Master of Applied Science (Honours)

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Applied Science (Honours) aims to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for conduct of individual research.

The Master of Applied Science (Honours) is designed to allow graduates to undertake research aligned with their undergraduate discipline area and to support their professional development and career aspirations.

Subject to regulation and approval, candidates may conduct their research at other places where adequate facilities and associate supervisors are available. The direction of the work remains under the control of the University.

The course's key objectives are to:

• develop a specialised body of knowledge appropriate to a research career
• develop skills of information gathering, processing and evaluation, problem solving and communication skills.

Students complete a period of study and research and prepare a thesis.

The following areas are approved categories of research supervision in the Faculty of Science:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Engineering
• Environmental Sciences 

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Admission requirements

To qualify for candidature applicants must hold one of the following:

• an Honours degree, minimum Class 2 (Division 1) relevant to the biomedical sciences
  
• a relevant four-year degree
  
• a relevant three-year degree plus other postgraduate studies
  
• a relevant three-year degree plus a demonstrated research ability and additional study.

Major research areas include:

• virology biotechnology
• respiratory science
• microbiology
• molecular biology
• pharmaceutical science
• medical genetics
• cardiac physiology
• reproductive biology
• cancer biology
• biochemistry
• developmental biology

Intending applicants should contact the Sub-Dean, Graduate Studies to discuss the proposal before submitting the prescribed application form. In addition, applicants must complete a form describing their area of interest, which should accompany their application. Please phone info.csu on 1800 334 733 or make an online enquiry for the contact details of the appropriate person.

Admission to candidature is subject to approval by the Board of Graduate Studies.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 7.0, and with no score lower than 6.5, within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2; Session 3