Master of Science research projects

All Master of Science courses contain a research project component – find out everything you need to know about them here.

Enrolling in a research project

All students undertaking a Master of Science course will be required to complete a research project component as part of their degree – these must normally be completed in consecutive semesters, over several study periods. The number of specific, consecutive semesters varies by course; for specific details, please refer the table below and the Handbook.

Course structure Number of semesters
Master of Science (BioSciences) 4 semesters: 125 points in total (5 semesters part time)
Master of Science (Bioinformatics) 3 or 4 semesters: 50 points in total
Master of Science (Chemistry) 4 semesters: 125 points in total (5 semesters part time)
Master of Science (Computer Science) 3 semesters: 75 points in total
Master of Science (Earth Sciences) 4 semesters: 125 points in total (5 semesters part time)
Master of Science (Ecosystem Sciences) 4 semesters: 125 points in total (5 semesters part time)
Master of Science (Epidemiology) 2 semesters: 50 points in total
Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) 3 semesters: 50 points in total
Master of Science (Physics) 4 semesters: 100 points

Part-time studies

Students in Master of Science: BioSciences, Chemistry, Earth Science and Ecosystem Science can undertake their course part-time over 5 semesters (equivalent to 25 points each semester). Students wanting to be part-time should plan the completion of their coursework components thoroughly in line with their course requirements, to ensure that the Research Project is taken consecutively.

Taking a break from your studies

Once students have commenced their research project, it is not possible to take a break from it (Leave of Absence, LOA) except in extenuating circumstances*. Work continues between semester breaks, and they can negotiate a certain amount of recreational leave with their supervisor.

*An exemption to this consecutive enrolment requirement has been granted throughout 2020 and 2021 for those students impacted by COVID-19.

Managing your enrolment

Students must manage their own enrolment, meaning it is your responsibility to plan the Research Project parts/points to balance with your required coursework components.

You need to ensure that you are:

  • Enrolled in each of the consecutive project parts at the commencement of each study period
  • Enrolled in the sufficient number of points for timely completion of the research project.

We encourage you to check and discuss your enrolment plans with your supervisor and course coordinator to ensure that you have captured the correct codes and sequence for completion, as well as to keep them informed should plans change.

Each semester, the Academic Programs Team within the Faculty of Science will conduct an audit of each programs’ Research Project enrolments. This allows us to identify and contact students who are not enrolled consecutively in a research project part and/or enrolled in sufficient points to enable timely completion of the research project.

Research project assessment and grading

Progress reviews and study period hurdle requirements

Each semester has its own assessment components, or milestones:

  • The main assessment component will be the thesis submitted at the end of the Project. The milestones, however, do not measure the amount of Research Project completed. Supervisors should be providing feedback through the semester, and will conduct a Progress Review at the end of each semester.
  • Many streams of the Master of Science also contain a hurdle requirement and an early assessment piece in the first period of the research project in the form of a literature review, experiment or project design, or oral research presentation.

While hurdle requirements and early assessment pieces are an important component of assessment, their relative weight in most cases will not be proportionate with the credit points of the project part taken in a particular study period. In most streams, this assessment weighting may vary depending on the students' other coursework commitments.

In addition to the regular feedback received from supervisors each semester, students will be formally assessed on their progress each semester. This assessment is relative to the credit points of their project part.

Continuing assessment

A Progress Review Report should be completed at the end of every continuing study period of the MSc Research Project enrolment. At the successful completion of the Progress Review, students will have a continuing grade (CNT) applied to the relevant project part. This will occur for all but the final part/study period of the research project.

Upon successful completion of the final study period and total point value of the research project, the combined mark of all assessment pieces will be applied, along with the corresponding grade. This mark will also then be applied to all preceding parts and study periods, and the student’s respective CNT grade replaced with a continuing complete (CTC) grade.

Failing a continuing assessment

  • If a student fails any early part of the research project (that is, all parts except for the last part), a continuing fail (CNF) grade will be applied with a mark of 0. The student will then need to reattempt that part of the research project in order to progress (noting that each part is a sequential for the next).
  • If a student were to fail the final component of the research project, the final mark and fail, or ‘N’, grade will be applied to this last component as well as all preceding components of the research project, and the CNT grade replaced with a CNF grade.

An 'N' grade means that the student has failed the entirety of the research project and therefore must recommence the entire research project again in order to meet the requirements of the course. The final part cannot be repeated as a standalone subject.

Withdrawing from a research project

Where a student withdraws from the first part of the research project (before the last date to withdraw), they will receive a WD, and can recommence the research project in a later study period.

Where a student withdraws from any part other than the first part (a continuing part) of the research project before the last date to withdraw, they will receive a WD for the current semester and for all preceding parts, as they have effectively withdrawn from the project as a whole. The student will need to recommence the whole research project in a later study period. A student who withdraws from a continuing part cannot simply repeat that part in a later study period.

Where a student experiences circumstances beyond their control preventing them from being able to undertake the research project during a continuing part, they may apply for special consideration. If deemed eligible for special consideration, a WD will be applied to the affected part, and the CNT grades for proceeding parts will remain, allowing the student to repeat that part only in the following study period.

In the final part of the research project, students may alternatively be awarded an extension via special consideration that is proportionate with to the length of time that the student was unable to be working on their project. An interim WXT grade will be applied until a final grade has been awarded.

Extensions will not be granted beyond the Friday of Week 2 of the semester following the study period to which the special consideration applies.

Where a student’s circumstances are recognised to affect more than 10 weeks of the study period in question, a withdrawal is likely to be recommended and the student is expected to enrol in a repeat attempt of the final part.

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I apply for a Leave of Absence due to extenuating circumstances?
    • Applications for Leave of Absence (LoA) can be made via the following link; you may also be advised to apply for special consideration for the length of your LoA for the research project component. When requesting a LoA from a research project, the following documentation is required to be submitted along with the application:
      • A copy of the Supervisor’s approval
      • A copy of the Course Coordinator approval
      • Any supporting documentation
  • What happens if there isn’t a part available for the number of Credit Points I need?

    This should be discussed at the commencement of the entire research project, in consultation with your course coordinator and supervisor.

  • What happens if I fail a research project part towards the start of the project?

    You will receive a CNF (0) grade for the part that was failed and you will need to re-take that same research part in order to progress.

  • What happens if a fail the final research part of the project?

    You will receive a fail grade of N (0) which will be applied to all previous research projects parts as well. You will need to retake all research project parts again.

  • What happens if I want to withdraw from the first research project part?

    If you withdraw before the last date to withdraw, you will receive a WD grade and will be able to re-enrol at a later stage.

  • What happens if I want to withdraw from any of the other research projects parts?

    If you withdraw before the last date to withdraw, you will receive a WD grade for that semester and all preceding study periods and will need to recommence the entirety research project at a later stage.

  • Can I apply for special consideration for early research project parts?

    Yes, where you experience circumstances beyond your control which prevent you from being able to undertake the research project during a continuing part, you may apply for special consideration. If deemed eligible for special consideration, a WD will be applied to the affected part, and the CNT grades for proceeding parts will remain, meaning you need only repeat that part only in the following study period.

  • Can I apply for special consideration for a final research project parts?

    Yes, where you experience circumstances beyond your control which prevent you from being able to undertake the research project during a final part, you may apply for special consideration. If deemed eligible for special consideration, you may alternatively be awarded an extension via special consideration that is proportionate with to the length of time that you are unable to work on your project. An interim WXT grade will be applied until a final grade has been awarded.