursework component must be completed, with an average mark of at least 70%, before a candidate may progress to the research component. Admission to the research component is at the discretion of the Head of School in which the research is proposed to be undertaken.
While undertaking the research component of the combined degree, candidates shall be subject to the same rules as those applying to the Master of Philosophy. With Advanced Standing for the coursework component of the MPhil however, a full-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier than the equivalent of 2 semesters and no later than 4 semesters from the date of enrolment, and a part-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier than the equivalent of 4 semesters and no later than 8 semesters from the date of enrolment, except with the approval of the UNSW Canberra Higher Degree Committee. If there is any inconsistency between the rules covering the combined program and the rules covering the coursework degree, the rules covering the combined program shall take precedence.
Candidates shall be eligible for admission to the coursework Masters degree (including nominated streams of study) upon completion of all requirements for the award of that degree.