Postgraduate Degrees

 Why EES Research Degree
 Postgraduate Research Degrees
 Postgraduate Coursework Degrees

Why do a research degree in the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences?

The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences is at the forefront of research in many fields and provides numerous opportunities for research degrees at both the Masters and PhD levels. Students are invited to explore the diversity of the School's research beginning on the research page.

The School encompasses the disciplines of:

• Human Geography
• Physical Geography
• Geology
• Interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Science

Postgraduate teaching in Physical Geography focuses heavily upon:

• coastal and fluvial geomorphology
• quaternary studies and landscape evolution and
• remote sensing and GIS

The Human Geography program has an emphasis on global restructuring and social and environmental changes. These areas have major relevance to Australia and its surrounding region.

In the Geology program , postgraduate coursework offerings allow specialisation in:

• sedimentary basin and fossil fuels research
• environmental geology and
• geochemistry and regional geology

The Environmental Science courses are interdisciplinary, with contributions from all Science disciplines as well as Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, Science, Technology and Society, Philosophy, Management, Mathematics and Statistics, and Law.

Postgraduate Research Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Students complete a major thesis and undertake a research project arranged in consultation with an appropriate member of staff, and approved by the Head of Department, before enrolment. PhD theses must make a major original contribution to scientific knowledge in the chosen area of research.

Duration: 3 Years or Part-Time Equivalent
Starting Session: Autumn/Spring

Entry requirements:

Honours degree of at least four years duration in a relevant discipline at Class II, Division 2, or higher (or equivalent).

Program Structure:

Candidates enrol in the major thesis subject for their discipline. As a guide, the Doctoral dissertation will be approx. 60,000 - 80,000 words in length. Students enrol in 48 credit points per year.

Master of Science - Research

Courses provide for the specific needs and interests of students wishing to obtain experience in a modern research program.

Duration: 1.5 Years or Part-Time Equivalent
Starting Session: Autumn/Spring

Entry Requirements:

Minimum entry requirement is a Bachelor degree with a major study in the relevant discipline.

Program Structure :

The course consists of 72 credit points to be completed in a maximum time of two years full-time (four sessions), as follows:

• 24 credit points of coursework; and
• 48 credit point research project.

Students entering with a degree at the level of at least a Bachelor Honours Class II, Division 2 may be awarded the 24 credit points of coursework as advanced standing based on prior research training.

Students undertaking the 24 credit points of coursework will select appropriate postgraduate subjects (900 level) from those offered in the discipline in consultation with the Head of School or the Postgraduate Co-ordinator. For detailed possible subject programs consult the Postgraduate Course Handbook

Master of Arts - Research (Geography)

Refer to entry for Master of Science - Research

Master of Environmental Science - Research

Duration: 1.5 Years or Part-Time Equivalent
Starting Session: Autumn/Spring

Entry Requirements:

A Bachelor degree with Honours in Environmental Science, Science or Engineering at a level of at least Class II, Division 2, or a Master of Environmental Science or Master of Science (by coursework with a credit average), or equivalent qualifications, or appropriate publications and work experience. Entry must be approved by the Head of Environmental Science ( Prof John Morrison ) and, if thesis work is supervised by staff from another academic unit, the Head of that unit.

Program Structure :

The course consists of 72 credit points to be completed in a maximum time of two years full-time (four sessions), as follows:

• A 48 credit point research project ENVI940 (Environmental Science Research Thesis); and
• A maximum of 24 credit points of subjects, chosen from the Environmental Science postgraduate schedule (see Master of Environmental Science) in consulatation with the Head of School.

Special Note: Students entering with a Bachelor Honours degree at the level of at least a Class II, Division 2, or a Master of Environmental Science Degree (or equivalent), will normally be awarded advanced standing for the 24 credit points of coursework, except for candidates with no background in environmental science, who will be required to complete ENVI920 (Scientific Basis of Environmental Management, 8 credit points).

Postgraduate Coursework Degrees

Graduate Diploma in Science (Geography or Geology)

Duration: 1 year or Part-time Equivalent
Starting Session: Autumn/Spring

Entry Requirements:

A relevant undergraduate degree of at least three years duration, or a similar tertiary qualification with relevant work experience.

Program Structure:

A 48 credit point program of study approved by the Head of School

Master of Science (Geography or Geology)
Master of Arts (Geography)

Duration: 1 Year or Part-Time Equivalent
Starting Session: Autumn/Spring

Entry requirements :

A relevant undergraduate degree of at least three years duration, or a similar tertiary qualification with relevant work experience.

Purpose of Program :

These programs have been devised to meet the needs of students who wish to proceed to the postgraduate level in Geography or Geology to enhance their qualifications in an area without undertaking a research project.

Program Structure :

Students with a satisfactory background in Earth and Environmental Sciences will be required to complete subjects to a value of 48 credit points. Other students will be required to complete subjects to a value of 72 credit points. The subjects are grouped in three strands. These reflect the major research strengths within the Earth & Environmental Sciences. Students are encouraged to focus their studies on one of these strands with approval by the Head of School. Please see course handbook.

Master of Environmental Science - Advanced (by research and coursework)

Duration: 2 Years or Part-Time Equivalent
Starting Session: Autumn/Spring

Entry requirements :

Bachelor degree of at least three years duration in EnvironmentalScience, Science, Applied Science, Agriculture, Forestry, Veterinary Science or Engineering, or equivalent tertiary qualifications and/or professional experience. Students must consult with the co-ordinator of the Environmental Science Unit (Prof John Morrison) for approval of overall entry.

Purpose of the program :

This program is aimed primarily at international students and combines research and coursework to provde a two-year degree for Science and Engineering graduates or others with a limited undergraduate background in the Environmental Science area.

Program Structure : See postgraduate course handbook

Master of Environmental Science

Duration: 1 Year or Part-time Equivalent
Starting Session: Autumn/Spring

Entry requirements:

Bachelor degree of at least three years duration in Environmental Science, Science, Applied Science, Agriculture, Forestry, Veterinary Science or Engineering (or equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience).

Alternative entry criteria for students without the appropriate undergraduate degree: the person would be required to have been working in a position for at least five years which, if they left, would be filled by an appropriately qualified graduate. Normally a written statement from a suitably qualified person, usually a senior manager with a strong science background, is required as confirmation of the necessary skills.

Program Structure:

Students will undertake a program of at least 48 credit points approved by the Head of Environmental Science (Prof John Morrison) and selected from the subjects listed:

Further information about entry requirements, purpose of the programs and program structures in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences can be downloaded from the Course Handbook pages.