Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences

If you want an exciting career that stimulates you, challenges you, and rewards you, then a postgraduate degree in science sets you on the right path.

Completing further study beyond a Bachelor degree will enhance your chances of employment as well as advancement, as you will increase your knowledge in specific areas that interest you.

Course outline

1 year full time

This is a one year course designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree with honours. It comprises coursework including a science communication unit and a significant research project.

This course is a combination of coursework and research units which enables students to focus on a particular area of study and to complete that study with a 24 - 36 point research project. Projects may be targeted to the interests of the students and are available in a wide range of programs. Students improve their communication skills by taking a science communication unit.

2 years full time

This is a two-year full-time course comprising coursework including a science communication unit and a significant research project. With the approval of the course co-ordinator, students may take an elective unit from another faculty within the University, thus broadening their knowledge base.

This course is a combination of coursework and research units which enables students to focus on a particular area of study and to complete that study with a 24 - 36 point research project. Projects may be targeted to the interests of the students and are available in a wide range of programs. Students improve their communication skills by taking a science communication unit.

Core Unit

• COMM7403 Science Communication - Community Presentations (6 points)

Plus units to the value of 6 to 18 points from one of the following Programs:

• Analytical Chemistry 
• Anatomical Science 
• Biochemistry 
• Biophysics
• Computational Biology 
• Human Biology 
• Microbiology and Immunology 
• Nanotechnology 
• Pharmaceutical Science 
• Physics 
• Physiology 
• Sport Science

Plus dissertation units in the chosen program area - 24 to 36 points.

2 years full time

Core Units

• ANHB8404 Project Analysis (6 points)
• ANHB8405 Project Design (6 points)

Plus at least one unit from the following:

• CITS7200 Scientific Communication (6 points)
  
• COMM7403 Science Communication - Community Presentations (6 points)
• COMM7701 Science Communication - Writing (6 points)
• COMM7702 Science Communication - Displays and Exhibits (6 points)
• COMM7703 Science and the Media (6 points)
• COMM7704 Science Communication - Learning Technologies (6 points)

Plus units to the value of 36 points approved by the Faculty in one of the following Programs:

•   Analytical Chemistry 
•   Anatomical Science 
•   Biochemistry 
•   Biophysics 
•   Computational Biology 
•   Human Biology 
•   Microbiology and Immunology 
•   Nanotechnology 
•   Pharmaceutical Science 
•   Physics (see Core Units Physics Program)
•   Physiology 
•   Sport Science (see Core Units Sports Science Program)

And dissertation units in the chosen program area to a value of 36 points.

Core units - Sports Science Program

Substitute ANHB8404 and ANHB8405 with the following units:

• HMES7602 Research Methods
• HMES7603 Data Analysis

Core units - Physics Program

Substitute ANHB8404 and ANHB8405 with the following units:

• PHYS7415 Special Topics in Physics I
• PHYS7416 Special Topics in Physics II

Note: A student who has completed a research dissertation in the same specialisation as that selected from the programs above is not permitted to use the previous dissertation as the basis of the dissertation undertaken in this course, but must select a new area of study within the selected specialisation.

And one unit chosen in consultation with the course co-ordinator from the units within the University - 6 or 8 points.

Admission requirements

2 years full time course

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in a related area of study; or,
• A Bachelor's degree from a recognised university and relevant professional experience related to the intended field of study.

1 year full time course

• A Bachelor’s degree with honours from this or another recognised university with a major in a related area of study; or
• A Graduate Diploma containing a research component from this or another recognised university with an average mark of at least 60 per cent or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty.

Domestic students

All UWA coursework programs: English Language Competence

International students

All UWA coursework programs: English Language Competence

Course enquiries

Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences
Phone:  6488 3164 or email