Master of Philosophy - Science

The MPhil is an internationally recognised masters (by research) degree. It is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research.

The normal length of an MPhil thesis is 30,000-40,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps bibliographies and appendices. Footnotes are included as part of the word limit.

The Faculty of Science offers MPhil programs in the following departments:

• BioSciences
• Chemistry
• Earth Sciences
• Ecosystem and Forest Science
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Physics
• Geography

For information in regards to the research groups within the Faculty of Science departments as listed above, please refer to: http://science.unimelb.edu.au/research/research-themes

On completion of the degree students should be able to:

• demonstrate advanced learning in research skills and mastery of appropriate techniques, such as the use of archival or primary evidence, analysis of data and judgment of conflicting evidence;
• demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research;
• present the results of their research in publishable quality or work towards incorporating their findings in further research;
• demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, research ethics or code of practice.

A candidate for the MPhil degree must be an enrolled student in this University and is required to carry out research at the University for a specified period under the direct supervision of one or more members of the academic staff. All candidates for the MPhil-Science will be examined on the basis of their thesis.

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

• a four-year Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and have achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% in the final year subjects or (University of Melbourne) equivalent; or
• a Masters degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% or (University of Melbourne) equivalent; or
• a qualification and professional experience considered to be equivalent;

and

• provide referee reports (except for applicants who have graduated from the University of Melbourne within the last 5 years); and
• have obtained the endorsement of a prospective supervisor

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In selecting applicants, the selection committee will consider applicants’:

• prior academic performance and, if relevant, professional qualifications;
• understanding of the research question to be explored;
• performance at an interview;
• motivation and capacity to complete the course in a timely manner;
• relevant prior research and/or professional experience; and
• the referee reports.

3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, the following performance bands are required: An overall band score of 6.5 in the IELTS Academic Test.

For information on meeting the English language requirements, visit the webpage here:
http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/entry-requirements/language-requirements

For information on the application process, visit the webpage here:
http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/doctor-of-philosophy

All MPhil candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least six months full-time (12 months part-time) advanced study and research at the University unless studying at an outside institution approved by the Research Higher Degrees Committee (RHDC). The RHDC will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely on-line supervision for graduate researchers.

Throughout their candidature candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment.

The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the first six months of candidature. During this time the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, so as:

• to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program
• to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for an MPhil awarded by the University
• to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the Melbourne School of Graduate Research throughout candidature.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University 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 University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Research Masters degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who have a capacity for defining and managing a research project characterised by originality and independence. Their training equips them for more sustained and original work at the doctoral level or for applied research positions in a wide variety of contexts. The University expects its masters by research graduates to have the following attributes:

• an ability to initiate research projects and to formulate viable research questions;
• a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a closely-defined project;
• an ability to manage time to maximise the quality of research;
• an understanding of the major contours of international research in the research area;
• a capacity for critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature;
• well-developed and flexible problem-solving abilities appropriate to the discipline;
• the ability to analyse research data within a changing disciplinary environment;
• the capacity to communicate effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication;
• an understanding of and facility with scholarly conventions in the discipline area;
• a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
• a capacity to cooperate with other researchers;
• an ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study.

Application Procedures: Detailed course and scholarship application procedure information is available at http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/

Facilities and Supports: The University of Melbourne makes available a broad range of Programs & Services available to graduate research students.