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Postgraduate Handbook 2009 - Faculty of Science Areas of Study

Biological sciences - Faculty of Science

Coordinators: Professor John Hamill (Clayton) and Dr Wendy Wright (Gippsland)

Candidates wishing to undertake research in the biological sciences may enrol for programs leading to the degrees of MSc and PhD through the School of Biological Science at the Clayton campus and the School of Applied Sciences and Engineering at Gippsland. 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 candidates. The School of Biological Sciences maintain 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 areas listed below.

Conservation in production environments

Research into methods of improving biodiversity in production and constructed environments, including farming and forestry landscapes. Studies in this area are very applied and are often conducted in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries, Department of Sustainability and Environment, and/or other industry partners.

Biology and physiology of algae

Research activities in the area of biology and physiology of algae include algal physiology and marine botany.

Ecology and conservation biology

Research activities in this area include aquatic ecology, invasion biology, functional plant biology, molecular ecology, plant ecology, terrestrial vertebrate ecology, tropical forest ecology, and vegetation ecology.

Evolutionary processes

Research activities in the area of evolutionary processes include behavioural and evolutionary ecology, evolutionary genetics, and evolutionary ecology.

Molecular genetics and cell biology

Research activities in the area of molecular genetics and cell biology include Arabsidopsis development, Drosophila neurogenetics, molecular genetics, plant biotechnology, plant genetics, plant made vaccines and Zebrafish development

Vertebrate physiology, development and behaviour

Research activities in the area of vertebrate physiology, development and behaviour include animal behaviour, behavourial and evolutionary ecology, functional morphology of digestion, vertebrate biology and vertebrate physiology and digestion.

Chemistry - Faculty of Science

Coordinators: Dr Andrea Robinson (Clayton) and Professor Sam Adeloju (Gippsland/Peninsula)

Opportunities for research in the following broad areas of chemistry are offered by the School of Chemistry and the School of Applied Science and Engineering.

Areas of research

Analytical and instrumentation

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'); fabrication of novel biosensors; analysis of gas molecules using fluorescence spectra; rare earth elements in minerals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; infrared spectroscopy for use in medical diagnosis; and the development of inexpensive microprocessor controlled analytical instrumentation for teaching and research.

Analytical spectroscopy

Biospectroscopy and bio-imaging using infrared and Raman spectroscopy to investigate biomolecules and develop systems for medical diagnosis. Brown coal fly ash, transport fuels and oils, low-cost instrumentation.

Spectroscopy and molecular properties

Spectroscopy of supercooled molecules in supersonic jets and enclosive flows; laser detection of gases released in coal gasification; high resolution FTIR spectroscopy of transients and atmospheric species; infrared and Raman spectroscopy and micro-imaging of biological molecules, microwave investigation of the molecular processes of interstellar masers; molecular structures of small molecules and highly reactive compounds from spectroscopy and computational chemistry; x-ray crystallography, magnetochemistry, solution and solid state spectroscopy; and electron microscopy in structural evaluation.

Chemical biology and medicinal chemistry

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 anti-cancer and anti-ulcer agents; and medical applications of peptide nucleic acids and metal complex derivatives.

Electrochemistry and electroanalytical chemistry

Fabrication and properties of microelectrodes and chemically modified electrodes; on-line monitoring of metals in process streams; stripping voltammetric and potentiometric analysis of organic and inorganic substances; theory of voltammetry-electrode kinetics; development of electrochemical instrumentation; redox properties of organometallic and coordination compounds; amperometric and potentiometric biosensing of organic and inorganic substances; electrochemical synthesis; spectroscopic identification of electrochemically generated intermediates in unusual oxidation states; bioinorganic electrochemistry; photoelectrochemistry and electrochemical catalysis; and solar cells.

Environmental chemistry - Water Studies Centre and School of Applied Sciences and Engineering

Nutrient cycling in aquatic systems; aquatic colloid chemistry; pollutant speciation transport and fate in aquatic environments; microbial ecology of lowland rivers; pollutant fluxes across the sediment-water interface; interactions between ecosystem structure and biogeochemical functioning; ecosystem processes as indicators of stream health; behaviour of organic phosphates in aquatic environments; and the role of natural organic matter in aquatic ecosystems. Another major research area is ecological risk assessment, quantitative modelling and development of predictive models.

Food chemistry

Interaction between proteins and mineral species in milk; relationship between chemical composition, structure and properties of curd and cheese; encapsulation of flavourings and neutraceuticals.

Green (sustainable) chemistry - Centre for Green Chemistry

New processes with less waste, energy requirements, less or no solvents, and developing new synthetic pathways. This includes replacing organic solvents by water, supercritical CO2 and ionic liquids, the use of aqueous based catalyst systems, biological catalysts and biotechnology, the use of microwave energy in chemical reactions, new energy efficient materials together with the development of new, appropriate analytical methods. Green mineral processing including alternatives to the cyanide gold extraction process, soil chemistry, and organic amendments in treatment of environmentally compromised soils, chemistry of hard substances.

Industrial applications

Structure and reactivity of coals, controlled release technology, non-linear optical materials; molecular recognition used in the extraction and purification of sugars; and purification of fullerenes.

Materials chemistry

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; inorganic glasses (non-oxide); liquid crystals for opto-electronic devices; new conducting polymers; and recyclable polymers; molecular magnetic materials displaying long-range order or spin-crossover transitions; nano-chemistry and nanotechnology; self-assembly of multicomponent systems based on host-guest chemistry; supramolecular indicated transport of molecules across membranes; molecular and supramolecular photonic devices; characterisation of nanoparticles and macromolecules; colloid aspects of food chemistry; dye sensitised solar cells; nanostructured functional surfaces; nanostructured electrochemical devices and arrays; peptide based nanodevices; nanomagnetic materials with switching properties; nanoscale sensors; and nanoscale synthesis and catalysis; novel receptors for ink jet dyes; nanomaterials for chemical and physical detectors; atmospheric plasma treatment of polymer surfaces.

Nano-chemistry and nanotechnology

Self-assembly of multicomponent systems based on host-guest chemistry; supramolecular indicated transport of molecules across membranes; molecular and supramolecular photonic devices; characterisation of nanoparticles and macromolecules; colloid aspects of food chemistry; dye sensitised solar cells; nanostructured functional surfaces; nanostructured electrochemical devices and arrays; peptide based nanodevices; nanomagnetic materials with switching properties; nanoscale sensors; and nanoscale synthesis and catalysis; novel receptors for ink jet dyes; nanomaterials for chemical and physical detectors; atmospheric plasma treatment of polymer surfaces.

Polymer chemistry

Novel ions conducting polymers for applications in batteries, capacitors and electrochromic windows; improving the properties of polymer blends; and polyurethane elastomers and foams.

Spectroscopy, crystallography, magnetism and molecular properties

Spectroscopy in supersonic jets; laser detection of gases released in coal gasification; high resolution FTIR spectroscopy of transients and atmospheric species; IR spectroscopy of biological molecules, microwave investigation of the molecular processes of interstellar masers; molecular structures of small molecules and highly reactive compounds from spectroscopy and computational chemistry; x-ray crystallography, magnetochemistry, solution and solid state spectroscopy; and electron microscopy in structural evaluation.

Synthetic and catalytic chemistry

Total synthesis of biologically and clinically important molecules, including antibiotics, 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; polynuclear spin-crossover complexes, extended network coordination polymers, large magnetic cluster complexes; metal ion hydrolysis products, corrosion inhibitors; catalysis of polymerisation and hydroformylation; and element-carbon bond activation.

Theoretical and computation chemistry

New ligands for asymmetric synthesis; investigation of reaction mechanisms by application of semi-empirical and ab-initio calculations; and ab-initio calculations in supramolecular chemistry.

Coal product development

Development of coal dewatering processes; characterisation of coal structure and coal-water interactions; humic acids for soil improvement; bitumen from coal; liquid fuels from coal; active carbon manufacture and applications; catalytic processes in fuel science; and applications of molecular modelling to fuel science.

Centres

Centre for Biospectroscopy

The Centre for Biospectroscopy is a faculty of science centre directed at developing spectroscopy and imaging techniques for the investigation of biological, biomedical and biotechnological systems. It has research links with a number of Monash and Melbourne departments and hospitals. For more information visit http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/biospec/biospectroscopy.html.

Water Studies Centre and School of Applied Sciences and Engineering

See entry under 'Environmental chemistry' above.

Centre for Green Chemistry

The Centre for Green Chemistry is a Special Research Centre funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council and located in the School of Chemistry at Monash University. The centre's mission is to become a world leader for research, industrial collaboration and teaching in the field of green chemistry and to harness this expertise to enhance the international competitiveness of Australian industry. The centre provides opportunities for research and postgraduate study in the area of green chemistry. For further information about research in this field and other activities of the centre, visit http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/green-chem/.

Geography and environmental science - Faculty of Science

Coordinators: Dr Haripriya Rangan (Faculty of Arts, Clayton); Dr Wendy Wright (Gippsland) for Environmental Management

The School of Geography and Environmental Science is part of the Faculty of Arts. Candidates wishing to complete a masters degree by research in geography and environmental science must enrol in a Master of Science with the Faculty of Science. Further information can be gained from the Arts faculty entry in this handbook and the School of Geography and Environmental Science website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/schools/ges/. The Faculty of Science also conducts research in the broad area of environmental science. The School of Applied Sciences and Engineering also offers research opportunities in environmental management, including conservation and biodiversity, and environmental microbiology. Candidates should also consult staff within the schools of the faculty.

Geosciences - Faculty of Science

Coordinators: Dr Ian Cartwright (MSc Preliminary) and Dr Peter Betts (MSc and PhD programs)

Candidates in geosciences may enrol for studies toward a masters on the basis of a research project alone or a combination of a research project and coursework (typically >70 per cent research). A wide range of coursework units in two or five-day formats suitable for masters candidates is offered by the member departments/schools of the joint La Trobe University/University of Melbourne/Monash University cooperative Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences (VIEPS). The PhD program is based on a thesis research project alone, but participation in seminar series is expected. PhD candidates may also take, not for credit, recommended short courses offered by VIEPS. Both masters and PhD candidates may take part in courses offered by other groups, such as the G3 centres for ore deposits studies (University of Western Australia and the University of Tasmania, and James Cook University), under arrangements of the Minerals Council of Australia-funded National Geosciences Teaching Network.

Masters and PhD projects are often, but not exclusively, associated with the recognised areas of research strength within the School of Geosciences:

• geodynamics, tectonics and structural geology
• three dimensional modeling, numerical modeling and simulation
• physical volcanology, geochemistry and igneous petrology
• basin studies, sedimentology and energy resources
• hydrogeology and environmental geoscience
• applied palaeontology and paleobiology
• ore deposit geology and geochemistry and geophysics
• structural geophysics, exploration geophysics, environmental geophysics, geothermal geophysics.

A wide range of geophysical, geochemical, and computing facilities is available to postgraduate candidates. These are either housed within Monash Geosciences (geophysics equipment; stable isotope, and ICP-MS based trace element analysis facilities and sample preparation laboratories) or are accessible within other VIEPS-member departments/schools (electron microprobe and analytical scanning electron microscope facilities; noble gas laboratory; multi-collector ICP-MS laboratory; and thermal ionisation mass spectrometry laboratory).

Mathematical sciences - Faculty of Science

Coordinators: Professor John Lattanzio (Clayton) and Dr Alistair Carr (Gippsland)

Candidates in mathematical science may enrol for programs leading to the MSc and PhD degrees. The programs reflect the research interests of staff, which at present include astrophysics, solar and planetary physics, geophysical fluid dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, computational solid mechanics, numerical analysis, dynamical meteorology, climate dynamics, radiation and remote sensing, physical oceanography, nonlinear dynamics, curve motion, general relativity, geophysics, dynamics of solid planets, biomathematics, optimisation, control theory, computer algebra, history of mathematics, algebra, group theory, semigroup theory, functional analysis, number theory, differential geometry, nonlinear partial differential equations, geometric analysis, applied probability, branching processes, financial mathematics, statistical inference, stochastic processes, medical statistics, modelling and statistics in sport, 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 school of Mathematical Sciences.

Applied mathematics

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.

Pure mathematics

Research supervision is available in the pure mathematics fields listed in the above paragraph.

Mathematical statistics

Candidates may undertake either an MSc or a PhD degree involving a written thesis in some area of probability theory, stochastic processes and applications, statistical theory, or applied statistics. Further details may be obtained from the director of postgraduate studies.

Atmospheric science

Atmospheric science is a modern interdisciplinary subject, drawing heavily on applied mathematics, fluid dynamics, physics, chemistry and computer science, and our research and graduate training programs are an exciting blend of field experiments, theoretical analysis, numerical modelling and data analysis. Research supervision is available in the atmospheric science fields listed in the above paragraph.

Mathematical sciences at the Gippsland campus

The School of Applied Sciences and Engineering also offers research opportunities in selected areas. These include:
mathematical and statistical modelling, including environmental and ecological applications

• algebraic topology
• discrete mathematics with computer science applications
• numerical methods
• process based distributed hydrological modelling
• water quality modelling, sediment dynamics, flood disaster risk management
• climate change impacts on water resources
• mathematics education including interactive multi-media learning materials for undergraduate mathematics.

Mathematics and science learning

Applications of new technology to distance education, and interactive multi-media learning materials.

Centres

Key Centre for Statistical Science

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 University. Further information may be obtained from Dr Aidan Sudbury.

Centre for Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics

This centre brings together Monash University researchers working on the astrophysical properties of stars and planets, in the broadest context. Members of the centre are drawn from the School of Mathematical Sciences as well as the School of Chemistry. Research supervision is available for theoretical and observational studies from star and planet formation through to the properties of black holes.

Centre for Modeling of Stochastic Systems

The main objectives of the centre are to develop the modelling part of the theory of stochastic systems, which is an integral step towards applications to practical problems in industry; to promote cooperation in research and graduate supervision in these areas and other more established areas across different groups in the School and across the Faculties of Science and Business and Economics, and to develop an Actuarial program at Monash University.

Physics - Faculty of Science

Coordinators: Professor David Jesson (Research programs) and Dr David Paganin (Postgraduate Coordinator)

The School of Physics offers world-class research opportunities for postgraduate candidates in experimental, theoretical and computational physics. Experimental research includes: condensed matter physics; coherent x-ray optics and synchrotron science; electron, atom and molecular optics; nanostructures (quantum dots/wells) based on III-V materials; electron, neutron and x-ray diffraction; thin films and surface physics; imaging sciences; PET, EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy and advanced instrumentation and detector development. Theoretical areas include: optics, nanodynamics, particle cosmology, high temperature superconductivity, phase retrieval techniques for linear and non-linear classical and quantal systems, statistical dynamical diffraction theory, quantum gases (BECs), imaging light, and ab initio calculations using density functional theory.

The School is host to a number of prominent research centres, including the Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-Ray Science and the CRC in Biomedical Imaging Development. It also plays a prominent role in the development of the Imaging and Therapy beamline at the Australian Synchrotron, which is located adjacent to the Clayton Campus of Monash University.

Research by Physics staff is conducted at numerous international synchrotron facilities (for example, SPring-8, Photon Factory, ESRF, CLS, DESY) and neutron facilities (ILL, Chalk River). Physics staff are also significant users of national facilities at ANSTO (HiFAR/OPAL). Significant instrumentation located in the School at the Clayton Campus includes a unique low energy electron microscope (LEEM) with MBE facility for growing and imaging GaAs quantum dots. Other major facilities include CT scanners, x-ray diffractometers, Mossbauer spectrometers, a FT-EPR spectrometer, thin film deposition facilities, scanning probe microscopes (STM/AFM), SEM/TEM and access to a FEG-TEM and 3D Atom Probe Field Ion Microscope. A new Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility (EMMF), currently under construction adjacent to the School of Physics, will house a suite of state-of-the-art electron microscopes. The school is well supported by its own highly skilled technical staff in large and well-equipped mechanical and electronics workshops, which encompasses a commercial liquid Helium production facility, materials analysis, sample preparation and scientific imaging.

All higher degrees in Physics at Monash are conducted entirely by research, except for the Master of Science Preliminary, which comprises 50 per cent research and 50 per cent coursework. The latter involves units similar to those offered in the Physics BSc(Hons) program. Candidates entering with a BSc(Hons) are required to enrol initially in the Master of Science (MSc) program, from which they can apply to transfer to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) after one year. Applicants with a research-only MSc degree can enrol directly into the PhD program; however, they must serve a one year probationary period. Candidates work under the guidance of two assigned supervisors on an individual research project and are expected to attend school colloquia and contribute to research group seminars. Some research projects are multidisciplinary and may suit academically strong candidates from biomedicine, engineering, computing or mathematics.

For more details visit http://www.physics.monash.edu.au/research.

Research projects are offered in the following areas.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

• Particle cosmology
• Galaxy evolution
• Particle astrophysics of the Galactic centre
  
• Neutron star binaries

Atom optics

• Pointing stability enhancement of a high-power pulsed laser.
  
• Travelling optical lattices created by electro-optic deflection.
  
• Design of a high-efficency helium detector for molecular beams.
  
• Focusing neutral molecules in two-dimensions.

Condensed matter physics

• Quantum dot self-assembly and self-organisation
  
• Nanoscale semiconductor growth processes
  
• Molecular beam epitaxy
  
• Electron spin resonance
  
• Relaxation and microstructural studies in triglycine sulphate ferroelectrics
  
• Precursor and time dependent effects in association with displacive phase transitions, particularly in martensitic alloys
  
• Studies of residual stresses in weldments, particularly using non-destructive diffraction (neutron and x-ray) techniques
  
• Microstructural and magnetic studies of Sm-Co-based magnetic alloys transitions, particularly in martensitic alloys
  
• Studies of the microstructural stability under static load of YTZ ceramics
  
• Fatigue in ferroelectric thin films
  
• Computational determinations of the electronic and structural properties of microstructures, including surfaces and small clusters of metals and semiconductors
  
• Textured films of layered semiconductors for solar cell applications
  
• Self assembled microdots for thin film fuel cell applications
  
• Fabrication of novel nanotubes based upon the boron nitride - carbon system
  
• Phenomenological pairing mechanisms in high-temperature superconductors

Electron diffraction and low-energy electron microscopy

• Nanostructural evolution of semiconductor thin films
  
• Physics of quantum dot formation
  
• Design of a high-efficency helium detector for molecular beams.
  
• Focusing neutral molecules in two-dimensions.

Elementary particle physics

• Extended supersymmetric models
  
• Supersymmetric dark matter
  
• Supersymmetric origin of matter
  
• Extra dimensional dark matter
  
• Higgs discovery at the Large Hadron Collider
  
• Holographic vacuum energy
  
• Cosmology of the electroweak symmetry breaking

Fundamental X-ray physics

• Uniqueness of the complex diffraction amplitude in x-ray Bragg diffraction: General formalism
  
• One- and two-dimensional inverse problem in X-ray diffraction studies design of a high-efficency helium detector for molecular beams.
  
• Two-dimensional crystal-lattice strain reconstruction with nanometre spatial resolution
  
• High-resolution X-ray diffraction experiments using synchrotron radiation
• Unambiguous characterisation of advanced semiconductor alloy films and multi-layer superstructures
  
• Three-dimensional diffraction phenomenon at a 90-degree Bragg reflection
• 90-degree Bragg reflection from a thin surface film

Image processing

• Algorithms for discrete image processing
  
• Limitations on traditional computed-tomography (CT) image precision
  
• Three-dimensional x-ray tomography
  
• Sparse-data reconstructions
  
• Discrete Radon Transform (DRT) as a tool for image reconstruction and analysis

Mössbauer spectroscopy

• Mineral processing
  
• Gold extraction onto activated carbon and polyurethane foam
  
• Transformation of iron minerals during processing
  
• Study of coal and coal products
  
• Magnetism
  
• Mechanisms operating in exchange spring magnets made either as films by magnetron sputtering or as powder by ball milling

Physics education research

• How students conceptualise physics
  
• How physics is best learnt and taught
  
• Gender balance and physics
  
• Interactive aids for physics study
  
• Enhancing the experience of physics in schools

Synchrotron Science

• X-ray imaging
  
• Radiotherapy
  
• Disease diagnosis
  
• Detectors

Theoretical and computational physics

• Studies on topological defects in both quantum-mechanical and classical fields
• Geometric phases in physics
  
• Inverse problems
  
• Deterministic phase retrieval
  
• Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
  
• Diffraction theory
  
• Nanodynamics
  
• The Hubbard model and its applications to low-dimensional quantum systems Caustics and vortices in matter-wave fields
  
• Computational determination of the electronic and structural properties of microstructures, including surfaces and small clusters of metals and semiconductors
  
• The discrete Radon transform together with certain aspects of its intriguing connections with number theory
  
• Chaotic states of Bose-Einstein condensates
  
• Superconductivity
  
• Fractal drums
  
• Dynamics of non-linear quantum-mechanical systems

Theoretical optics

• Phase retrieval
  
• Phase-contrast imaging
  
• Medical imaging
  
• Computational aberration correction
  
• Holography
  
• Microscopy,
  
• Inference of non-linear differential equations of physics from field intensities
  
• Medical imaging
  
• Vector tomography of Doppler-transformed fields
  
• X-ray lithography
  
• Fresnel microscopy of magnetic materials
  
• Singular optics and diffraction theory