Master of Arts (Applied Population Studies)

The Master of Arts (Applied Population Studies) is a two-year full-time (or equivalent part-time) research degree comprising a substantial and original piece of research with the option of some coursework.

The program is offered by the School of the Environment, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold an approved bachelors degree with honours class 1 or 2A in the field of population studies or qualifications deemed equivalent by the Faculty of Science and Engineering Board.

Before an applicant is admitted, the Board must be satisfied that the proposed program of studies can be conveniently pursued and appropriately supervised.

Course aims

The course has a dual purpose:

• it aims to provide students with the training needed to carry out advanced, independent research on population and related issues, based on an original analysis of empirical data, and qualify them for a senior level research position.
• it serves the purpose of a qualifying program for those students who have sufficient research capabilities but do not qualify for direct entry to a PhD program.

Learning outcomes

Students completing the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Population Studies are expected to be able to carry out advanced, independent research on population and related issues and interpret the trends with a view to applying the results to various fields.

Program of study

The Master of Arts (Applied Population Studies) is a two-year full-time (or equivalent part-time) research degree comprising a substantial and original piece of research with the option of taking up to 18 units of coursework.

For the Research component of the degree students will enrol in time-based topic PPHR9998 Higher Degree Research (Master).

Option 1: This option assumes that students have prior learning and/or work experience in population studies (such as a postgraduate degree in population studies, or work experience of at least two years in analysing and interpreting population data). The Program of Study under this option is as follows:

A research thesis relevant to population studies, embodying the research work done while enrolled and containing a significant contribution to knowledge or scholarship within the scope of the subject, written under the supervision of academic staff. The thesis will have a word count of about 50,000.

Option 2: This option is recommended for students who have no prior learning and/or work experience in population studies (such as a postgraduate degree in population studies, or work experience of at least two years in analysing and interpreting population data). The Program of Study under this option is as follows:

Up to 18 units of coursework with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic as described below.

Plus

A thesis relevant to population studies, embodying the research work done while enrolled and containing a significant contribution to knowledge or scholarship within the scope of the subject, written under the supervision of academic staff. The thesis will have a minimum word count of 35,000 and a maximum of 50,000.

Core - Option 2 - Year 1 & 2 topics

13.5 units comprising:

 PPHR9701  Population Studies  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9702  Applied Population Data Analysis - Direct Techniques  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9712  Applied Population Data Analysis - Indirect Techniques  (4.5 units)

Option - Option 2 - Year 1 & 2 topics

Select 4.5 units from:

 DVST8701  Sustainable Development GE  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9601  Strategic Thinking and Planning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9762  Introduction to Statistics  (4.5 units)
 ENVH8711  Environmental Health Concepts  (4.5 units)
 ENVH8731  Sustainable Development - Health Issues  (4.5 units)
 GEOG2721  Computing Methods in Geography  (4.5 units)
 GEOG7701  Research Project Design, Conduct and Management  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8712  Asian Regional Development GE  (4.5 units)
 PHCA1507  Introduction to Public Health  (4.5 units)
 PHCA8505  Primary Health Care Practice in Developing Countries  (9 units)
 POAD9017  Contemporary Public Policy: Theoretical Perspectives  (4.5 units)
 POAD9018  Housing Policy  (4.5 units)
 POAD9026  Management in Non-Government Organisations  (4.5 units)
 POAD9119  Regionalism, Decentralisation and Governance  (4.5 units)
 POAD9129  Environmental Policy and Governance  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9711  Ageing of Populations - Causes and Consequences  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9731  Research Methods in Population Studies  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9741  Women&##39;s Health and Child Survival  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9742  Population and Environment  (4.5 units)
 PPHR9752  Population Mobility  (4.5 units)
 WMST8003  The Global Woman: Introduction to Gender and Development  (4.5 units)