Overview The Master of Science by research program is designed primarily as training in a program of advanced study and research. The candidate learns the fundamentals of research and acquires new techniques. The program may include formal coursework which is normally intended to prepare the candidate for work on the thesis. The candidate must undertake an original investigation but this would normally be more limited in scope and degree of originality than is required for a doctorate. Although originality is to be encouraged as much as possible, the work will be closely supervised in the early problem formulation stages and whenever a new technique is being used. The Master of Science by research program requires a minimum three academic semesters (i.e. 1.5 years) of full-time study and the preparation of a thesis. The length of a Master by research thesis normally should not exceed 60,000 words of text.