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CRICOS code (International applicants): 078596M

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Program aims

The aim of the Master of Science program is to produce graduates who are equipped with essential scientific knowledge and an appreciation of the latest literature and technologies.

Applied Climate Science specialisation

The global climate service industry is estimated to have a significant and growing economic value. In Australia, the need for ‘climate smart’ professionals working within their chosen industry is growing with hundreds of job opportunities in industry and the public sector organisation. This specialisation is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and decision-making skills to work as ‘climate smart’ professionals in many sectors of economic activity including agriculture, food, water, energy, health, and natural resource management industries.

Applied Data Science specialisation

With the popularity of social media and the wide spread use of the Internet, enormous amount of data of various type are generated at all times. The scattered data are waiting for us to collect and make use of them.

This specialisation is designed to provide an opportunity for graduates from all disciplines to gain advanced skills and knowledge in handling data which are commonly known as Big Data, as well as producing and interpreting data analytics. The aim of this program is to provide students with a career path in the Data Science or an opportunity for advancement in their career.

Astrophysics specialisation

This specialisation is designed to provide an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in astrophysics and develop scientific research skills. The program thus provides professional development in science for those in educational or science communication careers, and a specialist foundation of knowledge and skills for subsequent higher degree research.

Environment and Sustainability specialisation

Modern environment and natural resource management requires the integration of social, environmental and economic research within an interdisciplinary planning and policy framework. It also requires a capacity to handle complexity and uncertainty and the application of different methods of analysis and different approaches to governance and community engagement. This coursework Masters program addresses these needs by providing important core studies and flexibility in choice of elective studies that will enhance their skills and knowledge in the broad discipline of environment and sustainability. Adaptation to climate change and sustainability science are emphasised in global and regional contexts in this specialisation.

Mathematics and Statistics specialisation

This specialisation is designed to provide an opportunity for graduates from other than mathematics and statistics programs to gain advanced skills and knowledge in key areas of mathematics and/or statistics which relate to their career needs and the needs of their profession or industry. The aim of this program is therefore to provide students with a broad advanced education in mathematical and/or statistical techniques and essential problem solving skills which will meet their career needs and assist them in their professional development.

Sport and Exercise specialisation

The Master of Science (Sport and Exercise) specialisation aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop and extend their knowledge and skills relevant to health, fitness and sports performance across the lifespan to an advanced level. Students undertaking the program will usually have qualifications in various related disciplines (although any undergraduate degree is acceptable). The program may be used to meet work or professional requirements, allow for program exemptions, or form part of course requirements in other USQ postgraduate programs. The program is designed to meet personal achievement goals or provide for career opportunities within the health, sports and fitness industry such as sports coaches, personal trainers, sports development officers or a range of other roles. It also provides a pathway for students to enter into postgraduate programs such as a doctorate.

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Program objectives

On completion of the program graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate an advanced understanding in their chosen specialisation

• conduct scholarly investigations into applications and methodologies in their chosen field

• provide scientific literature reports

• apply the specialist knowledge and skills acquired in their specialisation.

Specialisation Objectives

Applied Climate Science specialisation

On completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate an advanced understanding of the climate systems

• appraise the impact of climate processes and variations on many sectors of human activity

• apply climate information and methodologies/tools in industry specific decision making processes

• evaluate the economic value of climate services in industry specific applications

• conduct research and critically analyse literature, data and apply scientific methodologies.

Applied Data Science specialisation

On completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of data science to a complex body of knowledge in a particular discipline of application

• research and apply established theories of data science to a particular discipline of application

• analyse critically and reflect on ethics and professionalism for data science.

Astrophysics specialisation

On completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate a general professional understanding of the science of astrophysics

• conduct scholarly enquiries into the research literature in astronomy and astrophysics

• apply scientific principles to solve problems with conceptual, observational or computational elements

• demonstrate competency in observational techniques, data analysis, and the interpretation of results

• demonstrate oral and written communication skills appropriate to a professional scientist

• communicate scientific research to a professional audience.

Environment and Sustainability specialisation

On completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• understand and apply the principles and approaches of sustainability

• integrate the scientific foundations for sustainable development through environmental, social and economic disciplines

• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of global environmental changes

• describe the functioning of the global climate system

• understand global environmental systems and assess the risks of climatic changes and climate variability and their influence on sustainable practices

• critically analyse multi-disciplinary information and data to provide informed decision-making in relation to resource management and climate adaptation

• evaluate opportunities that may arise from environmental and climate changes

• express and communicate scientific knowledge and concepts across a range of professions

• critically assess emerging approaches to policy development and institutional arrangements to support sustainability

• identify and establish strong links between science, effective community engagement and sound policy

• demonstrate, through the breadth of their studies, an advanced understanding of issues, concepts and applications of sustainability in environment and natural resource management.

Mathematics and Statistics specialisation

On completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• be able to demonstrate at least a sound knowledge of some important theories and techniques of applied mathematics and/or statistics

• be able to use a wide range of mathematical and/or statistical techniques to formulate and solve problems from science and technology

• be able to work with probabilistic, dynamical, algebraic, geometric, and simulation scenarios

• be able to extend and apply mathematical or statistical tools in application to scientific and technical research and development

• be able to use a range of appropriate computer packages to solve problems in statistics and/or mathematics

• have become better problem-solvers and innovative thinkers, who are able to learn new skills independently and efficiently and consequently to succeed in a competitive professional environment

• be able to demonstrate good communication skills in the learning areas

• satisfy academic requirements for membership of relevant professional bodies.

Sport and Exercise specialisation

On completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate an advanced and integrated level of discipline knowledge and skills relevant to health, fitness and sports performance across the lifespan

• critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex concepts of exercise related issues and circumstances of individuals and groups, including sports performers and those with disabilities, chronic diseases and from a range of age groups across the lifespan

• demonstrate highly-developed practical knowledge and skills relevant to laboratory, clinical and field situations in the sport and exercise area

• display an expert level of evidence-based practice, good communication skills, professional development and research

• demonstrate competent, safe, professional and ethical responsibility as a practitioner displayed in interactions with clients from a range of populations, and a variety of contexts, across the lifespan

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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 09. Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Completion of an Australian university three year Bachelor degree in any area, or equivalent.

  Or

  equivalent professional work experience, as determined through the .

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

As well as the following major-specific requirements:

Master of Science (Applied Data Science)

• knowledge on ethics of Computing, consistent with that found in .

Applicants are advised to also note the following:

• Students are responsible for ensuring their introductory knowledge of Computing is at least consistent with that found in .

Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics)

• Knowledge of mathematics at least equivalent to that found in .

• Appropriate communication skills equivalent to those covered in

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a ¾«¶«´«Ã½app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

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. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

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. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

The Master of Science (Astrophysics), Master of Science (Environment and Sustainability) and Master of Science (Applied Data Science) specialisations consist of 16 units of courses, as listed in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern section.

The Master of Science (Applied Data Science) consists of 16 courses. A student who has completed in their Bachelor’s degree may replace with another STA course at USQ Level 2 or above.

The Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) specialisation consists of 16 courses which are all available in external mode. Students may choose at most three approved courses and must complete at least eight units at Level 8 (including approved courses) as in the Program Structure below including and . At the beginning of their candidature students should submit a proposed enrolment pattern to the Program Coordinator for approval. Within this proposal students should have topics and names of any proposed supervisors for the appropriate Level 8 courses. A maximum of three approved courses at USQ Level 2 or above can be taken from other discipline areas if prior approval has been sought by the student and approved by the Program Coordinator.

The Master of Science (Sport and Exercise) specialisation consists of 16 units (14 courses). Students who do not wish to seek ESSA accreditation may take an approved course instead of the placement course. Students who have a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise (or similar) may seek up to 4 credits/exemptions and one alternate approved course for the undergraduate level courses.

Applied Climate Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of 12 units which are all available externally or online, plus four approved courses.

Applied Data Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 courses which are all available on-campus and online.

Core courses

Four program approved units from one of the disciplines below, with no more than three courses at undergraduate level. More program approved courses from other disciplines may be available after consultation with the Program Coordinator via usq.support@usq.edu.au.

Astrophysics specialisation

This specialisation consists of the following courses:

Environment and Sustainability specialisation

This specialisation consists of the following 14 core courses which are all available in online mode.

Mathematics and Statistics specialisation

Sport and Exercise specialisation

This specialisation consists of the following 16 units (14 courses):

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Required time limits

Students have a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 8 years to complete.

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Practical experience

Students completing the Sport and Exercise specialisation are encouraged to meet ESSA registration requirements by undertaking professional placement as part of SES8299 Advanced Professional Placement. For students who are completing the Sport and Exercise specialisation, and who are not seeking to meet ESSA accreditation, an appropriate level approved course may be selected in place of SES8299 Advanced Professional Placement.

To meet the ESSA requirements, students must complete 140 hours of professional practice placement during the program of study.

All professional placements are subject to approval. Students will be provided with a list of possible sites or may seek placement at an Australian site with approval. Students will not contact sites seeking professional placement. The student is responsible to meet all costs associated with the conduct of practical experience.

The 140 hours of professional experience must be gained in areas of sport and exercise performance, workplace health, hospital or clinical services, sports coaching and in sport and exercise research. A combination of experiences in a variety of settings and with different populations is expected during the program of study.

In the total of 140 hours of professional practice it is expected that there be a minimum of 80 hours of face-to-face experience in exercise assessment, prescription and delivery while being supervised by either an Accredited Exercise Scientist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Accredited Sport Scientist or an individual with an AQF level 7 Bachelor degree in Exercise and Sports Science or equivalent.

The supervisors for the professional practice will be required to meet professional ESSA qualification standards as set by USQ or will be assessed for relevant qualification and experience prior to appointment. Supervisors will complete a student evaluation for the professional practice.

Students must successfully complete all the requirements of the professional placement course (SES8299 Advanced Professional Placement) to meet ESSA requirements for possible registration. These requirements will include the completion of appropriate documentation as well as the submission of relevant reports. Students must be available for a prescribed periods of time to undertake a placement in an approved site as required to complete the requirements of this course.

Students will need to keep a logbook record of professional practice experiences along with supervisor details.

The acceptability or otherwise of employment experience, and the period of that type of experience that may be credited towards the 140 hours, will be determined by the Course Examiner of SES8299 Advanced Professional Placement.

All professional placements are subject to the approval of the Program Coordinator. State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current Working with Children and Young People suitability card (Blue Card). Additionally, it is a USQ requirement that students have completed a First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course prior to professional placement. Students will also be required to wear USQ Sport and Exercise shirts and display a student ID card at all times during professional placement. Students must comply with the code of conduct as outlined in the Sport and Exercise professional placement handbook.

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IT requirements

Students should visit the USQ to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

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Other program requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Science (Environment and Sustainability) students must pass 16 units of courses, at least eight of which are to be Level 8 courses listed in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern section. Students who have completed the same courses or similar courses at USQ or elsewhere may replace these with additional approved courses with the approval of the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences.

In order to complete the Mathematics and Statistics specialisation students must pass 16 units of courses, at least eight of which are to be at Level 8 courses listed in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern section including and . A maximum of 3 approved courses of Level 3 or above may be taken from courses not appearing in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern section with the approval of the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences. The maximum number of courses other than Mathematics/Statistics courses to be credited must not exceed the number of approved courses (3).

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Residential schools

The attendance requirement of residential schools within this degree is indicated by the following letters: V = Voluntary; O = Optional; C = Compulsory; R = Recommended; HR = Highly Recommended; M = Mandatory. Find out more about , visit the to view specific dates for your degree, or visit the .

Students completing the Sport and Exercise specialisation: for all modes there will be on-campus and practical attendance requirements for some courses. In order to successfully complete the program students must be able to fulfil any designated practical attendance requirements of a one week residential school in each year of the program.

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Exit points

Students in the Astrophysics or Environment and Sustainability specialisations may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Science on successful completion of four units of study.

Students exiting the Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) specialisation after passing at least four courses may be awarded, upon application, the Graduate Certificate of Science provided that at least three of the courses passed are listed in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern section and approved by the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences.

Students exiting the Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) specialisation after passing at least eight courses may be awarded, upon application, the Graduate Diploma of Science, provided that at least seven of the courses passed are listed in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern section; and the other is from a related area and has been studied with the prior approval of the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences as contributing to the Masters program.

Students in the Applied Data Science specialisation may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Science (Applied Data Science) on successful completion of at least four units of study and satisfied the requirements of Graduate Certificate of Science (Applied Data Science) OR Graduate Diploma of Science (Applied Data Science) on successful completion of at least eight units of study and satisfied the requirements of Graduate Diploma of Science (Applied Data Science).

Students in the Sport and Exercise specialisation may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Sport and Exercise on successful completion of four approved units of study or the Graduate Diploma of Science (Sport and Exercise) after eight approved units of study.

Students wishing to exit as above must discuss the procedures with the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences.

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Credit

Exemptions/credit for all specialisations will be assessed according to .

• Up to four units of coursework exemptions or credit will be granted if the student has completed courses equivalent to courses offered in the particular MSCN specialisation in either:

  • USQ's Graduate Certificate of Science; or

  • A Bachelor’s degree in a discipline equivalent to the specialisation; or

  • A Graduate Diploma or Bachelor’s Honours Degree qualification in a discipline different from the current area of study.

  
  

• Up to eight units of coursework credit or exemptions will be granted if the student has completed courses equivalent to courses offered in the particular MSCN specialisation in either:

  • Graduate Diploma of Science or Bachelor's Honours in a discipline equivalent to the specialisation.

  
  

Notes:

1. All requests for credits or exemptions need to be sought by the student and approved by the Program Coordinator.

2. The Program Coordinator will deem to what extent prior studies are equivalent to the relevant specialisation.

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Enrolment

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 commencement), First full-time intake S1/2018
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement) First part-time intake S1/2017
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S2 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S2 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Astrophysics specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Astrophysics specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics and Statistics specialisation
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Sport and Exercise specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters) Semester 1 or Semester 2 commencement

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 commencement), First full-time intake S1/2018

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement) First part-time intake S1/2017

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S2 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S2 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Astrophysics specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Astrophysics specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 commencement)

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics and Statistics specialisation

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

There is no recommended enrolment for this specialisation. Students are required to complete courses as indicated in the Program Structure. Students may choose at most three approved courses and must complete at least eight units at Level 8 (including approved courses) including and as in the Program Structure. Students are required to submit a proposed enrolment pattern to the Program Coordinator for approval.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Sport and Exercise specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters) Semester 1 or Semester 2 commencement

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.