Master of Philosophy in Arts

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

Advance your understanding in the real-life applications of mathematics and statistics and expand your career opportunities with the Master of Mathematical Sciences at UOW. This course is designed for graduates with a background in maths and stats, to upgrade mathematical skills, and to gain a deeper understanding of how maths and stats intersect with business, government, and society.

This degree

This degree will consolidate and expand your existing maths and stats knowledge and will educate you in the practice of mathematics in other disciplines such as computer science, business, science, and psychology. You will also develop skills in undertaking research on mathematical or statistical problems that arise in other disciplines, including how to effectively communicate and synthesise complex information with others. Special emphasis is placed on readying graduates for employment through targeted study that focuses on the practical application of maths or stats across a range of industries.

What you will study

In your first year, you will study core preparation and foundational subjects related to your chosen specialisation from the following:

• Data Science
• Financial Mathematics
• Applied Statistics

In your second year, you will study advanced mathematics and statistics subjects aligned to your specialisation, as well as cross-disciplinary subjects in other fields where mathematics and statistics are critical, such as finance, engineering, health, and computer science. You will also complete a research or coursework-focused capstone subject.

Students who do not wish to specialise in a major will build out their degree and subject choices through consultation with the Academic Program Director, allowing you to tailor your subject choices to align with your career goals and interests.

The Master of Applied Finance (Investing) is for students interested in acquiring an advanced understanding of investment and portfolio management.

You will study the theory and practice of financial management and gain an understanding of the global financial system. Additionally, competing approaches to corporate governance and business ethics will be developed, and you will learn how to provide protection against portfolio, financial and corporate risks.

Students are provided with realistic stock market simulations and are introduced to modern portfolio theory and practice with a focus on optimal investment decision-making. You will experience the pressure of live markets and learn how to manage portfolios through a portfolio simulation that allows you to trade shares, options, bonds, managed funds, international stocks with realistic stock market simulations.

The degree is targeted at students who have a bachelor degree in Business, Engineering, Maths or IT, if you do not have an academic background in these areas you should consider studying the Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance.

Students interested in a two-year Master of Applied Finance option should consider the Master of Applied Finance (Investing and Financial Services).

Are you interested in understanding the links between the brain and behaviour? Do you want to understand the biological building blocks of behaviour? The Bachelor of Neuroscience will provide you with a sound understanding of the molecular, neural and cognitive underpinnings of behaviour as well as providing grounding in the investigative research methods used in the area.

What you will study
You will study the biological basis of behaviour and learn about how the brain links to human behaviour. Using a foundation in biology, chemistry and psychophysiology, the Bachelor of Neuroscience will provide you with the groundwork for applying this knowledge to addressing questions in understanding how we think, the processes underpinning ageing, neurological and mental health disorders.

This degree
Your first year will provide you with a broad understanding of foundation level biology, chemistry, physiology and psychology. You will learn the basics of writing research reports, laboratory skills, scientific communication and the scientific knowledge that will be examined in depth later in the course. During your second and third year, you will gain knowledge on specific topics such as pharmacology, cognitive sciences, genetics and quantitative research methods. Throughout your degree you will be an active scientist, gaining scientific skills which will be applied during a research internship in your third year.

Sports are an integral part of life for many. From community building local sports clubs to the elite athletes idolised by many, sport is a key part of our social fabric. It has also evolved into a big business where major brands are produced, promoted and consumed. The application of marketing and management skills in the sports industry can grow teams, events, and companies into competitive and profitable entities.

Sport Marketing and Management examines the sports industry from behind the scenes, looking at business and consumer relationships, the leadership and promotion of sporting careers and the organisation and advancement of sporting businesses.

This degree
You will undertake a foundation year that covers all core disciplines of business, giving you a solid understanding of issues facing organisations today. From your second year, you will major in Sport Marketing and Management and develop the skills to understand the business of sport and succeed in a career in sports administration, sports leadership and management, and sports marketing and public relations.

You will also undertake a final-year capstone subject where you will collaborate with students from other disciplines to demonstrate all that you have learned. You’ll also have opportunities to gain valuable professional experience through an internship as part of your degree.

What you will study
In this major you will develop the skills to lead and manage sporting careers and businesses, and gain insights into how successful sport management organisations should be designed and run. You will learn how marketing principles can develop the operations of sport organisations and how sport is used by sponsors to enhance their brand. You will also explore the perception of the role of sport in a healthy, active society and examine sport practices from a historical, physiological, sociological and philosophical perspective to understand some of the ethical challenges that can emerge.

You will have the opportunity to gain professional experience through an internship with a sporting organisation, or work on a research project to solve a real-world business issue presented by one of our sports industry partners.

Skilled business analysts are highly valued in industries across the globe. The skills to explore and interpret big data and uncover hidden value from multiple data sources can assist businesses in making intelligent and informed choices that enhance profitability.
Business Analytics focuses on the systematic collection of data and development of data sets, data analysis through statistical and other techniques, and most importantly, the interpretation and effective communication of insights gained from data to inform strategic organisational decisions.

This degree
You will undertake a foundation year that covers all core disciplines of business, giving you a solid understanding of issues facing organisations today. From your second year, you will major in Business Analytics and develop the skills to become a strategic business problem solver and be an essential part of decisions made across the entire business lifecycle.

You will also undertake a final-year capstone subject where you will collaborate with students from other disciplines to demonstrate all that you have learned. You’ll also have opportunities to gain valuable professional experience through an internship as part of your degree.

What you will study
In this major you gain the skills you need in Business Analytics to succeed in the world of big data. You will learn how to analyse large volumes of data to support decision making across all areas of business. You will gain an understanding of data management concepts and processing of relational data with Structured Query Language (SQL), the concepts of data confidentiality and security, modelling techniques to analyse contemporary finance and economics issues, and techniques that can be used to measure marketing effectiveness.

There is currently a high demand for graduates in Medicinal Chemistry. The Master of Medicinal Chemistry degree provides vocational training, together with specialized coursework and a small research project.

What you will study
Additional preparatory subjects focus on laboratory work and science communication skills. It provides an alternative career path to Ph.D. studies or upskilling for the industry.

This degree
This degree is designed through the lens of global perspectives in science where you will also be exposed to emerging technologies such as the use of drones, artificial intelligence AI, coding, and virtual reality (Google VR) in science data collection and analysis during your first-year core subjects.

The program also integrates your graduate work practice skills to allow you to translate your skills into career-ready attributes.

With the appropriate qualifications and laboratory skills, you can be awarded credit for these preparatory subjects.

The Bachelor of Science Advanced Honours (Biomolecular Physics) degree is for high-achieving students interested in a challenging program leading to a career in scientific research. The UOW Honours website provides lots of useful information regarding research opportunities, scholarships, and application procedures.

Biomolecular physicists are integrated across a wide range of careers including commercial biomedicine, instrumentation and biotech companies (e.g. Sigma and Life Technologies). They assist in developing molecular diagnostic instrumentation for government and institutional research laboratories, as well beam-line scientists at National Research Facilities (e.g. ANSTO and the Australian Synchrotron).

Biomolecular Physicists work closely with other scientists with an aim to develop a better understanding of diseases and improve treatment and diagnostic, and recovery in a range of medical conditions. They seek to develop new methods and technology to assist with better food processing and preservation. This degree will excite and challenge students with an aptitude for physics and mathematics and an interest in biology and chemistry.

What you will study
This degree requires completion of subjects in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biological science and statistics. You will also study specialist subjects in imaging, structure and dynamics of living and soft matters. These lectures will be provided by experts from within UOW and at external research institutes. You will participate in various enrichment activities and develop a close association with an appropriate member of one of the Faculty’s research teams.

The Visual Communication Design major allows you to develop skills in graphic design for both traditional and new media.

You will learn graphic design principles and practices, while working on client-driven design projects for print, online, mobile and emerging platforms.

You will graduate with flexible visual design skills, ready for new career opportunities that focus on communicating messages visually across a broad spectrum of contexts and media.

The Bachelor of Communication and Media enables you to expand your career options by combining the Visual Communication Design major with one of four other majors in the degree: Digital and Social Media; Journalism; Screen Media Production; or Marketing Communication and Advertising. This is an ideal degree if you are interested in more than one area of media and communications and want a flexible future career path.

What you will study
You will learn about typography, layout, photography, design thinking, vector-based imaging, animation and design for both online and mobile platforms. You will also learn the professional skills involved in working with clients, responding to briefs and developing visual strategy. Alongside these practical skills and experiences, you will study the ways in which emerging digital platforms are changing the context for visual communication design, both in Australia and internationally.

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics provides rigorous training in three interconnected areas that shape the world around us. You will learn to understand the complex interactions between economic and political factors that affect policy and decision-making in contexts ranging from local communities to international organisations. You will develop skills in political understanding, critical thinking, and economic analysis that are essential for careers in politics and government, entrepreneurship, international development, public service, and many other areas.

What you will study
The program of study includes core subjects in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, plus a Major study focusing on a more extensive set of subjects within one of those three areas.

Through the study of Politics, you will learn the foundations of political theory, the impact of public policy, and the structure and history of politics in Australia. You will learn how political considerations affect international relations and the specific problems that arise in the politics of developing countries. You will also study the role of culture and media in politics, allowing you to situate your understanding in a broader social context.

Studying Philosophy will develop your skills in critical thinking and logical analysis. You will learn how distinct ways of understanding concepts such as justice, fairness, and human rights depend on different assumptions regarding knowledge, ethics, and the nature of mind and the self. You will also learn how fundamental philosophical problems relate to serious practical issues in areas such as mental health, bioethics and climate change.

Economics includes three components: macroeconomics, microeconomics, and quantitative methods. Through these, you will learn to interpret complex economic ideas and assess economic factors that arise in a wide variety of contexts. You will acquire formal skills that are essential in business and financial modelling, and you will study economic history, ensuring that your skills are informed by a broader context.

Finally, a Capstone subject integrates key components from all three disciplines into a coherent package, allowing you to apply your understanding of complex problems to real world scenarios.

Cell and molecular biology is one of the most rapid growth areas in science. This field incorporates fundamental components of biological and medical science and has an increasingly important role in many aspects of modern medicine, genetics, evolutionary biology, genomics, bioinformatics and biotechnology. This major will provide you with the skills and knowledge to enter careers in biomedical science and the biotechnology industry.

The Bachelor of Science is a flexible three year degree which allows you to choose from a variety of majors. In addition to these majors, opportunities exist for you to select additional minors to explore other areas of study.

What you will study
The Bachelor of Science major in Cell and Molecular Biology at UOW encompasses the exciting and rapidly evolving fields of biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, molecular and cellular biology. These areas of study deal  with the nature of biological phenomena at the molecular level. In this major you will investigate the processes that occur within and between cells, including genetic processes, the way cells carry nutrients, and how diseases attack healthy cells. You will learn about DNA and RNA, proteins, and other molecules involved in a variety of cell functions, including the transmission of genetic information. You will also use advanced tools and techniques for separation, manipulation, imaging and analysis.

This major will provide you with the skills and knowledge to enter careers in biomedical science and the biotechnology industry.