Master of Philosophy

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Master of Philosophy candidates undertake both coursework and research. The coursework helps prepare them to undertake in-depth research in order to make an original contribution to the body of knowledge in a chosen field of study. This qualification can lead to, or enhance, an academic career and is also highly regarded by public and private sector employers.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Academic requirements, English requirements and credit transfer information are available from Course Finder.

Course structure

Master of Philosophy (Law)

The degree comprises a coursework component (24cp) and a research component (72cp). The coursework component of the degree will comprise 24cp of 900 level subjects approved by the HPS. As part of the coursework component, it is recommended that each international candidate complete RESH900, unless waived by the HPS. Each Faculty shall publish, on their web site, the required compulsory and elective subjects, for the coursework component of each specialisation.

Candidates are required to successfully complete the coursework component of the MPhil. In the research component, which comprises 48cp, candidates prepare their research thesis. Candidates enrol in THES924 (24cp, full time) or THES912 (12cp, part-time) each session. This component represents one year of study, for full time students.

A transfer, from MPhil to PhD, may be possible after successful completion of the coursework and at least 9 months of the thesis component, see the HDR Handbook for further details.

Note that students who wish to withdraw from the MPhil and apply for entry to a postgraduate coursework degree can receive up to 24cp of advanced standing.

Master of Philosophy (Creative Arts)

Students enrol in CREA921 (Research Topics in Creative Arts) or JOUR992 (Research Topics in Journalism) and THES924 (full-time) or THES912 (part-time), under which they submit a scholarly thesis, or a combination of creative practice and thesis and/or exegesis. As a guide, submission by thesis only will be in the range of 40,000 to 50,000 words. The submission of creative work will normally be by exhibition, performance or presentation in the area of the major, supported by written documentation (in the range of 10,000 to 15,000 words) focusing on aspects such as origins of the work, structures and techniques used, and artistic theories underpinning the work. The Faculty requires that students submit their written documentation no later than the date of examination of their final exhibition or performance, except under extraordinary circumstances approved by the supervisor and Head of Postgraduate Studies. Students presenting folios, for example literary manuscripts or music compositions, should place their dissertation and folio together in one submission for examination.

The following is intended as a guide to the scale and style of the creative work submission:

Creative Writing: Substantial folio of creative writing which may take the form of a large-scale project such as a novel (50,000 words), poetry collection (64 single-spaced pages) or script (75 minutes duration), or a combination of smaller pieces.

Graphic Design: Graphic design portfolio/exhibition and/or website/CD-Rom. As an example of content, designers would submit 10 to 15 graphic design works. Web designers would submit a major interactive web site or at least three smaller sites on the net. Multimedia designers would submit a substantial interactive CD-Rom that demonstrates an innovative and professional design approach. All students must submit design roughs and supporting material for exhibition.

Media Arts: Major solo exhibition of new media artwork plus documented preliminary exhibitions.

Music Composition: Folio of compositions including up to five compositions and at least one work that employs large resources or performance media.

Performance - Theatre: Demonstration of proficiency and artistry in one of the following: directing, dramaturgy or performance in a production of 45 to 60 minutes duration.

Visual Arts: Major solo exhibition of artwork plus documented preliminary exhibitions. As an example of content, painters should submit at least eight to 12 major pieces, plus drawings and supporting material of exhibition standard. Equivalent amounts of work will be expected of students working in other areas of the visual arts.

Journalism applicants are required to submit a thesis which involves both empirical data collection and theoretical analysis. Alternatively, submission may take the form of a significant practical journalism project undertaken in any combination of media. An exegetical component situates the practical work in the theoretical context of contemporary journalism studies and will usually be approximately 20,000 words.

The length and other requirements of a significant practical journalism project will be determined during the proposal development process. For example, a print project would usually require the submission of approximately 30,000 words and could take the form of an inter-related series of features or a single piece of narrative non-fiction. A project undertaken as an audio or audiovisual documentary would usually be of 30-60 minutes duration depending on the complexity of material and style. The parameters of equivalent combined multimedia projects will be worked out on an individual basis.

Assessment for the Master of Philosophy is by two external assessors.

For further information on Awards or Degree Rules, please see the General Course Rules.

Master of Philosophy (Arts)

Students will complete 24 credit points of coursework (ARTS901 Master of Arts Research Methods or equivalent) and a 72 credit point thesis in their chosen field of study. Students who achieve 70% or higher in the coursework component will proceed to the research thesis. The precise thesis topic will be determined in consultation with supervisors and the HPS. Students who achieve a Pass result lower than 70% will either need to re-enrol in the coursework subjects before proceeding to the research thesis, or they may withdraw from the Master of Philosophy and enrol in a relevant Master by coursework degree, where they can apply for Advanced Standing for 24 credit points of coursework.

The 24 credit point coursework subject ARTS901 Master of Arts Research Methods provides students with training in the theories and methodologies which inform research in the humanities and social sciences. This training includes theoretical perspectives as well as an introduction to research techniques and work towards a detailed proposal leading up to the thesis. Other coursework subjects may be accepted by the HPS as equivalent to ARTS901.

Students entering from a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or equivalent may apply for advanced standing for ARTS901. Students will complete a 72 credit point thesis in their chosen field of study. The precise thesis topic will be determined in consultation with supervisors and the HPS.

SPECIALISATIONS

For further information about the Faculty's areas of research strengths and topics available to candidates, please consult the Faculty's website.

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING/INTERNSHIP SUBJECTS

GLOBAL WORKPLACE PRACTICE (GWP800) 

An informative and intensive subject designed to meet the employment aspirations of international students to undertake work in Australia. This subject crosses boundaries between theory and practice and will maximise the student's potential to access workplace experiences leading to formal post-university employment options. Students will acquire and develop work-based learning skillsets; will critically examine the discourses and theories of intercultural competence, as well as develop cultural awareness and business communication skills that are fit-for-purpose regardless of students' career aspirations. It also provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply their university knowledge in an industry context. 

Trimester 2 and Spring 2014 applications for GWP800 on Wollongong Campus are now OPEN.

For more information on GWP800, visit the Work Integrated Learning website.

OTHER INFORMATION

Students are advised to consult the University's Code of Practice - Supervision. For more technical information about the degree progress, please consult the website of the University's Office of Research.

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au