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QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Applied Data Science (Toowoomba campus: MSCN01; External: MSCN07); Environment & Sustainability (Toowoomba campus: MSCN04; External: MSCN10); Sport & Exercise (Toowoomba campus: MSCN06; External: MSCN12); Astrophysics (Toowoomba campus: MSCN03; External: MSCN09); Mathematics & Statistics (Toowoomba campus: MSCN05; External: MSCN11); Unspecified (Toowoomba campus: MSCN02; External: MSCN08)

CRICOS code (International applicants): 078596M

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Professional accreditation

The Applied Data Science specialisation is designed to meet the Australian Computer Society (ACS) accreditation at Professional level (accreditation pending).

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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.

Agricultural Science specialisation

The Australian agricultural industry contributes substantially to national GDP, as well, is a significant employer across all states/regions. There is a current demand for graduates with knowledge of contemporary agricultural production approaches, particularly in light of declining national water availability and quality. This specialisation provides graduates with an understanding of both national and global issues associated with agricultural production and sets these in a context of agroecosystem sustainability and broader societal challenges. Graduates from the program will have the capacity to engage across a range of agriculture related disciplines.

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 amounts of data of various type are generated at all times. This scattered data is waiting for us to collect, analyse and draw meaningful conclusions from it.

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 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 should be able to:

• Integrate an advanced understanding of a complex body of expert knowledge in a discipline of science.

• Apply established research theories and principles associated with scholarship and/or professional practice within a relevant science discipline.

• Critically analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex expert information, problems, concepts and theories applicable to a relevant science discipline.

• Interpret and transmit expert knowledge, skills and ideas, both individually and collaboratively, to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

• Display autonomy, responsibility, adaptability and ethical practise in decision-making and engage in lifelong learning through critical reflection in a range of professional and cultural contexts.

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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 specialisation-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 .

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 offers 7 specialisations. All specialisations consist of 16 units of courses, of which 8 units must be at Level 8. Some specialisations contain only core courses, where others allow approved courses.

The Master of Science consists of two tracks within each specialisation:

• Research Training Track: This track consists of 4 of the 16 units providing courses (including capstone experience) on research skills and training: ; ; and

• Research Project Track: This track consists of 4 of the 16 units providing opportunity for students to undertake independent research in two capstone courses: and . Normally these research project courses are undertaken in the latter stages of candidature. Students must have approval of the Program Coordinator and a Supervisor prior to undertaking this track and is dependent on the availability of supervisors and resources. Students in the Applied Data Science specialisation may elect to replace MSC8001 Research Project I and MSC8002 Research Project II with and . Students must have approval of the Program Coordinator, a Supervisor and industry host prior to undertaking this track and is dependent on the availability of supervisors, industry host and resources.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

Master of Science (Applied Data Science): Students taking the Research Project Track may take and OR and with the approval of the Program Coordinator.

Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics): The Research Training Track courses for this specialisation are , , , and . Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ). Research project courses will normally be undertaken towards the end of the program. The maximum number of courses other than Mathematics/Statistics courses to be credited must not exceed the number of approved courses (3). 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.

Master of Science (Sport and Exercise): students may take an approved course instead of the . 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.

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 8 years to complete this program.

Specific specialisations

In this section:

• Agricultural Science specialisation
• Applied Climate Science specialisation
• Applied Data Science specialisation
• Astrophysics specialisation
• Environment and Sustainability specialisation
• Mathematics and Statistics specialisation
• Sport and Exercise specialisation

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Agricultural Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 units of courses which are all available in either on-campus, external or online mode.

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Applied Climate Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 units of courses which are all available in online mode.

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Applied Data Science specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 units of courses which are all available in either on-campus or online mode, comprising of:

• 12 units of core ICT courses

• 4 units of elective courses (any Postgraduate courses, subject to pre-requisite satisfaction)

Core ICT courses

Research

Research dissertation courses as electives

Students wishing to pursue a PhD are encouraged to complete the research dissertation courses below as their electives.

Research training courses as electives

Students wishing to pursue a research and development career are encouraged to complete the research training courses below as their electives.

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Astrophysics specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 units of courses which are all available in online mode.

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Environment and Sustainability specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 units of courses which are all available in online mode.

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Mathematics and Statistics specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 units of courses which are all available in online or on-campus mode. Students may seek approval from the Program Coordinator to enrol in courses not listed in this table.

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Sport and Exercise specialisation

This specialisation consists of 16 units of courses which are all available in either on-campus, external or online mode.

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Practical experience

Students completing the Sport and Exercise specialisation and enrolled in will be allocated a suitable placement site within Australia. Placements are organised by the Placement Office and Placement Coordinator and students will not contact sites seeking professional placement, unless prior approval to be allowed to do so, has been provided. The student is responsible for meeting all costs associated with the conduct of practical experience.

Professional placement will be in a sport and exercise setting at one or multiple approved placement sites. Masters Sport and Exercise students may assess the fitness and exercise capacity of, and design and deliver exercise and physical activity programs to apparently healthy individuals. These programs are for the purpose of improving health and fitness, performance, or preventing chronic conditions. Masters Sport and Exercise students must not provide exercise advice or design exercise programs for clinical populations. The scope of practice is comparable to a personal trainer, gym instructor and group exercise instructor.

The professional experience may be gained in areas of sport and exercise performance, workplace health, sports coaching, health promotion and in sport and exercise research.

Supervisors must be suitably qualified and experienced relative to the activity they are supervising. Supervisors will complete a student evaluation for the professional practice.

Students must be available for a prescribed period of time to undertake a placement at an approved site as required to complete the requirements of this program.

Students will need to keep a logbook record of professional practice experiences and provide a professional practice report upon conclusion of placement.

All professional placements are subject to the approval of the Placement 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 Master of Sport and Exercise Professional Placement Handbook.

Requirements for professional experience placements

Mandatory documents required prior to commencing ANY clinical placements in the program:

• Blue Card or Working with Children Check

• First Aid Certificate

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR)

• Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Evidence Form

• COVID-19 Infection Control Training Certificate

• COVID-19 Student Placement Declaration

• USQ Student Declaration

If a student is unable to obtain a positive Blue Card or Working with Children Check, they will be required to provide an Australian Police Certificate.

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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 Program Coordinator via usq.support@usq.edu.au.

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Residential schools

The attendance requirement of residential schools within this degree is indicated by the following letters: R = Recommended; HR = Highly Recommended; M = Mandatory. To 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.

Agricultural Science Specialisation

Sport and Exercise Specialisation

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Articulation

Students completing the Master of Science research project track would be eligible to apply for articulation to the Master of Science (Research) or Doctor of Philosophy programs if they meet other requirements for entry into those programs.

Students completing the Master of Science research training track with the appropriate GPA would be eligible to apply for enrolment in the Master of Science (Research) (Advanced) and then could progress (articulate) to a PhD via that route once they have demonstrated satisfactory progress in a significant research component.

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Exit points

Students may exit with Graduate Diploma of Science specialisation on successful complete of a least 8 courses within the Master of Science if they have satisfied the requirements of a Graduate Diploma of Science specialisation. Students may exit with the Graduate Diploma of Science (General) if they have completed at least 8 courses from one or more of the specialisations of MSCN , and at least 4 of them are at level 8.

Students may exit with Graduate Certificate of Science specialisation on successful completion of at least 4 courses within the Master of Science if they have satisfied the requirements of a GCSC Graduate Certificate of Science specialisation. Students may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Science (General) if they have completed at least 4 courses from one or more of the specialisations of Master of Science , and at least 2 of them are at level 8.

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.

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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 - Agricultural Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Agricultural Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation part-time (8 Semesters, S1 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Astrophysics specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Astrophysics specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Environment and Sustainability specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics and Statistics specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 entry)
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Sport and Exercise specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters) S1 or S2 entry

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Agricultural Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Agricultural Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 entry)

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Climate Science specialisation Part-time (8 Semesters, S1 or S2 entry)

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ) or and .

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Applied Data Science specialisation part-time (8 Semesters, S1 entry)

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ) or and .

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

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Mathematics and Statistics specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters, S1 entry)

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.

Students are required to submit a proposed enrolment pattern to the Program Coordinator for approval if it differs from the one below.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Sport and Exercise specialisation Full-time (4 Semesters) S1 or S2 entry

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.

Students may, with approval of the Program Coordinator and acceptance by an appropriate supervisor, elect to replace two or four units of research training courses ( , , and/or ) with one or two 2-unit research project courses ( and ).