Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) (GDA-SCI)

Overview

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree with a major in an appropriate discipline, or equivalent; and
• appropriate prerequisite studies for the stream into which entry is sought. For stream specific requirements please see below:

Prerequisite requirements:

BioSciences: Appropriate discipline - Biological Sciences.

Chemistry: Appropriate discipline – Chemistry or equivalent.

Earth Science: Appropriate disciplines – Agricultural Science, Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science, Food Science, Genetics, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Plant Science or Zoology.

Mathematics and Statistics: Appropriate discipline – Mathematics and Statistics or equivalent, with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) in the best 25 points in appropriate discipline studies at level 2 or above. Subject prerequisites – at least two level 1 or above and three level 2 or above Mathematics or Statistics subjects. If students have completed accelerated subjects then one fewer level 2 or above subject can be deemed appropriate.

Physics: Appropriate disciplines – Physics, Mathematical Physics, Chemical Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Engineering; or equivalent. Subject prerequisites – at least 50 points of level 2 or above Physics and both MAST20009 Vector Calculus and MAST20026 Real Analysis or equivalents.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider prior academic performance.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.

The Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require: (1) the ability to comprehend complex science and technology related information; (2) the ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, and technology principles and practices during assessment tasks; (3) the ability to actively and safely contribute in clinical, laboratory, and fieldwork/excursion activities.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

There may be additional inherent academic requirements for some subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these subjects.

Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Course structure

The Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) course requires the completion of 100 points (100 points = one year of full-time study).

Coursework and Research

The 100 points comprises two components:

• a coursework component; and
• a minor thesis research project component (normally 10 000 - 12 000 words).

The weight of each component varies between departments.

To be eligible for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced), students must successfully complete both the research and the coursework components of the course.

Coursework

Students have the option to complete the Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) by coursework alone (100 point coursework option) in areas of study: Mathematics and Statistics, Physics.

Students also have the option to use the Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) by coursework in BioSciences, Mathematics and Statistics or Physics as an early exit point from the relevant Master of Science stream– i.e. Master of Science in BioSciences, Mathematics and Statistics, or Physics – where appropriate and subject to the approval of the stream Coordinator.

Majors, minors & specialisations

Areas of Study

Students may select from the following areas of study:

Further study

Students who successfully complete the coursework and research Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) courses with an H2A (75%) average are eligible to apply for M.Phil - Science and PhD-Science candidature.

Students who successfully complete the coursework (100%) Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced) courses are not eligible to apply for M.Phil - Science and PhD-Science candidature.

Last updated: 13 April 2025