Graduate Research in Chemistry - Overview
Graduate students are offered research opportunities in the following branches of chemistry: biological chemistry; biological macromolecules, including enzyme function; NMR studies of macromolecules; protein crystallography; biological activity of heterocycles; bio-organic synthesis; enzymology and kinetics of pteridines; natural products; organic synthesis; free radicals; mass spectrometry; theoretical organic chemistry; biomimetic and coordination chemistry; organometallics; inorganic stereochemistry; electrochemistry; crystallography; solid state chemistry; disordered materials; new materials and conducting polymers; interaction of radiation and matter; laser and optical spectroscopy; magnetic resonance and photophysics; dynamics and chemical physics; theoretical biomolecular dynamics; liquid state and statistical mechanics; liquid properties and ion diffusion; poly-electrolytes; physical and theoretical chemistry of polymers; statistical mechanics of macromolecules, solutions and interfaces; biomembranes and biophysics; and surface colloid chemistry.
Research groups working in research areas from a wide spectrum of chemistry fields are located in the Research School of Chemistry and in the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science.
A large number of international scientists visit the above groups each year, contributing to research projects, the extensive seminar series and graduate lecture courses. Collaboration with other Australian universities, government laboratories and industry also features in this program.
Laboratories are fully equipped to international standards with excellent facilities in computing and computer graphics, spectroscopy (optical, infrared, epr, nmr), mass spectrometry, electron microscopy and X ray crystallography.
Degrees and Diplomas offered
- PhD
- Master of Philosophy
- Graduate Diploma in Science
PhD
Candidates for this degree will usually hold the degree of Bachelor of Science with honours (first class or second class, division A) though candidates with the degree of Master of Philosophy or a Graduate Diploma at merit level may be admitted to the course. The normal duration of the course is three years. The degree is awarded on the basis of a thesis, examined externally, and where necessary, an oral examination
Master of Philosophy
Candidates are required to pursue a course of study and original research. The choice of the field of research will be decided by the student in consultation with the relevant Head of Department. A supervisor will be appointed for each candidate, who will advise on the course of study and the direct the research project. Candidates submit a thesis embodying the results of their research together with a critical review of the cognate literature. The usual duration of the course is one year.
Graduate Lectures
No course work is formally required of PhD and Master students. However, graduate students are encouraged to attend at least two short Graduate Lecture Courses on average each year. Information on graduate lecture courses is available from the convenor of the program in March/April of each new year.
Graduate Diploma in Science (specialising in chemistry)
The Graduate Diploma in Science is a self-contained qualification which may also serve as a basis for admission to the MPhil and PhD degrees. The course for the Diploma specialising in Chemistry is similar to the Honours course but differs in the following respects:
a) the entry requirements are less strict;
b) the course may be pursued by part-time as well as full-time study
Anyone contemplating undertaking the Diploma should consult with the Chemistry Honours Coordinator and the Head of Department of Chemistry and discuss possible projects with potential supervisors before completing the enrolment procedure. Information regarding current research in the Department is available from the Honours Coordinator.
Admission to the Graduate Diploma Course
The minimum requirement is a pass BSc degree from a recognised University or its equivalent as approved by the Dean, Faculty of Science.
Starting Date and Duration of Graduate Diploma
The usual starting time is the beginning of the first or second semesters but alternative arrangements can be negotiated with the Head of Department. The minimum course length is 10 months fulltime and the maximum, 24 months. For part-time candidature, the minimum time is 18 months and maximum, 48 months.
Graduate Diploma Course Work
Students are required to complete four courses, each consisting of about eight lectures. The best three course marks will be used towards the overall Diploma grade. Permission may be sought from the Honours Coordinator to include other appropriate courses; in particular some undergraduate Chemistry B and C unit courses may be suitable. Discussion with the supervisor before selecting the course is advised.
Students are asked to present two talks during the course. The first of these serves to introduce the research project to members of the Department; it is not assessed. The second, a more formal seminar, reviews the (largely) completed project and is assessed towards the final grading. The timing of these talks will depend on the student's program but they will normally coincide with the Honours seminars in April and October.
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