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Copyright © Monash University 1998 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
MSc
and PhD programs are offered by all the departments of the Faculty of
Science.
In the Faculty of Medicine, prospective graduate students will also find many
research fields from where they may be able to choose a program for a MSc (or
other higher) degree. The main disciplines are anatomy, biochemistry, community
medicine, forensic medicine, medicine, microbiology, obstetrics and
gynaecology, paediatrics, pathology and immunology, pharmacology, physiology,
psychological medicine, social and preventive medicine, and surgery. Programs
may be offered in research carried out at the Centre for Early Human
Development, the Centre for the Study of Mothers' and Children's Health and the
Institute of Reproduction and Development.
Prospective MSc students are also referred to the handbooks for the Faculty of
Arts. Below are outlines of the principal areas of research and/or coursework
programs.
Coordinator:
Professor D H Barkla
Areas of research available in the department include the factors controlling
cell division in the alimentary tract; studies on the structure and function of
connective tissues; factors influencing the differentiation and maturation of
epithelial tissues; control of skilled movement by the cerebellum, basal
ganglia and cortex; medical genetics, molecular haematology, and inherited
disorders of the red blood cell; studies on reproductive function in humans and
other mammals with emphasis upon the hormonal control of spermatogenesis,
foetal and postnatal testicular development and the cell-cell interactions
within the testis.
Coordinator: Associate Professor R J Devenish
The molecular biology and immunology of autoimmune diseases, particularly insulin dependent diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Molecular cloning and expression of autoantigens. Determination of subcellular localisation of target autoantigens in cells and tissues. Examination of the effects of environmental agents on autoantigen expression. Use of phage display to identify mimotopes reactive with autoantibodies. Development of tests for early diagnosis and monitoring treatment.
The bioenergetic mechanism of respiratory enzymes such as NADH dehydrogenase. Mechanism of action of respiratory inhibitors used as drugs or agrichemicals. Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological diseases. Metabolic initiation of diabetes mellitus. Structural prediction and spectroscopy of membrane cytochromes.
Analytical and process aspects of biotechnology and biopharmaceutical developments. Separation science and novel adsorbent development. Peptide molecular design and analogue synthesis. Development of computer software for biomolecular simulations and purification process optimisation. Peptide and protein analysis, purification and characterisation. Synthesis of combinatorial peptide and non-peptide libraries for drug candidate discovery. Conformational, spectroscopic and functional aspects of structure-function determination. Protein-receptor and protein-ligand interactions. Surface modification of polymeric and ceramic materials. Molecular biological applications in cancer research and diagnosis. Development of peptide-based constructs as vaccine candidates for viral diseases. Growth factors and related proteins important in the control of reproduction, blood vessel development and cancers of the gonads and prostate.
Physico-chemical behaviour of the extracellular components in connective tissues with reference to complex macromolecular interactions and the pathology of arthritis. Roles of polysaccharides in binding interactions with proteins in the extracellular matrix. Biosynthesis, structure and function of proteoglycans.
Biosynthesis and mechanisms of action of cyclosporins, immunophilins and peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans isomerases. Plasma membrane NADH-oxidoreductase. Apoptosis. Mechanism of action of the anticancer drug Didemnin B. Analysis of the involvement of protein kinases/phosphatases and peptidyl-prolyl-cis/trans isomerases in the formation of long-term memory (in association with the Department of Psychology).
Biochemistry and biophysics of basement membranes and capillary walls. Extracellular matrix structure and function in the glomerular capillary wall. Mechanisms of proteinuria in kidney disease including diabetes.
Cellular and genetic control of hyaluronan synthesis. Investigation of congenital overproduction of hyaluronan in a newborn infant and in a canine model. Isolation of cDNA clones and the gene for hyaluronan synthase in both species. Development of probes for the study of congenital hyaluronosis and numerous pathological states in which secondary hyaluronosis is an important feature.
Mechanism of action, particularly signal transduction pathways controlling cell growth and the cell cycle. Cellular basis for sensitivity/resistance of melanomas to interferons. Interferons and Epstein Barr virus immortalisation of B-lymphocytes. Identification of interferon-regulated genes involved in establishing the growth-inhibitory or anti-viral states in cells. Cancer immunotherapy and gene therapy based on interferons.
Role of mitochondria in human ageing and disease. The contribution of mitochondrial DNA mutation to impaired organelle function. Use of photosensitisers to induce reactive oxygen species to study mitochondrial molecular biology. Role of mitochondria in calcium homeostasis and in cell death. Use of green fluorescent protein to study events in mitochondria.
Molecular biochemistry of parasites and the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests. Analysis of immune responses to parasites. Mechanisms of immune killing of parasites in vitro. Use of DNA vaccine technology for parasites (malaria, Fasciola). Cytokine expression and use of cytokines as adjuvants. PCR diagnosis of malaria. Mechanisms of resistance to Fasciola in sheep. Function of proteases in parasite infection and fecundity. Molecular modelling of proteases for drug replacement.
The biology of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in inflammatory disease. The role of calgranulins A, B and C in the activation and function of neutrophils and their involvement in sulphite formation. The role of inorganic sulphite in inflammation and autoimmunity.
Aetiology and diagnosis of obesity and diabetes. Development of novel therapeutic agents of biological origin for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Nutritional management in the prevention of obesity and diabetic complications (in association with the Department of Medicine).
The molecular basis of peptide and protein interactions with biological and chemical surfaces. Analysis of protein-folding pathways. Peptide-lipid interactions. Design and synthesis of therapeutic peptidase inhibitors. Mechanism of peptide and protein retention in high performance liquid chromatography. Spectroscopic analysis of peptide-protein conformation. Capillary electrophoresis, biosensor analysis and molecular modelling of peptide/protein structures in solution and bound to lipid surfaces.
The role of proteases and their inhibitors in disease. Mechanistic studies on the interactions of proteases (particularly thrombin) with substrates, inhibitors and receptors. Protein engineering and protein structure in combination with molecular modelling. Molecular forces involved in the interaction of proteins. Enzyme kinetics. Development of novel inhibitors of proteases, particularly for use as antithrombotic agents. The role of cysteine proteases from P. gingivalis in causing periodontal disease. Biochemical and biophysical analysis of protein folding and misfolding pathways.
The function of phosphoinositide-derived second messengers as signalling molecules in the regulation of secretion, cytoskeletal rearrangement and cellular proliferation. Metabolism of phosphoinositide-derived messengers mediated by the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (5-phosphatase) enzyme family. Characterisation of cloned mammalian and yeast 5-phosphatases focussing on their intracellular location, substrate specificity, and role in controlling cellular proliferation.
Application of recombinant DNA technology to gene expression and protein engineering in relation to protein structure and assembly of protein complexes. The molecular genetics, biosynthesis and assembly of membrane-associated mitochondrial ATP synthase. Biosynthesis of the mitochondrial organelle. Relocation of genes between organelles. Imaging of mitochondrial events with green fluorescent protein.
A booklet is available from the department that specifically details honours and postgraduate studies. Prospective students should seek additional information from Associate Professor R J Devenish.
Facilities
are available for graduate candidature in the Department of Biological Sciences
leading to the degrees of MSc and PhD. The degrees are awarded for the
successful completion of a supervised research program, though some coursework
may be prescribed to meet the needs of individual students.
The department maintains electron microscopes, analytical equipment,
constant-temperature rooms, experimental areas and a field station. Research
may be undertaken in ecology, genetics and plant or animal biology in the
following areas: marine and freshwater ecology, community ecology, plant
ecology, vertebrate ecology, plant physiology, plant cell biology, biology of
algae, animal physiology and biochemistry, animal behaviour, plant molecular
and developmental genetics, molecular and population genetics, neurone
development in animals and the molecular genetics of plant-microbial
interactions. A brochure providing more detailed information is available from
the head of the department or other academic staff members in charge of
individual projects.
The Department of Chemical Engineering has an academic staff of seventeen, and includes the Australian Pulp and Paper Institute (APPI) and the Dairy Process Engineering Centre (DPEC). APPI was set up with very substantial support from the Australian pulp and paper industry, and undertakes teaching and research into aspects of the chemical and process engineering of pulp and paper manufacture. DPEC is supported by the DRDC (Dairy Research and Development Corporation) and undertakes research and technology transfer that addresses the needs of the Australian dairy industry.
The department has substantial on-going interests in aspects of waste treatment and biochemical engineering. It has expertise and facilities suitable for studies in fermentation technology (microbial kinetics and product synthesis, novel fermenter design and analysis, biological process analysis and development). Recent studies have involved yeasts (ethanol), bacteria (Bacillus for enzyme synthesis) and algal culture. Downstream processing including isolation and purification of biological products - analysis; optimisation and scaleup of affinity chromatography; supercritical gas extractions; process analysis and development is also studied. Wastewater treatment studies include kinetics and mass transfer in anaerobic digesters; trickling filters; sulphide generation and corrosion problems in sewers; analysis and development of wastewater treatment arrangements for specific wastes; disposal of sludges from treatment facilities.
Research is an important component of the activities of the Dairy Process Engineering Centre. The centre has strong industry links and many of its programs are undertaken collaboratively with industry. Present research programs focus on biofouling and control of biofilm development through equipment design and operation; conceptual design and process plant utilisation within the dairy industry; the influence of process design and operation on the characteristics of dairy foods.
The department has had a long standing interest in the area of Reaction Engineering especially in fluidised bed reactors and gas-liquid reactors. Projects in this area include drying of brown coal and other mineral products; hydroliquefaction of coal; catalytic oxygen removal from low rank coals; catalyst development; polymerisation reactions and mechanisms; fluidised bed reactors; gas-liquid oxidations.
Modelling of unit operations used in mineral processing includes screens; hydrocyclones; sluices and spirals; jigs and shear flocculation. Thermodynamic modelling involves complex metallurgical systems; the electrochemistry of sulphide surfaces in flotation; the treatment of refractory gold ores; the solvent extraction separation of metal ions; the kinetics of leaching nonferrous sulphide materials; the recovery of cyanide ions from gold tailings streams; the fixation of arsenic.
Research is being conducted on the dynamic modelling of complex counter-current transfer processes, and their control. Also of current interest are modelling behaviour of fluid-particle systems. The control of batch reaction processes is being studied, with particular emphasis on the role of model-based controls.
Particular
research emphasis is placed on pulping, bleaching, chemical recovery, fibre
suspension, fibre and paper properties, stock preparation and papermaking.
Present research programs focus on effects of fibre properties on kinetics of
pulping; bleaching and washing; understanding the effect of recycling on paper
properties; development of techniques for measuring the properties of single
fibres and determination of the effects of species, refining, humidity and
temperature on these properties; increasing our understanding of the effect of
fibre properties on the properties of paper; analysis of sheet structure and
determination of its contribution to paper properties; modelling of paper
mechanical properties and of papermaking processes; characterising the drainage
properties of fibre suspensions with and without additives; fractionation of
fibre suspensions.
Current projects include rheology of polymer solutions and liquid crystalline polymers; suspensions including mineral and food products; effect of rheology on roll coating; measurement of elongational viscosity; relationship between the molecular structure in dilute polymer solutions and rheology.
The following research projects are typical of those available in this area: impact of greenhouse gas reduction on process industries; analysis and modelling of performance trends for process technologies; evaluating scale economies; design and costing of cooling-water systems within Australia; capital cost estimation at the R and D phase of a project.
Research is being done into the physical modelling of bubbling fluidized beds and circulating fluidised beds with reference to such processes as gasification, combustion and gas-phase catalytic reactions. Experimental work and theoretical modelling concerning the upward flow of gas-particle suspensions is in progress. Research into the imaging of fluidised bed processes; the dispersion of fine powders in air with applications to drug delivery to the lung and the measurement of particle size is also part of this area. Studies of the influence of humidity on interparticle forces and the relationship with changes in the bulk properties of powders are being carried out.
New techniques for separating and sizing industrial, environmental and biological particles and macromolecules (field-flow fractionation); methods for real-time monitoring of waters and wastewaters based on flow injection analysis; microwave instrument development ('millijet'); analysis of gas molecules using fluorescence spectra, rare earth elements in minerals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
Elucidation of enzyme mechanisms through the study of model reactions and by the design of mechanism based inhibitors; modelling metalloproteins and metal induced biological processes; anchored complexes in protein separation; design and testing of pharmaceuticals including anticancer and antiulcer agents.
Fabrication and properties of microelectrodes and chemically modified electrodes; on-line monitoring of metals in process streams; theory of voltammetry - electrode kinetics; development of electrochemical instrumentation; redox properties of organometallic and coordination compounds; electrochemical synthesis; spectroscopic identification of electrochemically generated intermediates in unusual oxidation states; bioinorganic electrochemistry; photoelectrochemistry and electrochemical catalysis; solar cells.
Nutrient cycling in aquatic systems; aquatic colloid chemistry; microbial ecology of lowland rivers; new processes with less energy requirements, less waste, less or no solvents and developing new synthetic pathways.
Structure and reactivity of coals, controlled release technology, non-linear optical materials; molecular recognition used in the extraction and purification of sugars; purification of fullerenes.
Sol-gel precursors for ceramic oxides with applications as electrochromics, protective coatings, sensors and optical films; organometallics and related complexes as precursors for semiconductor and microelectronic materials; microporous materials including zeolites and pillared clays; metal fullerides and supramolecular complexation of fullerences; inorganic glasses (non-oxide); liquid crystals for opto-electronic devices, buckminsterfullerenes; new conducting polymeers, recyclable polymers.
Self-assembly of multicomponent systems based on host-guest chemistry; molecular recognitions of fullerenes and other golubular molecules; supramolecular indicated transport of molecules across membranes; molecular and supramolecular photonic devices.
Novel ions conducting polymers for applications in batteries, capacitors and electrochromic windows; improving the properties of polymer blends; polyurethane elastomers and foams.
Spectroscopy in supersonic jets; laser detection of gases released in coal gasification; high resolution FTIR spectroscopy of trnasients and atmospheric species; IR spectroscopy of biological molecules, mircowave investigation of the molecular processes of interstellar masers; molecular structures of small molecules and highly rective compounds from spectroscopy and computational chemistry; x-ray crystallography, magnetochemistry, solution and solid state spectroscopy and electron microscopy in structural evaluation.
Total synthesis of biologically and clinically important molecules, including antiobiotics, antifungals, antivirals, marine toxins and steroids; heterocyclic synthesis, including a wide variety of oxygen and nitrogen-containing heterocycles, many of which are found in important, bio-active molecules; stereoselective methods, design of new reactions using enzymes and organotransition metal catalysts, ring expansion and contraction reactions, conjugate additions; invention of chemical reagents and new chemical reactions, including metal-based systems; synthetic methods for organometallics, coordination complexes, clusters, heterometallic species, metallopolymers and fluorocarbon compounds; organometallics of main group elements, d-block metals, rare earths including catalysts, reagents for organic synthesis, and novel clusters; metal complexes, including amides, imides, oxides, alkoxides, divergent receptor molecules; metal ion hydrolysis products, corrosion inhibitors; catalysis of polymerisation and hydroformylation; element-carbon bond activation.
New ligands for asymmetric synthesis; investigation of reaction mechanisms by application of semi-empirical and ab-initio calculations; ab-initio calculations in supramolecular chemistry.
Coordinators:
Dr Mark Jessell and Dr Patrice Rey
The PhD program is a research program but also involves participation in
seminar series and, where relevant, recommended short courses (not for credit).
The MSc may also be completed as a research program but may be undertaken as a
combination of coursework and research. See the chapter 'Graduate studies by
coursework' for a description of the MSc by coursework and the areas of
research offered by the department.
Coordinator: Associate Professor Kevin O'Connor
The
diverse research interests of the teaching staff and the variety of facilities
available offer a wide range of research possibilities to students in physical
geography and environmental science. Many of the graduate theses already
completed have been concerned with research problems in Australia but there is
increasing research interest in the Asian region and depending on available
research funds, research outside Australia may also be possible. Strong
research interests include geomorphic process studies, basic and applied
climatology, environmental history, palaeoecology, landscape evolution,
geographical information systems and remote sensing, environmental conflicts
and the interpretation of changing attitudes to the environment.
Candidates for the PhD degree normally should have a masters degree in
geography or allied environmental discipline for which the major requirement is
substantial research accomplishment. Normally graduate students without a
masters degree are enrolled in the first instance for the MSc. If the research
topic appears to have PhD potential and if the candidate's progress warrants
promotion, a recommendation may be made to the PhD and Scholarships Committee
to change the candidature to that of PhD.
Further information can be gained from the Arts handbook and the Department of
Geography and Environmental Science graduate studies handbook. Inquiries should
be referred to the head of the department.
The
school's purpose is to promote understanding of the interactions of ecological
and social processes, leading to action to facilitate a sustainable world. It
emphasises the value of understanding the environment through practical
projects undertaken within a framework of social and philosophical theory,
thereby encouraging an understanding of how environmental action can be
achieved.
Coursework and research involve multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary
approaches, and there is an emphasis on collaborative and applied team
projects.
Students with an honours degree in any discipline may apply for enrolment in
masters programs in environmental science. Students with H2B honours may enrol
in the MEnvSc by coursework and students with H2A honours may enrol in either
the MEnvSc by coursework or the MEnvSc by research combined with coursework.
Students with a bachelors degree without honours may enrol in the masters
qualifying in environmental science by either coursework or by research or in a
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science.
Further information on the environmental science programs can be gained from
the Arts handbook. The Details of courses handbook is available from the
Department of Geography and Environmental Science. Inquiries should be referred
to the head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science.
The department has graduate programs in mathematics and statistics, and accepts students for work leading to the MSc and MA degrees (by coursework and thesis, or by thesis alone) and for the PhD degree. The programs reflect the research interests of staff, which at present include astrophysics, solar and planetary physics, geophysical fluid dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, numerical analysis, dynamical meteorology, climate dynamics, radiation and remote sensing, oceanography, nonlinear dynamics, general relativity, geophysics, biomathematics, symmetries of differential equations, optimisation, control theory, computer algebra, history of mathematics, logic, algebra, group theory, semigroup theory, functional analysis, number theory, differential geometry, nonlinear partial differential equations, geometric analysis, applied probability, branching processes, statistical inference, medical statistics, industrial statistics and statistical computing. There are regular specialist and general seminars. More detailed information can be obtained from the director of postgraduate studies in the department.
Research
supervision is available in the applied mathematics fields listed above. If
there is sufficient demand, advanced lecture topics may be offered in these
areas. Support for some research activities is provided by the Centre for
Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography, the Centre for Computational and
Industrial Mathematics and the Cooperative Research Centre for Southern
Hemisphere Meteorology.
An MSc course in meteorology is offered by thesis and coursework on a full-time
or part-time basis. Those interested should consult the director of the Centre
for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography.
Some of the following units may be offered in 1999 at graduate level:
Research supervison is available in the pure mathematics fields listed in the opening paragraph above. Interested students should contact the director of postgraduate studies preferably no later than August in the year before they wish to start work on a higher degree.
Two broad choices are available for research work in statistics. The first possibility is either an MSc or a PhD degree involving a written thesis in some area of probability theory, stochastic processes, statistical theory or applied statistics. The second possibility is a coursework MSc in applied statistics. Details may be obtained from the director of postgraduate studies.
The Key Centre for Statistical Science is a cooperative venture established in 1984 between Monash University, the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and RMIT. The centre offers courses leading to a masters degree in applied statistics. More details of the centre's activities may be obtained from Dr Malcolm Clark.
The Centre for Computational and Industrial Mathematics has been formed to assist in, and provide focus for, the application of computing, mathematics and scientific theory to complex scientific problems. The members of the centre, who are mainly drawn from Monash University, include engineers, physicists, chemists, biochemists, mathematicians and computer scientists. The centre's research activities are primarily concerned with computational problems in industry. Further information concerning the centre can be obtained by contacting the director, Professor J J Monaghan.
The
Centre for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography provides opportunities for
research and postgraduate study in meteorology, oceanography and geophysical
fluid dynamics. The program is based broadly on theoretical work, numerical
simulation and field observation.
The centre is also involved in a program of field observation carried out
jointly with the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric
Research. Information about research in this field and other activities of the
group may be obtained from the director, Professor R Grimshaw.
The
Cooperative Research Centre for Southern Hemisphere Meteorology (Meteorology
CRC) was established in July 1993 as a cooperative venture between Monash
University, the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia) Pty Ltd, Silicon Graphics
(Aust.) Pty Ltd, CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research and the supporting
party of CSIRO Division of Telecommunications and Industrial Physics. The goal
of the Meteorology CRC is to conduct research leading to improvements in our
understanding of some key processes that govern the current state of the
atmosphere and its variability.
The centre has five main programs, three in research, one in education and the
remaining one in technology transfer and communication. The Meteorology CRC
seeks to build an understanding of the key mechanisms governing the
distribution and variability of stratosphere ozone and greenhouse gas
concentrations and the processes responsible for the climate variation observed
in the Southern Hemisphere. The research falls into three areas: ozone
(program A), transport modelling (program B) and Southern Hemisphere
climate dynamics (program C).
The education program includes graduate student research opportunities leading
to MSc and PhD degrees across the whole field of atmospheric sciences, a
comprehensive MSc in meteorology by thesis and coursework, links to
undergraduate courses, schools-based units and continuing professional
education activities in meteorology. The technology transfer and communications
program is to communicate the centre's research outcomes in such a manner as to
ensure that the maximum benefit accrues to Australia, including Australian
industry, the environment and the economy generally.
For further information, contact the director of the Meteorology CRC.
Graduate coursework and research programs in meteorology are offered through the Centre for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. An MSc by thesis and coursework in meteorology is available on a full-time or part-time basis. For further information, see the Centre for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography entry above or contact the director, Professor R Grimshaw.
Coordinator:
Dr Ben Adler
Microbiology is at the forefront of some of the most exciting recent
developments in medical research and biotechnology. The Department of
Microbiology is located in a modern building with fully equipped laboratories
and provides the opportunity to carry out innovative research under the
supervision of staff who are recognised as international experts in their
fields. The accent is on the use of molecular biology and recombinant DNA
technology to investigate the interaction of microorgansims with humans,
animals plants and the environment at the molecular and cellular level.
Opportunities exist for suitably qualified graduates to undertake postgraduate
studies in one of the following areas:
Specific infectious diseases
under investigation include malaria, tuberculosis, dysentery, viral
gastroenteritis, gonorrhoea, gas gangrene, dengue, leptospirosis, footrot, fowl
cholera and plant viral diseases.
Further information on specific research projects may be obtained from the
coordinator (Telephone +61 3 9905 4815; Fax:
+61 3 9905 4811; email: Ben.Adler@med.monash.edu.au) or the
department World Wide Web page:
http://www.med.monash.edu.au/micro/department/research.htm
Coordinator:
Dr Richard Boyd
The following fields of research are available. Structure-function studies of
surface membrane proteins on plasma cells. Molecular basis of systemic and
organ-specific autoimmune diseases, identification and molecular cloning of
target autoantigens, delineation of the role of T lymphocytes in the
immunopathogenesis of autoimmune gastritis and mechanisms of tolerance to extra
thymic gastric autoantigens. Allergy: role of T cells in the genesis of
allergic responses including hay fever and asthma. Developmental molecular
biology: regulation of gene expression of a defined gastric mucosal gene, the
gastric proton pump. Molecular biology of the Golgi complex: identification and
cloning of Golgi autoantigens; identification and definition of the molecular
signals which retain proteins in the Golgi. Cytokines: role in diseases. Thymus
biology: the role of the thymic stroma in the inthrathymic development of
T lymphocytes; generation, identification, and functional characterisation
of monoclonal antibodies to the thymic stroma, homeostasis of T-dependent
immune system. The role of MHC molecules in antigen presentation and
immunological tolerance; structure and function of T cell receptors; fine
specificity of T cell receptors. Immunopathogenesis of bacterial
infections.
Inquiries should be directed to the coordinator (Telephone: +61.3. 92762738;
Fax: +61.3.95296484; Email: Richard.Boyd@med.monash.edu.au) or the department
Web page: http://www.path.monash.edu.au.
Research
areas are offered which include studies on the properties of drugs which affect
the cardiovascular system, particularly those which affect autonomic reflexes
and vascular smooth muscle; the pharmacology of antihypertensive agents and
eicosanoids; vascular complications of diabetes; studies of the effects of
pregnancy on cardiovascular reflexes and the uterine vasculature;
pharmacological and biochemical investigations of the effects of drugs on
smooth muscle within the reproductive tract; the effects of drugs on vascular
function and transport in the human placenta; drug receptors as membrane-bound
enzyme systems; molecular pharmacology of receptors; hormonal modulation of
drug receptors; studies of the properties of newly synthesised novel compounds
of potential therapeutic use, in collaboration with chemists; studies on the
pharmacological properties of novel compounds extracted from marine organisms;
pharmacology of Australian animal venoms; pharmacological applications of
confocal microscopy; neurochemical studies of neurotransmission; pharmacology
of novel neuroprotective agents. For up-to-date information regarding our
course offerings you can visit our Home Page on the World Wide Web at the
following address:
http://www.med.monash.edu.au/pharmacology/
You may contact our general office by telephone (03) 9905 4868, fax
(03) 9905 5851, or email: pharmacology@med.monash.edu.au
The
Department of Physics offers opportunities for postgraduate work in
experimental, applied and theoretical physics and materials science. A student
enrolling for an MSc, MAppSc or PhD degree, under the guidance of an assigned
supervisor, pursues an individual research project. All postgraduate students
are expected to attend departmental colloquia and other research seminars, and
are required to contribute to a postgraduate seminar series.
Research projects are currently offered in the five broad areas listed below. A
detailed listing of research projects is published annually.
Inelastic electron scattering in Si and GaAs. Propagation of waves in disordered systems, phase transitions from extended to localised states.
Field theoretic studies in condensed matter, electronic properties of graphite, 2D polymer statistics. Models of high temperature superconductivity, stochastic processes. Modelling porous Si from positron annihilation spectroscopy studies. Itinerant magnetism, effective medium theories. Theoretical studies of nanostructures.
Multiparticle interference using entangled states, quantum chaos, quasiprobability distributions in quantum mechanics, non-linear extensions to quantum mechanics.
Wavelet transforms and the renormalisation group. Computational models of memory, neural nets, foundation studies in mathematical morphology. Monte Carlo studies of diffraction and scattering, x-ray and microwave tomography. Reconstruction algorithms in diffraction tomography. Cellular automata and physics models, thermodynamics and complex systems. Large scale computer simulations of topological defects in the early universe.
The gravitational Aharonov-Bohm effect. Topological defects, cosmic strings and loops in cosmology, studies of geometric phases in physical systems, topology on discrete lattices, holonomy and path space formulation of gauge theories.
Pulsed and continuous-wave EPR studies of free-radicals and transition metal ions in crystals, minerals, chemical complexes and biological materials. Theoretical studies of lineshapes, asymmetries and computer simulation of random and partially ordered systems. Electron spin echo envelope modulation, FT-EPR, 2-D EPR and other multiple pulse sequence techniques. Spin dynamics using time domain spectroscopy. Spin lattice relaxation of glasses.
Magnetism in disordered systems including spin glass phases, frustration, disordered antiferromagnets and random fields. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility and magnetic neutron scattering. Studies by SQUID magnetometry, polarised neutron diffraction, and spectroscopy with polarisation analysis. The focus is on the stability of spin glasses and low dimensional magnetic structures through measurements of magnetic correlations at the atomic level.
Studies of the magnetic and crystallographic properties of solids containing iron, rare earths or gold and their relation to materials development and mineral processing. Areas of interest include adsorption of gold and other metals onto activated carbon and polyurethane foams, magnetic properties of invar and iron-nickel meteorites, exchange-spring magnets, layered magnetic materials, poorly crystalline iron oxide and related minerals, coal and coal products. Some studies utilise the unique imaging Mössbauer spectrometer in the Department of Physics.
Studies of charge transport and storage in polymeric dielectrics using thermally stimulated conductivity and depolarisation current measurements. Mapping of the spatial distribution of excess charge in dielectrics using the laser-induced pressure pulse technique. Computer simulation of charge transport in insulators containing traps with a distribution of charge trapping and release times.
Studies of the electronic, magnetic and structural properties of rf-magnetron sputtered thin films. Currently under study are materials suitable for exploitation as thin film solar cells and flat panel displays.
Studies of flux pinning in type II superconducting materials. Electromagnetic properties of C60--based materials. Thermal expansion and related properties for martensitic alloy systems. Studies of martensite interfaces using optical, scanning, tunnelling and atomic force microscopies. Dimensional stability of ceramics. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy of advanced materials. Materials for hollow cathode applications.
X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of crystal structure. Residual stress measurements in engineering materials. Scanning microscopy and associated EDAX studies of materials.
Acoustic impulses applied to a variety of environmental problems including propagation through an atmosphere with wind and temperature gradients, the effect of atmospheric turbulence, shielding of sound by barriers, measurement of ground impedance and the effect of moisture on the acoustic properties of soil. Development of an acoustic landmine detector.
Low energy x-ray transmission microtomography studies for the non-destructive evaluation of low atomic number materials, development of low energy elastic scatter computed tomography (CT) using synchrotron quality x-rays, high energy x-ray and gamma-ray CT system development for industrial materials such as ceramics and advanced materials. X-ray densitometry for moisture and density distribution studies in wood, strain measurements in materials using CT and image warping methods, automated feature extraction and classification in CT images. CT modelling and reconstruction algorithm development, particularly for fan-beam and cone-beam systems.
Mathematical morphology, design of optimal filters, feature recognition. Subjective assessment of texture, co-occurrence matrices, fractal and covariance analysis of texture. Texture and edges in colour or multiband images. Microwave imaging of defects. Machine vision applied to industry and agriculture. Neural networks and cellular automata for image processing.
Search for new physical effects and their application to development of diffraction and imaging techniques for unique characterisation of technologically important materials. Studies of fundamental properties of the complex diffraction amplitude of x-ray and synchrotron radiation. Development of novel theoretical and numerical formalisms for the diffraction and imaging data analysis including the x-ray phase retrieval in one- and two-dimensional cases.
The department has a range of sophisticated research equipment including superconducting magnets producing fields up to 14 tesla, a variety of 4He and 3He cryostats, high pressure-low temperature facilities, ten Mössbauer spectrometers, Varian CW and Bruker FT/CW electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometers, Quantum Dynamics 7 tesla SQUID magnetometer, Varian and Cary spectrophotometers, Hitachi scanning electron microscope with a Kevex energy dispersive x-ray analysis unit, Scintag x-ray powder diffractometer with automated search-match capabilities, a number of x-ray and gamma-ray computed tomography scanners including ultra-high resolution (0.01 arc sec.) triple-axis diffractometer equipped with 8 different energy radiation sources, high resolution crystalline optics. Precision magnetic susceptibility balances, image and signal processing equipment. Scanning probe microscopes including atomic force and scanning tunnelling microscopy, two-inch and multiply three-inch rf-magnetron sputter thin film deposition systems. In addition the department has supporting facilities that include a mechanical workshop, electronics workshop, a computing support group, with extensive computational facilities including SGI/ Sun workstations and Pentium computers and access to a SG parallel challenge computer, and materials preparation facilities. The department also possesses a Koch 1410 helium liquefier to provide cryogenic fluids for the low temperature research. Postgraduate students also have extensive access to research facilities throughout the country such as the reactor HIFAR at Lucas Heights to use the neutron scattering instruments including LONGPOL. Overseas research facilities include steady access to the Australian Synchrotron Research Program at the Photon Factory in Japan and at the Advanced Photon Source in USA as well as to the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France.
Monash University is situated close to a number of established high technology industries. There are frequent opportunities for projects which arise from collaborative work of staff members with industrial organisations. These projects are supported by the facilities and expertise of the department, in addition to the infrastructure of the collaborating industrial partner.
Coordinator:
Professor Uwe Proske
In the Department of Physiology the research degrees of MSc or PhD are awarded
based on a research project which at the end of the period of candidature is
written up as a thesis for assessment by local and overseas examiners.
Information on areas of research currently being actively pursued within the
Department of Physiology, as well as profiles of members of teaching and
research staff can be found at the departmental website
(http://www.med.monash.edu.au/physiol/) or from the booklet Department of
Physiology 1997 obtainable from the departmental secretariat. Regulations
for higher degrees are spelt out in the booklets Postgraduate course guide
1998 and Doctoral information handbook obtainable from Research
Training and Support Branch, Monash University, Clayton.
Research topics at present being studied in the department include regulation
of cardiovascular function; renal physiology; renal hypertension; ion transport
in red blood cells; brain ultrastructure and function; central mechanisms in
hearing; molecular mechanisms of aging in the brain; the physiology of sense
organs and their central pathways; autonomic nerve mechanisms; the physiology
of central and peripheral synapses; the innervation of visceral and vascular
smooth muscle; energetics and mechanics of smooth, cardiac and skeletal
muscles; endocrine control of corticosteroid synthesis; endocrinology of
opioids and other peptides; reproduction, including ovarian function; fetal
physiology including development of respiratory control mechanisms, uterine
motility, fetal growth factors; the endocrinology of parturition; neonatal
physiology; exercise physiology including mechanical and energetic aspects.
Both
the degrees of PhD and MSc involve a research project and regular attendance at
and participation in seminar programs. Details of graduate research programs in
the Department of Psychology are set out in a booklet Graduate studies in
psychology, available on application to the department. Current areas of
active interest and inquiry in the department are sensory processes and
perception, cognitive processes, neuropsychology, attentional and movement
disorders, physiological substrates and correlates of behaviour, biochemistry
of memory, sound localisation, circadian rhythms, psycholinguistics, word
recognition and reading acquisition, human information processing and
performance, human factors, engineering psychology and task design, skilled
performance, analysis of human skill, applied experimental psychology, road
user behaviour, animal and human learning, human development, health
psychology; vocational psychology, counselling, social psychology; play and
aggression in children, community psychology; occupational, industrial,
personnel and organisational psychology; sport psychology, forensic psychology,
psychology of aging, stress management, helplessness and depression, behaviour
medicine. Graduates interested in pursuing research in these or related areas
of interdisciplinary studies involving human or animal behaviour towards a
higher degree should consult the postgraduate studies officer, Department of
Psychology.
Prospective students should also refer to 'Doctor of Psychology' and 'Masters
programs in psychology' in this handbook.
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Wed Oct 28 14:26:02 EST 1998