Regulations for the Degree of Master of Science (MSc)

1.	The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations apply in these regulations.
Admission
2.	Candidates for the Degree must have
	(a)	qualified for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science (Technology) of the University of Waikato, or
	(b)	qualified for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in a subject listed in section 7 of these regulations, the Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education, or the Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Education of the University of Waikato, or
	(c)	qualified for the award of a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent,
	and
	(d)	satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
3.	In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the requirements of section 2 of these regulations may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.
Requirements for the Degree
4.	The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Degree is 24 months.
5.	Candidates must enrol in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences or the School of Science and Engineering and follow an approved programme of study.
6.	Candidates must gain 240 points at 500 level or above.
7.	Candidates must complete the requirements of a subject.
	(a)	School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences subjects
			Computer Science
			Mathematics
			Statistics
	(b)	School of Science and Engineering subjects
			Biological Sciences
			Chemistry
			Earth Sciences
			Electronics
			Materials and Processing
			Physics
			Psychology
			Science and Technology Education
8.	To complete the requirements of a subject, candidates must gain at least 120 points in that subject, including any compulsory papers prescribed in the relevant subject entry in the University of Waikato Calendar.
9.	Candidates may include
	(a)	a thesis equivalent to 90 points, or
	(b)	a thesis equivalent to 120 points, or
	(c)	a thesis equivalent to 150 points.
10.	Candidates may take up to 60 points from outside the field of the Degree.
11.	The field of the Degree comprises all the subjects listed in section 7 of these regulations.
12.	If a candidate fails a paper or papers (worth not more than 30 points in total), he or she may repeat the paper or papers or take an alternative paper or papers with the same total points value on one occasion only. A candidate who fails a paper or papers worth more than 30 points in total will not be permitted to proceed with the Degree.
Credit Transfers
13.	Candidates may credit to the Degree a maximum of 120 points from approved papers passed at an equivalent level towards another University of Waikato qualification or a qualification from another tertiary education provider, provided they do not already count towards a completed qualification.
14.	Candidates granted credit under section 13 of these regulations will be eligible for consideration of the award of honours for the Degree, provided that they meet the requirements set out in section 18 of these regulations.
Award of Honours
15.	The Degree may be awarded with
	(a)	First Class Honours, or
	(b)	Second Class Honours (first division), or
	(c)	Second Class Honours (second division),
	or without honours.
16.	Candidates who fail a paper will not be eligible for the award of honours.
17.	Except with the approval of the Academic Board, the level of honours will be calculated on the basis of the grades of the first 240 points completed by the candidate while enrolled for the Degree.
18.	In order to be eligible for consideration for the award of honours, the requirements of the Degree must be completed in not more than 24 consecutive months of full-time study, or, in the case of part-time study, an equivalent period not exceeding four calendar years, from the date of first enrolment in the Degree.
Variations
19.	Candidates who have completed the Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences of the University of Waikato will be exempted from up to 120 points for the Degree.
20.	Candidates who have completed one of the following University of Waikato qualifications or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent will be exempted from 120 points for the Degree:
		Postgraduate Diploma in Science
		Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education
		Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Education
21.	Candidates granted exemption under section 20 of these regulations will be eligible for consideration for the award of honours for the Degree, provided they relinquish the exempting qualification and complete the requirements of the Degree in not more than 24 consecutive months of full-time study, or, in the case of part-time study, an equivalent period not exceeding four calendar years, from the date of first enrolment in the papers which satisfy the requirements of the Degree.
22.	The Dean or delegated authority may vary or waive these regulations in individual cases.