Science - 2475
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Contact: http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/
Campus: Sydney
Career: Research
Typical Duration: 1.5 Years
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 12
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 72
Award(s):
Master of Philosophy (Research)
Information valid for students commencing 2013.
Students who commenced prior to 2013 should go to the Handbook's Previous Editions
Program Description
This program involves a minimum of 1.5 years full-time study. Students undertake supervised research leading to the production of the thesis.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The objectives of the MPhil program, with respect to Science, are:
- to provide advanced knowledge within scientific discipline(s) beyond that obtained in undergraduate programs
- to develop competence in the conduct of research, within the framework of Science
- to provide opportunities for the design of discipline-based research projects that meet the needs and interests of individuals
- to provide an alternative to the honours program for students who have previously completed a BSc and wish to proceed to a research degree.
- to provide an alternate to the MSc (by research) as a precursor to undertaking (or transferring into) a PhD program.
Program Structure
This program involves a minimum of 1.5 years full-time study. Students undertake supervised research leading to the production of the thesis.
Academic Rules
1.The degree of Master of Philosophy may be awarded by the Council on the recommendation of the Higher Degree Committee
or the Research Committee of the appropriate Faculty, (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Committee) to a candidate who
has demonstrated ability to undertake research by the submission of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation,
and who has satisfied the advanced postgraduate coursework requirements of the degree. The degree will comprise the equivalent
of between 18 and 24 Units of Credit (UoC) of coursework with the remainder of the degree allocated to the thesis.
Qualifications
2.(1) A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded an appropriate Bachelor degree in the relevant discipline from the
University of New South Wales at a level specified by the Committee or a qualification considered equivalent by the Committee
from another tertiary institution.
(2) In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications approved
by the Committee may be permitted to enroll in the degree.
(3) If the Committee is not satisfied with the qualifications submitted by an applicant the Committee may require the applicant
to undergo such assessment or carry out such work as the Committee may prescribe, before permitting enrolment.
Enrolment
3. (1) An application for admission as a candidate for the degree shall be made either online or on the prescribed form which
shall be lodged with the Graduate Research School or Student Administration at UNSW@ADFA at least two calendar months
before the commencement of the semester in which enrolment is to begin.
(2) Before making the offer of a place the Committee shall be satisfied that appropriate supervision, space and resources are
available to support the research to be undertaken.
(3) The candidate shall be enrolled as either a full-time or a part-time student.
(4) A candidate may be granted up to 24 UoC advanced standing for subjects undertaken at the appropriate level determined
by the Committee, towards the coursework component.
(5) All candidates will undertake the research at an approved UNSW location i.e. at a campus, teaching hospital, or other
research facility of the University. The Committee may permit a candidate to spend a period of time in the field, within another
institution or elsewhere away from the University provided that the work can be supported and supervised in a manner
satisfactory to the Committee. In such instances the Committee shall be satisfied that the location and period of time away
from the University are necessary to the research program.
(6) All candidates will have appointed either a supervisor and a co-supervisor, or two joint supervisors, or a supervisory panel, in
accordance with the procedures and definitions specified in the University Policy on Higher Degree Research Supervision.
(7) The coursework will be successfully completed within the first two semesters of enrolment of the MPhil unless approval
is given by the Committee.
(8)A full-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier than the equivalent of two semesters and no later
than four semesters from the date of enrolment and a part-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier
than four semesters and no later than eight semesters from the date of enrolment.
(9) A candidate who exceeds the maximum time permitted for the degree may apply to the Committee for an extension of
candidature. The Committee may approve an extension of one semester if the Committee is satisfied that circumstances outside
the control of the candidate have impacted on the candidature.
Progression
4. The progress of the candidate will be monitored by the Committee.
(1) The research proposal will be reviewed as soon as feasible after enrolment. For a full-time student this will be after one
semester. This review will focus on both the viability of the research proposal, and evidence of satisfactory commencement
of the research.
(2) Progress in the program will require that the approved coursework is undertaken during candidature, and that all courses
are passed at the first attempt at a level prescribed by the Committee. As a result of failure in any part of the coursework
component, the Committee may, on consideration of documented conditions outside the control of the candidate, permit the
candidate to complete additional assessment.
(3) Re-enrolment in the second year of the degree is conditional upon satisfactory progress assessed at an annual review of
candidature as recommended by a School review panel in accordance with the University procedures for reviewing progress
of higher degree research candidatures.
Thesis
5.(1)On completing both the program of research and all coursework, a candidate shall submit a thesis embodying the results
of the investigation. Where the research has included a substantial studio/production/exhibition component, the length of the
written thesis is proportionally reduced.
(2) The candidate shall give in writing to the Graduate Research School or the Student Administration, UNSW@ADFA, or the
CoFA Student Centre, six weeks notice of intention to submit the thesis.
(3) The thesis shall present an account of the candidates own research.
(4) Three copies of the thesis shall be presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the University for the
preparation and submission of theses for higher degrees by research.
(5) A candidate may apply to the University to protect Intellectual Property by restricting circulation of the thesis for a limited
period not exceeding two years.
(6) An electronic version of the thesis shall be submitted to the library on completion of all work and corrections required by
the Committee as a result of the examination process.
Examination
6.(1) The research presented in the thesis will be examined by written reports submitted by two examiners.
(2) There shall be no fewer than two examiners of the thesis, appointed by the Committee under the conditions specified in the
University examination of higher degree thesis procedures. At least one of the examiners must be external to the University.
(3) Each examiner shall submit to the Committee a concise report on the thesis, and shall recommend to the Committee one
of the following assessments:
(a) The thesis is satisfactory.
(b) The thesis is satisfactory subject to minor corrections as listed being made to the satisfaction of the Head of School.
(c) The thesis requires further work on matters detailed in the report. Should performance in this further work be to the satisfaction of the Higher Degree Committee, the thesis would be satisfactory.
(d) The thesis is not satisfactory in its present form and further work as described in the report is required. The revised thesis should be subject to re-examination.
(e) The thesis is not satisfactory and does not demonstrate that resubmission would be likely to alter that assessment.
(4) The Committee shall, after consideration of the examiners reports and recommendations on the thesis, decide whether or not the candidate be awarded the degree.
(a)The Committee, in making this decision, may appoint a third examiner for the thesis, or may seek further advice on the examiners reports and the thesis from an independent assessor, or may require the candidate to submit to an oral examination under conditions specified by the Committee.
(b) In the case of a decision that the revised thesis should be the subject of re-examination, one or both of the examiners who recommended re-examination will be re-appointed to re-examine the thesis. If the original examiners decline to re-examine the thesis the Committee will appoint a new examiner. There will be one only revision and re-examination permitted.
or the Research Committee of the appropriate Faculty, (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Committee) to a candidate who
has demonstrated ability to undertake research by the submission of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation,
and who has satisfied the advanced postgraduate coursework requirements of the degree. The degree will comprise the equivalent
of between 18 and 24 Units of Credit (UoC) of coursework with the remainder of the degree allocated to the thesis.
Qualifications
2.(1) A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded an appropriate Bachelor degree in the relevant discipline from the
University of New South Wales at a level specified by the Committee or a qualification considered equivalent by the Committee
from another tertiary institution.
(2) In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications approved
by the Committee may be permitted to enroll in the degree.
(3) If the Committee is not satisfied with the qualifications submitted by an applicant the Committee may require the applicant
to undergo such assessment or carry out such work as the Committee may prescribe, before permitting enrolment.
Enrolment
3. (1) An application for admission as a candidate for the degree shall be made either online or on the prescribed form which
shall be lodged with the Graduate Research School or Student Administration at UNSW@ADFA at least two calendar months
before the commencement of the semester in which enrolment is to begin.
(2) Before making the offer of a place the Committee shall be satisfied that appropriate supervision, space and resources are
available to support the research to be undertaken.
(3) The candidate shall be enrolled as either a full-time or a part-time student.
(4) A candidate may be granted up to 24 UoC advanced standing for subjects undertaken at the appropriate level determined
by the Committee, towards the coursework component.
(5) All candidates will undertake the research at an approved UNSW location i.e. at a campus, teaching hospital, or other
research facility of the University. The Committee may permit a candidate to spend a period of time in the field, within another
institution or elsewhere away from the University provided that the work can be supported and supervised in a manner
satisfactory to the Committee. In such instances the Committee shall be satisfied that the location and period of time away
from the University are necessary to the research program.
(6) All candidates will have appointed either a supervisor and a co-supervisor, or two joint supervisors, or a supervisory panel, in
accordance with the procedures and definitions specified in the University Policy on Higher Degree Research Supervision.
(7) The coursework will be successfully completed within the first two semesters of enrolment of the MPhil unless approval
is given by the Committee.
(8)A full-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier than the equivalent of two semesters and no later
than four semesters from the date of enrolment and a part-time candidate will present the thesis for examination no earlier
than four semesters and no later than eight semesters from the date of enrolment.
(9) A candidate who exceeds the maximum time permitted for the degree may apply to the Committee for an extension of
candidature. The Committee may approve an extension of one semester if the Committee is satisfied that circumstances outside
the control of the candidate have impacted on the candidature.
Progression
4. The progress of the candidate will be monitored by the Committee.
(1) The research proposal will be reviewed as soon as feasible after enrolment. For a full-time student this will be after one
semester. This review will focus on both the viability of the research proposal, and evidence of satisfactory commencement
of the research.
(2) Progress in the program will require that the approved coursework is undertaken during candidature, and that all courses
are passed at the first attempt at a level prescribed by the Committee. As a result of failure in any part of the coursework
component, the Committee may, on consideration of documented conditions outside the control of the candidate, permit the
candidate to complete additional assessment.
(3) Re-enrolment in the second year of the degree is conditional upon satisfactory progress assessed at an annual review of
candidature as recommended by a School review panel in accordance with the University procedures for reviewing progress
of higher degree research candidatures.
Thesis
5.(1)On completing both the program of research and all coursework, a candidate shall submit a thesis embodying the results
of the investigation. Where the research has included a substantial studio/production/exhibition component, the length of the
written thesis is proportionally reduced.
(2) The candidate shall give in writing to the Graduate Research School or the Student Administration, UNSW@ADFA, or the
CoFA Student Centre, six weeks notice of intention to submit the thesis.
(3) The thesis shall present an account of the candidates own research.
(4) Three copies of the thesis shall be presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the University for the
preparation and submission of theses for higher degrees by research.
(5) A candidate may apply to the University to protect Intellectual Property by restricting circulation of the thesis for a limited
period not exceeding two years.
(6) An electronic version of the thesis shall be submitted to the library on completion of all work and corrections required by
the Committee as a result of the examination process.
Examination
6.(1) The research presented in the thesis will be examined by written reports submitted by two examiners.
(2) There shall be no fewer than two examiners of the thesis, appointed by the Committee under the conditions specified in the
University examination of higher degree thesis procedures. At least one of the examiners must be external to the University.
(3) Each examiner shall submit to the Committee a concise report on the thesis, and shall recommend to the Committee one
of the following assessments:
(a) The thesis is satisfactory.
(b) The thesis is satisfactory subject to minor corrections as listed being made to the satisfaction of the Head of School.
(c) The thesis requires further work on matters detailed in the report. Should performance in this further work be to the satisfaction of the Higher Degree Committee, the thesis would be satisfactory.
(d) The thesis is not satisfactory in its present form and further work as described in the report is required. The revised thesis should be subject to re-examination.
(e) The thesis is not satisfactory and does not demonstrate that resubmission would be likely to alter that assessment.
(4) The Committee shall, after consideration of the examiners reports and recommendations on the thesis, decide whether or not the candidate be awarded the degree.
(a)The Committee, in making this decision, may appoint a third examiner for the thesis, or may seek further advice on the examiners reports and the thesis from an independent assessor, or may require the candidate to submit to an oral examination under conditions specified by the Committee.
(b) In the case of a decision that the revised thesis should be the subject of re-examination, one or both of the examiners who recommended re-examination will be re-appointed to re-examine the thesis. If the original examiners decline to re-examine the thesis the Committee will appoint a new examiner. There will be one only revision and re-examination permitted.
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html
Area(s) of Specialisation
Study Levels
UNSW Quick Links
