Course Overview
The Master of Animal Science is a coursework degree. Individual subjects are taught through intensive study periods throughout the year suiting both full time and part time study. The course has been developed to give students access to study whether they are employed full time in industry or remain within tertiary education.
You will specialise in one of three broad areas, animal metabolism and nutrition, animal behaviour and welfare, and integrated animal systems analysis, by reading at least three subjects related to that area (75 points). However the programme of study allows you to study to an advanced level in a further area of study gaining at least two elective subjects (50 points) concurrently with your chosen specialisation. You may elect to undertake a research project worth 25 or 50 points.
Year 1 comprises five core subjects and three other subjects. The core subjects include three non-cognate subjects in semester 1 and 2 and the Industry Research Project (25 points). The electives are drawn from a range of subjects accessible from this Masters programme, the Masters of Agricultural Science and Masters of Food Science. Students will be able to choose elective subjects from the list of approved subjects offered by other University of Melbourne faculties.
Year 2 comprises a further two core subjects and six other subjects. The core subjects are two ‘systems based subjects’ that evaluate critical areas of the animal industries. The electives can be drawn from a range of subjects delivered by the Melbourne School of Land and Environment or elsewhere in the University. Students have to complete a masters’ research project in their final year of study.
Students can elect to exit after the first year of full time study (100 points) with a Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Science and Management. Graduates from relevant Honours programmes or from Graduate Diploma courses in a range of biology and related disciplines can apply for up to 100 points credit into the Masters programme