Faculty information

• Structure and organisation of the faculty
  • Schools within the faculty
  • Science disciplines offered by departments and schools in other faculties
  • Academic and administration affairs of the faculty
• Where to get help and advice in the faculty
• Schools and centres of the faculty
• Graduate studies by research
  • Supervision
    
  • Scholarships and exemptions
    

Areas of study

• Areas of research, by school and specialist centres

Course information

• Outline of postgraduate studies
  • Courses offered in 2013

Course-related policies and rules

• Government and University legislation

The Faculty of Science conducts undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the Clayton, Gippsland and Sunway, Malaysia campuses. Postgraduate programs offered by the faculty include the Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) postgraduate which may be undertaken on campus and by external mode.

Schools within the faculty

The faculty comprises the following seven schools, each of which is responsible for carrying out teaching and research activities within the areas of expertise of their academic staff:

• Applied Sciences and Engineering (Gippsland)
• Science (Sunway)
• Biological Sciences (Clayton)
• Chemistry (Clayton)
• Geosciences (Clayton)
• Mathematical Sciences (Clayton)
• Physics (Clayton).

The School of Applied Sciences and Engineering is a multidisciplinary school that operates on the Gippsland campus. The school offers a range of studies and conducts research in applied biology, applied chemistry, human physiology, mathematics and modelling, and environmental management. The School of Science is a multidisciplinary school that operates on the Sunway campus.

Science disciplines offered by departments and schools in other faculties

Departments and schools in the following faculties also offer science disciplines:

• Faculty of Arts - School of Geography and Environmental Science
• Faculty of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering
• Faculty of Information Technology - School of Information Technology (Clayton) and School of Information Technology (Gippsland)
• Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences - Departments of Anatomy and Developmental Biology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Microbiology; Immunology; Pharmacology; Physiology; and the School of Psychology and Psychiatry.

Collaborative research is also undertaken with schools and departments from other faculties.

Academic and administration affairs of the faculty

The academic operations of the faculty are governed by the faculty board, which is chaired by the dean of the faculty. The dean exercises a general superintendence over the academic and administrative affairs of the faculty and is assisted by four associate deans (external, graduate studies, research, and teaching). The heads of schools are ex-officio members of the board, and there are elected members representing various groups of staff within the schools of the faculty. Membership of the faculty board includes representatives of undergraduate, graduate, and off-campus learning students, who may be contacted through the appropriate campus candidate organisation. The board also comprises representatives from other faculties and of extra-faculty departments/schools who teach science students. The board seeks advice from a number of standing committees, such as the faculty's education committee, research committee, and research degrees committee.

The faculty academic manager, with the assistance of other managers and administrative officers, is responsible for the activities of the Faculty of Science office and works closely with the dean in the provision of administrative support to the faculty.

Intending and current students are strongly encouraged to seek advice and information from the Faculty of Science office or from any of the schools. Details can be found at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/postgrad/index.html.

Clayton

Location: ground floor, central Science building (building 19) - where it adjoins building 27 on the south side

Telephone: +61 3 9905 9052
Fax: +61 3 9902 9962
Email: sci-pgrad-enquiries@monash.edu

Postal address

Faculty of Science Office
Clayton campus
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

Gippsland

Location: Building 3W

Telephone: +61 3 9902 6453
Fax: +61 3 9902 6738
Email: gippsland.research@monash.edu

Postal address

School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Faculty of Science
Monash University Gippsland Campus
Northways Road
Churchill Victoria 3842
Australia

Sunway

Location: Building 2, Level 5
Telephone: +603 5514 6816/6817
Fax: +603 5514 6344
Email: scienceinquiries.musc@.monash.edu
Postal address:
School of Science
Monash University Sunway Campus
Jalan Lagoon Selatan
46150 Bandar Sunway
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia

Listed below are the schools and centres of the faculty. School staff can provide advice about a range of matters, including unit details for postgraduate coursework programs as well as information on areas of research focus and available resources and supervision for higher degree by research programs.

Schools

School of Applied Sciences and Engineering

Research strengths and focus include applied biology and chemistry, human physiology, mathematics and modelling, and environmental management.

• Location: Building 3W, Gippsland campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9902 6453
• Fax: +61 3 9902 6738
• Email: gippsland.research@monash.edu
• http://www.gippsland.monash.edu.au/science
  

Postal address

School of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Science
Monash University
Gippsland campus
Northways Road
Churchill Victoria 3842
Australia

School of Sciences

• Location: Building 2, level 5, Sunway campus
• Telephone: +603 5514 6816/6817
• Fax: +603 5514 6344
• Email: scienceinquiries.musc@.monash.edu
• http://www.sci.monash.edu.my/
  

Postal address

School of Sciences
Monash University
Jalan Lagoon Selatan
Bandar Sunway, 46150
Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia

School of Biological Sciences

Research strengths and focus include biology and physiology of algae; ecology and conservation biology; evolutionary and behavioural biology; developmental genetics; and plant genetics and biotechnology;.

• Location: Building 18, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 5650
• Fax: +61 3 9905 5613
• Email: enquiries.biol@monash.edu

• http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au

Postal address

School of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Chemistry

Research strengths and focus include electrolytes, water studies, sustainable and green chemistry, electrochemistry, biospectroscopy, environmental and analytical science, biological and medicinal chemistry, materials chemistry and synthetic inorganic and organic chemistry.

• Location: Building 19C, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4593
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4597
• http://www.chem.monash.edu.au
  

Postal address

School of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
Box 23
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Geosciences

Research strengths and focus include economic geology, environmental geoscience and hydrogeology, geospatial imaging and environmental geoscience, geochemistry and petrology, geophysics, palaeontology, geodynamics, volcanology and ore deposits, sedimentology and basin studies and tectonics.

• Location: Building 28, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4879
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4903
• http://www.geosci.monash.edu.au
  

Postal address

School of Geosciences
Faculty of Science
Building 28
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Mathematical Sciences

Research strengths and focus include algebra and discrete mathematics, analysis and geometry, astrophysics and general relativity, atmospheric science and geophysical fluid dynamics, computational mathematics, statistics and stochastic processes, and tertiary mathematics education.

• Location: Building 28, Clayton campus
• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4465
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4403
• Email: sci-maths-enquiries@monash.edu
• http://www.maths.monash.edu.au
  

Postal address

School of Mathematical Sciences
Faculty of Science
Building 28
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

School of Physics

Research strengths and focus include condensed matter physics, optics and diffraction physics, synchrotron science, x-ray physics and imaging and theoretical and computational physics.

• Location: Building 27, Clayton campus
• Telephone inquiries: +61 3 9905 3651
• Fax: +61 3 9905 3637
• Email: physics.enquiries@monash.edu
• http://www.physics.monash.edu.au
  

Postal address

School of Physics
Faculty of Science
Monash University Victoria 3800
Australia

Centres

Australian Centre for Biodiversity

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 5642
• Fax: +61 3 9905 5613
• http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/research/acb/
  

Australian Crustal Research Centre

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4897
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4903
• http://www.geosci.monash.edu.au/research/acrc.html

Centre for Biospectroscopy

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4525
• http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/biospec

Centre for Green Chemistry

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4547
• Fax: +61 3 9905 8501
• http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/green-chem

Centre for Modelling of Stochastic Systems

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4409
• Fax: +61 3 9905 9520
• http://www.cmss.monash.edu.au/

Monash Centre for Astrophysics

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4440
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4403
• http://moca.monash.edu/

Water Studies Centre

• Telephone: +61 3 9905 4078
• Fax: +61 3 9905 4196
• http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/wsc

Introduction

The Master of Science (MSc) is a research-based program primarily aimed at further training for Bachelor of Science with honours graduates. Research may be undertaken within all schools of the faculty, the School of Geography and Environmental Science in the Faculty of Arts, and the Monash Injury Research Institute (formerly known as the Monash University Accident Research Centre). The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees are extensive research-based programs offering further training also primarily for Bachelor of Science with honours graduates.

Supervision

On admitting a candidate to a research program, the faculty board will, on the recommendation of the head of school, appoint a member of the academic staff of the university as a supervisor. It will also appoint an associate supervisor who need not be an academic staff member but someone of recognised standing in the field. Both supervisors are responsible to the faculty board.

Research fellows and postdoctoral fellows may be appointed as supervisors if their terms of appointment exceed the periods of candidature, they have previous experience in supervising higher degree candidates, and they have a proven and current research record. Otherwise they may be appointed as associate supervisors.

Further information about research in the Faculty of Science can be obtained from the graduate studies website at http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/postgrad/index.html, or the Faculty of Science Research Office by email at sci-pgrad-enquiries@monash.edu.

Scholarships and exemptions

Full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Masters by Research candidates (MSc and MPhil) with an honours H1 degree or the equivalent may apply for a range of postgraduate research scholarships, including the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and the Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS). Further details may be obtained from: http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/postgrad/scholarship.html.

Biological sciences

Coordinators: Dr Ross Thompson (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 the Gippsland campus. 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 and behavioural biology

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

Developmental and plant genetics and biotechnology

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

Coordinators: Associate Professor Stuart Batten (Clayton),  Professor Sam Adeloju (Gippsland) and Professor Gary Dykes (Sunway)
Opportunities for research in the following broad areas of chemistry are offered by the School of Chemistry, the School of Applied Sciences and Engineering and the School of Science:

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

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. Structure, reactivity and uses of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) from soils, lignites and composts.  Another major research area is ecological risk assessment, quantitative modelling and development of predictive models. 

Food chemistry

Food microbiology, food safety, and food preservation.

Green (sustainable) 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.

Research Centres

Centre for Biospectroscopy

The Centre for Biospectroscopy is a Faculty of Science research centre directed at developing spectroscopy and imaging techniques for the investigation of biological, biomedical and biotechnological systems.. For further information visit: http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/biospec/.

Water Studies Centre

The Water Studies Centre is a Faculty of Science research centre that aims to generate and exchange scientific knowledge to underpin the effective management of Australia's waterways.

For further information, visit: http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/wsc/

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 visit: http://www.chem.monash.edu.au/green-chem

Geography and environmental science

Coordinators: Dr Jason Beringer (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 (MSc) 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://arts.monash.edu.au/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

Coordinator: Associate Professor Peter Betts
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 modelling, numerical modelling 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 are 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 Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences (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

Coordinator: Professor John Lattanzio (Clayton)

Candidates in mathematical science may enrol for programs leading to the MSc, MPhil 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 Postgraduate Co-ordinator 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.

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 statistics

Candidates may undertake either an MSc, MPhil 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.

Pure mathematics

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

Centres

Monash 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 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 Physics. Research supervision is available for theoretical and observational studies from star and planet formation through to the properties of black holes.

Centre for Modelling 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

Coordinator: Associate Professor David Paganin.

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 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 undertaken by School of 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. 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. 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 further details visit http://physics.monash.edu/postgrad/

Research projects may be 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

Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs are offered by all schools of the Faculty of Science. Prospective MSc candidates are also referred to the Faculty of Arts entry in this handbook. Broad areas of study available for pure or applied research for candidates/coursework students in the Faculty of Science are detailed below.

• Biological sciences
• Chemistry
• Geosciences
• Geography and environmental science
• Mathematical sciences
• Physics

NOTE: The course details provided in the entries below are for those students who commence their studies in 2013 - students who commence their studies prior to this date should consult the Handbook edition for the year in which they started their course. Archived Handbooks are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/.

Research

• 2700 or 3532 Master of Science*
• 3521 or 3533 Master of Philosophy*
• 0057 or 3531 Doctor of Philosophy*

* Students enrolled in the second course code listed for these degrees should refer to the course details as outlined under the entry for the first course code listed.