Master of Science (Dentistry)

The course is open for candidates who have completed theirs under graduation in Dentistry, Medicine and in Allied Health Sciences. Since this programme is by research mode the main assessment method is dissertation evaluation.
15 years experience in producing the best talents in the fields of Dentistry in Malaysia
An appointed Cochrane Coordinating Centre for Malaysia
Globally experienced team of faculty whose research have enjoyed international acclaim
On-site dental clinic for clinical trial and participation

The Master of Science (Dentistry) at Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM) is a postgraduate, research-oriented programme designed to develop advanced expertise in dental sciences through independent research and scholarly inquiry. It is aimed at healthcare professionals (typically in the field of Dentistry) seeking to deepen their knowledge in a specialised area of dentistry, contribute to evidence-based practice, and pursue careers in academia, research, or advanced clinical/specialist roles. The programme is MQA-accredited and offered in both full-time and part-time modes. It is structured primarily as a research-based master's degree with a strong emphasis on original research leading to a thesis/dissertation. The total duration is typically 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time, though the programme is heavily weighted toward independent research rather than taught coursework.

Semester 1

This initial semester focuses on equipping students with foundational research skills and preparing them for the core research component.

- Introduction to Health Research

This module introduces the principles, methodologies, and processes of scientific research in health and dental sciences. It covers research paradigms (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods), formulating research questions/hypotheses, literature searching and review techniques, research ethics (including informed consent, confidentiality, and institutional review board processes), and critical appraisal of existing studies in dentistry. Students learn to design feasible, ethical research projects relevant to oral health, clinical practice, or dental public health.

- Basic Biostatistics

A core statistics module tailored to health sciences, covering descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency, variability), inferential statistics (hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, p-values), parametric and non-parametric tests (t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square), correlation/regression analysis, sample size calculation, and basic interpretation of statistical software output (e.g., SPSS or R). The focus is on applying statistical methods to dental research data, such as clinical trials, epidemiological studies, or outcome evaluations in oral health.

- Research Dissertation

This is the preparatory phase for the main research project. Students work under supervision to refine their research proposal, conduct a comprehensive literature review, define objectives/methodology, obtain ethical approval (if required), and begin planning data collection. It serves as the bridge between taught research skills and the full independent dissertation work. Early drafting of chapters (introduction, literature review, methods) often starts here, with regular supervisor feedback.

Semester 2–4

The majority of the programme (Semesters 2, 3, and 4) is dedicated to the Research Project, which is the central and most substantial component.

- Research Project

This is the major independent research undertaking that forms the bulk of the degree. Students conduct original research in an area of dentistry under the guidance of a supervisor (and co-supervisor if needed).

The project typically involves:

- Implementing the approved methodology (e.g., clinical trials, surveys, laboratory-based studies, qualitative interviews, or systematic reviews).

- Collecting, analysing, and interpreting data using appropriate statistical and qualitative techniques.

- Writing a comprehensive dissertation structured with chapters on introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations. - Defending the work through a viva voce (oral examination) before an external and internal examiner. The research can focus on various dental specialities or interdisciplinary topics, such as oral pathology, periodontology, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, dental public health, biomaterials, or emerging areas like digital dentistry/teledentistry. Emphasis is on producing publishable-quality work, contributing new knowledge to the field, and demonstrating critical thinking, scientific rigour, and relevance to clinical practice or oral health policy.

The programme culminates in the submission and successful defence of the Research Project dissertation, which is the primary assessment component. It fosters skills in advanced research, evidence synthesis, scientific writing, and scholarly communication — ideal for graduates aiming for academic careers, specialist training pathways, research roles in dental institutions, or leadership in clinical practice innovation.