Master of Science - Chemistry
The School of Chemistry at The University of Melbourne is one of the largest and oldest in
Australia and has a worldclass profile for leadership in areas such as synthesis, molecular
analysis, drug discovery, materials science, sustainable energy and nanotechnology. In addition,
we have extensive interdisciplinary links within the University and with other research institutions
both locally and internationally.
Innovation and future technologies are a major part of the School of Chemistry's vision, with a
program to continually update facilities to maintain a position of international research excellence.
The School of Chemistry is a key participant in Bio21, a major world-class biotechnology initiative in
Victoria. New state-of-the-art research laboratories for a number of research groups in the School are
housed in the $100 million Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology building that opened
in 2005.
A further $23 million major redevelopment of the School's Parkville campus site currently underway,
will provide modern teaching and research laboratories for the full range of chemical sciences.
Course structure
Core discipline subject
(12.5 points)
Students must undertake Advanced Spectroscopy.
Elective discipline subjects
(37.5 or 50 points)
Students must undertake between two or four core Chemistry subjects:
If two (25 points) or three (37.5 points) core Chemistry subjects are selected, then either a subject
(12.5 points) or subjects (25 points) from a list of Master of Science subjects approved by a course coordinator,
and/or one subject (12.5 points) approved third year coursework subject (with the approval of the course
coordinator) must be selected.
Professional Tools
(12.5 or 25 points)
Students must take one or two Professional tools subjects from the following list:
Research project
(125 points)
Students will gain research experience in Chemistry by completing a research project with assessment comprising:
- A preliminary literature review and research plan (hurdle req.)
- A major thesis; page limit of 60 pages (20,000 words) (90%)
- A project-related oral presentation (10%)
- Attendance at a seminar series (hurdle req.)
Please note: The page/word requirements for the major thesis are significantly less than for a RHD Masters, and are
in accord with the relative credit point allocation.
Students enrol in Advanced Spectroscopy in semester 1. Enrolment in subjects 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B occurs in semesters 1-4,
respectively. Up to two of these subjects may be replaced by approved subjects from Master of Science streams, a second
Professional tools subject, or a third-year subject.
The compulsory Professional tools subject is nominally listed in semester 3, but may be taken in any of semesters 2-4.
Delivery mode and duration
This is a 2 year full-time course, and is available part-time (with the approval of the Head of School). All
program subjects are delivered on-campus (Parkville).
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a major in chemistry or a related discipline with at least an H3 (65%) in the major, or equivalent.
How to apply
How to apply for Science graduate course programs.
Contact details
The Melbourne Graduate School of Science
The University of Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 8344 6404
Fax: +61 3 8344 5804
CRICOS Code 062189B