C04267v2 Master of Philosophy in Science

The Master of Philosophy in Science provides students with a unique opportunity to undertake original research and gain in-depth knowledge in their particular scientific field.

Students have access to staff that are leading researchers and experts in their field.

Undertaking this course allows students to explore their research potential and develop research skills.

This course is designed to provide a scholarship pathway to the PhD program.The course contains a compulsory core of professional subjects relevant to all science disciplines.

The subjects in the core provide a backbone of skills important to a professional scientist;

be they engaged in research, science businesses, industries or government organisations.

These are the skills of communication, critical analysis, project management and innovation and commercialisation.

The professional strand is complemented by a choice of major study in a specific science or mathematics discipline.

Students in the Marine Science and Management major, for example, are exposed to multidisciplinary and cross-institutional coursework, with a capstone project taught at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and multiple lecture series and practical components using real-life data from the Australian Integrated Marine Observatory System.The second half of the course comprises a substantial research component, giving students an opportunity to undertake original, cutting-edge research.

For students with suitable achievement levels, this provides a direct pathway to a PhD, and carries points that can be used in the scholarship application process.

The course requires 96 credit points of study, comprising 24 credit points of professional stream subjects, a 24-credit-point major and a 48-credit-point intensive research component.

This honours component of the course is a research project that extends over the final year and normally takes the form of an experimental, analytical or theoretical investigation. Candidates may also be required to undertake one or more critical reviews of the literature in designated areas and to attend formal classes devoted to advanced coursework. The results of the project are presented in an oral seminar and in a written thesis, both of which are formally assessed.

Course completion requirements

Course program

Example programs for students commencing in either Autumn or Spring sessions for all majors are shown below.

The Biomedical Engineering major contains a mix of subjects from different science and engineering disciplines and example programs are more difficult to predict because subject choices are influenced by prior study. Typical programs for students admitted in either Autumn or Spring session, with prior backgrounds in either biomedical or physical science are shown below. Depending on selection of electives, the number of elective credit points in a given session may differ from that listed below.

The Marine Science and Management major requires two subjects to be chosen from external partner universities and the subject chosen may affect the course duration, depending on session of offer of the selected subject.

Mathematical and Statistical Modelling major, Autumn commencing, full time

Year 1

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Mathematical and Statistical Modelling major, Spring commencing, full time

Year 1

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 3

Autumn session

Biomedical Engineering major, Physical Science stream, Autumn commencing, full time

Year 1

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Biomedical Engineering major, Physical Science stream, Spring commencing, full time

Year 1

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 3

Autumn session

Biomedical Engineering major, Biomedical Sciences stream, Autumn commencing, full time

Year 1

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Biomedical Engineering major, Biomedical Sciences stream, Spring commencing, full time

Year 1

Spring session

Year 2

Autumn session

Spring session

Year 3

Autumn session

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.

This program is normally available to students who have commenced in the Master of Science (Extension) (C04265) or Master of Science (C04241), and demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and research potential. Admission is via internal course transfer. Prospective students have to complete the supplementary faculty honours admission form and organise a supervisor and project.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.