ObjectivesThe objectives of this course are to provide students with:
• high-level experience in, and ability to conduct independent research in a field of plant science;
• ability in reviewing and assessing scientific literature;
• ability in hypothesis testing, design of laboratory and/or field experiments;
• ability in advanced scientific techniques, data analysis and interpretation;
• written and oral presentations;and
• potential to proceed to the PhD degree.
Academic titleMaster of Science - Botany
Course descriptionStudents must complete 200 points comprising:
* 50 or 87.5 points of discipline subjects;
* 25 or 37.5 points of Professional Tools subjects; and
* a 125 point major or a 75 point minor Research Project
Discipline Subjects: 50 or 87.5 points
Students will enrol in subjects available through the Master of Science programs and in particular from the Master of Science (Biotechnology), Master of Science (Environmental Science) and through the Office for Environmental Programs and the Master of Forest Ecosystem Science.
Subjects will be selected in consultation with the research supervisor and approved by the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator. Subjects will be selected both to broaden the student’s training and to enhance the skills relevant to the chosen research area. Where appropriate and with approval, a student may complete up to two 300 level subjects.
Professional Tools Subjects: 25 or 37.5 points
Depending on the choice of a Major or Minor Research Project in Botany, students will take two or three of the following subjects:
* 600-619 Science and Communication
* Critical analysis in Science (available from semester 2 2010)
* eScience (available from semester 2 2010)
* 600-615 Thinking and Reasoning with Data
* 600-617 Systems Modelling and Simulation
* 600-616 Science in Context
* 600-618 Ethics and Responsibility in Science
* 600-614 Business Tools: Money, People and Projects
* Business Tools: The Market Environment (available from semester 1, 2010)
Research project: 125 or 75 points
A major 125 point or a minor 75 point research project provides an opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, in the areas of cellular, molecular and functional plant sciences, plant systematics and evolution, marine botany and environmental science. The major thesis allows a student to focus on a substantial project while the minor thesis allows a student to maximise coursework training. Both are pathways to the PhD. Each project will be designed in consultation with a supervisor(s) and approved by the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator. The research project will provide: experience in reviewing scientific literature (3,000 words; 10% for the Major and 15% for the Minor), hypothesis testing, design of laboratory and/or field experiments, training in experimental techniques, data analysis and interpretation, and development of written (thesis; 85% for the Major and 80% for the Minor) and oral presentation skills (40 minute seminar; 5% for the Major and 25 minute seminar; 5% for the Minor). The research project will be assessed by thesis (Major, 17,000 - 22,000 words and Minor 10,000 – 12,000 words).
Depending on whether a student is completing a 125 point major research project or a 75 point minor research project, a student may enrol in a combination of research project subjects as indicated below (each of which is available in the summer semester, semester one and semester two) over their two years of full-time study or over their four years of part-time study, to ensure they have completed a total of either 125 points for the major research project or a total of 75 points for the minor research project by the end of their course.
125 point Major Research Project:
* 606-671 Botany Research Project Major – 12.5 points
* 606-672 Botany Research Project Major – 25 points
* 606-673 Botany Research Project Major – 37.5 points
* 606-675 Botany Research Project Major – 50 points
75 point Minor Research Project:
* 606-639 Botany Research Project Minor – 12.5 points
* 606-638 Botany Research Project Minor – 25 points
* 606-637 Botany Research Project Minor – 37.5 points
* 606-636 Botany Research Project Minor – 50 points
Subject Semester Credit Points
606-671 Botany Research Project Major
This subject is the major research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. The research project provides an opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, in the areas of cellular and molecular plant s... Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer 12.50
606-672 Botany Research Project Major
This subject is the major research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. The research project provides an opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, in the areas of cellular and molecular plant s... Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer 25
606-673 Botany Research Project Major
This subject is the major research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. The research project provides an opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, in the areas of cellular and molecular plant s... Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer 37.50
606-675 Botany Research Project Major
This subject is the major research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. The research project provides an opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany in the areas of cellular, molecular and functi... Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer 50
606-636 Botany Research Project Minor
This subject is the minor research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. While providing a significant opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, it allows a student to maximise the course-work c... Semester 1, Semester 2 50
606-637 Botany Research Project Minor
This subject is the minor research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. While providing a significant opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, it allows a student to maximise the course-work c... Semester 1, Semester 2 37.50
606-638 Botany Research Project Minor
This subject is the minor research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. While providing a significant opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, it allows a student to maximise the course-work c... Semester 1, Semester 2 25
606-639 Botany Research Project Minor
This subject is the minor research component offered in plant sciences for the MSc degree. While providing a significant opportunity for independent research under supervision in the School of Botany, it allows a student to maximise the course-work c... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
600-619 Science and Communication
This subject reviews the range of competencies needed to operate effectively in the workplace.Students develop a clear understanding of the nature of managerial work and the kinds of skills required to manage oneself and others in organisations. Comm... Semester 1 12.50
600-615 Thinking and Reasoning with Data
What conclusion can be drawn from a pool of data? How can a scientist draw meaningful conclusions while not overreaching? How can modelling help the scientist interpret data? This subject will address these questions by teaching students critical th... Semester 1 12.50
600-617 Systems Modelling and Simulation
Modern science and business makes extensive use of computers for simulation, because complex real-world systems often cannot be analysed exactly, but can be simulated. Using simulation we can perform virtual experiments with the system, to see how it... Semester 1 12.50
600-618 Ethics and Responsibility in Science
What is scientific fraud? What should a scientist do when he or she finds fraud is occurring on a scientific or medical research team? How does a scientist write and defend an ethics submission and get it approved? How can a scientist ensure complian... Semester 2 12.50
600-616 Science in Context
As a Scientist, one of the main challenges is to communicate scientific knowledge to the wider community. Whether the issues are big or small, communicating complex scientific knowledge needs to be ‘context relevant’. Increas... Semester 2 12.50
600-614 Business Tools:Money, People & Projects
This subject will give an overview of the tools required to operate successfully in an organisational environment. The focus of the subject is the internal workings of an organisation and specifically addresses three main areas: working with people,... Semester 2 12.50