The Master of Science is for two distinct groups of students, namely the professional scientists wishing to update their industry-related skills for career advancement and students considering a research degree.
The course contains a compulsory core of professional subjects relevant to all science disciplines. The subjects in the core provide a backbone of skills important to a professional scientist; be they engaged in research, science businesses, industries or government organisations. 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 discipline. Students may have the option of undertaking a small research project, subject to approval by the faculty. For students with suitable achievement levels, an opportunity to undertake a more substantial research project is available by transferring into the Master of Philosophy in Science (C04267). For those considering a research degree, Master of Philosophy in Science provides a pathway to a PhD.
The No specified major option is suitable for students seeking scientific qualifications as entry into the field or wish to gain new specialised skills in a range of theoretical and practical applications to advance their area of expertise.
Students in the Marine Science and Management major are exposed to multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional coursework, with a capstone project taught at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and multiple lecture series and practical components using real-life data from the Australian Integrated Marine Observatory System.