Plant Science at The Australian National University
A cross-disciplinary program involving:
Why plant science?
Despite a plant's deceptively simple construction, many aspects of plant biology are only just beginning to be understood. Plant scientists today are being called upon to solve problems ranging from conservation and management of native species, to gaining increased agricultural yield from reduced inputs, to predicting and dealing with the impacts of invasive plants, pests and diseases. There are exciting opportunities in these areas and good people are needed for these jobs!
Why the ANU?
The Australian National University is uniquely placed in Australia for the study of plant science. The Program in Plant Sciences draws on the broad range of plant research that exists in the scientific community of Canberra - the Faculty of Science and the Research School of Biological Sciences at ANU together with the nearby Division of Plant Industry at CSIRO - to provide outstanding opportunities for study, research and employment in plant science.
Where will it take you?
Research opportunities in plant science
- Summer scholarships or internships at participating research institutions in Canberra
- Research based undergraduate courses at ANU
- Honours at ANU or CSIRO Plant Industry
- PhD at ANU or CSIRO Plant Industry
- Postdoctoral positions at ANU or CSIRO Plant Industry
Employment opportunities - many based in Canberra
What courses are available?
The plant science program is offered through three schools and encompasses a wide range of topics from plant molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs and whole plants to plant communities including natural, agricultural and silvicultural ecosystems. The plant science program also encompasses a wide range of scientific disciplines including genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, genomics, plant physiology, biotechnology, evolutionary biology and ecology. These topics and disciplines combine to give a broad, integrated perspective of plant science. Courses offered include:
Plants: Genes to Environment BIOL2121
Study the way plants function with the goal of understanding how processes at cell and organ level scale to the whole organism level.
Australian Plant Diversity BIOL2122
The diversity of form and reproduction in green plants. An evolutionary history from invasion of land to the explosive radiation of flowering plants.
Advances in Molecular Plant Science BIOL3177
Scientists at ANU and CSIRO Plant Industry present current research in key areas of plant science including plant development, photosynthesis, nutrient acquisition and disease resistance.
Plants and Climate Change BIOL3125
Explore aspects of plant physiology and ecology beginning with ecological aspects of photosynthesis and growth and moving on to symbiosis, plant-plant interactions and seed/seedling biology.
Ecology of Disease BIOL3102
Learn about the fascinating relationship between plants and both beneficial and pathogenic microbes.
Genomics and its Applications BIOL3161
Over a third of the lectures in this course are presented by researchers who apply genomics and biotechnology to plant sciences and agriculture.
Research Projects BIOL3174/3175 and Special Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics BIOL3138/3139
These courses offer the opportunity to carry out hands-on research in an ANU or CSIRO plant science laboratory over one or two semesters. Placements are arranged by contacting the course coordinator.
