14. Overview of postgraduate study

This chapter gives an overview of postgraduate study in the Faculty of Science. Following is a brief outline of the types of postgraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Science, a list of degrees available and an outline of the layout of the postgraduate section of the Faculty of Science handbook.

Degree types

The Faculty of Science offers a range of postgraduate coursework and research degrees in a variety of disciplines.

Coursework programs

Coursework programs usually involve the completion of a required series of units of study as detailed in the subsequent chapters of this handbook. A coursework program normally requires attendance at lectures and tutorials. Although coursework programs may sometimes include a component of original work in the form of a research project; other forms of instruction and learning will normally be dominant.

Graduate certificate

Graduate certificates usually require the completion of at least 24 credit points of study, and take one semester of full-time study or the equivalent duration of part-time study. The entry requirement is normally a bachelor’s degree.

Graduate diploma

Graduate diplomas usually require the completion of at least 36 credit points of study, and take two semesters of full-time study or the equivalent of part-time study. The entry requirement is also usually a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Coursework master's

Coursework master's degrees usually require the completion of at least one to two years of full-time study or the equivalent of part-time study. The entry requirement is also usually a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

Students who complete a research project that is worth a minimum of 25 per cent of a coursework master's are eligible to apply for admission to a research degree (Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy).

Articulated degree programs

Many of the coursework programs available in the Faculty of Science are articulated master's programs. This means that students may enter a program at a range of levels, including graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master's level. This also means that students can exit a program on completion of a particular level. Please see individual course information for more details.

Research degrees

Students in research degrees in the Faculty of Science undertake supervised research leading to the writing of a thesis or other piece of written work.

Research master's

A research master's degree usually requires one to two years of full-time study or the equivalent of part-time study during which a candidate undertakes supervised research and a thesis, or in some cases coursework and an essay. The entry requirement is usually a bachelor’s degree with first or second class honours or equivalent.

Doctor of Philosophy

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree awarded for a thesis considered to be a substantially original contribution to the subject concerned. Some coursework may be required, but in no case is it a major component. Applicants should normally hold a master's degree or a bachelor's degree with first class honours. The usual minimum period of candidature is three years of full-time study, or the equivalent of part-time study.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements vary according to degree. Applicants must consult the individual admission requirements for each degree given in the relevant resolutions.

Degrees offered

Organisation of the postgraduate chapters

Chapter 15 contains an overview of postgraduate study within the Faculty of Science and a list of all the degrees offered.

Chapter 15 contains details of doctorates offered by the faculty, including enrolment advice and degree resolutions.

Chapter 16 contains information about master's research degrees, including enrolment advice and degree resolutions.

Chapter 17 outlines the requirements for the graduate diploma in science.

Chapters 18-30 includes enrolment advice and resolutions for the postgraduate coursework degrees offered by the faculty. These chapters also contain unit of study descriptions. The chapters are sorted alphabetically by area of study.

University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended)

The Resolutions in the postgraduate section of the handbook must be read in conjunction with the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended), which sets out the requirements for all coursework courses, and the relevant Senate Resolutions, which are available in the University Calendar. The Calendar can also be viewed on the web at www.usyd.edu.au/calendar.