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How does it work?

The Honours is a fourth year study that program requires you to complete 48 points of further study in Geoscience. Honours comprises of a major research project, unit ESC4100 (36 pts) and coursework unit ESC4200  (12 pts). Research projects are selected from a range of potential projects offered by the staff in the School of Geosciences. The Honours program prepares you for higher degrees (coursework and research masters, or the PhD), consolidate your communication and research skills, hone your project-management and problem-solving ability, you will inevitably stand out from the crowd as a future leader in your field and enhances your employment opportunities.

All students enrolled in Honours or MSc Prelim programs through the School of Geosciences will do the following coursework program;

  • Integrated Geosciences Course.
    A common four week field-intensive course, it is team taught by several members of staff and is aimed at both broadening and extending your undergraduate teaching, as well as illustrating the integration and common principles that apply to many parts of the geosciences.
  • Two MTEC Courses
    The Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC) run several one week short courses throughout Australia. We require that you do the Monash MTEC course (Geology from Geophysics) plus one other from the MTEC list.

What Is Masters Preliminary?

Masters Preliminary  is an alternative to Honours that provides entry to the research Masters of Science (MSc) degree in year 5.

 

What Prerequisites Are Required?

For both Honours and Masters Preliminary you are required to be course completed and have a minimum average of 70% across 24 points (4 units)of relevant third year geoscience units (ESC) or an equivalence third year sequence.

It is strongly recommended that students complete at least TWO of these third year units:

If you have an average of 65-70% in 24 points of third-year Geoscience units you may be considered for Honours if you have achieved an average of at least 65% in 24 points of other third-year study.

Masters preliminary applicants whose average is below 70% must seek permission from the Honours and Masters preliminary coordinator and your potential supervisor If you are a student from another university please contact the Honours coordinator.

 

What Projects Are Offered?

A list of projects will be made available each September for the coming year, but students are encouraged to discuss options with academic staff  prior to that.

 

Choosing A Supervisor?

It your responsibility to make contact with potential supervisors to express an interest in one of their projects or to discuss potential projects. If you are from outside Monash you may find an email to be the easiest way to make contact with a potential supervisor. Note supervisors may not be able to take on all students who are interested. A merit based decision may be made upon applications. You should talk to multiple potential supervisors and list preferences on your application.

Please ensure you complete the Honours Project Preference form

 

How Do I Apply?

There are two forms that you need to complete when applying for Honours at Geosciences;

  • Faculty of Science application forms. Application forms for Honours and Masters Preliminary , when  completed must be submitted to the Faculty of Science office.
  • Geosciences Honours project preference form. You will need to nominate three topics and supervisors, when completed must be submitted to the school.

When applying, your application forms should be completed in consultation with Prof. Ray Cas and your potential supervisor before being submitted. 

External international students must obtain and submit all applications to  Monash International.

 

When Do I Start?

Once the Faculty of Science has made you an offer, the Honours year commences in the first week of February and runs until early November; midyear entry is also possible (start of Semester 2 in June and runs until early June the following year). The Masters Preliminary may be commenced at any time and runs for up to 12 months; however students are strongly advised to follow the same timetable as for Honours. Geoscience Honours may also be taken through the Bachelor of Environmental Science program; BEnvSci students should seek advice from Dr Tony Patti  as to the requirements of that program.