Master of Philosophy in Science

Program Overview

The Master of Philosophy in Science at UTS offers a unique opportunity for students to conduct original research and develop advanced skills in their chosen scientific field. The program combines professional subjects in communication, critical analysis, and innovation with a major study and a substantial research component. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in research, science businesses, industries, or government organizations, with the option to pursue a PhD.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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 pathway to the UTS PhD program. The course contains a choice of professional subjects relevant to all science disciplines. The subjects encompass the development of a suite of skills important to a professional scientist; be they engaged in research, science businesses, industries, or government organizations. 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 field. 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 the UTS PhD program.

Outline:

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 the area of their project. During the course of their research project, candidates are also offered workshops to help with the writing and interpretation of results. The results of the project are presented in an oral seminar and in a written thesis, both of which are formally assessed.

Assessment:

Assessment methods used in the program include:

• oral presentations
• written reports
• practical examinations
• research projects
• theses

Teaching:

The course is offered on a two-year, full-time basis. Teaching methods include:

• lectures
• tutorials
• workshops
• laboratory work
• research projects

Careers:

Career options vary according to the major chosen, and all graduates have training in the professional attributes that employers seek. The skills learnt expand career horizons and enhance prospects for promotion in the rapidly evolving science professions. Graduates in all majors may also proceed to a career in research through entry to a PhD. Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering major are prepared for innovative careers in medical device and biotechnology companies, hospitals, government policy and regulatory agencies, bionanomaterial production, clinical engineering, and research and development teams where the ability to creatively combine biology with technology leads to scientific discovery. Graduates of the Mathematical and Statistical Modelling major can apply their logistic, statistical and modelling skills across a diverse range of global organisations and industries, including banking and finance sectors, health, information technology, commercialisation, and market research.