Master of Philosophy (Earth and Environmental Sciences)

Course summary

The Master of Philosophy comprises 24 credit points of coursework and a 72-credit point thesis. Academic Units may award credit for the coursework component and will determine the appropriate entry point.

This course provides students with the opportunity to undertake a substantive research project which is expected to make a valued contribution to the field. With the exception of undertaking a PhD, the MPhil is the most research intensive course offered in Earth and Environmental Sciences. The coursework component of the degree is designed to complement the research thesis, through allowing candidates to select subjects with direct relevance for their research question.

The thesis may investigate any aspect of Earth or Environmental Sciences deemed appropriate to the degree. This includes Quaternary studies/palaeoclimate, early Earth evolution, Geophysics, Sedimentary Basin Analysis, Geochronology, coastal landscape change, Geochemistry/mineralogy, Structural or Economic Geology, Earth system modelling/Earth system change, terrestrial, marine or atmospheric processes, Archaeology, climate change and environmental systems and management. 

Students may be required to attend lectures in relevant topics from time to time throughout the course.

The Faculty will ensure that a supervisor with appropriate expertise is allocated to a candidate at the time of application. Students are encouraged to identify potential supervisors who match their area of research interest by visiting the UOW Scholars website. Students are also advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.

Visit UOW's Research & Innovation website for information regarding the University's research activity, research strengths, scholarships and services.

For specific information relating to research being undertaken please visit the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health Research website.

 

Course information

Study area

Research, Science

Campus

Wollongong

Course Code

1354

Duration

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Delivery

On Campus

Cricos

078333A

UAC Code

-

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree with 2nd class Division 2 or higher, coursework Masters with WAM 60+ or GPA of 2.8 out of 4.

Candidates with a Coursework Masters degree or a 4-year Bachelor Honours degree in the same discipline may be granted up to 24 credit points of advanced standing for the coursework component of the Master of Philosophy.

FEES

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Wollongong

On Campus

$19,416 (2024)

$77,664 (2024)

Most postgraduate research degrees are covered by the Federal Government's Research Training Program (RTP).
If you receive an offer with an RTP place, you do not need to pay the cost of tuition while you are studying as long as you are within your time limits for course completion.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree with 2nd class Division 2 or higher, coursework Masters with WAM 60+ or GPA of 2.8 out of 4.

Candidates with a Coursework Masters degree or a 4-year Bachelor Honours degree in the same discipline may be granted up to 24 credit points of advanced standing for the coursework component of the Master of Philosophy.


ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test

Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic

6.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)

86

18

18

17

17

UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 65 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.


FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Wollongong

On Campus

$19,416 (2024)

$77,664 (2024)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT



STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

Applicant background

2023 intake

2023 intake (%)

Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-

Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-

Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education

ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-

ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-

Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission).

-

-

International students All other students.

-

-

All students

-

-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)


ATAR PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.

ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023

ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-

Median rank to receive an offer

-

-

Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-

< 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

More Information

For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2024 Autumn

Wollongong

Orientation: 20 - 22 February 2024
Session: 26 February – 21 June 2024

Applications Close
Higher Degree Research (HDR) applications can be submitted online at any time. However, applicants applying for an HDR course that includes coursework are not permitted to enrol after the commencement of second week of session.

2024 Spring

Wollongong

Orientation: 15 July 2024
Session: 22 July – 15 November 2024

Applications Close
Higher Degree Research (HDR) applications can be submitted online at any time. However, applicants applying for an HDR course that includes coursework are not permitted to enrol after the commencement of second week of session.

Course Structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Handbook

Why choose this course

The Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health is a research-intensive faculty with vigorous and well-supported Higher Degree Research programs in Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Archaeology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Biofabrication and Electromaterials.

Over the last five years, Faculty researchers have secured research and innovation income worth over $130M on projects as diverse as investigating the beginnings of human history in Australia, assessing and mitigating bushfire risks, improving quality of care for people living with dementia, and investigating the fundamental processes of life, one molecule at a time, through single-molecule biophysics.

In the most recent Excellence in Research for Australia ratings, the Faculty received the highest possible rating for its research quality (‘well above world standard’) in many individual disciplines, as well as in the overall field of Chemical Sciences.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills in Australia is becoming a fast-growing area creating new and increased job prospects. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is projected to make the second largest contribution of 12.7% to employment growth in Australia and with this brings exciting employment opportunities and career options. The projected high rate of employment growth for 2017 to 2022 reflects ongoing strength and demand for the services of qualified and highly educated workers. Source: Employment Projections

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