Finding a supervisor and project for MSc and Honours
About the MSc and BSc (Hons)
The primary research-training program offered by the School of BioSciences is a two-year graduate degree – the Master of Science (Biosciences). This consists of a research component combined with a selection of coursework subjects that include professional development skills. The Master of Science degree provides a pathway to the workforce or to a PhD.
The School also offers a one-year undergraduate Honours degree, which combines a research component with coursework.
Masters and Honours course information and research projects
For an overview on our postgraduate research study options, come along to our BioSciences MSc and Honours information and research poster session on Friday 8 September 1-3pm.
Hear from course coordinators about the program structure and available projects within the School of BioSciences in 2024. Refreshments will be provided.
Finding your area of interest
You should review the supervisors and projects available within either the School of BioSciences or the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences and decide on an area of research that interests you. While supervisors have been placed into broad research themes, all engage in interdisciplinary approaches across multiple themes.
School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Approaching supervisors
Before contacting a potential supervisor, look carefully at the type of research they do. Read through:
- the information they've provided about their projects
- their own research website and/or
- their recent publications on Google Scholar.
Approach potential supervisors in research areas that interest you and discuss projects on offer. When you email a potential supervisor, please include your Statement of Results – you can find these in your Results page in my.unimelb. Arrange a time to meet on Zoom or in person when the opportunity is available.
Most supervisors within the School of BioSciences take on only one or two students per year, so our intake is competitive and places are limited.
Take time to discuss the available projects; it is important that you choose an area of research that interests you.
How to apply
Once you have identified supervisors and projects, fill out the MSc and Hons supervision form (DOCX 71.8 KB) and include this in your MSc/Hons application. For the most rapid admission, have the supervisor(s) sign the form.
It may be that some potential supervisors cannot make a commitment at this time point. You may therefore include several potential supervisors.
Successful applicants will be notified in December, and all applicants will be advised of the outcomes of their applications by the end of January.
In some cases, particularly if external partners are involved, negotiations for projects can continue and additional offers will be made until the end of February. Some supervisors may also offer a project that has a mid-year start date, as this better suits the fieldwork requirement for the research.
Apply for Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Apply for Master of Science (BioSciences)
Contacts
Master of Science (BioSciences) Coordinator
Dr Michael Murray (2024) (murraym@unimelb.edu.au)
Prof Michael Kearney (2023) (m.kearney@unimelb.edu.au)
Honours Coordinator
Dr Simon Baxter (simon.baxter@unimelb.edu.au)