Masters of Science - Research (MSc)

Overview

To provide training in scientific research in biology as appropriate to the research aspirations of the student and culminating in the MSc thesis.

Admission: Admission to a Masters by Research program is normally granted on the basis of a Bachelors degree with Honours Class I or II or a Graduate Diploma of Research Methods (graduates with a three year Bachelors degree) or Graduate Certificate of Research Methods (graduates with a four year Bachelors degree).

• An appropriate BSc Honours degree with a grade of 2A or higher, or

• Graduate Diploma of Research Methods with a GPA > 5.5 and a project grade > Distinction, or

• Graduate Certificate of Research Methods with a GPA > 5.5 and a project grade > Distinction

• Master of Applied Science (Research Option including a proposal) with a GPA > 5.5 and a project grade > Distinction

There are a number of paths leading to the MSc by Research. Selection of the appropriate path depends on your academic background and research experience. Postgraduate programs provide training in quantitative skills and specialist subject areas and are designed to prepare students for thesis research. Programs are designed to be flexible and students may transfer between them if the specified criteria are fulfilled. Entry to all programs that include research subjects is dependent on a supervisor being available.

English Proficiency

All applicants for admission as Doctoral or Research Masters candidates are expected to have reached an appropriate level of proficiency in English. Unless English is the first language, students must demonstrate English proficiency either through a TOEFL test with a computer-based score of at least 230 and an essay rating of 4.5, or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 with no component lower than 6.

Fees

Australian and New Zealand PhD and Masters by Research students will usually be Commonwealth supported under the Department of Education and Science Training (DEST) Research Training Scheme (RTS), and as such are exempt from paying tuition fees. These places are fee exempt for a defined period (four years full time equivalent for a PhD; two years full time equivalent for a Masters).

For further info, contact the Graduate Research School ResearchHigherDegrees@jcu.edu.au

International students pay international tuition fees and should visit JCU’s International Student Centre for fee information.

Disciplines

Aquaculture

Entomology

Conservation Biology

Marine Biology

Tropical Agricultural Science

Tropical Ecology

Tropical Marine Ecology and Fisheries Biology

Tropical Plant Sciences

Wildlife Biology

Zoology

Related Courses

Graduate Certificate of Science (GCertSci)

Graduate Diploma of Science (GDipSci)

Masters of Applied Science (MAppSc)

Graduate Certificate of Research Methods (GCertResMeth)

Graduate Diploma of Research Methods (GDipResMeth)

Masters of Science (MSc)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Application

Applicants should contact potential supervisors before lodging a formal application. The School's Web Page or the University list of research topics (provide by the Graduate Research School) may be a useful source of information. The application for candidature, an outline of the proposed field of study and the location of the research must be acceptable to the Head of School. It is also essential that qualified members of the academic staff be willing to act as Supervisors.

Prospective candidates for a research higher degree must lodge an application for admission on the appropriate form through the Graduate Research School on the Townsville Campus (telephone 07 47 815861)

A description of the thesis topic and a research proposal need to be submitted with the application. This proposal should be approximately 2 pages in length and should be sufficiently specific to enable a judgement to be made by the Head of School and prospective Supervisor(s) about:

1. 1.

   the suitability of the applicant’s background; and

2. 2.

   the appropriateness of the proposed topic to the research expertise and resources available within the School.

Completed certified academic transcripts and official certification of degrees and diplomas awarded must be attached with the application, unless qualifications are from James Cook University. Two academic referees should be asked to submit comment on the applicant’s suitability to undertake the research studies. Their reports should be sent directly to the Graduate Research School.

Domestic student application and referee report forms

International student information and application forms.

Contact Information

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