Master of Design

at Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus Australia

Social science applies the 'science' of research and analysis to the world’s complex 'social' problems such as sustainability, equity, and diversity, to create positive change.

You’ll study some of society’s most intriguing issues along with the techniques to analyse them and devise break-through solutions. You’ll be equipped to combine your hard knowledge of world issues with advanced data analysis techniques. You’ll develop the knowledge to select the appropriate tools and methodologies for the issues you’re working on, along with the communication skills to collate and present your findings to decision-makers, to enable evidence-based solutions that can positively transform society.

Climate change is an example of a contemporary challenge that can’t be solved by 'pure' science alone. Solutions will come from people who can not only interpret the data but also understand the need for social impact studies, policy development, and effective public communication. Social scientists work in these intersecting spaces, which is why they are in high-demand across government departments, creative industries, political parties, the business sector, in think tanks and non-government organisations (NGOs).

You don’t need prior knowledge of statistical research methods as you’ll study core courses that will develop your skills in analysing social policy and data, along with your two majors. Each of the majors represents a different perspective on the challenges of the future and allow you to develop areas of expertise that can open doors to a broad range of careers. There are also opportunities to undertake an internship in an area of your interest, and join a global study tour.

You will develop knowledge and skills to work as a dietitian and learn how to help improve the health of individuals and the community. You will learn through extensive hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities, including a purpose-built teaching kitchen and a nutrition clinic in the new Griffith Health Centre.

You will develop skills in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry before you take advanced study in human nutrition. In the final phase of your degree, you will complete a 20-week industry placement to put your skills into practice.

The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Honours) is designed for students who want to hone their knowledge and skills through research.

You'll gain research training at a standard that will prepare you for postgraduate studies in justice administration, criminal justice or criminology. You'll also learn about advanced theoretical concepts and policy debates in contemporary criminology - setting you up to access a career at more than an entry-level position in the criminal justice system.

Your research will help to identify the social issues that lead to crime. You'll also learn to understand what makes criminals tick as well as how to minimise the negative impacts of crime on society.

Industry and expert connections
At Griffith, criminology has always had a strong industry connection and a high level of cooperation from police agencies and other crime related bodies. This Honours degree continues the tradition with a multitude of opportunities to meet with and hear from industry experts.

Graduate outcomes
This degree sets you to enter the criminal justice system in a broader and usually higher range of rewarding roles such as an analyst or program design consultant - careers where the ability to do independent research is key. It also offers you a great pathway into a PhD, a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Honours) puts you one step ahead.

Flexibility

Tailor your timetable - Even if you study full-time on-campus, you may still be able to customise your degree to suit your needs. From a range of tutorial times to online access to lectures and other course material, we're here to help you fit study in with your work and life commitments.

Global mobility
This may be possible through a study abroad opportunity or through Criminology Student Society organised experiences with police and corrections.

This is your opportunity to expose yourself to an intensive research environment. You will develop expertise in research and learn the concepts, methods and skills required to apply knowledge with creativity and initiative to new situations. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is awarded on the basis of independent supervised study that produces a substantial piece of research as judged by independent experts of international standing.

If you're passionate about contemporary design opportunities and designing for a sustainable future, this degree will equip you with the creative and technical skills and insights to rise to future design challenges. It will prepare you for designing future products, services and systems in a creative and critical way. You will gain an understanding of design thinking techniques, how the world impacts design, and how design shapes the world around us.

In partnership with leading experts and industry, you will gain the skills to tackle real design challenges and devise leading-edge strategies and solutions. Advance your critical and strategic thinking and gain new perspectives on sustainability, while also learning to present your ideas clearly and powerfully.

Majors

Visual Communication Design
Explore many different forms of visual and graphic communication and branding, and understand the social contexts and environmental responsibilities of design. You'll learn to develop design solutions, which inform, persuade, provoke, or entertain your audience. You’ll focus on your passion, but also learn how to effectively present and communicate your ideas within this evolving industry.

Interior and Spatial Design
The interior and spatial design major prepares students for a professional career across a broad spectrum of interior and spatial fields, including residential, commercial, exhibition, installation, theatre and event design.

The major prepares students to focus on diverse spaces and societies that creatively imagines interiors and public urban spaces in every domain and on every scale, from private to public, local to global. With an emphasis on social and environmental justice, designing for sustainability, liveability, diversity and inclusion are core to theory and practice. Students acquire a broad foundation of technical skills across a range of architectural and digital design programs, as well as engaging in theoretical knowledge, design process skills and analysis and critical thought. In the studios, students work on real projects preparing them for all interior and spatial design aspects inherent in professional practice.

Product Design
Can’t wait to get your hands on a 3D printer? The equipment and technology you have the chance to use at Griffith is state-of-the art and this means there are very few limits to what you can create. Undertake a range of creative projects and put our technology to the test, using 3D printing, 3D modelling, 3D scanning, laser cutting and CNC routing equipment.

Bachelor of Arts graduates can undertake an additional year of study in the Honours program, which gives you the opportunity to build on the skills and knowledge gained in the foundation degree.

The Honours degree allows you to put to practical use the knowledge you've gained in the first three years of your degree, and it prepares you for postgraduate study and professional opportunities.

An Honours qualification may also help to set you apart from your peers, signalling to employers that you possess the abilities and knowledge they value, including critical thinking, time management and interpersonal engagement.

Industry and expert connections
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) is an excellent entry path towards a PhD, and also signals to employers that you're capable of managing a large independent program under supervision. Internships may be available to students within the Honours program.

This Honours program has been designed to enable students who have demonstrated substantial ability at an undergraduate level to develop advanced levels of studio practice, supporting theory and an advanced level of research understanding.

While studying Design (Honours), you'll have the ability to choose a project or topic that you're passionate about and have the space and access to studios, software and equipment to explore that further.

Graduate outcomes
Our design graduates will have unprecedented opportunity to contribute and lead in vital new forms of social and economic development. Designers work across a range of fields roles, including interior design, product and service design and graphic design as well as interactive and 4D design.

The Bachelor of Psychological Science will give you a thorough grounding in clinical, developmental, biological, cognitive, social and organisational psychology.

You will learn how to:

• apply psychological theories to topics such as thinking and perceiving, motivation, stress, health, criminal activity, and group behaviour;
• evaluate and understand tests that measure intellectual, behavioural and emotional states;
• use interpersonal skills and the principles of counselling to help people with personal, health, vocational and social difficulties.

As an International student, you will receive dedicated support from your arrival in Australia through to your departure after graduation. You will be introduced to Griffith through an orientation program, and receive ongoing social, personal and academic support throughout your degree.

This program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to undertake advanced study and supervised research work in the specialisation defined by their undergraduate degree program within the context of a multidisciplinary cohort.

The research skills developed within this program will provide an attractive credential for students seeking employment in the public or private sectors. The program will also provide the necessary preparation for entry into a higher degree research program. The multidisciplinary context of the program, involving team-teaching of students and the sharing of coursework and seminar experiences across disciplines will be invaluable to students given the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to researchers and practitioners seeking to understand complex problems in health.

Materials science covers chemistry, physics and engineering. From a chemical perspective it involves the design and molecular assembly of new smart materials that are useful chemically, physically or both. Every day scientists are inventing new molecules and materials for a growing range of applications that will make positive differences in people's lives. Clean energy systems, better sensors for disease, smart drug delivery systems, more efficient farming technologies, green and sustainable polymers and plastics all arise from a knowledge of contemporary materials research. There is strong demand from existing industries and emerging start-up companies for graduates with materials science skills. All sectors of society are being influenced by the technologies, both present and future, that this area of science has to offer.

With this degree you will learn how to apply your new knowledge of the chemical sciences to solve problems and discover new materials that will drive the technologies of tomorrow, and be able to design, review and conduct experiments in modern materials chemistry. You will also develop the ability to analyse and interpret data from a range of modern analytical tools, as well as how to apply that knowledge in the characterisation of new materials. You will contribute to the provision of scientific solutions to national and international problems and develop new technologies for the sustainable advancement of society, as well as the skills to effectively communicate your findings and developments, and to work collaboratively and effectively in a multidisciplinary team.