Postgraduate Diploma of Research Preparation (Science) with a specialisation in Earth and Planetary Sciences
View courses for International students.
Overview
The Postgraduate Diploma of Research Preparation (Science) provides formal training in research methods and research management, and experience in conducting research, from conception to publication of the outcomes. It offers an alternative pathway for entry to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for those in the science field who do not have an Australian Honours degee or equivalent. Graduates of this Diploma who achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 may progress directly to a PhD. Those with a GPA of 3.0 can study the Master of Philosophy with the possibility of then transferring to a PhD.
Minimum course duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Location
North Ryde
Suitable for
If you want to qualify for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the science field but do not have an Australian Honours degee or equivalent.
HECS Course fee
AUD $4,520 p.a. 
Student amenities fee
Information on the Student services and amenities fee
Entry requirements
Bachelor degree with relevant major.
English language requirements
If you have completed the NSW HSC or equivalent you satisfy the English proficiency requirements.
For full information view the English proficiency requirements table (436 Kb).
Work experience requirements
No work experience required.
What you will study
| Degree requirements | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above | 24 |
| Completion of a specialisation from the list below |
Specialisation requirements
The following outlines the units (subjects) to be studied within this specialisation
| 800 level or above | Credit Points | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required | GEOS891 | Research Project | 16 | ||
| Required | GEOS952 | Research Preparation - Earth and Planetary Sciences | 4 | ||
| Required | 4cp from | GEOS800 | Earth Science Project | ||
| GEOS809 | Geophysics Laboratory Project | ||||
| GEOS876 | Advanced Geochemical Applications and Techniques | ||||
| GEOS881 | Selected Coursework - Earth and Planetary Sciences | ||||
| GEOS901 | Problems in the Earth Sciences | 4 | |||
Notes
- The course information contained on this page is applicable for 2012 ONLY.
For more information please read the courses disclaimer.
Careers
Career Opportunities
Graduates tend to continue on to further higher degree research study, and then may pursue careers in research and teaching.
Profiles
Our Expertise
The Faculty of Science’s research received top marks in 2011 from the Australian Government’s inaugural Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative. Our research in earth sciences, environmental sciences, physical sciences and biological sciences each received a perfect 5 out of 5 score, rating our research well above world standard.
The Faculty of Science’s environmental sciences and ecology research is also highly regarded in a listing of the top-ranked institutions in Australia and New Zealand published on the UK site Times Higher Education. In 2011, Macquarie University was placed in the top spot locally for environmental sciences and ecology research and fourteenth in the world.
