200 Point Master of Cultural Material Conservation

Informal specialisationYear: 2017

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Overview

This Masters program provides students with a professional qualification in cultural material conservation and it combines both the theory and practice of cultural material conservation. The program will emphasise the philosophical, intellectual, technical and scientific aspects of cultural material conservation, and will draw on the combined expertise of staff of the Grimwade Centre, the Arts and Science Faculties, and the Ian Potter Museum of Art.

The program is aimed at students who wish to undertake specialist training in conservation of cultural material for professional qualification purposes. The program does not necessarily lead to higher degree study, however high achieving students, may qualify for entry to research higher degrees.

It is strongly recommended that all commencing students have studied chemistry equivalent to 25 points of first year university or else complete the Grimwade Centre bridging course offered in December and March, or equivalent.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who complete the Master of Cultural Material Conservation should:

  • develop an indepth knowledge and understanding of cultural material conservation principles, methodologies and best practice standards;
  • gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of cultural material in the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of individuals, communities and nations;
  • be equipped to actively contribute to national and international debates, protocols and conventions relevant to cultural material conservation;
  • be informed advocates for cultural material conservation and play a leadership role within the sector, actively engaging in critical policy issues;
  • develop an appreciation of cultural diversity, community sensitivities and a changing social context to the scientific and historical paradigms that exist within the cultural heritage and conservation sectors;
  • develop critical, reflective and analytical skills and methods, and a cross disciplinary understanding and approach, to the identification and resolution of conservation issues;
  • acquire advanced skills in researching and writing in cultural materials conservation;
  • and apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems that arise in a professional and community based context to develop an integrated understanding of cultural materials conservation theory and practice.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Structure

200 point program

Duration: 2 year full-time / up to 4 years part-time


First 100 points:

  • eight compulsory subjects (100 points)

Second 100 points:

  • three compulsory subjects (75 points)
  • two elective subjects (25 points)


Capstone Requirement:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (at least 25 points). Students must complete one capstone option:

Capstone Stream 1: Co-requisites: Respect (CUMC90027) (12.5 points) and Ngarrangarni: Gija art and community (Warmun) (CUMC40034) (12.5 points) or Content in the Field (CUMC 90023) (12.5 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical grounding in cultural materials conservation, and to apply this knowledge to solve ethical and practical problems that arise in a professional, community based context, in order to develop an integrated understanding of cultural materials conservation theory and practice in changing social context.

Capstone Stream 2: Co-requisites: Conservation Internship and Projects (CUMC90006) (12.5 points) and Conservation Intensive (CUMC90003) (12.5 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to acquire advanced technical and theoretical grounding in an area of specialisation, and to apply this knowledge to solve problems that arise in a professional context, in order to develop an integrated understanding of cultural materials conservation theory and practice.

Capstone Stream 3: Technical examination and documentation (CUMC90032) (12.5 points) and Documentation and Display (CUMC90021) (12.5 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to enhance technical examination and documentary skills in cultural materials conservation and explore the intersection between digital methodologies and cultural materials conservation

Capstone Stream 4: Conservation research and OBL (CUMC90004) (12.5 points) and Respect (CUMC90027) (12.5 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework.


Subject Options

First 100 Points

Compulsory Subjects

100 points

Code Name Study period Credit Points
CUMC90026 Conservation Professional Practices
February (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90027 RESPECT
September (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90028 Conservation and Object Based Learning
April (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90029 Preventive Conservation
October (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90030 Conservation Assessment and Treatment 1
July (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90031 Analytical Science in Conservation
August (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90032 Technical Examination and Documentation
April (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90033 Cultural Materials Conservation Science
May (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Second 100 Points

Compulsory Subjects

75 points

Please note: the thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment (part 1 and 2).

Code Name Study period Credit Points
CUMC90005 Conservation Assessment and Treatment 2
February (On Campus - Parkville)
 25
CUMC90006 Conservation Internship and Projects
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90035 Conservation Thesis Part 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 18.75
CUMC90036 Conservation Thesis Part 2
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 18.75

Elective Subjects

25 points

Please note: elective subjects are approved depending on the field of specialisation chosen and on the student's study program. Consult with the program coordinator prior to enrolment, to gain information and approval for elective subjects.

Code Name Study period Credit Points
CUMC90003 Conservation Intensive
July (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90004 Conservation Research and OBL
January (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90009 Conservation of Photographs 1 Not available in 2017 12.5
CUMC90020 Audio Visual Preservation
May (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90021 Documentation and Display
July (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
CUMC90022 Digital Cultural Conservation Not available in 2017 12.5
CUMC90023 Content in the Field Not available in 2017 12.5
CUMC90034 Ngarranggarni: Gija Art and Country
June (Off Campus)
 12.5

Links

http://arts.unimelb.edu.au/grimwadecentre

Last updated: 4 March 2025