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CRICOS code (International applicants): 070618G

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Program focus

This program provides opportunities for the students to undertake advanced study and to produce a research-based dissertation in a science based discipline. The emphasis of the program is to develop the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake independent research and professional practice.

Program aims

This program provides opportunities for motivated and highly qualified students to undertake advanced study and to produce a research-based dissertation. Students will develop appropriate research skills and specialist area knowledge that will enhance their career prospects or allow them to proceed to further appropriate higher degree studies.

Applied Research major

The major is designed to provide students with a combination of coursework and related research which will provide and enhance student knowledge across a range of science based disciplines.

Advanced Research major

This major is designed to provide students who have already undertaken substantial prior studies in a relevant area with the opportunity to focus on a significant research project in a related area.

Transfer between majors within this program is not possible.

Program objectives

General Objectives

Successful completion of this program will enable graduates to:

• identify, interpret and evaluate major issues of contemporary theory and practice in their discipline area

• comprehend and evaluate developments in a chosen discipline area and critically examine the relationships between such developments and contemporary theory

• apply a knowledge of the principles and ethics of research within their chosen discipline area

• identify research topics and undertake research using appropriate methodology and current techniques

• report and publish research outcomes.

Major Objectives

Applied Research major

Successful completion of the program will enable a graduate to:

• extend the knowledge and research expertise of students entering the major with a three year degree

• demonstrate an enhanced understanding of a selected area of science

• identify, interpret and evaluate major issues in contemporary theory and practice of scientific research in the disciplines within the Faculty of Sciences

• apply current research techniques and methodology to the pursuit of specific research goals.

Advanced Research major

Successful completion of the program will enable a graduate to:

• identify, interpret and evaluate major issues in contemporary theory and practice of scientific research in the disciplines within the Faculty of Sciences

• apply current research techniques and methodology to the pursuit of specific research goals

• extend and develop the research expertise and techniques of students entering the major with a four year degree or equivalent. Students may apply to transfer to a PhD from this major.

Admission requirements

Application for Admission

The degree is centred on a research project, supervised by a principal and an associate supervisor. It is therefore essential that intending candidates clarify their topic for research and seek an academic staff member able to provide principal supervision. Application forms and advice on procedures for enrolment may be obtained from the Program Coordinator. Intending candidates are advised to allow several months for discussion with potential supervisors and for consideration of the application prior to the commencement of candidature.

Intending applicants must consult the Program Coordinator before they apply. Applicants must then submit a form together with other information as specified by the Program Coordinator. The applicants must receive approval from the Program Coordinator for the proposed study plan, and may also be required to attend an interview with the Dean, or the Dean's nominee, prior to confirmation of acceptance. A satisfactory level of English (IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent) is essential as per normal ¾«¶«´«Ã½app research degree entry requirements.

Admission Criteria

Master of Science (Research) (Applied Research)

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science (Research) (Applied Research), applicants must have :

• completed a three-year degree at an Australian university or equivalent, with a GPA of 4.5/7.0 or above, or equivalent score, in a relevant discipline

and

• acceptance will be subject to the availability of, and endorsement by, a USQ supervisor.

Master of Science (Research) (Advanced Research)

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science (Research) (Advanced Research), applicants must have either:

• completed a four-year degree at an Australian university or equivalent, with a GPA of 4.5/7.0 or above, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline

or

• completed a three-year degree at an Australian university or equivalent and have successfully completed a coursework masters, with a GPA of 4.5/7.0 or above, or equivalent score, in a relevant discipline

or

• completed a three-year degree at an Australian university or equivalent and either successfully completed a Postgraduate diploma in a relevant area or, have successfully completed a Postgraduate Certificate in a relevant area together with the equivalent of a minimum of two years work experience deemed to be appropriate by the Dean or, have very substantial equivalent industry experience deemed to be appropriate by the Dean

and

• acceptance will be subject to the availability of, and endorsement by, a USQ supervisor.

Pre-requisite Knowledge

Eligible students who are not considered to have sufficient previous knowledge may be required to undertake a limited number of additional relevant courses. All students must discuss their enrolment pattern with the Program Coordinator prior to nominating courses on their enrolment form.

How to apply

Applications for should be made directly to USQ.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Research training scheme (RTS)

The Research Training Scheme (RTS) provides Commonwealth-funded higher degree by research (HDR) students with an ‘entitlement’ to an exemption from course fees for the equivalent of four years full-time study in an accredited HDR program. If a student's RTS entitlement expires before they have completed their program they will be required to pay full tuition fees. As there may be limited RTS places available, some students may be required to pay fees for all or part of their program. The USQ will advise students of their eligibility for an RTS place.

Program structure

Applied Research major

There are 12 units in the program. There are four coursework units which will include a research training course. Courses are normally at level 3 or above and are selected in consultation with the supervisor to reflect additional training complementary to the area of research to be undertaken. The research training course will consist of or or equivalent (as approved by the program coordinator).

Students who have previously completed or or an equivalent course elsewhere, will be required to undertake an alternative course selected in consultation with both their project supervisor and the program coordinator.

The remaining 8-unit research project will be undertaken in consultation with an approved supervisor. The first research project course is evaluated by a progress report and a dissertation proposal.

The student will prepare a dissertation based on independently conducted research. To successfully complete the dissertation, students will be required to select a research topic, carry out supervised research on the chosen topic using an appropriate research method and present and defend the results.

Advanced Research major

Candidates will be expected to conduct their studies in areas of science research that reflect the expertise of current staff in the Faculty of Sciences. Most research active staff are also members of a USQ Research Centre. Details of current research programs and potential supervisors can be found on the relevant and and Departmental and webpages.

The emphasis of the program will be on developing the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake independent research and professional practice. Accordingly, a major component of the program will be a supervised research project.

There are 12 units in the program. There is one unit of coursework research training and an 11-unit research project. The first three research project courses ( , and ) are evaluated by progress reports and a seminar, dissertation proposal and progress seminar respectively.

The student will prepare a dissertation based on independently conducted research. To successfully complete the dissertation, students will be required to select a research topic, carry out supervised research on the chosen topic using an appropriate research method and present and defend the results.

The research training course will consist of or or equivalent (as approved by the program co-ordinator).

Students who have previously completed or or an equivalent course elsewhere, will be required to undertake an alternative course selected in consultation with both their project supervisor and the program co-ordinator.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete either major in this program.

Exit points

Students enrolled in the Applied Research major, who have successfully complete four coursework units and wish to exit without completing the program, may seek, with approval of the program coordinator, to exit via Graduate Certificate in Science. Students must successfully complete this major prior to application for entry to the PhD program.
Students enrolled in the Advanced Research major, who wish to exit without completing the program, may on the basis of outstanding performance, seek to transfer to the PhD program on the completion of at least eight units within this major. To be eligible for transfer, students will have obtained an overall GPA of at least 6.0 averaged across , and and may seek to transfer to a PhD from via evaluation of a full PhD dissertation proposal supported by their supervisor. This material will be assessed via the Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee and if in addition, the progress report is satisfactory, a recommendation may be made to the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app with respect to articulation to the PhD program with credit being given for the 8 units successfully undertaken within the MSCR. Students wishing to exit as above must discuss the procedures with the Program Coordinator.

Exemptions

There will be no exemptions for either major in this program.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern - Applied Research Major (full-time)
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Applied Research Major (part-time)
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Advanced Research Major (full-time)
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Advanced Research Major (part-time)

Recommended enrolment pattern - Applied Research Major (full-time)

Recommended enrolment pattern - Applied Research Major (part-time)

Recommended enrolment pattern - Advanced Research Major (full-time)

Recommended enrolment pattern - Advanced Research Major (part-time)