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Entry requirements and pathways
Academic entry requirement
Prerequisites
Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent).
Applicants who hold a Bachelor degree with substantial chemistry content equivalent to second or third-year chemistry may also be considered.
Specialisation - compulsory: Chemistry
Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Pathways
There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.
Use the Pathways Tool to discover other courses with pathway options available.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
What you'll study
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Master of Chemical Sciences, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 120 credit points from chosen Core
Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 120 credit points from chosen Core
Study options
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
| Subject name | Subject code | Year | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE | LTU0AIM | 1 | 0 |
| ADVANCED CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | CHE3LAB | 1 | 15 |
| CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERIZATION | CHE5CSC | 1 | 15 |
| CHEMISTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | CHE3EAC | 1 | 15 |
| MOLECULAR ANALYSIS | CHE5MNS | 1 | 15 |
| MOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND SPECTROSCOPY | CHE3MSS | 1 | 15 |
| SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS | BIO5SCS | 1 | 15 |
| SKILLS IN SCIENCE | BIO5SIS | 1 | 15 |
| SYNTHETIC TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY | CHE3STC | 1 | 15 |
| CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT A | CHE5PRA | 2 | 60 |
| CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT B | CHE5PRB | 2 | 60 |
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
View course information for Melbourne (Bundoora)
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Master of Chemical Sciences course and career outcomes
However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.
Course intended learning outcomes
- Employ advanced analytical and problem solving skills in developing solutions for complex scientific problems
- Demonstrate specialised knowledge in chemistry, with an advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge in chemistry
- Work effectively as a practicing chemist, both independently and as part of a team
- Critically analyse and evaluate published research literature to assess and synthesise complex information
- Communicate scientific information in written and oral formats for different audiences
- Apply advanced mathematical, graphical and computational methods to acquire, manipulate, interpret and evaluate chemical data and communicate results
- Apply appropriate use of current and relevant technologies and digital literacies for collecting and reporting research data, and in professional practice
- Demonstrate academic integrity and scientific rigour in conducting and evaluating scientific research, and in professional practice
- Formulate and apply safe laboratory practices when designing and performing experiments and collecting data
Master of Chemical Sciences career opportunities
Experts in chemical sciences are employed in a range of roles including:
- Industrial chemist
- Use your knowledge to provide technical support in an industrial setting.
- Innovate and develop products and processes.
- Report to management, lead or work in teams and ensure documentation is current.
- Senior process engineer
- Develop, advise and lead teams to improve industrial processes related to chemistry.
- Train staff, provide support and feedback to management.
- Work towards the continuous improvement of all technical and human-related processes.
- Senior analytical chemist
- Mentor and train staff.
- Solve problems, maintain and improve processes, test new methodologies, lead teams and report to management.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Master of Chemical Sciences may apply for membership with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated course fees for domestic postgraduate students
Estimated fees per year (2025):
Indicative based on 2024 fees
$34,000 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available.
Indicative CSP price $8,948 per 120 credit points.
Commonwealth supported places (CSP):
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both current and future students. Find out what La Trobe scholarship opportunities might be available to you. View all available scholarships
Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Scholarships that may be available for this course
La Trobe Excellence Scholarships - Domestic Students
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future postgraduate coursework, Australian Citizen
Duration of Course
Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) Program
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Full time enrolment and proof of relocation will be confirmed before payment is made into the recipient's bank account.
Questions about fees and scholarships?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
How to apply
The application process can vary depending on the course.
Most postgraduate courses generally take 15 to 20 minutes.
You can apply for up to eight postgraduate courses. Please list these in order of your preference. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an offer for your highest preference. If you change your mind, you can change your preferences through the application portal.
Check when course applications close
If you’ve undertaken study in the past, you may be able to get credit toward your new postgraduate degree. This is called ‘advanced standing’.
Once you’ve enrolled in your course, you can apply for advanced standing by lodging an advanced standing application form.
Ready to apply?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Overview
Key facts
| Award | Master of Chemical Sciences |
|---|---|
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2024 start dates Semester 1 (March 2025), Semester 2 (July 2025) |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Available locations | Melbourne (Bundoora) |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Fees |
Indicative based on 2024 fees $34,000 per 120 credit points.Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available. Indicative CSP price $8,948 per 120 credit points. Learn more about Fees and scholarships. |
About the Master of Chemical Sciences
Refine your chemistry skills.
La Trobe's Master of Chemical Sciences gives you advanced training in key chemistry fields such as analytical, computational, medicinal, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Complete a research project, prepare a thesis and graduate ready for chemistry careers across a wide variety of industries.
You'll learn:
- Advanced chemistry
- Complete core subjects in advanced chemistry including environmental, medicinal, organic, inorganic, polymer chemistry and more.
- Chemical structure and characterisation
- Build on your understanding of techniques for the study of chemical compounds.
- Receive advanced training in spectroscopic methods such as NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy, separation science and chromatography.
- Scientific communication skills
- Understand how to make your findings coherent and intelligible through report writing and data visualisation.
- Learn to access scientific information using scientific journals, databases and online resources.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Bachelor of Science (Honours)
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4 years full-time or part-time equivalent4 years full-time
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