Master of Science (Research)
The Master of Science (Research) is a great opportunity to gain advanced research skills and explore an area within science through the one-year research thesis.
You study in a friendly, professional environment and can choose the generic Master of Science (Research) or select one of: Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Food Science, Geospatial Science, Marine Science, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.
In the second year, you focus on your thesis (120 points), gaining advanced skills in critical analysis and expertise in research methods, communication, analysis and evaluation. The thesis is your opportunity to research an area of your interest, working closely with your supervisor.
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Minimum entry requirements
One of the following (or equivalent) with a B grade average in courses at level 7:
- Bachelor of Science OR
- Graduate Diploma in Science
International student entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent
You need to complete a total of 240 points, including 120 points from advanced-level courses.
In the first year (or equivalent part-time) you complete courses from our vast range of courses.
In the second year, you complete your thesis, gaining advanced skills in critical analysis and expertise in research methods, communication, analysis and evaluation.
Choose from a wide range of courses
You can complete the 240-point Master of Science (Research) without a specialisation, and choose from a wide range of courses.
At the heart of this master's degree is the research thesis, which you complete in your second year.
Applicants transferring from the AUT Postgraduate Diploma in Science (or equivalent) must complete the requirements of the postgraduate diploma with a minimum of a B grade average before starting the thesis.
If you choose to complete this degree without a specialisation in science, you need to complete the following.
Complete
- SCIE802 Scientific Research, Application and Communication (30 points)
Complete 90 points from these courses
- BMED801 Emerging Molecular Biomedicine (30 points)
- BIOL803 Introduction to Medicinal Cannabis (15 points)
- CHEM801 Physical Chemistry I (15 points)
- CHEM803 Chemistry for Drug Discovery (15 points)
- CHEM804 Design and Synthesis of Light-Responsive Molecules (15 points)
- CHEM805 Biological Inorganic Chemistry (15 points)
- CHEM808 Molecular Spectroscopy (15 points)
- CHEM809 Metabolites and Proteins (15 points)
- ENVS800 Global Change Biology (30 points)
- ENVS900 Advanced Environmental Science (30 points)
- FOOD801 Advanced Food Science and Analysis (30 points)
- FOOD802 Frontiers of Food Microbiology (30 points)
- FOOD806 Sustainable Food Product Development (30 points)
- FOOD900 Advanced Food Processing and Technology (30 points)
- GENE802 Contemporary Molecular Genetics (30 points)
- GESC800 Geospatial Data Visualisation and Analysis (30 points)
- GESC801 From Remote Sensing Data to Geospatial Solutions (30 points)
- GESC900 Advanced Problem Solving for Geospatial Scientists (30 points)
- MASC800 Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (30 points)
- MASC805 Marine Resources and Sustainability (30 points)
- MASC900 Advanced Data Analysis in Marine Sciences (30 points)
- MELS801 Biomedical Ethics (15 points)
- MELS802 Quality Assurance in Laboratory Services (30 points)
- MICR800 Advanced Environmental Microbiology (30 points)
- MICR801 Selected Topics in Microbiology (30 points)
- PHIL880 Ethics of Biotechnology (30 points)
- SCIE801 Specialist Readings (15 points)
- SCIE803 Specialist Readings in Applied Science (30 points)
- SCIE804 Selected Topics in Applied Science (30 points)
- SCIE809 Selected Topics (15 points)
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Specialisations in the Master of Science
To specialise in one of the areas listed below, complete the courses listed for this specialisation.
Complete the following course:
And 30 points from:
- GENE802 Contemporary Molecular Genetics (30 points)
- MELS802 Quality Assurance in Laboratory Services (30 points)
- PHIL880 Ethics of Biotechnology (30 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Complete at least 60 points from:
- CHEM801 Physical Chemistry I (15 points)
- CHEM803 Organic Chemistry I (15 points)
- CHEM804 Organic Chemistry II (15 points)
- CHEM805 Biological Inorganic Chemistry I (15 points)
- CHEM808 Molecular Spectroscopy (15 points)
- CHEM809 Metabolites and Proteins (15 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Complete 60 points from the following courses:
- ENVS800 Global Change Biology (30 points)
- GESC800 Geospatial Data Visualisation and Analysis (30 points)
- GESC801 From Remote Sensing Data to Geospatial Solutions (30 points)
- MICR800 Advanced Environmental Microbiology (30 points)
- ENVS900 Advanced Environmental Science (30 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
And the remaining points from other courses in the Master of Science.
More information about this programme
Complete at least 60 points from:
- FOOD801 Food Science (30 points)
- FOOD802 Frontiers of Food Microbiology (30 points)
- FOOD806 Sustainable Food Product Development (30 points)
- FOOD900 Advanced Food Processing and Technology (30 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Complete at least 60 points from:
- GESC800 Geospatial Data Visualisation and Analysis (30 points)
- GESC801 From Remote Sensing Data to Geospatial Solutions (30 points)
- GESC900 Advanced Problem Solving for Geospatial Scientists (30 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Complete 60 points from:
- MASC800 Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (30 points)
- MASC805 Marine Resources and Sustainability (30 points)
- MASC900 Advanced Data Analysis in Marine Sciences (30 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Complete at least 60 points from:
- FOOD802 Frontiers of Food Microbiology (30 points)
- GENE802 Contemporary Molecular Genetics (30 points)
- MICR800 Advanced Environmental Microbiology (30 points)
- MICR801 Selected Topics in Microbiology (30 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Complete the following courses:
- GENE802 Contemporary Molecular Genetics (30 points)
- PHIL880 Ethics of Biotechnology (30 points)
And 60 points from
- courses listed in the Science Postgraduate Courses Table including SCIE802
And complete a thesis
- SCIE999 Thesis (120 points)
More information about this programme
Not all courses are offered each year. To see if your chosen course is offered and to view its timetable use our course search.
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
Skills you will develop
The outcomes for graduates of the Master of Science (Research) are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.
More information about this programme
($10,630 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
($45,000 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.