Dean: Professor Richard Arculus
Sub-Deans: Dr Mervyn Aston, Dr Heather Kennett
Academic areas responsible for teaching and research within the Faculty are:
The following also make a significant contribution to the teaching activities of the Faculty:
Degree course Usual course duration (yrs)
Bachelor of Science (Forestry) 4
Bachelor of Science (Resource and 3
Environmental Management)
Bachelor of Science (Science Communication) 3
Bachelor of Computational Science 3
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Psychology 4
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science 4
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (Forestry) 5
Bachelor of Arts (Visual)/ 5
Bachelor of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Asian Studies/Bachelor of Science 4
Bachelor of Asian Studies (Specialist)/ 5
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Asian Studies/Bachelor 5
of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Psychology 4
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor 5
of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Psychology 4
Bachelor of Information Technology/ 5
Bachelor of Science (Forestry)
Bachelor of Psychology /Bachelor of Laws 5
Bachelor of Psychology/Bachelor of Science 4
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws 5
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Commerce 4
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Economics 4
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Science (Forestry) 5
There are no formal degree prerequisites and most first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:
There are no formal degree prerequisites although students are advised to complete a major in mathematics and at least a minor in biology and chemistry.
ACT major/minor in Advanced Mathematics Extended or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent
ACT minor (but preferably a major) in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent
ACT minor (but preferably a major) in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent
There are no formal degree prerequisites. It is assumed that students have completed an ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended major/minor and a Physics T major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics or equivalent.
Please see the appropriate Faculty entry for prerequisites for degree programs combined with the above.
Science courses are grouped by level. Courses of Group A are available to students commencing a degree program whereas, with a few exceptions, Group B courses have prerequisites in Group A and Group C courses have prerequisites in Group B. A student is expected to obtain a grade of Pass in prerequisite courses. However, prerequisites may be waived in special circumstances on the written recommendation of the Head of Department/School concerned.
As the choice of first year courses may restrict later-year choices, you should decide which third year courses (Group C) you may be interested in taking. Note prerequisites for those courses, and work backwards to determine which first-year courses you need to do. It is important to note that some first year courses are terminating courses ie they do not serve as prerequisites for later year courses in a discipline. Including more than one or two such courses in the first year of your program will significantly reduce your flexibility in choosing later year courses.
There are quotas on enrolments in some courses and selection is based on academic merit. If a quota applies to a particular course, it is normally indicated in the course description.
Sub-Deans are available to discuss with students, matters related to degree structures and choice of courses. Students must meet the degree program requirements applying at the time of their admission to candidature unless they apply in writing to undertake their degree in accordance with requirements applying at a subsequent time.
Science courses are classified as Group A, B, and C courses; the individual course descriptions indicate the Group to which the course belongs.
The following courses offered by other Faculties are also classified as Science courses:
ANTH2127 Genes, Memes and Cultural Difference Group B
ARCH2108 Animals, Plants and People Group B
BIAN2011 Human Evolution Group B
BIAN2115 'Race' and Human Genetic Variation Group B
BIAN3010 Techniques in Biological Anthropology Group C
BIAN3011 Skeletal Analysis Group C
ENGN1215 Introduction to Materials Group A
ENGN2211 Electronic Circuits and Devices Group B
ENGN2214 Mechanics of Materials Group B
ENGN4507 Semiconductor Technology Group C
ENGN4511 Composite Materials Group C
ENGN4601 Engineering Materials Group C
PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science Group B
PHIL2061 Philosophy of Psychology Group B
PHIL2082 Philosophy of Biology Group B
PHIL3053 Advanced Logic Group B
PHIL3054 Philosophy of Mathematics Group B
PRAN2119 Nutrition, Disease and the
Human Environment Group B
PRAN2024 Human Society and Animal Society Group B
NOTE: The above courses cannot be taken as part of the Science component of a combined degree program.
The Australian National Internships Program offers three Internships courses which are available to later-year students in a number of degrees. Students apply separately to the Program for selection and admission to these courses, but should also enrol in them in the normal way. At the time of application to the Program, students should consult the appropriate Faculty Office to determine precisely how the course will fit within their degree program requirements.
NOTE: Internship courses cannot be taken as part of the Science component of a combined degree program.
Undergraduates usually specialise in one main area while studying certain parts of others as auxiliary to their main interest. Such specialisation can be associated with particular careers as set out in the departmental and school entries. While science may be considered in terms of broad areas associated with the departments and schools of the Faculty of Science, other areas of study include astronomy and astrophysics, biological chemistry, biotechnology, computational science, evolution and ecology, genetics, geochemistry, geophysics, geographic information systems, environmental studies, human sciences, immunology, medical sciences, microbiology, photonics, resource management, neuroscience and science communication.
The structure of the degree of Bachelor of Science provides students with a wide choice of curricula, so they may, if they so desire, spread their studies over a range of interests. Courses from other faculties can be included in the degree, thus providing a measure of flexibility in the tailoring of a program best suited to a student's needs. (The attention of international students is drawn, in particular, to the courses ACEN1001 English in Academic Contexts, and ACEN1002 Advanced English in Academic Contexts, offered by the Faculty of Arts.)
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
The three-year BSc (Resource and Environmental Management) degree, and associated Honours program, are designed to educate environmental scientists and natural resource managers to meet the sustainability challenges and opportunities of the coming century. The Resource and Environmental Management Program and BSc (Res&EnvMan) degree link the natural and social sciences with their applications in environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Because the BSc(Res&EnvMan) degree is so flexible, prospective students should consult the Program Convener prior to developing their individual program and associated streams.
The curriculum comprises a core of natural and social sciences courses relevant to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. The degree emphasises experiential and field-based learning, and combines broadly based environmental education with focused professional development and opportunities for specialisation.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
Group B courses must include one of ECOS2001, FSTY2102, GEOG2014, SRES2001 and SRES2003.
One of GEOG3028, SRES3007 or LAWS3103 must be included.
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
*See degree program requirements for particular courses which must be included in years 1, 2 and 3
The 4-year BSc(Forestry) degree offers students a challenging education in forest science and forest resource management, with wide application in environmental science and resource management in Australia and abroad. The curriculum is based on knowledge of the basic physical and biological sciences relevant to forest ecosystems, of the applied sciences and technologies which support sustainable forest management, and of their application in the context of the political, economic and social dimensions of resource use. Consequently, the degree emphasises field-based learning, and combines a broadly-based education with specific professional development and opportunities for specialisation. Like the BSc, the BSc(Forestry) also provides training in learning and communication skills.
The degree is directed primarily to educating forest scientists and professional foresters, but its graduates are also attractive to a wide range of employers in environmental science and resource management.
Students who have completed satisfactorily one year of an approved program at another university may apply through UAC to transfer to this University for the final three years of the forestry degree. It should be noted that the content of some first-year courses at ANU is particularly suitable for forestry students and that there is some benefit in undertaking the full degree program at this University.
Details of the Forestry program, and the normal sequence of courses for the degree, are presented in the Forestry Handbook, available free on request from the School of Resources, Environment and Society.
The degree requires completion of 192 units comprising:
1. 30 units of 1000-series courses comprising BIOL1005, BIOL1006, FSTY1004, SRES1001 and SRES1003
2. 24 units of 2000-series courses comprising FSTY2004, FSTY2009, FSTY2012 and FSTY2102
3. 36 units of 3000-series courses comprising FSTY3015, FSTY3016, FSTY3017, FSTY3018, FSTY3009 and GEOG3028
4. 24 units of 4000-series courses comprising FSTY4001, FSTY4002, FSTY4003 and FSTY4004
either FSTY4057 (Forestry Honours 1) and FSTY4058 (Forestry Honours 2);
or BIOL2121, SRES2005 and FSTY4005.
Enrolment in Forestry Honours 1 and 2 is by invitation only.
(c) 12 units of Group A, B or C courses offered by a science-related department (ie Department or School in the Faculty of Science or the Department of Computer Science or the School of Finance and Applied Statistics)
(d) 48 units of courses offered by any Faculty
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
The degree of BPsych offers concentrated study in Psychology for students who want a thorough exploration of the discipline and the opportunity for specialisation in their third year. It includes courses in the major substantive areas of Psychology, together with comprehensive training in the research design and data analysis techniques used in psychological science.
The degree program follows a planned three-year sequence. In the first year (Group A) course, students are introduced to the core topics of cognition, personality, social psychology, developmental psychology, biological bases of behaviour, and research methodology. These six areas are then developed within the six individual Group B psychology courses, leading in to more specialised Group C courses from which students select according to their interests. Third year BPsych students must include the two advanced (Group C) methodology courses in their program. The School's BPsych coordinator is available to advise on third year options, as well as on curriculum choices for the 60 units of non-psychology courses the degree allows.
The BPsych is an ideal preparation for fourth year (Honours or Graduate Diploma) and for further graduate study in psychology. It offers a firm scientific grounding in the discipline, which is the essential basis for both professional training (e.g. Graduate Diploma; Masters or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) and advanced research work (MPhil; PhD).
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
Increasingly, scientists are required to communicate their work with the general public. This may be through the media, such as newspapers, radio or TV, or through public lectures. The ability to communicate effectively and in an interesting way is a skill in high demand by many employers of science graduates.
Along with conventional science subjects, a BSc (Science Communication) allows you to learn skills in communication through public speaking and performance, and writing for a general audience.
Electives allow you to learn more about human nature and the philosophy of science, placing science in the context of the everyday lives of people.
Eligible graduates from this program will be able to continue in Honours in mainstream science areas or in science communication.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including at least 96 units of Group A, B and C courses, of which 72 units must comprise courses offered by a science-related department ie Department or School in the Faculty of Science or the Department of Computer Science or School of Finance and Applied Statistics.
The total of 144 units must include:
The degree program may not include:
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
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First year courses, including one course chosen from List 1 (12 units) |
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*this course will not be available until 2003. It is therefore not possible to transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Science (Science Communication) in 2002.
This degree provides training in the rapidly expanding area of computational modelling, which leads to a broad range of exciting and challenging careers. Increasingly, mathematical models and computational techniques are taking advantage of powerful computers to simulate real world problems as well as solve problems on the cutting edge of scientific research. In the automotive industry, for example, computational techniques are used in every part of the development process, from the design of a new car body through to crash testing. In medicine, MRI scans using computer aided tomography are now commonplace. In the financial world, computerised trading relies on mathematical models of the stock market. Whereas the mining industry is dependent on computational modelling to find new mineral resources, the new discipline of Data Mining deals with the enormous amounts of electronic information collected by businesses, governments, and researchers, and uses computational analysis to discover knowledge from these information collections.
The BComptlSci degree provides the skills necessary to solve advanced computational problems from a wide range of application areas. Over half of the degree consists of core courses which provide the practical mathematical and computing training for the formulation, analysis, modelling and simulation of problems in science, engineering, commerce and industry. In addition, students will have the opportunity to use a range of advanced computing systems available at the ANUSF and at the APAC National Computing Facility.
The balance of the BComptlSci degree consists of courses which are chosen to enable a specialisation in an area of science such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, geography and so on. Alternatively, students can choose to study mathematics and computer science to greater depth. In this way, the general mathematical and computing skills obtained from the core courses can be applied in a sophisticated manner in a specialisation area. Hence, these courses need to be chosen to allow a deep knowledge of at least one application area. To this end, of the 66 units of non-core courses, at least 18 units must consist of third-year courses in a particular specialisation area.
There are many advanced computational research projects being undertaken at the ANU in such areas as: Computational Chemistry, Computational Biology, Data Mining, Computational Mesoscale Physics, Particle Simulation of Plasma Physics, DNA Chips Design, Computational Astrophysics, Advanced Manufacturing, Enabling Technologies for High Performance Computing, Condensed Matter Physics and Environmental Modelling. Core courses of the degree include seminar courses which aim to involve students with computational scientists from the Faculties and the Institute of Advanced Studies working in these and other advanced computational projects.
Further information about the BComptlSci degree can be found at http://bcomptlsci.anu.edu.au/
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units comprising:
(a) a core of 78 units of courses offered by the Departments of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, consisting of
MATH1500 Art and Science of Advanced Computation 1
COMP1100 Introduction to Programming and Algorithms
COMP1110 Foundations of Software Engineering
MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1 (or MATH1115)
MATH1014 Mathematics and Applications 2 (or MATH1116)
MATH2500 Art and Science of Advanced Computation 2
COMP2100 Software Construction
MATH2305 Differential Equations and Applications (or MATH2405)
COMP2310 Concurrent and Distributed Systems
MATH2501 Foundations of Computational Science
MATH3500 Art and Science of Advanced Computation 3
COMP3320 High Performance Scientific Computation
MATH3501 Deterministic and Stochastic Modelling
MATH3502 Solution of Large Scale Matrix Problems
PHYS3038 Case Studies in Advanced Computation
(b) 42 units of courses other than those listed in (a), including 18 units of third year courses, taken entirely in one Department or School in the Faculties of Science or Engineering and Information Technology, or the combined Schools of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Botany and Zoology
(c) 24 units of courses offered by any Faculty of the University
The degree program may not include:
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
[1] Those students who intend to enrol in a fourth year honours program within an application area may need to complete 24 units of Group C courses in the relevant application area. To facilitate this, it is recommended that both COMP2310 Concurrent and Distributed Systems and COMP3600 Algorithms be taken in second year, so that an extra Group C course can be taken in third year. Intending honours students should contact the relevant honours convener.
With the advent of genetic engineering and the expansion of technological possibilities this brings, biotechnology has become an important part of future science and will play an increasingly important role in the economies of this and other countries.
The ANU is centrally placed amongst research institutes actively developing biotechnology, and has well-established links to industry and government. As new areas of biotechnology develop, linking biology to computing, electronics and engineering, the ANU is well placed to draw on ongoing research to present undergraduate courses in these areas, featuring up-to-date research information.
The Bachelor of Biotechnology degree is a three year program containing a core curriculum introducing the basic principles of molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, societal and ethical issues in biotechnology and intellectual property. Elective courses available within the Faculty of Science allow students to tailor the program to their specific interests such as medical, plant/agricultural or chemical biotechnology.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units including:
The degree program may not include
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
In addition to the compulsory courses indicated in the table, students choose two elective courses per semester. Depending on the choice of courses, it is possible to pursue specialisations in Medical Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology and Chemical Biotechnology. If you are interested in one of these streams, it is suggested that you include the following in your electives:
First year: BIOL1003 Ecology, Evolution and Genetics, BIOL1008 Human Biology, STAT1003 Statistical Techniques
Second year: BIOL2151 Introductory Genetics, BIOL2152 Advances in Human Genetics, BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease
Third year: At least four of the following five courses -- BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity, BIOL3151 Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, BIOL3144 Molecular Immunology, BIOL3176 Membranes, Drugs and Disease, BIOL3162 Applications in Biotechnology
First year: BIOL1006 Plant Evolution and Ecology
Second year: BIOL2121 Plant Structure and Function, BIOL2134 Conservation Biology
Third year: BIOL3177 Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BIOL3151 Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics, BIOL3162 Applications in Biotechnology
Second year: CHEM2101 Spectroscopy in Chemistry, CHEM2104 Principles of Organic Chemistry
Third year: CHEM3104 Analytical Aspects of Organic Chemistry, CHEM3107 Bioorganic and Natural Product Chemistry
Since the establishment of the John Curtin School of Medical Research in the 1940s, the study of human physiology and pathology has been one of the strengths of the Australian National University. Today, many different areas of the university actively contribute to the medical research effort on campus, including the Schools of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Psychology in the Faculties, the John Curtin School of Medical Research, the National Centre for Epidemiology & Health, the Centre for Mental Health Research and the Research School of Biological Sciences.
The modern medical sciences include subjects such as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, genetics, genomics, biotechnology and immunology. The Bachelor of Medical Science brings all of these disciplines into the one degree where they form a 'core' of compulsory areas of study. Students also choose a few additional subjects in complementary disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, biological chemistry and science in context. As part of the final year, students undertake BIOL3190 Medical Sciences Elective, which provides them with an opportunity to undertake 65 hours of study in a work environment where a qualification in the medical sciences is necessary for employment.
A fundamental knowledge of the medical sciences provides a broad platform from which to undertake further study in medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition, dietetics or forensic science.
The degree requires completion of at least 144 units of courses comprising:
The degree program may not include more than 48 units at first-year level.
At least 24 units of Group A courses must be completed before enrolment in Group C courses.
The maximum period for completion of the degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the degree program; the 10 years includes periods of suspension.
[1] Those choosing PHYS1101 and PHYS1201 are not required to take mathematics as a co-requisite, although the waiving of this co-requisite precludes BMedSc students from taking later-year courses in physics.
[2] It is suggested that these electives be chosen from CHEM2101 Spectroscopy in Chemistry, CHEM2104 Principles of Organic Chemistry, PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour, BIOL2103 Vertebrate Physiology and SCCO2103 Ecology of Health and Disease.
The photonics industry is one of the most rapidly expanding industries in Australia and has created a large current and future demand for university graduates with a detailed background in photonics. The three year Bachelor of Photonics degree is designed specifically as preparation for a career in this field. It combines a very sound science education in years one and two, with specialised training in state of the art photonics technology in third year including optics, electronics, instrumentation and communication technology. The syllabus was developed in close consultation with the photonics industry and the Cooperative Research Centre of Photonics to ensure that it includes material relevant to the most recent developments in, and the rapidly expanding applications of, photonics. Students may wish to consult the following website for further information on photonics: http://photonics.anu.edu.au.
* these courses will not be available until 2003. It is therefore not possible to transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Photonics in 2002.
Students who attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree may be admitted to the honours year to become candidates for the degree with honours.
Fields of study in which a degree with honours may be taken are:
ASTR4005 or MATH4005 or PHYS4003 Astronomy and Astrophysics*
BIMB4005 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
FSTY4052 or 4062 or 5152 Forestry**
SRES4005 Resource and Environmental Management
SCOM4005 Scientific Communication
* The code depends on whether the honours year is undertaken in the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Physics or both
** The code depends on whether the honours year is taken as part of the BSc, BSc(Res&EnvMan) or BSc(Forestry) degrees. Concurrent honours is also possible in the fourth year of the BSc (Forestry) degree
The above honours year codes apply to students undertaking full-time honours. Students should enrol in the relevant honours code for both semester 1 and semester 2. The minimum requirement set by Faculty for admission to an honours course other than BSc(Forestry) (Hons) is as follows:
(a) the successful completion of at least 48 units of Group B or Group C courses relevant to the proposed field of honours study, of which at least 24 units must be for Group C courses;
(b) the attainment of an average of 2 for the 48 units, where HD=4, D=3, CR=2, P=0;
(c) on the recommendation of the Head of Department/ School concerned, in the light of availability of resources and appropriate supervision.
Departments may have additional entry requirements and intending honours students should contact the relevant honours convener.
Both concurrent and fifth year honours are available in the course for the degree of Bachelor of Science (Forestry). For concurrent honours, students must have completed all first-year courses; maintained at least a Credit average in Group B and C courses; demonstrated superior achievement (D, HD) in subjects relevant to the topic in which they propose to undertake honours; are in the fourth year of the BSc(Forestry) degree and maintain a full-time load. For fifth year Forestry honours, the minimum entry requirement is at least four grades of Distinction and eight grades of Credit in relevant Group B and C courses with an overall minimum average of 65%.
The work of the honours year will consist of advanced work in a selected field of study, details of which are given under the individual departments or schools. The honours program extends over ten months. The program normally commences on the first Monday in February, although there is some flexibility in this. Students who complete the requirements for the pass degree at the end of the first semester, if admitted to honours, may, with the approval of the department or school concerned, commence the program mid-year.
Graduates of other universities may be accepted for admission to honours candidature provided that the undergraduate program and performance in the program are of a standard comparable to that applying in the relevant Department/School.
For students who desire to widen their fields of study for academic or professional reasons, the University offers a range of combined degree programs. Detailed information about the combined programs is provided in the Combined Programs section of this Handbook.
Students with disabilities should contact the Disability Adviser on (02) 6125 5036.
A height adjustable electric wheelchair is available for students with disabilities who may need to access high benches and fume cupboards in any department of the Faculty of Science.
Normally, students may not undertake more than 24 units in any one semester of their degree program. The Faculty may permit students with at least a Credit average in their previous University studies to undertake a heavier load.
Status towards undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty may be granted for studies completed elsewhere. Students should consult the Status Working Rules of the Faculty of Science which may be found on the following web site:
http://www.anu.edu.au/science/rules/StatusRegulations.html
A copy of the Working Rules is also available on request from the Faculty Office. Requests for status are assessed individually in the light of the provisions of the Working Rules; the following is a brief summary of the major provisions:
Graduates who have completed a bachelors degree at this or another university may be granted up to 72 units of status towards the 144 unit Bachelor of Science degree program. The balance of the degree program must be completed at this University and comprise courses offered by a science-related department; the degree program may not include courses which are substantially equivalent to courses completed in any previous degree. Status towards other undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty is assessed on a case by case basis because of the prescribed nature of these programs.
Holders of approved Associate Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas or Diplomas in a science-related field are granted up to 48 units of first-year status towards the 144 unit Bachelor of Science degree program. Status towards other undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty is assessed on a case by case basis because of the prescribed nature of these programs. Status is not granted for qualifications commenced more than 10 years before the date of the application for status.
No status is granted for nursing qualifications other than Bachelor degrees.
Up to 96 units of status may be granted towards the 144 unit Bachelor of Science degree program on the basis of an incomplete degree from another tertiary educational institution; at least 48 units of later year science courses offered by a science-related department , including 36 Group C units, must be completed at this University. Each application for status is considered on its merits, but in general, the Faculty recognises courses from other tertiary institutions which are equivalent to courses offered in this university, and may recognise science courses which are not prescribed for a degree of this Faculty provided that they are not incompatible with the degree course requirements. Status towards other undergraduate degree programs of the Faculty is assessed on a case by case basis because of the prescribed nature of these programs.
Status is not granted in relation to a course where a period of 10 years or more has elapsed from the date of first enrolment in the course and the date of the application for status in respect of that course.
Status is not granted for courses for which a grade of conditional pass or equivalent has been obtained.
The Examinations (The Faculties) Rules contain provisions for students who fail to attend a scheduled examination as well as for those whose studies are affected by illess. Detailed information is provided in the Student Enrolment and Administrative Procedures Guide which is available on the Web at http://www.anu.edu.au/enrolments. The Examinations (The Faculties) Rules are available on the Web at http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs/rules/. The Faculty of Science has guidelines concerning the circumstances under which special examinations will be approved. These circumstances include serious medical conditions and unavoidable circumstances which prevent a student attending the examination. Unavoidable circumstances are those which --
(a) could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student, and
(b) were beyond the student's control
Circumstances which will NOT normally be ACCEPTABLE as grounds for special examination are
(a) routine demands of employment;
(b) routine family problems such as domestic tension with or between parents, spouses, and other people closely involved with the student;
(c) difficulties adjusting to university life, and the demands of academic work;
(d) stress or anxiety associated with examinations or any aspect of academic work;
(e) routine need for financial support;
(f) demands of sports, clubs, and social or extra-curricula activities;
(g) family, personal and travel arrangements.
Circumstances which are ACCEPTABLE include:
(a) a member of the armed forces involved in compulsory exercises;
(b) a person in full-time employment required to be overseas by his or her employer;
(c) a person representing Australia at an international sporting or cultural event;
Students should note the need to provide evidence of any medical condition being used for an application for special examination or for special consideration. The statement provided by the medical practitioner must indicate the extent to which the condition affects the student's ability to study or sit an examination. Requests which do not provide this information will not be approved.
Preferred statements from the medical practitioner include:
The Faculty's rules and policies may be found at http://www.anu.edu.au/science/.
Undergraduate students of the Faculty of Science are required to seek formal approval for leave of absence from a degree program. Leave of absence is granted for no more than one year in the first instance; absence of more than two academic years in succession will not normally be approved. Periods of leave of absence are included in the maximum time limit prescribed for the degree program.
Students wishing to return to studies after a period of absence which has not been approved will be required to apply for readmission to the degree program; on readmission, they will be required to meet the degree program requirements as specified in the Undergraduate Handbook in that year.
A student leaving this University before completing an undergraduate degree program of the Faculty must, in order to qualify for the ANU degree
* 36 in the case of a student who was admitted to the degree course with status for studies completed at another tertiary institution.
This innovative and flexible program is designed to stretch the abilities of high-achieving students to the limit. It provides customised undergraduate training for outstanding high school students from throughout Australia. Distinguished Scholars will normally be in the top 2% in their state or territory, or have shown outstanding achievement in, for example, the Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics Olympiads. Alternatively, students who show potential during the early part of their undergraduate programs may, with the support of the relevant Department or School, seek entry at a later stage.
The Distinguished Scholar Program is available to first year students enrolled in the single degree programs offered by the Faculty of Science and to later year students enrolled in either single or combined programs.
In consultation with the Head of the relevant Department/School, scholars select a member of the academic staff to be their mentor within the Program. The mentor will, in consultation with the scholar, plan a program tailored to the scholar's needs and interests to maximise academic potential. The mentor will also encourage and monitor the scholar's progress and development and facilitate the interaction and involvement of the scholar with the relevant Department. The program can consist of existing courses, special lecture courses, reading courses and/or special research projects from both the Faculty and the Research Schools. Distinguished Scholars must complete courses to the value of 144 units in accordance with the BSc degree program requirements.
Application forms are available from the Admissions Office, telephone (02) 6125 5594/3046 or e-mail admiss.enq@anu.edu.au or World Wide Web http://www.anu.edu.au/psi/dist_scholar.html.
or from the Faculty of Science --
telephone (02) 6125 2809
Applications close 31 October each year.
Candidates should also be aware that they may apply for an ANU National Undergraduate Scholarship.
Professor D. T. Wickramasinghe, Department of Mathematics
Dr Paul Francis, Department of Physics
The 21st century will herald a new era in astronomy. Larger and more sensitive telescopes will continue to be built at the cutting edge of technology revealing the nature of the Universe in more detail than ever before. The quest for the understanding of the origin of matter and of life is likely to shift from earth bound laboratories to the Universe at large, and stronger links will be made between astronomy and the more traditional fields. Likewise, mathematical modelling is likely to play an ever increasing role in shaping our understanding of the Universe. The ANU with its prowess in astronomy, the mathematical sciences and physics, is expected to play a leading role in these developments.
The undergraduate astronomy and astrophysics program (UAAP) has been designed by the Department of Mathematics of the School of Mathematical Sciences, the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Science, and the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA), and utilises the collective expertise at the ANU in the area of astronomy and astrophysics. UAAP gives students an opportunity to study astronomy at various levels of sophistication. A student completing the program at a sufficiently high standard will be adequately prepared to undertake postgraduate studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics at any University. Students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to use the facilities of Mount Stromlo Observatory of the RSAA, the pre-eminent Australian centre for optical astronomy, which is situated 17km from the campus, as a part of some of their courses.
The UAAP is a well structured program of courses flowing through from first year to the honours year, and will cater for most student needs. The program is designed to teach both the fundamentals of astrophysics, and to introduce students to modern discoveries and unsolved problems. The courses can count towards a Bachelor of Science degree in either Mathematics or Physics, depending on the choice of other courses taken. They can also be counted towards the science part of a joint degree.
Two astronomy courses are offered in first year. Students with strong backgrounds in mathematics and physics, who wish to keep open the option of doing astronomy in subsequent years, should take ASTR1001. Other students should take ASTR1002.
There is one course in second year, ASTR2001/ASTR2002, which is a strongly recommended prerequisite for students wishing to do further courses in astrophysics in subsequent years.
Two courses are offered in third year. Either or both can be taken during the honours year instead, if preferred.
Which courses should you take if you are planning to specialise in astronomy and astrophysics? There are many options, but here are two possible programs to get you started.
For a student enrolled in a BSc. If you are studying full-time, then in the first year you should take ASTR1001, together with the core physics (PHYS1101 and PHYS1201) and core maths (MATH1013 and MATH1014, or MATH1115 and MATH1116). In second year you should take ASTR2001 or ASTR2002, together with quantum mechanics (PHYS2013), electromagnetism (PHYS2016), thermal physics (PHYS2020), core applied maths (MATH2405), and partial differential equations (MATH2406). In third year, take ASTR3001 and ASTR3002, together with MATH3329 and/or PHYS3002. If enrolled part time, you would do the same program, spread over more years.
For a student enrolled in a joint degree (eg. Arts/Science, Science/Law). If your main interest is in astrophysics, we would recommend that you enrol in the BSc program rather than a joint degree, as this gives you far more freedom. It is, however, quite possible to study astronomy and astrophysics as part of a joint degree. If you are studying full time, then in the first year you should take Astrophysics (ASTR1001), together with the core maths (MATH1013 and MATH1014, or MATH1115 and MATH1116). In second year, you should take Advanced Astrophysics (ASTR2001/2), core Physics (PHYS1101 and PHYS1201) and core applied maths (MATH2405). In the third year you should take Galaxies and Cosmology (ASTR3002), Relativity, Black Holes and Cosmology (MATH3329), Quantum Mechanics (PHYS2013) and Thermal Physics (PHYS2020). In your fourth and final year, you would do a research project in astrophysics, together with Stars and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (ASTR3001) and two other advanced Maths and/or Physics courses. If you are studying part time, this program can be spread over more years.
A total of approximately sixty hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals.
Prerequisites: ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended major/minor or equivalent from elsewhere; ACT Physics major or equivalent.
Corequisites: PHYS1101; and mathematics to at least the standard of MATH1013. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if ASTR1002, PHYS1003, PHYS1005, PHYS1006 or PHYS1011 are so counted. The physics corequisite may be waived at the discretion of the head of department for students enrolled in a joint degree.
Syllabus: This course is designed for students who wish to study modern astrophysics at a level beyond most popular books. It covers the formation and evolution of the solar system, extra-solar planets, the formation, evolution and death of stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes, galaxies, cosmology, expanding space and the Big Bang. Students will carry out a research project with the telescopes of Mt Stromlo Observatory. A feature of this course is guest lectures on cutting edge astrophysics by world famous researchers. This course should be taken by students wishing to specialise in astrophysics.
A total of approximately sixty hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals.
Prerequisites: None. The course is designed for everyone: no background in maths and physics is required. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if ASTR1001, PHYS1003, PHYS1005, PHYS1006, PHYS1009 or PHYS1011 is so counted.
Syllabus: This course is an introduction to the physics of space. It covers the night sky, planets, space-flight, comets, planets around other stars, the formation, evolution and death of stars, black holes and neutron stars, the Big Bang, the expanding universe, curved space, and the size and fate of the cosmos. Students will do a project using the telescopes of Mt Stromlo Observatory.
3 lectures and 1 tutorial per week. The two courses will be taught in the same lectures but assessed independently. Extra work will be required for ASTR2002.
Prerequisites: Both of PHYS1101 and PHYS1201, or either one of PHYS1001 or ENG1019, and any one of the following: MATH2305, MATH2405, ENGN2212, MATH2320, MATH 2023 or both of MATH2013 and MATH2027.
Recommended: ASTR1001. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if any of PHYS2023, MATH2067 or MATH2167 are so counted.
Syllabus: This course offers a mathematical and physical introduction to modern astrophysics at an intermediate level. Topics to be covered include the following; the nature of the universe, a historical account, telescopes and satellite observatories, analysis techniques for astronomical data; gravitational potential theory; statistical mechanics of perfect non-degenerate and degenerate gases; the structure of polytropic stars; white dwarfs and neutron stars; the two body problem; interacting binary systems; elementary galactic dynamics; the missing mass problem; Newtonian Cosmology.
Three lectures and one tutorial per week.
Prerequisites: ASTR2001 or ASTR2002 or MATH2067 or MATH2167; PHYS2020 or PHYS2022. One of MATH2305, MATH2405, ENGN2212, MATH2320, MATH2023 or both of MATH2013 and MATH2027. Recommended: PHYS2016 and either MATH2306 or MATH2406. This course cannot be counted towards a degree if MATH3053 is so counted.
Syllabus: Properties of radiation. The radiative transfer equation. Stellar atmospheres. Opacities and nuclear energy sources. Stellar structure and evolution. Gas dynamics. Stellar wind theory. Accretion discs.
Prerequisites: Either one of MATH2305, MATH2405, ENGN2212, MATH2320, MATH2023 or both of MATH2013 and MATH2027.
Recommended: ASTR2001 or ASTR2002 or MATH2067 or MATH2167 or PHYS2016. PHYS3002 or MATH3329 would be a useful co-requisite. Incompatible with MATH3052
Syllabus: Galaxies: classification and dynamics. Luminous matter and dark matter in galaxies. The expanding universe and cosmological models.
These courses, which are offered in alternate years, cover relativity, both special and general, and hence are relevant to astronomy. For more details, see the Mathematics and Physics sections in this Handbook.
Students proceeding to the honours year of the Bachelor of Science degree have a choice of enrolling in one of the following:
PHYS4004 Theoretical Physics IV (H)
ASTR4005 Astronomy and Astrophysics IV (H)
The type of honours enrolment will depend on the nature of the research project, and of the choice of courses taken in the 4th year.
The research project forms a major component (50-60%) of the assessment in the honours year. The students will have a choice of a wide variety of projects offered by staff at the RSAA, the Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Physics every year. The remaining 40-50% will be in the form of course work which could consist of fourth year courses offered by the Departments of Mathematics or Physics, third year astrophysics courses that they may not have already completed, or astrophysics courses offered specifically to fourth year students under the UAAP.
Among the fourth year honours courses that will be available in the year 2002 are:
Within the Faculty of Science the biological and medical sciences are taught by the School of Botany and Zoology, the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the School of Psychology.
This section deals with the disciplines encompassed by the School of Botany and Zoology and the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and provides outlines of the courses offered by these two Schools. The description of the School of Psychology and details of its offerings are in a separate Handbook entry under the heading Psychology.
Students who wish to take biological or medical sciences beyond first year are strongly advised to check the prerequisites and recommendations for the later-year courses in which they may be interested, and to choose an appropriate combination of first year Group A courses, together with chemistry and mathematics-based courses. Most later-year courses offered by the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology require both CHEM1014 and 1015 (or CHEM1016 and 1017). CHEM1014 or PHYS1101/1201 are prerequisites for later year physiology courses offered by the School of Botany and Zoology. Students are also encouraged to study some maths-based courses such as statistics, mathematics or computer science, especially STAT1003.
At the second and third year levels, students have the option of specialising or keeping a broad base. The School of Botany and Zoology and School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offer 'streams' in Botany, Zoology, Ecology and Evolution, Animal and Human Physiology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, and Science in Context (see the course offerings in each stream in the table below). The streams are intended to offer guidance to those students wishing to complete a degree program with a particular focus or professional emphasis.
A new program in Bioinformatics is now available. Please see http://www.maths.anu.edu.au/bio.html
Assessment: The methods of assessment for courses offered by the two Schools will be discussed with classes at the beginning of each semester. They generally involve a combination of laboratory reports, examinations, essays and project reports.
These degrees include a number of compulsory or 'core' courses which all students must study. Optional courses, chosen by the student, complete the degrees. A typical program of study for each degree is provided in the introductory pages to the Faculty of Science in this Handbook. Students are advised to consider their second and third year choices carefully to ensure that the courses they take in first year provide suitable prerequisites for later year courses.
Undergraduates who have done well in their work for the pass degree may be admitted by either School to the program for honours. The full-time program of ten months consists of (a) a research component in which the student independently, but under close supervision, carries out a research project and presents a short thesis, and (b) other written work, as well as participation in workshops, meetings and seminars. The research project and thesis comprise the major component of the overall assessment.
In addition to undertaking the courses described in this Handbook, outstanding undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Science may apply for entry or may be invited to participate in special, tailor-made educational programs which extend and develop their special interests. Further information on the Distinguished Scholar Program may be found in the introductory section of the Faculty of Science in this Handbook.
The fields of Botany and Zoology include every aspect of the scientific study of plants and animals, from simple single-celled protists to complex multicellular organisms, including humans. By combining experimental and descriptive approaches, the disciplines examine the form and function of organisms, their relationships with the physical environment, their individual development, their evolutionary development and classification, interactions between species (including symbiosis and parasitism) and the genetic basis of all life forms. The study of plants and animals in the field is encouraged as a foundation for familiarity with the diversity of organisms and as the basis for asking new questions and seeking new answers in biology.
Modern biology is not a soft science. There is a growing dependence on sophisticated instruments and methods for measurement and analysis. There is ever increasing use of computers and microprocessors in the conduct of experiments and the modelling of complex systems. Hence, it is preferable for students intending to study biology to have a background in chemistry, physics and mathematics, as well as an ability to communicate well.
The chief research interests of the School can be grouped into five overlapping areas:
Population biology of alpine and rainforest plants; ecology of alpine mammals, bats and birds; ecology of plant-animal interactions; ecology of microbes and parasites; biological control of pest populations; population ecology and management of fish; physiological regulation of feeding in insects; physiological ecology of marine mammals and reptiles; conservation biology.
Evolution of mating systems and social behaviour in vertebrates and arthropods; cooperative breeding in birds; parental investment in birds, mammals and plants; reproduction, mating systems and pollination of plants; mechanisms of speciation; evolution of virulence.
Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the Australian biota, particularly insects, spiders, nematodes, onychophorans and flowering plants; regulation and maintenance of biodiversity.
Ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the genetic structure of populations of bacteria, plants and animals; roles of population fragmentation, isolation and selection in differentiation of populations and speciation; conservation biology; chromosomal evolution; bioinformatics, i.e. the organisation, storage, retrieval and analysis of biological data; molecular applications to the other areas.
Plant ecophysiology, especially photosynthetic responses; effects of ultraviolet radiation on plant performance; plant development; biological control of root fungus by bacteria using genetic methods; water relations in plants; toxic compounds in cassava and taro.
For further information on the research and teaching activities of the School, please consult the Website http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/.
K. Kirk, BSc PhD Syd, MA DPhil Oxf
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology involve the study of the molecular components and processes that together form the basis of life. This is an exciting and fast-moving field that is having an ever-increasing impact on modern society.
The School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is active both in undergraduate and graduate teaching and in research. The undergraduate courses offered by the School deal with biology at a molecular and cellular level. They aim to provide a detailed coverage of modern molecular genetics, genomics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell physiology, neuroscience, microbiology and immunology. These courses will equip graduates for the widest possible choice of careers in biological and medical research, biotechnology, agriculture, clinical science, nutrition, food manufacture, the pharmaceutical industry, science teaching and science-based areas in private industry or the public service.
The majority of research interests in the School are focused in four major, overlapping areas:
Projects include: Structure and function of plant and cyanobacteria transporters; structure and function of neurotransmitter-gated ion channels; structure and function of mammalian monocarboxylate transporters; mammalian amino acid transporters; mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, re-uptake and receptor activation; mechanisms leading to the loss of cell function in stroke and neuroprotection in stroke; glutamine-glutamate cycling in the brain; the ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel; volume-sensitive solute transport in mammalian cells; nutrient and ion transport in the malaria-infected red blood cell; viral ion channels; photosynthesis and carotenoids.
Projects include: Molecular characterisation of virulence determinants of Enterobacteria; genetics and replication of mosquito-transmitted viruses; molecular basis of the immune response induced by retroviruses; strategies for immunotherapy using dendritic cells; unique genes and receptors expressed by T cell precursors; molecular interactions in lymphocyte activation and immunity; the role of cytokines and immune mediators in the response to myxoma virus.
Projects include: Molecular basis of malarial pathology; antimalarial drug resistance; osmoregulation and pH control in parasitic protozoa; function and metabolism of trehalose in nematode worms; reverse genetics of the model nematode C. elegans; identification of novel antiparasitic reagents.
Projects include: Identification of bioactive and antibiotic compounds from cyanobacteria; functional genomics of plant development; carotenoid biosynthesis and abiotic stress; plant nutrient acquisition.
The School is an active participant in the Pest Animal Control CRC, an Australian Government Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). The aim of the CRC is to reduce the impact of Australia's feral pests through controlling their reproduction by the construction of viral and other delivery systems for vaccines. Joint research involves the identification, isolation and cloning of reproductive genes, interaction between viruses and the immune system, the involvement of cytokines in immune presentation and the construction of viral and other delivery systems for vaccines.
For further information on the research and teaching activities of the School, please consult the Website http://www.anu.edu.au/bambi/.
The School of Botany and Zoology and the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offer a wide range of courses at the undergraduate level. To help with planning a program of study, related courses are loosely grouped into 'streams' in the table below. Students may choose courses from any stream, provided the prerequisites for each course are met. This information is also available, as pamphlet, from the two Schools. Please see individual course descriptions for further information, particularly prerequisites.
Chemistry 1014 is a prerequisite for many biology courses. Students who do not have college chemistry should discuss entry into this course with the Chemistry department.
* Field-based course which may only be taken in conjunction with the theory course immediately above it in the column
Three lectures and two hours of tutorial work per week.
Syllabus: This course aims to introduce some of the major concepts in the study of life, focussing on evolutionary and ecological questions. It assumes no previous qualifications in biology, and, while this course is an important prerequisite for those majoring in biology, it is also designed for students not intending further study in biology. The program consists of four modules, as follows. (A) Evolution -- diversity and classification of life; evidence for evolution; natural selection and adaptation; speciation; evolutionary trees. (B) Genetics -- DNA replication; chromosomes, genes and patterns of inheritance; sex determination; population genetics; human genetics. (C) Ecology -- regulation and exploitation of populations; ecosystem energy and nutrient flow; species interactions; biodiversity; human impacts. (D) Behavioural ecology -- evolutionary approach to studying animal behaviour; social behaviour; cooperation and altruism; sexual selection; mating systems; communication. Specific topics may differ among years. There are no laboratories; tutorials are offered instead.
Note for students studying ecology and genetics in second year: BIOL1005, BIOL1006 and STAT1003 are strongly recommended for students proceeding to further study in ecology. BIOL1004 and CHEM1014/16 are recommended for students who wish to study genetics.
33 lectures and 31 hours of practical/tutorial work
Prerequisite: None. However it is strongly recommended that students enrolling in BIOL1004 have completed BIOL1007 and CHEM1014 or CHEM1016. Students who intend to continue studies in biochemistry and molecular biology in second and third year should note that BIOL1004, together with CHEM1014 and CHEM1015 (or CHEM1016 and CHEM1017), are prerequisites for the majority of later-year courses offered by the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Syllabus: This course is intended to provide an introduction to the molecular aspects of modern biology. It introduces the molecules that play a key role in biology, including DNA, proteins, and carbohydrates, then goes on to describe their functions. Topics to be covered include: the molecules of life; membranes and the uptake of nutrients; proteins, enzymes and metabolism; DNA, genes and genetic engineering; the role of genes in the control of development. Examples will be drawn from different areas of biology, with a significant emphasis on the molecular basis of human disease.
Three lectures and three hours of laboratory work a week.
Prerequisites: None. However, students are advised to take BIOL 1003 Evolution, Ecology and Genetics.
Syllabus: The course will cover the diversity, evolution, ecology and natural history of the major invertebrate and vertebrate groups and end with lectures on animals in their environment. It will serve as a foundation for later-year courses on animals and animal management.
Three lectures and 9 practical sessions, including local field trips.
Prerequisites: None. However, students are advised to take BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology and Genetics and BIOL1007 Living Cells. Incompatible with BIOL1001.
Syllabus: The course firstly traces the evolution of plants from bacterial and algal ancestors to the diverse range of spore-bearing and seed plants. The role of plants in ecosystems is then examined, including adaptations to cope with the environment, and how plants interact with bacteria, fungi and animals, including humans. This course provides a foundation for later courses in ecology, botany, forestry and environmental sciences.
Two lectures per week, and up to 30 hours of laboratory and tutorial sessions.
Prerequisite: None. However, students who intend to continue studies in biochemistry and molecular biology in second and third year should do CHEM1014 (or CHEM1016) concurrently, since this is an essential prerequisite for many later year courses in the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Syllabus: This course introduces the exciting world of biology from the perspective of a single living cell. It provides essential knowledge for later-year courses in molecular biology, biomedical sciences, genetics and biotechnology. It serves also as an introductory course for those who want to combine a basic understanding of living organisms with studies in other areas. Students will be introduced to aspects of microbiology, immunology, and physiology. A diversity of topics will be covered, ranging from the simplest of microbes to specialised cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, neurones and plant cells. Cell function studies will be supported by studies on cell structure. Cell specialisation will be introduced in terms of multicellular organisms and interacting cell networks.
3 lectures per week and up to 18 hours of tutorial/seminar work.
Prerequisite: None. Incompatible with BIOL1002.
Syllabus: The course will comprise an introduction to aspects of human biology with an emphasis on the interaction of body systems with some of the major concerns of our lives including sex, diet, stress and environment. The program assumes no previous qualifications in biology and is suitable both for students majoring in biology, and for students who do not intend to proceed to further study in biology. Topics discussed include the evolution of sex, human social organization, the new biology of body weight regulation, neurological basis of human behaviour, and environmental factors impacting on health.
This course introduces students to the methods and philosophy of modern statistical data analysis and inference, with a particular focus on applications in the life sciences.
For details, see the entry in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce section of this Handbook.
Three lectures per week and up to six three-hour laboratory sessions.
Prerequisite: BIOL1008 or BIOL1004 or BIOL1007 (or BIOL 1002), plus CHEM1014 or PHYS1004. Incompatible with BIOL2015.
Syllabus: This course reviews the physiology of vertebrates including humans, placing particular emphasis on digestion, circulation, respiration, and regulation and integration of the internal environment. The approaches taken include those based on organ systems and a comparative approach describing similar organ systems in different taxa and some consideration of how physiological systems are adjusted to function throughout the wide range of environments in which animals live.
Three lectures per week and opportunities for field based practicals.
Prerequisites: At least one first year biology course.
Syllabus: Australia is famous for its unique and diverse animals, and this course will provide an overview of diversity and highlight recent research. In addition to the major lecturers, a series of guest lecturers will speak about their areas of expertise, including their own research. Groups covered will normally include reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds. Topics will include ecology, behaviour, morphology, physiology, conservation and evolutionary history. The course takes advantage of staff and guest expertise, and so specific animal groups and topics will vary from year to year.
Two lectures per week and 12 practicals of 3 hours each. A field trip to Kioloa field station over one weekend may replace two weeks of lectures and practicals.
Prerequisite: BIOL1005 (or BIOL1001 or BIOL1002). Incompatible with BIOL2012.
Syllabus: This course will deal with the functional morphology, ecology, behaviour and evolution of invertebrates. The emphasis will be on the functioning of the whole animal and the comparative biology and ecology of related groups of invertebrate animals.
Two 1 hour lectures each week; practical sessions each week.
Prerequisite: BIOL1006 or SREM1004 (or BIOL1001). BIOL1007 and CHEM1014 strongly recommended. Incompatible with BIOL 2024 and BIOL2025.
Syllabus: This course has the goal of understanding how plants function at a whole organism level. We will consider how plants are constructed, at the cellular, leaf, shoot and root level, and will examine how these structures function in carbon metabolism and allocation. Topics include: cells and membranes, light use and gas exchange, development, anatomy and ultrastructure, modes of photosynthesis and respiration, water relations, long distance transport, growth processes and growth analysis. Course structure will focus on tradeoffs between acquiring and using light, water and nutrients at the whole plant level. Material will be presented in the context of current plant environmental issues to enable students to understand the links between plant molecular, biochemical, physiological and ecological research.
Two lectures per week, nine practicals of three hours each and a field trip to Jervis Bay field station over one weekend.
Prerequisite: BIOL1006 or SREM1004 (or BIOL1001). Incompatible with BIOL2023.
Syllabus: This course takes an evolutionary approach to the systematics and diversity of plants. It starts with a practical approach to collecting, identifying and classifying plants, culminating in a three-day trip to develop skills in the field. Newly developed multi-media identification tools will be introduced and used throughout the semester. The structure and variation of plants will be explored through the many levels of diversity: geographic patterns among populations, the critical step of speciation, among species within genera, and within and among families. Finally, the evolution of the major groups of plants will be studied, from the invasion of land to the explosive radiation of angiosperms, as well as the causes of these major events.
The course will consist of 3 hours of lectures and a two hour tutorial per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL1003 or BIOL1005 or BIOL1006 (or BIOL 1001). STAT1003 and STAT1004 are strongly recommended. Students are strongly advised to also take BIOL3136, which gives experience in ecological research.
Syllabus: This course deals with the processes determining the abundance of organisms and how population abundance changes through time. The course begins by identifying the demographic characteristics of a population and the techniques used for quantifying these characteristics. The impact of abiotic factors on the nature of population change will be examined. The role of the biotic processes of intra- and inter-specific competition, predation, disease and herbivory on the dynamic behaviour of populations will be discussed. An important component of the course is introducing the quantitative methods and approaches used in population ecology to determine the status of populations and predict population behaviour. To this end, the course consists of weekly tutorials where, as well as being introduced to the use of several software packages, students obtain 'hands on' experience with some of the quantitative techniques introduced in the course. Assessment is based on a mid-term test, 'tutorial' test and a final exam.
Three lectures per week, six computer-based tutorial sessions of two hours duration and one afternoon excursion.
Prerequisite: Any Group A biology course. BIOL1003, BIOL2131 and BIOL2151 are recommended. Incompatible with BIOL2034. Students are strongly advised to also take BIOL3136, which gives practical experience in ecological research.
Syllabus: This course examines the scientific and biological principles relevant to the theory and practice of conservation, and will also expose students to the social and political contexts in which conservation biology must operate. Topics covered include: extinction and its causes, ecological and genetic problems faced by small populations, population viability analysis, diagnosis and treatments for population decline, habitat fragmentation, reserve design, non-biological factors that place species at risk, international, national and state legislation for conservation. The later part of the course will include a series of guest lectures from speakers representing government and research organisations in Canberra. The tutorial sessions will expose students to some of the important computer based tools in conservation biology. An afternoon excursion to the Tidbinbilla nature reserve will show students some of the local conservation programs in action.
Two lectures and up to three hours of laboratory and tutorial work per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061), CHEM1014 and CHEM 1015. Incompatible with BIOL2042.
Syllabus: This course focuses on the general principles of microbiology and includes the following topics. Diversity of micro-organisms; evolutionary relationships and taxonomy. Bacterial cell structure and function. Genetic systems of bacteria, bacteriophages and plasmids. Microbial growth and metabolism; energy and nutrient harvesting. Microorganisms and the environment. Control of microorganisms. Introduction to viruses; and immunology. Food and industrial microbiology.
Three hours of lectures per week, and six practical/tutorial sessions of three hours duration.
Prerequisite: BIOL1003. Would be an advantage to have also completed BIOL1004 and/or BIOL1007. Incompatible with BIOL 2052.
Syllabus: This course covers principles and major concepts in genetics. In addition to the principles of Mendelian segregation and heredity, we will focus on topics of particular relevance to the study of evolution, ecology and phylogenetics, including population genetics, gene mapping, sequence diversification and quantitative genetics. This course is intended to be broadly relevant to all students with an interest in genetics, especially population and ecological genetics, and is also a prerequisite for Advances in Human Genetics (BIOL2152) and Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics (BIOL3151).
39 hours of lectures and 18 hours of practicals/tutorials.
Prerequisite: BIOL2151 or BIOL2161 (or BIOL2052). BIOL1008 is strongly recommended.
Syllabus: This course will explore areas of human genetics that have been most influenced by technical advances over the last decade, such as human evolutionary genetics, disease diagnosis and cancer genetics. The human genome project and its potential spin-offs will be discussed, and students will be introduced to the human genetic databases. The course will also address the moral, ethical and legal issues surrounding the application of genetic technology to the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disease, as well as genetic testing and genetic counselling.
Two lectures per week; six laboratory sessions of up to four hours each; 6 one-hour tutorials.
Prerequisite: BIOL1004 and CHEM1014. Incompatible with BIOL2061.
Syllabus: This course covers the principles of the transmission and expression of genetic information, in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Topics to be covered include: introduction to cell structure and function; DNA structure and packaging; DNA replication and repair; the cell cycle and cell division; transcription; regulation of gene expression; RNA processing; protein synthesis and the genetic code; protein trafficking and degradation.
Two lectures per week; ten laboratory and/or tutorial sessions of up to three hours each.
Prerequisite: (a) CHEM1014, CHEM1015 and BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061) or (b) BIOL1004 and BIOL2151 (or BIOL2052).
Syllabus: This course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of recombinant DNA technology. The biochemical basis for each technique, as well as applications in medicine and agriculture, will be discussed. The following topics will be included: DNA cloning; gene libraries; DNA sequencing; polymerase chain reaction (PCR); Southern, Northern and Western blotting; expression of recombinant proteins; gene mapping.
Two lectures per week, tutorials as arranged and up to six laboratory sessions of four hours each.
Prerequisite: BIOL1004, CHEM1014 and CHEM1015. Incompatible with BIOL2072.
Syllabus: The biochemistry of living cells and of their interactions in multicellular systems. Protein and enzyme structure and function. Intermediary metabolism and its regulation. Autotrophy (photosynthesis) and heterotrophy (glycolysis, respiration). Energy conversion. Sugar, amino acid and fat metabolism. Examples will be drawn largely from humans and plants.
Three lectures per week and one two hour tutorial per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL1004, CHEM1014 and CHEM1015; or PSYC1001 and PSYC2007. BIOL1007 strongly recommended. Incompatible with BIOL2002, BIOL2015 or BIOL2074.
Syllabus: This course deals with the basic physiology of cells, with a particular emphasis on human disease. It will cover the following topics. Cell structure and function: cell membranes; intracellular organelles and membrane cytoskeleton; membrane proteins. Channels and transporters: special role of ion channels in the excitibility of the nervous system; diseases involving ion channel defects; ion channel blockers as local anaesthetics and as agents for the treatment of neuropathologies; membrane transporters and their roles in regulation of the intracellular environment; diseases arising from transporter defects. Communication between cells: tight junctions, gap junctions and specialised synapses of the nervous system; fast and slow signal transduction; growth factor signalling; receptor-mediated endocytosis. Cell renewal and death.
This course provides an introduction to behavioural and systems neuroscience and the brain mechanisms underlying behaviour. For details, see the entry under Psychology in this Handbook.
Two one-hour lectures plus workshop or seminar/tutorial sessions of up to 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: (a) A pass at Credit or above in any first year BIOL course or ANTH1002 or ANTH1003 or PREH1112 or GEOG1007 or GEOG1008 or SRES1001; or (b) approved qualifications in the biological or social sciences. Incompatible with SCCO3001 and SCCO2003.
Syllabus: The course, which is offered for both non-science and science students, explores the biological basis of human diseases and how they have affected individuals and communities. It covers biological, ecological and sociopolitical aspects of infectious, genetic and lifestyle-associated diseases, along with strategies used for their control. The impact of disease on human populations is considered, with emphasis on critical examination of the relative importance of modern medicine, public health, economic development and other factors. The role of scientific enquiry in the improvement of human health is discussed. Themes include natural selection, the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions, and the setting of research priorities. Principles are illustrated with case studies which may include: parasitic diseases such as malaria; other infectious diseases including influenza, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS; reproductive health; and immunological diseases such as asthma and diabetes.
First 7 weeks: 3 lectures per week and 4x3-hr laboratories.
Remaining 6 weeks: a combination of time spent in staff research laboratories in the Institute of Advanced Studies and The Faculties, and a library-based research project.
Prerequisite: BIOL2174 (or BIOL2015). Incompatible with BIOL 3001.
A quota may be placed on enrolments for this course.
Syllabus: Properties of various classes of ion channels in excitable tissue and their roles in body function; consideration of how neurones integrate input from different types of synaptic input; factors affecting conduction of action potentials; quantal synaptic transmission; learning and memory in vertebrates. In Term 2, there will be no formal lectures. For the first two-four weeks, students will be associated with Neuroscience research laboratories in the Institute of Advanced Studies and The Faculties, where they will be expected to read original research papers relevant to the research and assist in execution of experiments. The final two weeks of the course will involve a library-based research project and presentation of a seminar.
Two lectures and one tutorial per week. One six week research project.
Prerequisite: BIOL2103 and one year of chemistry (CHEM1011 or CHEM1014 and CHEM1015) or physics (PHYS1001) or with written approval of convener.
Syllabus: The course will examine current topics in systemic and organismal physiology, such as animal navigation, reproduction and osmoregulation. The integration of environmental variables and their effect on nervous and endocrine systems will be emphasised. Topics covered may vary between years and students are advised to check the syllabus with the course convener.
This course may not be offered in 2002.
Three lectures per week plus six three-hour laboratories.
Prerequisite: Completion of at least 78 units towards a degree, including one of BIOL2103, BIOL2111, BIOL2112, BIOL2131 or BIOL2134. Incompatible with BIOL3013.
Syllabus: This course will examine the systematics, morphology, physiology, behaviour, ecology and conservation of both marine and freshwater fishes. Basic systematics and morphology will serve as a framework for a more detailed coverage of selected topics. A range of species will be considered to provide a broad understanding of the most diverse group of vertebrates. The coursework will make use of the Division's unique aquarium facilities that include a computer-controlled 'laboratory stream'. This will provide students with experience in the maintenance of fish in captivity and procedures for both behavioural and ecological research on fishes. In addition, we will address issues associated with the conservation of freshwater and commercially exploited marine species. Readings will be assigned from a text and the primary literature. Assessment will be based on short essays, class participation and a short examination.
Three 1-hour lectures or two lectures and 3-hours of laboratory work each week
Prerequisite: BIOL1005 and completion of 78 units towards a degree program, including 12 units from Biology B courses. BIOL2112 is recommended. Incompatible with BIOL3015.
Syllabus: Entomology is the study of insects. This course will cover the morphology and anatomy of insects, aspects of physiology, behaviour, life histories and reproduction, sociality in insects, predatory and parasitic insects, plant-insect interactions, pest insects and how to control them, and the use of insects in biocontrol. Entomologists from the CSIRO Division of Entomology will introduce a few of the major insect groups and/or current topics in insect biology, biodiversity and conservation. An insect collection will form part of the assessment for this course.
Three 1 hour lectures and 1 tutorial per week; four 3 hour practical sessions spread throughout semester.
Prerequisite: BIOL1006 (or BIOL1001) and 72 units toward a degree program including two biology B courses, with one of the latter to be either BIOL2121 or BIOL2131 (or BIOL2023 or BIOL2024 or BIOL2025). STAT1003 and STAT1004 are strongly recommended. Incompatible with BIOL3026.
Syllabus: This course will explore aspects of plant physiology and ecology with a focus on whole plant function in relation to environmental variability. We will begin with ecological aspects of photosynthesis at the leaf level, and will examine how availability of water and soil nutrients influence leaf level photosynthesis. Current research into the eco-physiological impacts of climate change on plants will be covered. We will then examine current research on how plants utilise fixed carbon in growth, and how the plant works as an integrated unit. This background will be used to study various aspects of plant strategy systems, comparative ecology, 'plant economics' (the costs and currencies of plant functions), symbioses, plant-plant interactions, and seed/seedling biology. The course format will be a mixture of lectures, student led discussions of assigned readings and practical sessions covering field techniques. Assessment may include leadership of a discussion section, a review style article and summaries of practical work. Students taking this course are strongly encouraged to take Ecological Research (BIOL3136) as well.
The course will consist of 3 hours of lectures and a two hour tutorial per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL2151 (or BIOL2052) or BIOL2131 (or BIOL 2031) or BIOL3134 or PSYC2007. Incompatible with BIOL3031. BIOL3132 strongly recommended.
Syllabus: This course will introduce an evolutionary approach to the study of how organisms reproduce and behave, with a special focus on how to formulate and test adaptationist hypotheses. Topics that may be covered include: the metaphor of the selfish gene; how animals find food and avoid getting eaten; how organisms allocate resources to reproduction; parent-offspring conflict; why organisms senesce; evolution of sex; evolution of gender; female choice and sexual selection; sperm competition; mating systems; the evolution of cooperation; the evolution of intelligence; the evolution of patterns of communication. BIOL3132 gives practical experience in the field of behavioural ecology, and is designed to be carried out at the same time as this course.
A week long field trip during the first semester break plus tutorials. A charge will be levied to support the costs of transport, food and accommodation for the field trip.
Corequisite: BIOL3131 must be taken concurrently.
Syllabus: This course is normally taken at the same time as BIOL3131, and deals with carrying out research on the behavioural ecology of free-living animals. Students will work in tutorial groups to develop hypotheses about behaviour that will be tested during a week-long field trip. Results are then presented in a poster at the course's `conference' and in a report in the form of a scientific paper. The course emphasises the design and effective reporting of scientific research, and will expose you to all of the stages of carrying out and reporting original research. Research topics in recent years have included: anti-predator behaviour in kangaroos, parrots and emus; foraging behaviour of antlions; habitat segregation in birds; sex differences in plumage and vigilance; and social structure of fairy-wrens.
Three hour discussion period per week. Students are expected to devote three hours to formal seminar work a week and a further six hours a week to library work. No practical classes are scheduled.
Prerequisite: A minimum of three Biology B courses completed, and at least one Biology C course completed or taken concurrently. Incompatible with BIOL3012.
A quota may be placed on enrolments for this course.
Syllabus: Topics will be selected which illustrate recent developments and controversy in the study of evolution. Although topics vary from year to year, an attempt will be made to include discussion of philosophical aspects of the study of evolution, and the use of behavioural, developmental, ecological, genetical, molecular, and morphological data in the analysis of evolution. Because of the emphasis on discussion, and because evolutionary theory is the basis of modern biological thought, this course is excellent preparation for an honours year in the life sciences.
Three lectures per week, three laboratory/tutorial sessions and a project spread through the semester
Prerequisite: BIOL1005 or BIOL1006 or BIOL1003 (or BIOL 1001) (preferably two of these) and 78 units towards a degree program, including 12 units from Biology B courses. Incompatible with BIOL3021.
Syllabus: This course is concerned with evolutionary relationships of organisms and explores principles and practice common to botany and zoology. Topics include: theory and methods of biodiversity value assessment; theory and methods of phylogenetic reconstruction; descriptive taxonomy and classification; species concepts; global and Australian patterns of biodiversity and endemism; historical and ecological biogeography and their relationship to earth history.
Two lectures per week and an independent research project.
Prerequisites: At least 78 units towards a degree program, and including at least one of BIOL2103 or BIOL2111 or BIOL2112 or BIOL2121 or BIOL2122 or BIOL2131 or BIOL2134 or BIOL2151 or BIOL2152. Students are advised to also take BIOL3136, which gives practical experience in ecological research.
Syllabus: The interactions between plants and animals are fundamental to understanding ecological communities, biodiversity and conservation biology. Here we emphasise some of the major themes in animal-plant interactions including the concepts of co-evolution, pollination, herbivory, seed dispersal and other mutualisms (e.g. ant-plant associations). Some applied aspects such as biological control of weeds and global climate and land-use changes may also be considered.
One 2 hour lecture/tutorial session each week and a 5-day field course in the mid-semester break. There will be a non-refundable charge, payable before the field course, to cover accommodation and meals on the field course.
Prerequisite: BIOL2131 (or BIOL2031) or BIOL2134 or BIOL 3131 or BIOL3135 or BIOL3122 (may be taken concurrently). STAT1003 and STAT1004 are strongly recommended. Incompatible with BIOL2132.
Syllabus: This course complements our theoretical courses in ecology and conservation biology, providing practical research experience. The course is intended to introduce and develop many of the issues involved in conducting research, and requires a high level of student participation. Lectures and tutorials will cover topics including research goals, assessing research, preparation of a research proposal, design of surveys and experiments, logistics, safety, ethics, data handling, analysis of results, and presentation of a written report and seminar. Students are required to undertake a project to test an ecological hypothesis. Assessment will focus on written and oral presentations on their project and evaluation of other research.
Semester and work load by special arrangement
Prerequisite: Available by the permission of the Head of School. Generally only available to students in the Distinguished Scholars in Science Program, or students performing at Distinction level in cognate courses.
Syllabus: Academics in the School of Botany and Zoology can offer extension courses to outstanding students. These courses offer students the opportunity to pursue interests not covered in other courses, to acquire specialised training in technique, or to conduct independent research programs. The courses are tailored to the abilities and needs of the students permitted to enrol. Students are encouraged to enquire directly about special topics courses with academics in the school.
One of the extension courses offered is the Botanical Internship at the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research.
(Students enrol in the 6 unit course Special Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Heredity BIOL3138)
Eight weeks full-time placement at the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research (CSIRO/Australian National Botanic Gardens) over January and February.
Prerequisite: Students are admitted by written application and a selection process which occurs in November. About 20 positions are available to students Australia-wide and overseas. The program is aimed at students who have just completed their second or third year of study, but applications from students at other levels will be considered.
Syllabus: This course is designed to allow students of botany, plant ecology and related subjects the opportunity for substantive scientific work experience in the Australian National Herbarium and Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research in Canberra, Australia. It is aimed at those intending to undertake a technical or professional career in botany or a closely related discipline (including ecology, resource management and botanical horticulture).
Interns assist with various Centre programs and receive both task-specific training and general botanical training. Work sessions are designed to give students a feel for life in the scientific workforce. Training sessions complement university subjects with both botanical and general workforce-skills components. A certificate of participation and a personal employment reference are supplied upon completion of the program.
More information: http://www.anbg.gov.au/intern or phone Brendan Lepschi (CSIRO) on 02 6246 5108.
Two lectures and up to three hours of laboratory and tutorial work per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL2142 (or BIOL2042). Incompatible with BIOL3041.
Convener: To be advised (Please contact the School Administrator in BaMBi for further information)
Syllabus: This course will investigate host responses to microbial infections: innate reactions including the complement system, and phagocytic cells; adaptive immunity including clonal selection theory, antibodies, roles of B and T lymphocytes, antigens and antigen presentation, and molecular genetics of antigen receptors. Bacterial diseases, focussing on molecular explanations of pathogenesis and virulence of selected pathogens and toxins. Viruses and viral infections with an emphasis on replication strategies, host and tissue specificity, effects of viruses on cells (cell death, transformation, latency), and determinants of viral virulence.
Two lectures per week and up to 26 hours of practical or tutorial work.
Prerequisite: Either (a) BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061) or (b) BIOL 2071 (or BIOL2072) or (c) BIOL1004 and BIOL2112 (or BIOL 2012) or (d) BIOL3141 (or BIOL3041). Incompatible with BIOL 3042.
Convener: To be advised. [Please contact the School Administrator in BaMBi for further information].
Syllabus: A broad and multi-disciplinary approach to the complex and dynamic relationships between parasites and their hosts, covering life-cycles, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, pathology and molecular biology. Both protozoans and helminths will be considered with emphasis on the most important parasites of humans. Studies include aspects of immune responses to parasites; chronicity of infection and its significance; host pathology; evasion of host responses by parasites; serodiagnosis, vaccination; chemotherapy and drug resistance; genetic resistance to parasitic infection; relevance of parasitic infections to society. In-depth study of malaria, with focus on the pathology, immunology and chemotherapy of this most important human parasitic infection.
Two lectures and up to three hours of practical, seminar or tutorial work per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061) and BIOL2142 (or BIOL 2042). Incompatible with BIOL3044. Students are strongly advised to have completed BIOL3141 (or BIOL3041).
Syllabus: This course will focus on the molecular basis of the immune system. The acquired or antigen-specific immune response will be considered in depth. The course will cover aspects of development and differentiation of B and T lymphocytes, antigen processing and presentation, lymphocyte activation and immune regulation. Topics for further study will be selected from immunotherapy; autoimmunity, transplantation, lymphoproliferative diseases, cytokines, viral and tumour immunology and allergy. Practical work will include laboratory exercises, class discussions and literature research assignments.
Three hours of lectures per week, and six practical sessions of three hours duration.
Prerequisite: BIOL2151 (or BIOL2052). Incompatible with BIOL 3052.
Syllabus: This course explores the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the genetic structure of populations. It begins by describing the range of techniques available for identifying genetic variation within a population and some of the basic statistics used to quantify this variation as well as the amount of genetic differentiation among populations. These techniques and statistical methods are illustrated by discussing the consequences that the many unique features of the reproductive biology and ecology of plants have on the genetic structure of their populations. The Neutral Theory of Evolution is presented and the role of ecological factors such as population substructure in contributing to standing genetic variation is discussed together with the statistical techniques relevant to such analyses. The impact of selection on gene frequencies and the genetic structure of populations is examined. The fate of neutral and adaptive traits and the impact of ecological factors on these traits are examined with reference to examples from a variety of bacterial species. The roles of population fragmentation and isolation, selection and mating systems in the generation of chromosomal and genetic differentiation are discussed, in the context of speciation in plants and animals.
Three lectures or computer sessions per week for 13 weeks and three hours of computer laboratory/tutorial in four weeks
Prerequisite: 78 units toward a degree including at least one of BIOL2151 (or BIOL2051) or BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061) or BIOL2162.
Syllabus: Bioinformatics deals with the way biological data is organised, stored, retrieved, and analysed in an electronic environment. The genome projects and other molecular discovery work over the past two decades have yielded a huge quantity of data, but much of its message remains unread. A major part of bioinformatics is about molecular databasing and the analysis of molecular data: a field sometimes called molecular informatics or molecular computational biology. Increasingly, other biological data, from species names and museum or herbarium holdings to information on geographic distributions and conservation status, are being recorded, manipulated and presented in electronic form. The design of information systems and accompanying analytic tools for these data is referred to as biodiversity informatics. In this course we survey the burgeoning array of molecular databases and their major software tools, we examine some commonly used techniques and tools used in genetics and phylogenetics research, and we take a brief look at biodiversity informatics as a discipline area. The course is addressed to biologists and molecular biologists who need to understand and use bioinformatic methods. No mathematics or programming is involved. Students will use and critically evaluate a variety of software tools and will develop an understanding of the range of questions being addressed via bioinformatics.
Two lectures per week and up to 26 hours of laboratory, computing and tutorial sessions.
Prerequisite: BIOL2162 (preferred prerequisite); or both of BIOL2161 and BIOL2151
Syllabus: The aim of this course is to teach genomics and molecular genetic technologies using model organisms representing plants, animals and simple eukaryotes. The course will cover recent developments in functional genomics, including DNA chip arrays, directed and random mutagenesis, analyzing and mapping genes, strategies for cloning genes and determining their function and genomics-based computing skills. An objective of the course will be to develop computing skills and critical thinking skills in experimental design within the context of learning about biology including: signal transduction, cancer, prions, aging and biochemical (vitamin) biosynthetic pathways.
See http://www.anu.edu.au/bambi/courses/C61.html for details.
30 lectures, 30 hours laboratory work conducted in a research laboratory during one week of the semester break.
Prerequisite: All of BIOL2142, BIOL2162, and BIOL3161 and permission of the convener.
Syllabus: This course examines the application of DNA and protein technology to medicine, agriculture and environmental issues. A number of applications of biotechnology will be selected from areas such as vaccine technology, drug design, forensic medicine, applications of genome sequencing information, stem cell technology, food production and pesticide development. Applications examined will vary from one year to another. The majority of lectures will be given by specialists in the areas of biotechnology. The practical component will consist of a short laboratory project performed in a research laboratory during one week of the mid-semester break. A maximum of 20 students will be admitted to this course. Enrolment is with permission of the convener; selection will be based on academic merit in the prerequisite courses.
Assessment: As arranged, including a written report of the practical component and a written exam.
Up to a total of 65 hours of laboratory work.
Prerequisite: At least 96 units towards a degree with an average of 8 for Group B and C courses, where HD=10, D=8, CR=6, P=4, N=0. Enrolment in this course is dependent upon the availability of a suitable supervisor and must be approved by the course convener and Head of School. A quota may be placed on enrolment in this course. The course can be done twice, provided that the entry requirements for BIOL3175 are met the second time.
Syllabus: Students will choose a research project and supervisor from a list maintained by the course convener. Projects will be laboratory or library based, reflecting the current interests of the supervisor.
Prerequisite: At least 96 units towards a degree with an average of 9 for Group B and C courses, where HD=10, D=8, CR=6, P=4, N=0. Enrolment in this course is dependent upon the availability of a suitable supervisor and must be approved by the course convener and Head of School. A quota may be placed on enrolment in this course.
Syllabus: Students will choose a research project and supervisor from a list maintained by the course convener. Projects will be laboratory or library based, reflecting the current interests of the supervisor.
Three lectures and up to one hour of tutorial/discussion per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061), BIOL2171 (or BIOL 2072) and BIOL2174 (or BIOL2015)
Convener: To be advised. [Please contact the School Administrator in BaMBi for further information].
Syllabus: This course will be comprised of four, three-week modules, each dealing with an important and fast-moving area of modern biology. The modules cover ion channels structure and function, membrane proteins in disease and resistance, and cell signalling. Lectures will include such topics as rational drug design, mechanisms of drug resistance and membrane dysfunction in disease. The fourth module will involve a library-based research project. Lectures and tutorials in this course will be given by scientists who are actively involved in research in these areas and who have been responsible for a number of the important scientific breakthroughs covered by the course.
Assessment: Three tests, library research project and final exam.
Three lectures and a one-hour tutorial per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061) or BIOL2162 and either BIOL2121 (or BIOL2024) or BIOL2171 (or BIOL2072). Incompatible with BIOL3077.
Conveners: Professor Hardham and Dr Jones
Syllabus: The integration of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and physiology has had an enormous impact on plant science in recent years. In this course, scientists at ANU and CSIRO Division of Plant Industry will present current understanding in key areas of plant biochemistry and molecular biology, and demonstrate how recent conceptual advances are being used to provide new insights in plant biology. Major topics to be covered include: development, nutrition, metabolism, hormones, cell cycle, diseases and defence.
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Bachelor of Medical Science degree program and completion of each of BIOL2142, BIOL2151, BIOL2152, BIOL2161, BIOL2171 and BIOL2174. Students are only admitted following submission of a written proposal on a form provided by the Convener.
Syllabus: This course is designed to provide an opportunity for students undertaking the Bachelor of Medical Science to experience application of the medical sciences in the work place. Each student will be expected to find their own placement, which could be in the private or public work arena and in areas such as medical research, clinical science, forensic science or therapeutic science. Prior to seeking placement, students must contact the Convener to obtain information both for potential workplace supervisors and on the nature of the written proposal which is necessary to obtain formal approval to enrol in the course of study. The written proposal must be submitted by early February for first semester entry and late June for second semester entry.
This course covers a variety of advanced topics in neuroscience, with an emphasis on vision and visual perception, and/or control of movement, cerebral lateralisation and higher order cortical processing. For details, see the entry under Psychology in this Handbook.
Two lectures/seminars (three hours) per week and up to two hours of workshop/tutorials per week.
Prerequisite: 12 units of second or third year level courses in Biology, Science in Context or Biological Anthropology (List A). Incompatible with SCCO2001 and SCCO3004.
Syllabus: An examination of gene technology and modern medicine in social, environmental and ethical contexts. Case studies will be presented for discussion from areas such as genetic modification of agricultural crops and animals for food and production of therapeutic substances; genetic modification for pest control and environmental conservation; cloning of animals and humans; medical areas of genetic screening and gene therapy; reproductive technologies; and other applications of biotechnology in health care and the manufacturing industry.
Lectures will also raise broader issues, such as risk assessment; intellectual property; regulation of new technologies; bioethics; cognitive development and world view as these affect judgement. The course seeks to encourage the student to develop a deeper and more coherent understanding of the important implications which these technologies hold, not only for human beings, but for organisms in general. Both the promise and the threat of these new technologies will be considered.
The principal component of the 10 months Honours course is a research project conducted under supervision. In addition, students are expected to attend various workshops and seminars, write a research proposition on a prescribed topic and present seminars on their research work. The Honours course runs either from early February to early November or from early August to early June. In addition to meeting the entry requirements set by the Faculty of Science, students must have the agreement of a member of the School's academic staff to supervise their project, and the agreement of the Head of School. Academic staff from the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Research School of Biological Sciences, CSIRO and Canberra Hospital may be supervisors or co-supervisors. Students should discuss their intention to undertake an Honours project with potential supervisors and the Honours Convener, several months before the proposed starting date. Note that several organisations award honours scholarships in September-December for the following year.
The Honours course principally involves a research project conducted under supervision, and includes attendance at various workshops and seminars, presentation of a research proposal, a progress report and two seminars, with the major item of assessment being a thesis. The Honours course runs either from early February to early November or from mid July to mid May. In addition to meeting the entry requirements set by the Faculty of Science, students must have the agreement of a member of the School's academic staff to supervise their project, and the agreement of the Head of School. Students should discuss their intention to undertake an honours project with appropriate staff and the honours convener at least several months before the proposed starting date. Note that several organisations award honours scholarships in September-December for the following year.
The principal component of the 10 months Honours course is a research project conducted under supervision. In addition, students are expected to attend various workshops and seminars, write a literature review and present seminars on their research work. The Honours course runs either from early February to late November or from mid July to late May. In addition to meeting the entry requirements set by the Faculty of Science, students must have the agreement of a member of the academic staff to supervise their project, and the agreement of the Head of School. Academic staff from the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Psychology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Research School of Biological Sciences and Canberra Hospital, may be supervisors. Students should discuss their intention to undertake an Honours project with potential supervisors and the Honours Convener, several months before the proposed starting date. Note that several organisations award honours scholarships in September-December for the following year.
G. Fischer, MSc Melb., PhD Lond. (Physical Chemistry)
Chemistry is the study of matter, in relation to its structure at the level of individual atoms and molecules, and of the manner in which such structures can be transformed by chemical reactions. Between physics on the one hand, and biology on the other, it forms the principal interface. The subject may thus be pursued in many ways; at the one extreme at a purely theoretical level (for which a strong background in physics and mathematics is desirable) and at the other through experimental investigations (informed nowadays by a wide range of qualitative principles) of structure and change.
Chemistry is also an essential part of the background to the study of most other science disciplines, and to medicine, ecology, and engineering. The courses offered are designed to meet the needs of students to whom chemistry is their principal concern, and of students whose interest is subsidiary to another branch of science.
In 2002 there will be six A-level chemistry courses: Chemistry A14, Chemistry A15, Chemistry A16, Chemistry A17, Chemistry Fundamentals (Engineering), and Chemistry A12. A bridging course in chemistry will be held during February 2002. Students who do not have the recommended background for Chemistry A14 or Chemistry Fundamentals are advised to complete the bridging course. Further information may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry.
Chemistry A14 (first semester) and Chemistry A15 (second semester) cover a broad range of basic chemical concepts presented in an integrated way, stressing the wide applicability of chemical principles. Together, these two semester courses comprise a core discipline designed to cater for those whose primary interests lie in other areas of science as well as acting as a basis for a continuing study of chemistry.
Chemistry A16 and Chemistry A17 are based on A14 and A15 above, but offer additional work in wider areas of chemistry to students whose interest may have been developed at school or by a Science Summer School or by Chemistry Olympiad training. Staff from the Research School of Chemistry are closely involved in the additional work presented in this course.
Chemistry Fundamentals is a single (second semester) course that consists of material considered essential background for engineers. This course is available to Engineering students only.
Chemistry A12 (Chemistry for Natural Resource Managers) is a single (second) semester course with no formal chemistry prerequisite. This course aims to provide a chemical background for students wanting to pursue studies in resource and environmental management as well as other disciplines. Successful completion of Chemistry A12 qualifies a student to enrol in Chemistry A14.
B-level Chemistry semester courses target the main areas of chemistry in employment and research, and link with other science subjects. The areas covered include inorganic, organic, physical, analytical and materials chemistry.
The C-level Chemistry semester courses offer advanced study in professional areas of chemistry -- inorganic, organic, and physical.
Attendance at laboratory sessions at the specified times is compulsory.
For all chemistry courses, a pass in the prescribed laboratory work will be required in order to gain a pass in the course.
A pass or better in the designated prerequisite chemistry courses is required for entry into subsequent chemistry courses.
Safety glasses and laboratory coats are required for all laboratory courses. It is strongly recommended that all students have a scientific pocket calculator.
Assessment: For each course, an agreed assessment scheme will be decided upon following discussion with the class at the beginning of the course.
A maximum of 36 hours of lectures/tutorials and 30 hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: A passing grade in chemistry to the level of at least a minor in the ACT or NSW HSC Chemistry or Chemistry A12 or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry is required. Incompatible with CHEM1011, CHEM1012 and ENGN1225
Syllabus: The following syllabus provides a general guide to the topics to be discussed:
Atomic structure and bonding: electronic structure of atoms, quantum numbers, orbitals and energy levels, filling sequence, periodicity of atomic properties, octet 'rule', chemical bonds -- ionic, covalent -- energetics, H-bonds, Lewis structures, shapes of molecules, VSEPR theory, valence bond theory, hybridisation, resonance, molecular orbitals of diatomics -- sigma/pi/antibonding.
Equilibrium: Haber process as example of the Law of mass action, equilibrium constants, Kc and Kp, Le Chatelier's principle, reaction quotient, endo- and exo-thermic reactions.
Acids/bases and aqueous equilibria: classical, Lowry-Brønsted, and Lewis definitions, pH of aqueous solutions, strengths of acids and bases -- Ka and Kb, titration curves, buffers, extent of hydrolysis -- weak acids/bases, solubility products.
Introductory kinetics: reaction rates -- 1st, 2nd and 3rd order; molecularity, Arrhenius equation.
Spectroscopy: absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation, applications of spectroscopy, especially UV-Vis, AAS, IR & NMR, Beer-Lambert law, colorimetry.
Introductory thermodynamics: Energy -- different forms, kinetic and potential, heat and work, the First Law of Thermodynamics, conservation of energy, internal energy and enthalpy, Hess' Law, state functions, standard states, calorimetry.
Organic structure, isomerism & reactivity: carbon hybridization, functional groups, nomenclature, 3D chemistry, conformations, structural/geometrical/optical isomerism, biological and synthetic polymers -- polyamides and polysaccharides.
Laboratory: Exercises illustrating the simpler principles of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The apparatus used in the course is supplied by the Department. Attendance at laboratory classes is compulsory.
Proposed assessment: 25% by laboratory work and 75% by exam.
A maximum of 36 hours of lectures/tutorials and 30 hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Chemistry A14 or Chemistry A16. Incompatible with CHEM1011, CHEM1012 and ENGN1225
Syllabus: The following syllabus provides a general guide to the topics to be discussed:
Chemistry of the elements: periodicity exemplified, descriptive chemistry of non-metallic groups VII, VI and V, silicates -- structural variety, transition metals, coordination chemistry -- ligands, isomerism, stability, biological examples.
Electrochemistry: redox reactions, half-cell reactions and balancing equations, oxidation states, Voltaic cells, electrodes, electrode potentials, electromotive force and the free energy of cell reactions, Nernst equation, batteries, corrosion.
Advanced thermodynamics: entropy, Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics, free energy, equilibrium, spontaneous processes, equilibrium constants -- calculations, extent of reaction.
States of matter: gases, kinetic theory, effusion, equipartition of energy principle, deviations from ideality, intermolecular forces, states of matter, liquefaction, vapour pressure, molar heat capacity, phase diagrams (one component), melting, boiling, critical phenomena, solids, close packing geometries, lattice energies.
Solutions: solubility, phase diagrams of multicomponent systems, colligative properties, Raoult's law, deviations from ideality, mp depression/bp elevation, osmosis, colloids.
Quantum mechanics: electromagnetic waves, quantum view of energy levels, particle in a box, matter waves.
Advanced Kinetics: activation energies, collision and transition state theories, elementary steps in reaction mechanisms, catalysis, Michaelis-Menten kinetics, radioactive decay (as an example of exponential decay).
Biologically active compounds, chemical communication, drugs, synthesis and spectroscopy: drugs, pharmaceuticals and synthesis, reaction mechanisms, alcohols, ethers and carbonyl compounds, structural determination by spectroscopy.
Laboratory: Exercises illustrating the simpler principles of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The apparatus used in the course is supplied by the Department. Attendance at laboratory classes is compulsory.
Proposed assessment: 25% by laboratory work and 75% by exam.
A maximum of 46 hours of lectures/tutorials and 30 hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: A passing grade in chemistry to the level of at least a major in the ACT or 3/4 unit science in NSW is required. Incompatible with CHEM1011 and CHEM1012.
Conveners: B. Wild (RSC)/G. Salem
Syllabus: This course is identical to A14 except that it provides for up to four lectures per week instead of three. The extra lecture/tutorial constitutes an enrichment program designed for students with a strong interest in chemistry from school, Science Summer School, Olympiad or equivalent.
Proposed assessment: The same as Chemistry A14 except for an additional exam (10%).
A maximum of 46 hours of lectures/tutorials and 30 hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Chemistry A14 or Chemistry A16. Incompatible with CHEM1011 and CHEM1012.
Conveners: B. Wild (RSC)/G. Salem
Syllabus: This course is identical to A15 except that it provides for up to four lectures per week instead of three. The extra lecture/tutorial constitutes an enrichment program designed for students with a strong interest in chemistry from school, Science Summer School, Olympiad or equivalent.
Proposed assessment: The same as Chemistry A15 except for an additional exam (10%).
Three lectures and one tutorial per week and 15 hours of laboratory classes.
Prerequisite: No previous knowledge of chemistry is assumed although some background will be useful. This course cannot be taken concurrently with or after successful completion of CHEM1014 or CHEM1016.
Syllabus: This course introduces students to the basic concepts of chemistry. The topics covered are matter and energy, atomic structure, chemical periodicity, structure and bonding in compounds, inorganic nomenclature, chemical calculations, stoichiometry, properties of gases, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, organic chemistry, and the chemistry of the Earth.
Laboratory: Assignments will cover various aspects of the lecture course and attendance at laboratory classes is compulsory.
Twenty-four lectures (1 hr), twelve tutorials (1hr)
Prerequisite: Admission to BE degree program or approval of Head of Engineering. Students who have not achieved a passing grade in chemistry to the level of at least a minor in the ACT or its equivalent are advised to complete a bridging course in chemistry.
Syllabus: Introduction to essential concepts of chemistry. Electronic structure and chemical bonding. Quantum mechanics and atomic spectroscopy. Reaction rates, Arrhenius equation, activation energy of chemical reactions. Chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constants, Le Chatelier's Principle. Theories of acids and bases, strong and weak acids and bases, Ka and Kb calculation of pH and extent of hydrolysis. Thermochemistry, enthalpy and the First Law of Thermodynamics. Entropy and Gibbs free energy, the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Electrochemistry, calculation of electrode cell potentials, operation of batteries.
Students selecting B- courses should note carefully that the minimum prerequisites for entry into the Chemistry C-courses are 12 units worth of Chemistry B courses. Students should note that CHEM2101 has no formal laboratory component.
A maximum of three lectures a week and sixteen hours of tutorials.
Prerequisite: Chemistry A14 or Chemistry A16 plus Chemistry A15 or Chemistry A17.
Incompatible with Chemistry B53, B54 and B56.
Syllabus: Theory of spectroscopy. Qualitative molecular symmetry and basic molecular orbital theory. Chromatography. Applications of infra red, ultraviolet/visible and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to molecular structure analysis.
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: Chemistry A14 or Chemistry A16 plus Chemistry A15 or Chemistry A17; or Chemistry Fundamentals and Introduction to Materials Science.
Incompatible with Chemistry B53 completed prior to 1993 and Chemistry B56.
Syllabus: Thermodynamics of gas, liquid and solid systems and use of phase rule. Introductory statistical mechanics as the basis of thermodynamics. Introductory quantum chemistry. Introduction to chemical kinetics and reaction dynamics.
Laboratory: Assignments will cover various aspects of the lecture course and will include experiments on calorimetry, kinetics, refrigeration and phase changes.
Proposed assessment: 75% by assignment, 25% by laboratory work.
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: Chemistry A14 or Chemistry A16 plus Chemistry A15 or Chemistry A17.
Incompatible with Chemistry B53.
Syllabus: Chemical bonding; valence bond and ligand field theories; metallic bonding. Coordination chemistry. Crystal chemistry, structures of metals, alloys, semi- and super-conductors; phase equilibria, alloys.
Laboratory: Synthetic inorganic chemistry; quantitative inorganic analysis; use of some or all of the following techniques: IR and UV spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction.
Proposed assessment: 35% by laboratory work and 65% by exam.
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: Chemistry A14 or Chemistry A16 plus Chemistry A15 or Chemistry A17.
Incompatible with Chemistry B54.
Syllabus: An analysis of the stereochemistry and mechanism of addition, elimination and substitution reactions with particular reference to natural products and synthesis of compounds of commercial importance. The central role of reactive intermediates (carbocations, carbanions, carbenes and radicals) in organic reactions will be emphasised. The chemistry of carbonyl compounds and aromatic compounds with emphasis on the synthetic aspects.
Laboratory: Exercises involving basic laboratory techniques of organic chemistry: their application in separation, synthesis, and analysis of organic compounds will be involved.
Proposed assessment: A combination of laboratory work (~30%) and exams (~70%).
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisites: CHEM2104; or Chemistry B54 and one other Chemistry B course.
Incompatible with Chemistry C51.
Syllabus: A study of the basic reaction mechanisms encountered in organic chemistry, with particular reference to the reactions and rearrangements of electron deficient and radical species. Principles of organic synthesis. Stereochemistry and conformational analysis. Carbocyclic chemistry.
Laboratory: Advanced organic laboratory techniques with emphasis on syntheses and spectroscopic analyses. Some project work may be included.
Proposed assessment: A combination of laboratory work (~30%) and exams (~70%).
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: Any two Chemistry B courses, or approval of the course Convener.
Incompatible with Chemistry C52.
Syllabus: Surface chemistry (colloidal and surfactant solutions) and biomedical aspects. Advanced symmetry applied to molecular problems.
Laboratory: Assignments will cover various aspects of surface chemistry, thermodynamics, and electro-chemistry.
Proposed assessment: 45% laboratory work and assignments, and 55% by exam.
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: CHEM2103; or Chemistry B53 and one other Chemistry B course.
Incompatible with Chemistry C53.
Syllabus: Advanced chemistry of the elements, in particular the transition metals. Molecular symmetry, structure and bonding. Organotransition metal chemistry. Metal ions in biological systems.
Laboratory: Methods of synthesis and characterisation of Werner complexes, organometallic compounds and compounds of biological importance.
Proposed assessment: A combination of laboratory work (~35%), assignments (~12%) and exam (~53%).
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: CHEM2101; or Chemistry B54 and one other Chemistry B course.
Incompatible with Chemistry C51 and C52.
Syllabus: Applications of nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectral techniques in structural and mechanistic studies.
Laboratory: A mixture of dry and wet labs (theory and practical).
Proposed assessment: Combination of exam (~50%) and assignments (~50%).
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisites: Any two Chemistry B courses, or approval of the course Convener.
Incompatible with Chemistry C55.
Syllabus: General principles of magnetic resonance, applications to NMR and ESR. Statistical mechanics. Quantum chemistry including aspects of electronic structure and approximation methods.
Laboratory: A series of projects and assignments, some computer oriented and some theoretical.
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisites: CHEM2103; or Chemistry B53 and one other Chemistry B course.
Incompatible with Chemistry C56.
Syllabus: Inorganic reaction mechanisms; main group chemistry (eg organometallics, boron hydrides, chemistry of phosphorus, etc); cluster chemistry.
Laboratory: Advanced synthetic inorganic chemistry, including preparation of tertiary phosphines and their transition metal-based complexes. Some project work may be included.
Proposed assessment: Combination of exams (~65%) and laboratory work (~35%).
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: CHEM2104; or Chemistry B54 and one other Chemistry B unit.
Incompatible with Chemistry C57.
Syllabus: An introduction to the chemistry of the main five and six-membered heterocyclics, with particular emphasis on biologically-important systems. The biosynthesis of the major classes of natural products. Selected syntheses, often of natural products, will be used to illustrate modern synthetic reactions and strategies.
Laboratory: A series of laboratory exercises in organic chemistry. Some project work may be included.
Proposed assessment: Combination of exam (~50%), assignments (~25%) and laboratory work (~25%).
A maximum of three lectures/tutorials a week and nine four-hour laboratory periods.
Prerequisite: CHEM2103; or Chemistry B53 and one other Chemistry B course, or approval of course Convener.
Incompatible with Chemistry C55 and C56.
Syllabus: Application of the ligand-field model to understand the electronic (UV/Vis) spectra and magnetism of transition metal complexes. Basic introduction to computational chemistry with emphasis on molecular-orbital calculations.
Laboratory: A mixture of dry and wet labs (theory and practical).
Proposed assessment: Combination of exams (~65%), assignment (~15%) and laboratory work (~20%).
Students who have attained a sufficient standard in the degree program (see the Faculty of Science introductory section in this Handbook) for the pass degree may be admitted to an honours year.
A supervisor, who will guide the candidate in the selection of a suitable program of study and who will direct the research project, will be appointed for each honours candidate. The program of study must be selected from a special schedule of lecture courses, details of which will be made available within the Department, and must be approved by the Head of Department. Candidates will normally be able to select their general field of investigation.
Attendance at colloquia held in the Department constitutes a part of the program and the candidates will be required to prepare and deliver seminars describing the background to (first seminar) and results from (second seminar) their research project. Candidates must submit a written report (thesis) describing the method and results of their investigation.
There will be written examinations during the year, and an oral examination is required.
The classification for honours will be based on the assessment of the students written report of the investigation, on the results of the written and oral examinations, on a report by the supervisor, and on their performance in their second seminar.
C.W. Johnson, BSc Monash, PhD ANU
Computer Science continues to be the name for a field of study which has changed greatly in its fifty-year history. The subject now includes a wide range of interests in communications, computer software, computer hardware, and information systems for human organisations. The Department of Computer Science offers full degree studies in software engineering, information systems, and computer science, as well as service courses in information technology applications.
The Department provides courses to produce three- and four-year graduates who can enter the information technology industry as novice professionals, and to support the main computing applications in Science, Engineering, Economics, and Commerce. The professional degree courses of Bachelor of Software Engineering and Bachelor of Information Technology are described in the Department's entry under the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology in this Handbook. Many of the same computer science and software development courses can be taken within the more generalist Bachelor of Science degree. Students can thereby combine study of a Science subject with as much computing as they wish, ranging from the use of spreadsheets, word processing and information organisation, or introductory programming, through to a complete third-year study of computer science and software development.
A fourth year of honours study can be added to the BSc and the BInfTech. The study of Computer Science at honours level can lead to more research and development oriented careers and is the usual path to a research higher degree such as PhD. The fourth year of the BSEng includes an honours or pass result. In all of these degrees, the Department aims to produce first class honours graduates who can enter postgraduate studies at leading international computer science laboratories.
The Department has an active research program and educates Master of Philosophy and PhD students by research.
The Department offers several courses that can be taken by students with no previous background in computing or information technology. COMP1900 is an information technology service course which provides a university level introduction to applied computing for students in any area who wish to use computers in their studies or their careers but do not necessarily need to study computer programming. COMP1200 provides a broad perspective on the field of computing for those with a deeper interest in the underlying science and technology.
COMP1100 provides an introduction to computer programming, both as a service course and as a foundation for all further studies in information technology. It requires a prerequisite of secondary college mathematics, but does not require any previous computing experience. COMP1110 provides further study of programming and software engineering, consolidating the study of constructing larger programs. It leads to further software development and software engineering studies.
COMP2400 can also be taken in first year, following COMP1100. It provides an introduction to the use of databases and to their underlying technology.
T.J. O'Neill, BSc Adel., MS PhD Stanford AStat
The School of Finance and Applied Statistics teaches courses on statistics which are a key part of many science programs. Statistics involves the study of data collection, modelling and inference. Courses range from the introductory course Statistical Techniques to later year courses such as statistical inference, regression modelling, graphical data analysis and generalised linear models.
For further details, see entry for Finance and Applied Statistics under the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.
Details of the program for Statistics IV Honours are given under the Faculty of Economics and Commerce. Students in the Faculty of Science (who will often be combining part of Statistics IV Honours with parts of other fourth-year Faculty of Science courses) will take a selection appropriate to their interests and should discuss their proposed program with the Head of School at the beginning of their third year.
Genetics is the science of heredity and thus concerns itself with the nature and function of the genetic material within every organism, its replication, transmission, alteration and expression during development and evolution. The subject spans the wide range of biological systems from viruses, bacteria, fungi and algae to multicellular plants and animals. All are governed by seemingly similar laws of heredity. Modern genetics encompasses many parts of other disciplines such as medicine, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, ecology, forestry, conservation biology, anthropology and psychology.
Genetics finds practical application in our society in animal and plant breeding, medicine, genetic counselling, transplantation and tumour biology, environmental mutagenesis and genetic engineering and biotechnology. Furthermore, it provides a powerful tool for the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying life, viral and bacterial diseases, evolution, systematics and population biology as well as development and behaviour.
The School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the School of Botany and Zoology offer a substantial core of courses in general and molecular genetics. In first year BIOL1003, BIOL1004 and BIOL1007 offer an introduction to genetics. They lead to BIOL2151 Introductory Genetics, which provides an overview and an expanded introduction to genetic concepts, with emphasis on population and quantitative genetics. An emphasis on molecular genetics is found in BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression, BIOL2162 Molecular Biotechnology, BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications and BIOL3177 Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The focus of BIOL2152 Advances in Human Genetics is aptly described by its title and includes a strong thread on genetic diseases and related issues. BIOL3151 Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics emphasises population genetics. Forest Conservation and Production Genetics (FSTY3052) is a more applied course showing how genetic principles are used in the conservation of forest biodiversity and breeding of forest trees. SCCO3102 Biotechnology in Context considers the ethics of genetic technologies.
Other courses containing substantial elements of genetics are BIOL2142 General Microbiology, BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity, BIAN2115 'Race' and Human Genetic Variation, BIOL3133 Evolution, BIOL3152 Bioinformatics and BIOL2134 Conservation Biology.
The Schools of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Botany and Zoology and Resources, Environment and Society offer diverse research projects in genetics for Honours, Graduate Diploma in Science, MSc and PhD degrees.
Further information and advice concerning degree program structures can be obtained through the Faculty Office, or by contacting staff of the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Dr David Rowell (School of Botany and Zoology).
Information on honours or postgraduate study in Forest Genetics can be obtained from Professor P. Kanowski (School of Resources, Environment and Society).
General information can also be found in the Faculty of Science Guide.
The following course patterns are available:
(a) For students who wish to obtain a general background to present thinking on the structure and history of planet Earth, SRES1002 Earth Systems is presented as an introductory, process-oriented course in physical geography and geology.
(b) GEOL1002 continues from SRES1002 and provides a systems view of planet Earth. Together, these courses provide an introduction to the basic tools of geological investigation as a basis for further study. Students are also recommended to take CHEM1014 or 1022 and/or PHYS1101/1201 or PHYS1004 and a mathematics or statistics course.
(c) For students interested in studying surficial geology, geography, ecology, and the environment, SRES1002 provides an essential introduction to Earth Science. Those wishing to include geomorphology or weathering (the regolith) as part of their studies are advised to take this course before GEOG2001.
(d) Students from other disciplines may wish to take certain ancillary topics after first year to support their major interests e.g., GEOL2008 for biologists, GEOL2007 and GEOL2011 for geographers, GEOL2009 for chemists, SRES3004 for biologists and geographers, GEOL3005 and GEOL3017 for physicists and engineers and GEOL3010 for chemists. Students should consult this Handbook concerning prerequisites for these courses.
(e) Students aiming to teach or requiring a general science qualification should find an adequate range of subjects in geology and other sciences offered in the 144 unit BSc degree.
(f) Those aiming to become professional geologists should plan a fourth year of study leading to a graduate diploma or an honours degree. This fourth year permits more extensive study outside geology in the first two or three years, while leaving time to study some aspects of geology in depth. The graduate diploma program normally consists of three or four graduate courses in geology together with a seminar and report on a field area. Other arrangements may be agreed after discussion with the course supervisor and the Head of the Department. Students may specialise in any of the research fields covered by the Department, or may study one or two topics in applied geology at the University of Canberra.
(g) A degree of Bachelor of Science with honours in geology is offered for students who meet Faculty requirements and who wish to undertake research-oriented study. A candidate for this degree shall normally include all Group B courses in geology and at least four Group C courses including GEOL3001, and shall pursue a program of advanced study during a period of ten months, including course work and seminars, as well as the preparation of a detailed thesis. Appropriate seminar courses in a variety of topics will be provided by the Department and of those, the candidate will be expected to select courses of up to the equivalent of 24 units; these courses may include approved course work in other disciplines. Students will be expected to study Australasian Geology as part of their course-work program. A large amount of the field work required for the thesis should be carried out during University vacations.
A candidate will be required to pass written examinations or an oral examination or both in certain aspects of the subject, which will be notified to the candidate before the end of the first term of the program for the degree.
(h) Some specialisations at fourth-year level require prerequisite backgrounds in other subjects. Students wishing to specialise in geophysics should take PHYS2016 and mathematics to at least second-year level. For petrology and geochemistry, a good background in chemistry is desirable.
Employment for graduates in geology is available in a number of fields. Four-year trained graduates typically gain employment with exploration companies in both the mining and petroleum industries. Government geological surveys, both state and federal, are among the largest employers of graduates with higher degree qualifications. Large numbers are involved in the search for coal, petroleum and minerals, or in engineering projects such as dams, underground water supply, road and railway construction. Marine Geoscience is a developing field particularly for sedimentologists and geophysicists. Many companies and government agencies employ environmental geologists in developmental planning work. Most employers now require at least four years of university work.
In addition to the above, there is a continuing need for geologically-qualified secondary school teachers.
Assessment: In all geology courses this is normally by a combination of:
(a) class work and/or field work
(b) practical assignments or examinations
(c) theory examinations, which may be formal papers or take-home papers.
For all geology courses, a pass in the prescribed practical work will be required in order to gain a pass in the course.
Five hours per week of lectures, practicals and tutorials, plus two field trips
Lecturer: Staff of the Geology Department, the School of Resources, Environment and Society and the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies.
Prerequisites: None. Students are advised to enrol concurrently in CHEM1014 or 1022
Incompatible with GEOG1005 completed prior to 1997, GEOL1011 and SREM 1002
Syllabus: This is a physical geography and geology introduction to the dynamic nature and evolution of Earth Systems for students interested in the linkages between the atmosphere, oceans, water cycle, rock and soil cycle, and the planet's biota. Suitable for students who propose to major in geography, human ecology, geology, soils, ecology, archaeology, forestry, and Resource Management and Environmental Science.
The Earth System consists of interlocking components, including the solid Earth, the soil mantle, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. Each of these components is considered, and emphasis is placed on their interactions. Both past natural and current human perturbations of the Earth System are explored. The key concepts used to understand the Earth System are developed through the course, with emphasis on driving processes and feedbacks both today and through geological history.
Three lectures, one tutorial and two hours of laboratory work a week; three days field work
Lecturer: Professor D J Ellis and Staff of the Geology Department, the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies and the School of Resources, Environment and Society
Prerequisite: SRES1002 or SREM1002 or CHEM1014 or CHEM1015
This course continues from SRES1002, providing a systems view of planet Earth.
Syllabus: Formation and interaction of the lithosphere, oceans and atmosphere; whole Earth geophysics. The evolution of Australasia from the perspective of physical geography and geology : the break-up of Gondwana, historical geology of Australasia, tectonics, rocks and fossils in time and space. The Australian regolith and industrial minerals, hydrology and ground water, environmental geology.
Three lectures and two hours of practical work per week and one 6-day field excursion.
Prerequisite: GEOL2009 (or prior to 1997, Geology B03)
Syllabus: The nature and origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Consideration of the continuum of chemical compositions and the orderly mineral assemblages of igneous rocks. Recovery of conditions of crystallisation and conditions of differentiation of igneous rocks from study of mineralogical composition and assemblages. Understanding the physical conditions of formation of metamorphic rocks and the record of change of these conditions preserved in constituent minerals.
Two lectures and 3 hours of practical work a week plus a field excursion in the mid semester break.
Lecturer: Dr Opdyke and Dr Clarke
Prerequisite: SRES1002 or SREM1002 or GEOL1002
Syllabus: Introduction to sedimentary depositional processes, with a goal of learning to recognise ancient depositional environments from the rock record. Basic stratigraphic principles and methods will be introduced. An introduction to the biogeochemical cycles of elements such as carbon and oxygen (and their stable isotopes), calcium, magnesium and strontium at geologic time scales, with an emphasis on the climatic and tectonic impacts on the cycles of these elements.
Three lectures and a two hour practical per week for the first half of the semester; either continuing with this format in the second half of the semester or by assignments alone.
Lecturers: Professor Arculus, Dr Mavrogenes, and Dr Opdyke
Prerequisite: SRES1002 or SREM1002 or GEOL1002. Incompatible with SREM2007
Syllabus: In the first part of this course, the distribution and occurrence of the major mineral and energy resources currently used by humans is explored. The relationships, for example, between particular types of ore occurrence and the global plate tectonic cycle are examined, together with the origins, global abundances, and styles of exploitation of hydrocarbon-, fission-, and geothermal-based energy reserves. In addition to the principles governing concentration of specific chemical elements in the Earth's crust in time and space, aspects of the socioeconomic factors governing exploitation of potential resources are examined. In the second part of the course, a choice is offered between: (1) assignment-based individual study of specific issues relating to resource occurrence and/or exploitation; (2) continued lecture/practical format examining in more depth the geochemical controls on specific element concentrations.
Two lectures and one 3-hour laboratory class, plus a 3-day field excursion to the south coast examining modern and Permian marine settings and their associated biota.
Prerequisite: SRES1002 or SREM1002 or GEOL1002, or written permission from the Head of Department.
Syllabus: This course provides an overview of the fossil record of use to palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Emphasis will be placed on evidence for evolution of life on Earth, and the geochemical nature of fossils and the role they take in the evolution of the planet. This course is for geology, biology, archaeology and resource and environmental management students seeking advanced knowledge on the fossil record and palaeoenvironmental analysis.
Two lectures and three hours practical work per week.
Lecturers: Dr Mavrogenes, Professor Ellis and Dr Clarke
Prerequisite: GEOL1002 or SRES1002 or SREM1002 (CHEM1014 or CHEM1015 is recommended)
Syllabus: This course provides the mineralogical basis for many of the later units in geoscience. Lecture and laboratory topics include morphological and optical crystallography, an introduction to crystal chemistry, and the composition, occurrence and properties of minerals.
One lecture and four hours practical work per week.
Prerequisite: 18 Group A Science units
Syllabus: This course covers the science of remote sensing and the related computer-based discipline of image processing. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of practical skills through hands-on use of computer workstations. Integrated analysis of a wide range of geospatial data including Landsat, SPOT and airborne hyperspectral data, digital elevation models, gravity, magnetic and radiometric data is an important component of the course. Lecture notes and comprehensive laboratory tutorial instructions provided over the World Wide Web allow self-paced learning. Processing strategies to extract thematic information from multi-band satellite data are developed. This has applications for a wide range of Earth studies (e.g. vegetation, soils, rocks and minerals, water turbidity and depth, etc.). Practical work includes advanced image processing, image analysis, 3D visualisation and the integration of map data.
Two hours of lectures and three hours of practicals weekly for seven weeks starting at the beginning of semester, plus a one day field trip during a weekend. A seven day field mapping exercise will be undertaken during the mid-semester break.
Lecturers: Structural Geology -- Professor Cox
Field Geology -- Dr Opdyke and staff
Prerequisite: SRES 1002 or GEOL1002 or SREM1002
Syllabus: The structural geology component of the course introduces the basic concepts of brittle and ductile deformation processes and how they control the strength, mechanical behaviour and development of structures in the Earth's continental crust. The course provides a basic understanding of the forces driving deformation, and the displacements and strains associated with simple crustal deformations. Emphasis is placed on (1) illustrating how deformation processes change under the influence of changing pressures and temperatures with increasing depth in the lithosphere, and (2) examining the basic types of structures produced by single episodes of brittle and ductile deformation of the continental crust, and how their styles and geometries vary as a function of depth in the continental crust.
The field geology component of the course is a practical, field-based program which introduces the fundamentals of geologic mapping techniques in undeformed to simply folded and faulted and relatively unmetamorphosed sedimentary and igneous terrains. The week will be composed of three assessable assignments: Measuring stratigraphic columns, mapping igneous contacts, and introduction to mapping deformed sediments.
Syllabus: Field mapping of geological formations, involving intensive field component, and utilising air photographs and GIS techniques. The field component is held over two weeks in February and reports and maps are prepared in the field and upon return to campus. Assessment will be complete by the end of March.
Two lectures and three hours of practicals weekly, plus a weekend fieldtrip to the NSW South Coast
Prerequisite: GEOL2012. Incompatible with GEOL2010
Syllabus: This course is designed to develop an advanced understanding of deformation processes and structures produced by displacement and deformation in the Earth's lithosphere at scales ranging from the tectonic plate scale, down to the crystal lattice scale. Emphasis is placed on understanding (1) the geometry and types of structures produced by complex crustal deformation histories involving contractional, extensional and wrench regimes, (2) the deformation processes which control the microstructural evolution of deformed rocks, (3) factors influencing the strength and mechanical behaviour of the Earth's crust and underlying mantle lithosphere, (4) deformational controls on crustal-scale fluid flow and applications to understanding ore genesis and earthquake processes, and (5) the large-scale geodynamic processes controlling plate motions and crustal deformation.
Three lectures and a two hour practical per week and field work.
This course is offered in alternate years to GEOL3017 (Fundamentals of Geophysics) and will be offered in 2002.
Prerequisite: 18 Group B Science units
Syllabus: Introduces the physics of Planet Earth and covers the principal methods of exploration geophysics. Incorporates the major advances in understanding which stem from an analysis and interpretation of physical properties and methods. The course covers the most important of these: gravity, magnetics, seismology, airborne geophysics, electrical methods and geophysical well-logging. The fundamental properties, their complementary nature and use in probing crustal structure and composition are discussed and analysed. Emphasis is placed on the integration of theory and practical aspects. Practical work includes image processing of geophysical data, the use of geophysical equipment, interpretation of data, solutions to geophysical problems including computer simulations and analytical approaches, and visits to geophysical laboratories.
Three lectures and a two hour laboratory per week; one 1-week field excursion
Syllabus: This course covers the distribution, geological setting and genesis of metalliferous mineral deposits. Factors controlling the formation of these deposits and the linkages with many other geologic processes covered in other courses are explored. Practical work involves mineragraphy and study of a range of classic mineral deposits.
Two lectures and three hour laboratory per week and a six day excursion during the semester break
Lecturers: Professor Ellis and Professor Arculus
Prerequisite: GEOL2004 (or prior to 1997, Geology BO4)
Incompatible with Geology CO4 and Geology CO6
Syllabus: The distributions and origins of the major types of igneous and mertamorphic rocks including tectonic associations of melting and crystallisation processes, and the detailed treatment of selected types of metamorphism. Origins and abundances of the elements including the rare earths and actinides. Natural radioactivity and principle of geochronology. Introduction to the use of isotopic tracers both radiogernic and stable. Relationships between heat flow and tectonism for different metamorphic environments. Practical work includes the laboratory study of classical igneous and metamorphic suites, petrographic calculations, graphical representations and computer modelling of geochemical, igneous and metamorphic processes.
Five hours of lectures and laboratory work per week; one 2-day required field excursion
Lecturers: Geology department staff, Drs Field and Greene (School of Resources, Environment and Society)
Prerequisite: GEOL2009 (or prior to 1997, Geology B03) or SRES2005 or SREM2005 (or prior to 1997, FSTY2001)
Syllabus: This course considers the physical, chemical and biological processes that take place in the Australian landscape and regolith leading to the weathering of rocks, the redistribution of weathered rock material and the establishment of deep weathering profiles, soil description and classification. The course will explain materials of the regolith, and the implications of regolith geology to mineral exploration, environmental issues and geological and pedological processes. Field and laboratory work will be directed toward regolith mapping and description.
Three hours of lectures and two hours of practicals per week.
Offered in alternate years to GEOL3005 (Exploration Geophysics).
Prerequisites: PHYS1001 or PHYS1101/1201 or 12 units of Group A mathematics; plus 12 Group B units from geology, physics or mathematics
Syllabus: Introduction to structure and processes of the solid Earth, as well as to hydrology through the application of physical principles to geological problems. Particular topics covered are seismology, heat flow and the principles of isostacy and elasticity and their application to whole Earth structure, mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones. In hydrology flow through porous media and applications to confined and unconfined aquifers will be discussed. Practical work includes the introduction to simple numerical modelling with the aim to visualise physical problems which are common to the topics covered.
Offered in alternate years with GEOL3019 Carbonate Reef Field Studies. Will be offered in 2002.
Two lectures and one 3-hour laboratory class for half of the course and during the second half, the course will have a significant literature review component and a 3-day excursion to the Tertiary of Victoria
Lecturers: Drs De Deckker and Opdyke
Prerequisite: GEOL2007 or GEOL2008
Syllabus: This is an advanced course for students seeking knowledge in sedimentology, carbonate geochemistry, palaeoenvironmental analysis and global change. This course will cover aspects of marine geoscience, with emphasis on chemical (palaeo)oceanography, biostratigraphy, palaeoclimates, sedimentary and biogeochemical cycling of relevance to global change issues. A discussion on marine resources will also be included. Students are advised to plan their program well so as to take GEOL3019 Carbonate Reef Field Studies which complements this course.
Second semester [during semester break]
Field course [offered in alternate years with GEOL 3018 Marine Geoscience]. Will be offered in 2003
Lecturers: Drs De Deckker and Opdyke. Lecturer in 2003: Dr DeDeckker
Prerequisite: GEOL2007 and/or GEOL2008.
Syllabus: This is an intensive field course aiming at providing students with advanced field knowledge of modern and fossil carbonate environments. It is to complement GEOL3018 Marine Geoscience, and is for students seeking a profession in the petroleum industry, environmental geoscience and geochemistry. Several days will be spent on the field studying a modern reefal setting as well as fossil reef depositional environments. A significant component will be advanced reading on carbonate environments; assessment will include on field performance, field reports, laboratory work and essays. Students are advised to plan their program well so as to take GEOL3018 Marine Geoscience which complements this course.
One hour of lectures and four hours practical work per week.
Prerequisite: 18 Group B Science units
Syllabus: This course canvasses the range of information systems used in modern Earth Science. It introduces the computer-based disciplines of GIS and relational databases and field systems such as the satellite-based GPS navigation system. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of practical skills through hands-on use of computer workstations, A0 digitisers and colour printers. Integrated analysis of a wide range of geospatial data including satellite imagery, digital elevation models, gravity, magnetic and radiometric data and point, line and polygon-located observations is an important component of the course. Lecture notes and comprehensive laboratory tutorial instructions provided over the World Wide Web allow self-paced learning. Practical work includes methods of digital data capture, manipulation of non-spatial attributes, spatial editing, spatial querying and analysis, data integration and digital map production.
A selection of special topics may be offered if there is sufficient demand in any one year. These courses are intended mainly for honours and graduate diploma students, but third-year students may be permitted to enrol after consultation with the Head of Department. Certain courses are also intended to cater for students in other disciplines who wish to complement their studies with appropriate geology courses. It will not be possible to mount courses in all these fields each year; consequently, students who wish to take advantage of the flexibility offered will be required to make appropriate arrangements with the Head of Department and relevant members of the teaching staff before the start of each semester. These courses may be offered in first or second semester.
Prerequisites for all courses are at least 96 units towards the BSc degree and approval of the Head of Department.
Available when offered as a one-week short course through CRC LEME.
Principles of X-ray diffraction; clay and iron oxyhydroxide mineralogy; application of X-ray diffraction to interpreting regolith and environmental minerals.
This is a 6 unit Group E course offered by the Faculty of Law to students interested in environmental issues, and may be credited towards any single undergraduate degree program of the Faculty of Science. It may not count, however, towards the Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Forestry) component of combined programs.
It should be understood that this course is not offered to law students; it is rather a specially designed course for non-law students, especially students in environmental or environmentally-related disciplines.
The course seeks to examine Environmental Law from theoretical and practical perspectives, taking a broad national and thematic approach rather than simply annotating the law of one jurisdiction. The course will examine the sources of Environmental Law, looking at the roles of the common law, of statutes and the growing importance of International Law. It will then move to look at environmental regulation, including economic approaches to land use control, planning and licensing systems; environmental decision-making, including environmental impact assessment processes and exceptions to the usual decision-making process; enforcement of environmental controls through criminal and civil means and alternative sanctions; and environmental litigation, in particular, rights of standing and legal aid in public interest litigation.
The course will also look at philosophical and ethical bases for environmental protection, as well as a detailed examination of the role of scientific evidence in environmental decision making.
Assessment: the proposed assessment is an in-class test and final examination.
This is a 6 unit Group E course offered by the Faculty of Law for students with no prior law knowledge, as awareness, establishment and protection of intellectual property has become a fundamental attribute of scientific research, particularly biotechnology. Awareness of intellectual property is crucial in guiding directions for research as well as providing information on research already conducted. The establishment and protection of intellectual property is influenced by procedures adopted at the earliest stages of research and development, and a lack of understanding may significantly affect future research as well as preventing the fruits of any research being successfully commercialised.
This course may be counted to any single undergraduate degree program of the Faculty of Science; it may not count, however, towards the Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Forestry) component of combined programs.
Twelve lectures of two hours each, six seminars of two hours each
Prerequisites: All of BIOL2142, BIOL2162 and BIOL3161
Syllabus: This course will cover the basic principles of intellectual property including confidential information, copyright, patents, designs and trademarks. Students will be able to:
Identify, apply and assess issues relating to each of these areas of intellectual property;
Take steps to prevent the protection of intellectual property being undermined by action inconsistent with that protection; and
Be able to demonstrate a capacity to identify, apply and assess ownership rights and marketing protection under intellectual property law as applicable to information, ideas, new products and product marketing.
The principles of intellectual property will then be applied to the development and protection of biotechnology.
Materials science is emerging as one of the most important driving forces of technological change in the 21st Century. It underpins advances in many critical areas of science and technology including: IT, photonics, nanotechnology, aerospace engineering and biotechnology. A BSc in materials science is for those students who want to work at the cutting edge of technology and be part of one of the biggest scientific revolutions sweeping the planet.
Materials science is all about understanding the structure and properties of materials in order to modify their performance. It involves the whole spectrum of science, and is extraordinarily multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary in nature. Metallurgists, ceramists, polymer scientists, condensed matter physicists, chemists, biologists, crystallographers, mathematicians and engineers are just a few of the specialists working in the field of materials science.
The range of materials being studied at ANU is incredibly diverse. They include thin silicate films for solar energy conversion, solid electrolytes, biosynthetic enzymes, coatings, thin films and membranes, polymers and tough ceramics, electronic and optical materials, geo-materials, bio-materials designed for slow drug release, carbon-fibre aerospace materials, environmentally friendly detergents, boron nitride nanotubes and plant-fibre reinforced composites.
Because materials science crosses over so many areas of science, ANU has established the Centre for Science and Engineering of Materials Science (CSEM) to help integrate the expertise and knowledge that exists in the Departments and Research Schools on the ANU campus. Last year CSEM created a materials science stream for students wishing to focus on materials science in their BSc.
The BSc in materials science offers many advantages to students:
(1) an excellent foundation in basic science coupled with a broad skills base in materials science;
(2) exciting opportunities for specialisation -- forensics, biomedical materials, mathematical modelling, composites, chemical engineering, molecular genetics, quantum physics, robotics;
(3) opportunities to undertake research placements in one of ANU's Research Schools;
(4) excellent and varied career opportunities
A feature of the course is that it is possible for students, as part of their degree, to take specialised courses in materials science at outside institutions in the areas of forensics, conservation of materials or design and craft.
If you want your BSc in materials science to have a forensics focus, you should consider the three new course options being offered through the Canberra Institute of Technology: Principles of Forensic Science and Investigation (1st year); Forensic Chemistry (2nd year) and Forensic Molecular Biology (3rd year) (see listing on next page).
If you have an interest in materials conservation, then you should consider `Conservation of Cultural Materials' at the University of Canberra as part of your degree (see listing on next page).
In addition to this, interesting opportunities for simultaneous study in design and craft are made possible via the ANU Canberra School of Art workshops in various media, such as wood, non-ferrous metals, glass and ceramics (see listing over the page). Students who have previously completed materials science courses at other institutions may be eligible for credit.
Students should also note that there are opportunities to undertake a research placement in one of ANU's Research Schools, or with a relevant industry partner during your third year of study. Students are also encouraged to attend CSEM's regular seminars to hear and meet experts in a variety of materials science areas. CSEM members have a wide variety of industry links both in Australia and overseas. These industry partners provide opportunity for research and educational collaborations that will be a resource for students.
Each year, a wide range of Honours projects in the science and engineering of materials is offered by Departments in the Faculty of Science and the Research Schools at ANU. Undertaking such a project gives you a feel for research as well as allowing you to specialise further. The recommended route for undergraduate students wanting to carry out an Honours project and/or pursue research for a higher degree in materials is to complete a BSc specialising in materials in the Faculty of Science. Select a subject area of your choice and enrol in the appropriate Department for Honours. CSEM will try to match your interests with the appropriate Department/supervisor. CSEM also offers two Honours scholarships to students who meet certain criteria (see http://www.anu.edu.au/CSEM/Undergrad%20courses/Honours-scholarship.html)
Any students interested in specialising in materials or discussing their options further should contact the Director of CSEM by email: csem@anu.edu.au. Interested students are also encouraged to look at the CSEM web site at http://www.anu.edu.au/CSEM/. Potential degree program outlines for different specialisations, (eg bio-materials, chemistry of materials, high tech.) are available on the web site or by contacting CSEM.
There is also potential for industry support, at varying levels, in many areas of materials science. Please contact the Director of CSEM for further information.
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Example possibilities: |
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Special Topics in Materials Science -- research /industry based (6 units) |
A star* highlights a subject better suited to those with a biological focus. The # indicates that at least MATH1013/1014 must be undertaken in conjunction with PHYS1101/1201.
It is not essential that students wanting to pursue studies in materials science have a strong physics, chemistry or mathematics background; however, study in these areas would be useful. Note -- an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in Chemistry, or NSW HSC Chemistry, or equivalent is required to undertake CHEM1014/1015 in first year.
PHYS1004 is the option recommended to only those students without Year 11/12 physics.
The flexibility of the program outline allows you to:
1. simultaneously follow any of the Life Science `streams';
3. pursue your interest in Chemistry;
4. undertake further studies in Geology;
5. concentrate on the Engineering of materials;
6. incorporate advanced Physics, Maths or Computer Science courses.
7. and/or even combine your science study with Art -- craft, design and conservation.
Listed below are courses with strong relevance to different areas of materials science:
BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology and Genetics
BIOL1005 Animal Evolution and Ecology
BIOL1006 Plant Evolution and Ecology
BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression
BIOL2162 Molecular Biotechnology
BIOL2121 Plant Structure and Function
BIOL2171 Biochemistry of the Cell
BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications
SRES1003 Biological Measurement
FSTY2012 Australian Vegetation
CHEM1014/1015 Chemistry A14/A15
CHEM2101 Spectroscopy in Chemistry
CHEM2102 Principles of Physical Chemistry
CHEM2103 Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
CHEM2104 Principles of Organic Chemistry
CHEM3101 Organic Synthesis and Mechanisms
CHEM3102 Applied Physical Chemistry
CHEM3103 Transition Metal Chemistry
CHEM3104 Physical Aspects of Organic Chemistry
CHEM3105 Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry
CHEM3106 Selected Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
ENGN1215 Introduction to Materials
ENGN2211 Electronic Circuits and Devices
ENGN2214 Mechanics of Materials
ENGN2222 Thermal Energy Systems
ENGN3212 Manufacturing Technologies
ENGN3222 Manufacturing Systems
ENGN3224 Energy System Engineering
ENGN4507 Semiconductor Technology
ENGN4519 Semiconductor Materials and Devices
PHYS3031 Atomic Spectroscopy and Laser Physics
MATH1003 Mathematical Modelling 1
MATH1005 Mathematical Modelling 2
MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1
MATH1014 Mathematics and Applications 2
The three-year single degree course of Bachelor of Science may include up to 48 units (one third of the number of units required to earn a BSc) offered by a Faculty other than the Faculty of Science. See Faculty of Science degree program requirements for details. The three options listed here are all relevant to a particular specialisation in materials science.
Students interested in pursuing simultaneous study in design and craft may be able to participate in the materials workshops of the School of Art via the 6 unit course, `Complementary Studies'.
(more information: http://www.anu.edu.au/ITA/CSA/workshops. html)
003695 Materials Science 1 (Inorganic)
003697 Materials Science 3 (Organic)
003696 Materials Science 2 (Paper)
003698 Materials Science 4 (Paintings)
(more information: http://scides.canberra.edu.au/, go to schools and select the School of Resource, Environmental and Heritage Sciences)
Note: Courses from other universities may be undertaken subject to approval from the Faculty of Science.
FOSC101 Principles of Forensic Science & Investigation
FOSC104 Forensic Molecular Biology
(more information: http://www.cit.act.edu.au/welcome/programs/hb/hb-539.php3)
Note: These three CIT courses can be taken as part of your BSc specialising in materials science;prior approval must be obtained from the Faculty of Science.
P. J. Cossey, BSc(Hons) Qld, PhD ANU
Mathematics is one of the oldest, most useful, and most vital intellectual disciplines. It is concerned with the formulation and solution of many important theoretical and practical questions. Mathematics is having a golden age, with an explosion in the variety of structures and concepts which may be organised mathematically and set to myriad uses. The symbiosis between the process of abstraction on the one hand and the need to achieve practical ends on the other has always been crucial to the progress of mathematics; it leads to great diversity in what mathematicians do and greatly increases the usefulness of mathematics. The development of the modern computer, stemming directly from the work of John von Neumann, one of the twentieth century's most brilliant mathematicians, has totally changed the face of the subject and of society. The increasing pervasiveness of mathematics in every area of human activity, for example, the biological, economic, social and technological sciences, together with the enormous advances in the subject itself, indicate that the next 100 years will be exciting indeed.
The Department of Mathematics offers a wide range of programs catering to students who wish to study the subject either for its intrinsic interest, or for its applicable and applied aspects. Many of its programs are designed to complement other fields of study in the University, such as information technology, the physical and biological sciences, statistics, engineering, economics and the social sciences. We provide, for undergraduate students:
Graduate programs for the Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD degrees are available to students with appropriate background.
More complete information about the Department of Mathematics and mathematics courses may be found in the Department handbook, available free of charge from the Department office, and available at http://www.maths.anu.edu.au/MathematicsHandbook/
Students entering the Department of Mathematics may undertake their mathematics programs at several different levels. The choice of level, and the amount of mathematics studied, will depend on the student's
The mathematics topics available to students in their first year of study are arranged in three streams, as follows, with prerequisites as shown:
Advanced Mathematics in the ACT, NSW HSC Mathematics, or equivalent.
These are designed for students with a wide variety of backgrounds and will cover important areas in mathematics and its applications. Modelling 1 is not a necessary prerequisite for Modelling 2. The courses are suitable for students whose main area of study is in the application of mathematics to areas such as: social, biological, physical, environmental sciences, computational science and economics. Extensive use will be made of computer packages and the emphasis will be on the applicability of mathematics for solving interesting problems. It is possible to mix-and-match these courses with semester courses in other areas (eg statistics).
A satisfactory pass in the major-minor Advanced Mathematics Extended in the ACT, NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1, or equivalent.
These courses form the basic sequence for a study of mathematics which is both applicable to other disciplines (in particular to the physical sciences, computer science, statistics or economics) and introductory to a wide range of later year courses in mathematics itself. Students with excellent results in Advanced Mathematics in the ACT, or NSW HSC Mathematics, or the equivalent from elsewhere, may be permitted to enrol in Mathematics and Applications 1.
Double-major in the ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended or equivalent. Students with excellent results in either the ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended major-minor, NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent from elsewhere, may be permitted to enrol. Students with appropriate background should normally enrol in Mathematics and Applications 1 Honours rather than in Mathematics and Applications 1. It will be possible at several stages to transfer from the Honours stream but transferring into it is difficult.
These courses are of a more advanced nature and are recommended for those with an appropriate background who intend doing advanced work in other mathematically-based disciplines, such as physics or statistics, or in more mathematical areas of other sciences, engineering or economics. They are also recommended for students who, because of their interest and advanced background in mathematics from school, would not find the Modelling or Advanced streams by themselves sufficiently challenging: they will appeal to students who are interested in why things are true, not simply in what is true. Finally, they are the first step towards an honours degree in mathematics.
All streams provide a good mathematical background for fields such as the biological and social sciences, economics and information technology; each stream will allow you to continue on to a full 3 year sequence of at least 36 units in mathematics. You should choose the stream that is most appropriate to your secondary preparation. The more mathematics you can do, the greater benefit and the broader the range of options you will have in later years. This applies not just to mathematics. Many disciplines are mathematically oriented (such as the physical sciences, the theoretical aspects of computer science, statistics and mathematical economics) and students interested in these areas should enrol in the Advanced (or Honours) stream. Other disciplines are increasingly relying on sophisticated mathematical models and students with interests in such areas should enrol in the Advanced (or Honours) stream. Good examples of such disciplines are finance and biology, where quantitative finance and bioinformatics are rapidly growing areas. If you are uncertain about which stream is best for you, you should consult the First Year Coordinator or the Head of Department.
Most students who have completed 12 units of Group A courses in mathematics have a wide range of options. Students may enrol in any courses for which they have the prerequisites. Coordinators for second and third year courses will be happy to help students choose sequences of courses suited to their needs and interests. To assist students in choosing a coherent program, a number of sequences designed to suit the backgrounds and interests of most students are now described. Other sequences are, of course, possible and it is possible to do more than just one sequence. All sequences which satisfy prerequisites are, of course, suitable for qualified students who simply wish to undertake mathematics as a major study in their degree.
The following sequence is especially relevant to students interested in the applications of mathematics in information technology. It provides an introduction to the mathematics behind many of the applications in information technology and shows how it is applied.
This sequence requires 12 units of Group A courses in mathematics, including MATH1005 or MATH1014 or MATH1116.
The following sequence is especially relevant to students who wish to develop expertise in quantitative modelling to complement their studies in other areas. Students will learn how to formulate models, analyse them mathematically and choose standard software to solve problems.
This sequence requires 12 units of Group A courses in mathematics, including MATH1003 or MATH1014 or MATH1116.
The following sequence is especially relevant to students interested in advanced studies in the physical sciences, statistics and financial analysis. The courses are oriented towards applications and provide a solid grounding in the mathematical techniques needed. This sequence is especially recommended as the Science component of a combined program in Engineering, Economics or Commerce. It may also be included as part of an Economics, Commerce or Actuarial Studies degree.
This sequence requires 12 units of Group A courses in mathematics, including MATH1014 or MATH1116.
Honours level courses: as well as catering for students who intend to continue to the fourth honours year in mathematics, honours courses are used to form mathematics sequences at a high level as part of other programs. Students may consult the year coordinator for further advice.
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MATH2406 Calculus and Partial Differential Equations Honours |
C courses: a three-year program at honours level in mathematics may be completed by choosing appropriate Group C honours courses from those listed later in this entry. Some fourth year honours courses will be available to third year students with an appropriate background. Students should consult the third year coordinator about what is available.
These sequences require 12 units of Group A courses in mathematics, including MATH1116 at credit level or better, though students with excellent results in MATH1014 may be eligible to enrol: consult the year coordinator. The honours versions of Number Theory and Cryptography and Mathematics of Finance are available to qualified second year students: consult the year coordinator.
The Honours Program in Mathematics is organised within the School of Mathematical Sciences, with support from the Centre for Mathematics and its Applications (CMA). The Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies (CRES) and the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) also provide support.
Entry to the fourth (honours) year is at the discretion of the Head of Department. Faculty requirements for the pass degree must be met. In addition, 48 Group B and C units including at least 24 Group C units in mathematics at honours level, with a minimum grade of Credit, must have been completed. A course in a cognate subject may be acceptable in place of a mathematics course for these purposes. Students must also have completed sufficient in the way of prerequisites in mathematics to enable them to pursue an approved course of study in their fourth year.
Students may pursue the study of Astrophysics in their fourth honours year as Mathematics Honours or Astrophysics Honours. For more details, consult the Astronomy and Astrophysics entry.
Proposals for combined honours degrees in mathematics and in another subject (such as economics, computer science, philosophy, physics, statistics, or theoretical physics) will be considered in consultation with the department concerned.
Students with a strong interest in mathematics who are accepted into the University's Distinguished Scholar Program will be assigned a mentor by the Department of Mathematics; the mentor will supervise a project or reading program outside the student's normal studies. Distinguished Scholars and other outstanding undergraduate students may be invited to participate in special courses which extend and develop their particular interests. Courses offered in this category will be approved for one year only under the course entries MATH2341-9 and MATH3341-9 below.
The Departments of Mathematics and Physics and the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics support a program of related courses in the area of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Courses at both pass and honours level are offered in the program. A fuller description of the Program is given in the separate Astronomy and Astrophysics entry.
The Departments of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics support a stream of courses in Scientific Computation which makes up the Bachelor of Computational Science (BComptlSci). A fuller description is given in the separate entry for that degree.
48 lectures and ten 2-hour laboratory sessions
Prerequisite: ACT Advanced Mathematics or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent. Incompatible with MATH1001, MATH1011, MATH1021 and MATH1013.
Syllabus: A calculus based course introducing differential equations and related mathematics and their use in mathematical modelling. Emphasis will be placed on developing facility, technique and use in applications. Modelling of processes and phenomena which occur in economics and the physical, environmental and life sciences will be used as a vehicle throughout.
Topics to be covered include: Functions and graphs, the transcendental functions, approximation, differential equations, techniques and uses of differentiation and integration.
48 lectures and ten 2-hour laboratory sessions
Prerequisite: ACT Advanced Mathematics or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent. (MATH1003 is not a prerequisite for this course.)
Syllabus: Introduction to discrete mathematics and its use in mathematical modelling. Emphasis will be placed on developing facility, technique and use in applications. Modelling of processes and phenomena which occur in economics and the physical, environmental and life sciences will be used as a vehicle throughout.
Topics to be covered include: Combinatorics and counting, recurrence relations and generating functions, graph theory, matrix arithmetic, logic and finite set theory, relations and generating functions.
A course for science or non-science students jointly offered by the Departments of Mathematics and Philosophy.
The course treats mathematics in its broadest sense. The philosophy of mathematics and science will be discussed under four headings: The History and Philosophy of Mathematics and Science; Shape and Form; From Theology to Cosmology; and Self Organising Systems. These will emphasise the evolution of thought leading to current understandings.
Prerequisite: There are no formal prerequisites.
Syllabus: Topics chosen from: determinism and free will; scientific realism versus instrumentalism; the nature of numbers and of mathematical knowledge; geometry and the physical world; unity in shapes and forms, minimal surfaces and soap films; fractal dimensions, strange attractors and applications; the nature of gravity and black holes, time travel and backward causation, mathematical models of the universe; neural nets, cooperative adaptation and learning, cellular automata and self replicating systems.
48 lectures and ten 2-hour laboratory sessions
Prerequisite: A satisfactory result in ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Incompatible with MATH1001, MATH1003, MATH1004, MATH1011, MATH1021 and ENGN1212.
Syllabus: Calculus (approx 24 lectures): Differentiation techniques such as chain rule and implicit differentiation, applications including extreme value problems and linear approximation. Taylor polynomials and power series-calculation of transcendental functions, Intermediate and Mean Value theorems. Differential equations: solution and use of first order equations such as the logistic equation, predator-prey models. Numerical techniques for integration. Curves and surfaces in three dimensional space.
Linear Algebra (approx 24 lectures): Complex numbers. Solution of linear equations, vector and matrix equations and matrix algebra. Emphasis on understanding and using algorithms and applications.
48 lectures and ten 2-hour laboratory sessions
Prerequisite: MATH1013 or MATH1011. Incompatible with MATH1003, MATH1004, MATH1012, MATH1022 and ENGN1222.
Syllabus: Calculus: Integration and techniques of integration. Functions of several variables -- visualisation, continuity, partial derivatives and directional derivatives.
Linear Algebra: theory and application of Euclidean vector spaces. Vector spaces: linear independence, bases and dimension; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; orthogonality and least squares.
Modelling: Mathematical techniques from MATH1013 and this course will be applied to processes and phenomena which occur in economics and the physical, environmental and life sciences.
48 lectures and 15 hours of laboratory and tutorial sessions
Prerequisite: A satisfactory pass in the ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended double major or equivalent. Students with excellent results in either the ACT Advanced Mathematics Extended major-minor, NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1, or equivalent, may be permitted to enrol. Incompatible with MATH1001, MATH1003, MATH1004, MATH1011, MATH1013, MATH1021 and ENGN1212.
Syllabus: Lectures will cover the Calculus and Linear Algebra syllabus of MATH1013 in somewhat more depth, and an introduction to Symbolic Logic. In addition, there will be a series of lectures on more theoretical material, basic to advanced work in mathematics and to applications of mathematics at a sophisticated level in other disciplines. The foundations of calculus and an introduction to general vector spaces will be treated.
48 lectures and 15 hours of laboratory and tutorial sessions
Prerequisite: MATH1021 or MATH1115. Incompatible with MATH1002, MATH1004, MATH1014, MATH1012, MATH1022 and ENGN1222
Syllabus: This course continues the development of Calculus and Linear Algebra in parallel with MATH1014, including some more advanced material and with a particular emphasis on the underlying foundations of the subject.
Full Year (Students enrol in A in first semester and B in second semester)
About 8 sessions of occasional seminars
Prerequisites: Admission to BComptlSci course or approval of Head of Mathematics Department
Syllabus: This course is a seminar-style program. It consists of about 4 events per semester, such as seminars from visiting or staff academics, or discussion or debate sessions on topical subjects. Other sessions might include learning and studying skills, talks from industry representatives, department and course overviews, hot topics, and surveys. It aims to involve staff and students in debate on computational science issues. Some sessions will be led by staff from areas such as the library, counselling, study skills, and other university resource centres.
Events in this course will be targeted to those students in first year.
Assessment will be by attendance, with a grade of satisfactory awarded on attendance at 75% or more of the events.
This course is designed for students who wish to study astrophysics at a level beyond most popular books. For details, see the entry in the Astronomy and Astrophysics section.
36 lectures and five 2-hour tutorials
Prerequisite: 12 units of Group A courses in Mathematics, including MATH1003 or MATH1013 or MATH1115. Incompatible with MATH2001 and MATH2006.
Syllabus: The course is designed for students, from any discipline, interested in an understanding of mathematical models. Models from many subjects (eg biology, archaeology, geography, physics) will be formulated, analysed and validated using a basic knowledge of calculus. Maple software will be used in these investigations. Case studies will be included: students will be able to study one from their own discipline.
Prerequisite: 12 units of Group A courses in Mathematics, including MATH1005 or MATH1014 or MATH1116. Incompatible with MATH2001, MATH2006, MATH2063.
Syllabus: Foundations: binary operations on sets, equivalence and partial order relations, one-to-one functions and permutations, arithmetic of integers mod n, matrix algebra and solution of systems of equations.
Grammars and Automata: syntax of propositional calculus and type-0 grammars, automata and language of automata, regular sets and automata.
Graph Theory: Hamiltonian circuits, vertex colouring and the chromatic polynomial of a graph, planar graphs, applications including the travelling salesperson problem, minimal spanning trees, shortest path algorithms, vehicle scheduling.
Game Theory: Games of strategy as an application of graph theory, games, matrices and solution of matrix games.
Prerequisite: MATH1014 or MATH1116 or MATH2301. Incompatible with MATH2016.
Syllabus: Abelian groups and fields, arithmetic of integers mod n and finite fields. Vector spaces over arbitrary fields, subspaces, bases, linear transformations. Eigenvalues, eigenvectors, eigenspaces, geometric and algebraic multiplicity and diagonalisation. Groups: subgroups, cosets, Lagrange's theorem, homomorphisms, quotient groups; group actions and symmetry groups.
Prerequisite: MATH1014 or MATH1116 or ENGN1222. Incompatible with MATH2013, MATH2023, MATH2027, ENGN2212, MATH2405
Syllabus: This course demonstrates the modelling process in the context of differential equations and case studies from a number of areas such as population dynamics, circuits, mechanical systems and heat flow. Results from the elementary theory of differential equations and calculus will be provided to allow for the analysis of the various models being investigated. Analytic methods for the solution of differential equations which are useful in a wide variety of applications will be introduced. Numerical solutions as well as a study of the qualitative behaviour of solutions will be combined with analytic solutions to obtain a better understanding of possible model behaviour. Properties of numerical approximation methods will be investigated with a view to highlighting the pitfalls of such methods when applied to problems with widely varying time scales as found in chemical reaction dynamics.
The course will study the following mathematical topics: first order differential equations; numerical methods; second order linear equations; Laplace transforms; Systems of first order equations; nonlinear differential equations; Partial differential equations; heat flow; separation of variables; finite difference methods.
Prerequisite: 12 units of Group A courses in Mathematics, including MATH1014 or MATH1116.
Syllabus: The course concerns applications of mathematical, statistical and computational methods to problems in molecular biology. It is a joint initiative of the Department of Mathematics and the Centre for Bioinformation Science in the IAS. Relevant biological material will be explained as the course progresses, and several lectures will be given by leading biologists and medical researchers.
First, the three standard ways of constructing the genome map (genetic mapping, physical mapping and DNA sequencing) will be described, concentrating on DNA sequencing. In particular, the shotgun sequencing method will be covered including fragment assembly, discussion of existing DNA technologies and an introduction to molecular biology databases. Similarity search problems and sequence alignment algorithms will be considered, as well as their implementation in software such as BLAST and FAST. Extension of the similarity search algorithms to predicting RNA secondary structures and protein secondary structures and folds will be examined. Other methods to deal with predicting protein folds will be described from amongst the following: molecular modelling; side-chain packing; lattice models; probabilistic framework; hidden Markov models and neural networks. It will be shown how hidden Markov models and neural networks can be used for gene finding and exon finding. Finally, phylogenetic analysis and distance-based methods will be overviewed.
Prerequisite: MATH1021 or MATH1116 at Credit level or better. Incompatible with MATH2021.
Syllabus: The philosophy of the course is that abstract mathematical notions play a fundamental role in mathematics itself and in applications to areas such as physics, economics and engineering.
Topics include: review of the real number system, the foundations of calculus, elementary set theory; metric spaces, sequences, series and power series, uniform convergence, continuity, the contraction mapping principle; foundations of multidimensional calculus, applications to the calculus of variations, integral equations and differential equations.
Prerequisite: MATH1021 or MATH1116 at Credit level or better. Incompatible with MATH2021 and MATH2028.
Syllabus: Transfinite arithmetic: cardinals, ordinals, trichotomy, Cantor's diagonal argument, statement of Continuum Hypothesis, paradoxes. Axiom of Choice and equivalent statements.
Groups: subgroups, cosets, Lagrange's theorem, normal subgroups and quotient groups, homomorphisms, kernels. Group actions: permutation groups, conjugacy. Cayley's theorem, Sylow theorems.
Rings: subrings, ideals and quotient rings, homomorphisms, kernels, maximal ideals and the Jacobson radical, simple and semi-simple rings, rings as endomorphism rings of abelian groups.
Topics at Second Year Honours level may be offered under these code numbers from time to time for Distinguished Scholars and accelerated students. Entry is by invitation of the Head of Department.
Prerequisites: MATH1116; or MATH1014 at Distinction level or better. Incompatible with MATH2014, MATH2114, MATH3109, MATH3209, MATH2305 and ENGN2212.
Syllabus: This course provides an in depth exposition of the theory of differential equations, together with necessary results from the calculus of several variables. Applications will be related to problems from the Physical Sciences, in particular, Physics.
Elementary analytic methods for the solution of differential equations which have proved useful in a wide variety of applications will be introduced. These methods will be complemented by a study of the numerical approximation of solutions and the qualitative behaviour of solutions.
In particular we will study: First order differential equations; second order linear equations; oscillation theory and boundary value problems; power series solutions and special functions; calculus of several variables; special functions of mathematical physics; systems of first order equations; numerical methods; nonlinear differential equations and stability; existence and uniqueness of solutions. calculus of variations: minimisation and Hamilton's principle.
Prerequisite: MATH2405. Incompatible with MATH2014, MATH2114, MATH2306, MATH3109 and MATH3209.
Syllabus: Many physical processes such as vibrating strings, diffusion of heat and fluid flows are well modelled by partial differential equations. This course provides an introduction to methods for solving and analysing standard partial differential equations.
In particular we will study partial differential equations and complex calculus. Partial differential equations: classification of second order partial differential equations into elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic types; elliptic equations; integral formulae, maximum principle; parabolic equations; diffusion; representation by a kernel; hyperbolic equations; d'Alembert solution and the method of characteristics; analytic methods; separation of variables; orthogonal expansions; numerical techniques of solution for elliptic and parabolic equations. Complex Calculus: differentiability; conformal mapping; complex integration; Cauchy integral theorems; residue theorem; applications to real integration; potential flows.
Full Year (Students enrol in A in first semester and B in second semester)
About 8 sessions of occasional seminars
Prerequisites: MATH1500 and admission to BComptlSci course or approval of Head of Mathematics Department
Syllabus: As for MATH1500 except that events in this course will be targeted to those students in second year. Assessment will be by attendance, with a grade of satisfactory awarded on attendance at 75% or more of the events.
24 lectures and 10 2-hour tutorials
Prerequisites: COMP1100 and either MATH1014 or MATH1116.
Syllabus: This course provides an overview of the emerging discipline of Computational Science. In modern scientific and engineering practice, computer modelling and simulation is significantly augmenting and even replacing experiments. Today's professional engineer, scientist and computer scientist will very likely spend a significant amount of time working with numerical algorithms and software.
In this course, we will aim to teach the elements of design and analysis of numerical algorithms, the performance evaluation and testing of numerical software, software design principles, graphics and visualisation methods and the use of software tools. We will concentrate on the design and analysis of numerical algorithms but in a manner that emphasises the numerical computation rather than the numerical analysis. We will attempt to motivate the basic principles behind important numerical algorithms, providing a survey of the most important algorithms and the software tools available. Students will gain experience in applying state of the art numerical software to the solution of real world problems using a modern high level scientific computing environment like MATLAB or IDL.
This course offers a mathematical and physical introduction to modern astrophysics at an intermediate level, including both theoretical and observational astronomy. For details, see the entry in the Astronomy and Astrophysics section.
Offered in 2002 subject to staff availability and student demand
Prerequisite: For MATH3015: MATH2306. For MATH3115: MATH2406.
Syllabus: Heuristic introduction to discrete and continuous random processes. Basic notion of options and the need for a theory. Stochastic processes and associated equations, Ito's lemma. The Black-Scholes model. The diffusion equation and its use in Black-Scholes. Variations on the Black-Scholes model, American and European options. Numerical procedures including binomial methods.
36 lectures, tutorials by arrangement
Offered in 2002 subject to staff availability and student demand.
Prerequisite: MATH2320. Concurrent enrolment in MATH3320 is strongly recommended.
Syllabus: An introduction to measure-theoretic probability with applications to limit theory for sums of independent random variables, and some statistics. Introduction to axiomatic probability: axioms, sigma-fields, basic properties; distribution function; random variables, mathematical expectation, moments and inequalities; independence; various modes of convergence; characterisations of convergence in distribution; weak and strong laws of large numbers; characteristic functions; central limit theorem; law of the iterated logarithm; infinite divisibility.
24 lectures and ten 2-hour tutorials
Offered in 2002 subject to staff availability and student demand
Prerequisite: 12 units of Group A courses in Mathematics, including MATH1003 or MATH1013 or MATH1115.
Syllabus: An introduction to non-linear phenomena, using mathematics already developed in first year. Regular and chaotic behaviour in non-linear systems, characterisation and measures of chaos, stability and bifurcation, the period doubling and intermittency routes to chaos. Relation of fractal structures to simple non-linear systems.
24 lectures and ten 2-hour tutorials
Prerequisite: MATH1014 or MATH1116 or MATH2061. Incompatible with COMP3067.
This course introduces the use of high-quality mathematical software in the solution of sophisticated yet standard computational problems. The algorithms underlying appropriate computational techniques will be described. Emphasis will be placed on the development of efficient techniques for using standard, commercially available software. Advantages and limitations of such mathematical software will be demonstrated on real-life problems. The mathematics needed to model the problems discussed will include: large systems of linear equations, optimisation techniques, systems of differential equations.
Prerequisite: MATH1005 or MATH1014 or MATH1116 or MATH2302. Incompatible with MATH3004.
Syllabus: A treatment of mathematical optimisation techniques with emphasis on linear programming but also including some treatment of non-linear problems. Extensions and applications may include: transportation and transhipment problems, decision making under uncertainty. A knowledge of the linear programming package in Maple or similar software will be useful.
36 lectures, tutorials by arrangement
Offered in association with CRES.
Prerequisite: 18 units of B level mathematics including MATH2405 at Credit level or better.
Syllabus: Examination of the major model types used to represent environmental systems. Mathematical emphasis on how they are constructed will use the theory of inverse problems while the practical emphasis uses systems methodology. The focus will be on hydrological systems and their basic processes, combined with the constraints imposed by the limitations of real observational data. Case studies and project assessment will cover catchment hydrology, soil physics, subsurface hydrology and stream transport.
36 lectures, tutorials by arrangement
Offered in 2002 subject to staff availability and student demand.
Prerequisite: MATH3320 at Credit level or better.
Syllabus: Complex differentiability, conformal mapping; complex integration, Cauchy integral theorems, Taylor series representation, isolated singularities, residue theorem and applications to real integration. Topics chosen from: argument principle, Riemann surfaces, theorems of Picard, Weierstrass and Mittag-Leffler.
These courses will be taught in the same lectures but assessed independently. Extra work will be required for MATH3401.
Prerequisite: For MATH3301: MATH2016; or MATH1014 at Distinction level or better. For MATH3401: MATH 2302 and MATH 2322 at Distinction level or better. Both courses are incompatible with MATH3001, MATH3101.
Syllabus: Topics chosen from: the Euclidean algorithm, congruences, prime numbers, highest common factor, prime factorisation, diophantine equations, sums of squares, Chinese remainder theorem, Euler's function, continued fractions, Pell's equation, quadratic residues, quadratic reciprocity, cryptography and RSA codes.
Prerequisite: MATH2302. Incompatible with MATH3006.
Syllabus: The theory of polynomial rings and fields with applications to the theory of error correcting codes. Topics chosen from: linear codes, encoding and decoding, the dual code, the parity check matrix, syndrome decoding; special codes: Hamming codes, perfect codes, cyclic codes, BCH codes; codes and latin squares.
36 lectures, tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH2320 at Credit level or better. Completion of MATH2405 is strongly recommended. Incompatible with MATH3021.
Syllabus: Inverse and implicit function theorems, with application to submanifolds in Euclidean space. Metric spaces: open and closed sets and continuity, sequential compactness, total boundedness, compactness and completeness, Arzela-Ascoli theorem, connectedness, Baire category, Stone-Weierstrass theorem. Introduction to measure theory and Lebesgue integration. Hilbert Spaces: orthogonality, orthonormal bases, Riesz-Fischer theorem, Fourier series.
36 lectures, tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH2322 at Credit level or better. Incompatible with MATH3025.
Syllabus: Group theory: normal structure, chief and composition series; nilpotent and soluble groups. Modules: submodules, homomorphisms and quotient modules; simple and semisimple modules, Wedderburn theory. Character theory: representations, modules and characters, the character table, induced characters.
36 lectures and tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisities: MATH2406 at Credit level or better.
Syllabus: The introduction of a nonlinear element into a differential model may introduce totally novel phenomena such as chaos, shock waves and solitons. This course provides an introduction to these and other nonlinear effects. In particular, we will study second order and first order systems, geometric and computational aspects of the phase plane; perturbation methods; stability; existence of periodic solutions, bifurcations, chaos, non-linear partial differential equations, shock waves, solitons.
36 lectures, tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH3320 at Credit level or better. Incompatible with MATH3022.
Syllabus: Measure theory: functions of bounded variation over R, absolute continuity and integration, examples of more general measures (Radon, Hausdorff, probability measures), Fubini-Tonelli theorem, Radon-Nikodym theorem. Banach spaces and linear operators: classical function and sequence spaces, Hahn-Banach theorem, closed graph and open mapping theorems, and uniform boundedness principles, sequential version of Banach-Alaoglu theorem, spectrum of an operator and analysis of the compact self-adjoint case, Fredholm alternative theorem.
Prerequisite: MATH2305, MATH2405, ENGN2212 or MATH2320. Incompatible with MATH3050.
Syllabus: The theories of special and general relativity are presented with applications to black holes and cosmology. Topics to be covered include the following. Metrics and Riemannian tensors. The calculus of variations and Lagrangians. Spaces and space-times of special and general relativity. Photon and particle orbits. Model universes. The Schwarzschild metric and black holes. Gravitational lensing.
Topics at third year honours level may be offered under these code numbers from time to time for distinguished scholars and accelerated students. Entry is by invitation of the Head of Department. In particular, the courses following, offered with the assistance of the Centre for Mathematics and Its Applications, and part of the fourth year honours program, will be offered subject to staff availability and student interest. Suitably qualified third year honours students should consult the year coordinator.
36 lectures and tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH3320 at Credit level or better and written approval of Head of Department.
Syllabus: The course will discuss the three main classes of equations, elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic. Topics will include fundamental solutions, maximum principles, regularity (smoothness) of solutions, variational problems, Holder and Sobolev spaces.
36 lectures and tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH3320 at Credit level or better and written approval of Head of Department. Incompatible with MATH3027.
Syllabus: Topics will include surfaces in Euclidean space, general differentiable manifolds, tangent spaces and vector fields, differential forms, Riemannian manifolds, Gauss-Bonnet theorem.
36 lectures and tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH2021 or MATH2322 at Credit level or better and written approval of Head of Department. Incompatible with MATH3128.
Syllabus: First order logic, Turing machines, G_del's Incompleteness Theorem, axiomatisation of set theory, model theory.
36 lectures and tutorials by arrangement
Prerequisite: MATH3320 and MATH2322, each at Credit level or better, and written approval of Head of Department. Incompatible with MATH3060.
Syllabus: An introduction to homotopy and homology theory, in which algebraic structures are employed to study topological problems.
Full Year (Students enrol in A in first semester and B in second semester)
About 8 sessions of occasional seminars
Prerequisites: MATH2500 and admission to BComptlSci program or approval of Head of Mathematics Department.
Syllabus: As for MATH1500 except that events in this course will be targeted to those students in third year. Assessment will be by attendance, with a grade of satisfactory awarded on attendance at 75% or more of the events.
36 lectures and five 2-hour tutorials
Prerequisities: ENGN2212 or MATH2305 or MATH2405.
Syllabus: The use of mathematical models has recently grown rapidly, moving from applications in the physical sciences to the biological sciences and now into industry and commerce.
This course will develop the ability of the student to start with an initial non-mathematical description of a problem, and learn how to formulate associated mathematical models, determine solutions that are useful in context and interpret the results. The models examined will relate to industrial and scientific questions, but will introduce techniques and strategies that will be applicable to many other applied problems.
We will consider three general modelling techniques: Data models such as non-parametric data fitting; Deterministic models such as differential or difference models; and Stochastic models which include random components. Appropriate techniques from statistics and mathematics will be introduced.
36 lectures and five 2-hour tutorials
Prerequisities: MATH2501 at Credit level or better. Incompatible with MATH3328.
Syllabus: Whether it is solving Partial Differential Equations or factorising matrices to search web pages, it is necessary for every computational scientist to be able to work effectively with vectors and matrices.
In this course we will discover a range of fundamental ideas that are important when applying linear algebra ideas to real problems. The solution of large linear equations and the solution eigenvalues and eigenvector problems will provide the main context in which these ideas of stability, accuracy and efficiency will be discussed.
A number of special topics will also be introduced, for instance fast fourier transforms, multigrid methods and fast multipole methods. Numerical experimentation in the course will be undertaken using the MATLAB computing environment, with large scale computation being undertaken using the PETSC environment.
Physics plays a part in all aspects of our modern lives, from the technology we use to the ideas for our future. The concepts learnt in physics are used in most sciences and in many parts of engineering. The ANU has the biggest concentration of Physics based research in Australia and has a world wide reputation for its achievements. At the same time this Department has a young, enthusiastic staff with extensive teaching experience. Our programs open the door to postgraduate work anywhere in the ANU.
A degree in Physics can lead to many different careers -- ranging from high technology companies to international research and advisory positions in the public and private sector. All these careers are accessible with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics. Through special courses at third year level, we provide easy access to research both in this department and in the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS). Fourth year Honours projects can be carried out in any research group in the ANU.
We have singled out Photonics as an area in which there is an outstanding degree of expertise at the ANU, through internationally recognised research groups in the IAS and this Department and through numerous links with the Photonics industry. This area of physics enjoys particularly strong growth in employment. From 2002, two new degrees will be offered, Bachelor of Photonics (BPhotonics) and Bachelor of Engineering in Photonic Systems (BE(Ph.Systems)). These programs combine resources, lecturers and projects from the Faculties and the IAS. The content and syllabus of these degrees was developed in collaboration with the Photonics industry and contains details of the latest technology and future developments. The degree structures are given elsewhere in the Handbook.
In the Faculties at the ANU we enjoy the benefit of a close association with a leading astronomical institution, the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the IAS. The Departments of Physics and Mathematics, in conjunction with RSAA, offer a comprehensive and integrated program that extends from first year to the honours year. During this program, students are not only exposed to the latest ideas on stars, black holes, cosmology and high energy astrophysics, but also learn how to contribute to these exciting fields, whether it be in the theoretical or observational domain. Further information on this program may be found in the Astronomy and Astrophysics section elsewhere in this Handbook.
A summary of the courses offered by the department is shown in the accompanying figure. The courses labelled Physics deal with both experimental and theoretical aspects of certain areas of the subject. Those labelled Theoretical Physics specialise in the theoretical aspects. At all levels, specially designed teaching laboratories provide practical skills and demonstrate physical effects. Computational Physics activities at all levels complement the techniques of both experimental and theoretical physics.
PHYS1101/PHYS1201 are first-year physics courses which introduce students to the key concepts and prepare students for the later-year courses in physics and theoretical physics. Students who pass these courses may proceed to second-year physics.
PHYS1004, 1007 and ASTR1002 are for students not intending to specialise in physics, but who would like to have a working knowledge of the fundamentals of physics or who simply desire to understand more about the physical universe. PHYS1004 focuses on the use of physics in understanding natural phenomena and contemporary technology; it is particularly suitable for students of life and medical sciences. PHYS1007 focuses on the Big Questions, the broader implications of physics. It is particularly suitable for non-science students. ASTR1002 focuses on astronomy and cosmology.
ASTR1001 is for students with a particular interest in astrophysics and who may wish to study related courses in later years in the Mathematics and Physics Departments. Students enrolled in ASTR1001 are required also to take suitable courses in mathematics and physics.
The courses offered in the second year of the degree cover the principal branches of physics. Together with the third-year courses, they are intended to provide the initial training necessary for a physicist to enter any branch in the profession. The courses PHYS2017 and 2020 provide the foundations of physics, and training in experimental physics. They are closely linked to the more theoretical courses PHYS2013 and 2016. We complement our teaching laboratories with projects in computational physics. Students intending to pursue a major course in physics should take the courses PHYS2013, 2016, 2017, and 2020 for a total of 24 units at B level.
Students undertaking the combined program of Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science (BE/BSc) with a major in physics should take, in the second year of the normal pattern, PHYS2013, PHYS2016 and PHYS2017. Other students wishing to include some physics B courses in their program should discuss their choice with the Head of Department. Alternatively they can cover and extend the material of PHYS2017 a year later in PHYS3035.
The course PHYS2024 is designed specifically for those interested in the role physics plays in IT. Entry into this course does not require first year physics and is of interest to a wide audience.
At third year level we offer a core of courses and in addition a wide range of topics that allow students to take part in current research as part of the work of research groups all around the ANU. The core courses covering the central areas of physics are PHYS3001, PHYS3031 and PHYS3033 in first semester and PHYS3032 and PHYS3034 in second semester. It is expected that students have successfully completed the second year courses, in particular PHYS 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2020. However, students taking a combined program including the BSc who have not studied these courses should consult with the Head of Department to determine whether their studies satisfy the prerequisites. The core courses contain a combined teaching lab of two 3-hour sessions per week. In addition, students can select one or two more courses from those that include more specialised areas of research. (PHYS3041/PHYS3042 in first semester or PHYS3044/PHYS3045 in second semester).
Students seeking professional qualifications in physics, or who wish to proceed to honours or a graduate diploma in physics, are advised to take all core courses and select some areas of special interest.
The successful pursuit of theoretical physics requires an aptitude for formal or mathematical reasoning. For the pass degree, two 6 unit courses, PHYS3001 and 3002, are offered each year, and both should be taken along side courses in Mathematics by students who wish to proceed to honours in theoretical physics.
The fourth year honours program in physics prepares students for postgraduate work or a role in industrial R&D activities. This program is available to students who complete the requirements of the pass degree at a sufficiently high standard. For students with a particular strong interest in theory and mathematics, an honours program in Theoretical Physics is available. The Department's Honour's coordinator will advise individually every student interested in this program. A wide range of projects is available in the Department and in the IAS. Students who do not satisfy the requirements for entry into the honours program, but who do obtain a pass degree may, with the permission of the Head of the Department, enrol for a Graduate Diploma.
The Department has very active and well-funded research facilities, offering excellent opportunities for students wishing to proceed to the degrees of Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy. These projects lead directly into front line research and international collaboration. For details of our recent research results and the opportunities for scholarships, please check our Web sites and contact individual researchers. (www.anu.edu.au/Physics)
Assessment: For each course, a preferred method of assessment will be proposed early in the course. This may be modified following discussion with the class. However, for all courses involving laboratory work, a pass in the prescribed laboratory work is required in order to gain a pass in the whole course. Attendance at scheduled laboratory sessions is compulsory.
Some courses may not be presented if there are insufficient enrolments.
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PHYS2020 Electronic Signal Processing, Thermal Physics and Computational Physics (6 units) |
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PHYS3050 Optical Fibre and Wave-guide Transmission (3 units) |
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Three lectures and the equivalent of 1 laboratory hour per week.
Prerequisite: No previous knowledge of physics is assumed though some background will be useful. Only basic mathematical methods will be employed. This course cannot be taken concurrently with or after successful completion of PHYS1101/PHYS1201 or PHYS1001.
Coordinator: Dr Heather Kennett
Motivation: Many aspects of the daily life of our body and our environment can be reliably described with simple physical concepts. These underlining laws of physics help us to understand nature and the many technologies we have invented to improve and extend our life. Examples are the clever new medical techniques of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging . Another example is the impact we have on our natural environment. This course is intended to provide non-physics students in the Faculty of Science and students in the other Faculties with the understanding of the concepts and the ability to make simple predictions based on the laws of the physics. This course will provide a practical knowledge for degrees such as medical science, life science or environment science.
PHYS1004, when taken with ASTR1002, covers physics content similar to first year physics courses for non-physics majors offered at other universities.
Syllabus: forms of energy, mass, velocity, acceleration, fluids, heat, entropy, electrical circuits, electronic devices and instruments, waves, sound, light and x-rays. This course uses frequent examples of problem based learning.
This course is part of the University Preparation Scheme and ANUTECH Foundation Studies Program.
Three lectures and one tutorial per week.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
This course considers Big Questions in physics. These are fundamental scientific questions which relate to understanding our place in nature. Examples are the nature of reality and the role of science in exploring it. The course is suitable for both science and non-science students.
The course considers the nature of science and provides a non-mathematical overview of fundamental physics. A feature of the course is guest lectures.
This course is part of the ANU's iLearning program which aims to produce more effective inquirers and learners. It also has a strong web present. More details may be found on the course web site: www.anu.edu.au/physics/courses/A07.html.
Syllabus: What is science? What is the nature of reality? How does quantum mechanics affect our view of reality? Is there extra-terrestrial life? What is the context of science in society?
For details, see the entry in the Astronomy and Astrophysics section.
A total of approximately sixty hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals.
This course cannot be counted towards a degree if ASTR1001, PHYS1003, PHYS1005, PHYS1006, PHYS1009 or PHYS1011 is so counted.
The course is designed for students without a strong background in mathematics and physics: no prior knowledge is required.
Syllabus: This course is an introduction to the physics of space. It covers the nature and formation of planets, space-flight, the Big Bang, the expanding universe, curved space, and the size and fate of the cosmos.
Full year (students enrol in A in first semester and B in second semester)
A total of approximately twenty-four seminars, and four field trips.
Prerequisites: Enrolment in B Photonics or BE (Photonics Systems)
Coordinator: Dr Ping Koy Lam, Professor Hans-A. Bachor
Motivation: This is a compulsory course for students enrolled in either the Bachelor of Photonics or the Bachelor of Engineering (Photonic Systems). It is also the main introductory course for Photonics and should be taken during the first or second year of the degrees. The course is aimed at introducing students to the many facets of the photonics industry (manufacturing, management and research environments). This is achieved through one hour per week of seminars and discussion sessions conducted by invited expert scientists and engineers from different photonic institutes and organisations. When possible, field trips will be organised for students to visit the regional factories, start-up companies, laboratories, institutions and facilities pertaining to the photonic industry. The assessment for the course will be based entirely on attendance.
Three lectures and three hours of laboratory work a week. Tutorials will be arranged.
Prerequisites: Although there are no formal prerequisites, the preparation in both physics and mathematics set out below is recommended.
Physics: NSW students should have attained a high standard in HSC physics. ACT students should have reached a high standard in a major in physics.
Mathematics: NSW students should have qualifications equivalent to Mathematics Extension I, ACT students should have at least a major/minor in Advanced Mathematics Extended.
Students from other states should have had a similar preparation in physics and mathematics.
Corequisite: Mathematics at least to the standard of MATH1013
Incompatible with PHYS1001 and ENGN1214
Syllalbus: This course introduces students to the key concepts in physics in the areas of mechanics, electricity and magnetism. It is an essential course for any student intending to study physics in later years. Topics covered include energy and work gravitation, rotation, oscillating systems, electrostatics, direct current circuits, magnetism and alternating current circuits. These concepts set the basis of our latest understanding of the physical world. They are demonstrated with latest examples from research and technology.
Three lectures and three hours of laboratory work a week. Tutorials will be arranged.
Prerequisites: PHYS1101 and mathematics at least to the standard of MATH1013
Corequisite: Mathematics at least to the standard of MATH1014
Incompatible with PHYS1001 and ENGN1226
Syllabus:. This course provides the natural progression from PHYS1101. Topics covered in this course include: thermodynamics, light, sound and matter waves, geometrical and wave optics, photonics, special theory of relativity and is essential for later study in physics.
Three lectures and one tutorial per week. Two three-hour laboratories.
Prerequisites: PHYS1001; or ENGN1214 and ENGN1226; and mathematics to at least the standard of MATH1013 and 1014. It is desirable that students take MATH2305 or MATH2405, simultaneously with PHYS2013, unless they have previously completed MATH2023.
This course is incompatible with PHYS2019.
Syllabus: This core physics course introduces the theory and applications of quantum mechanics. It is also a first introduction to mathematical physics. Students who complete this course will understand what quantum mechanics is, why it is important, and how it differs from classical mechanics. They will be able to perform a range of quantum mechanical calculations, including the analysis of simple nuclear, atomic, molecular, and solid state systems.
A total of approximately thirty lectures, ten tutorials and eighteen hours of laboratory work.
Prerequisites: PHYS1001; or ENGN1214 and ENGN1226 or equivalent. It is desirable that students have completed mathematics to at least the standard of MATH2305 or MATH2405, unless they have previously completed MATH2023.
Syllabus: This core physics course deals with two important areas of classical physics.
(a) Electromagnetism: electrostatic fields in free space and in dielectrics; magnetic fields due to steady and varying currents; electromagnetic induction; magnetic materials; Maxwell's equations and the propagation of electromagnetic waves; dipole radiation; waveguides.
(b) Continuum mechanics: kinematics and dynamics of incompressible fluid flow; physical principles governing flow behaviour; dimensional analysis and modeling; potential flow theory; use of conformal mapping in airfoil design; viscous flow theory; boundary layer flows; transition from laminar to turbulent flow; boundary layer separation, and selection of topics from geophysical continuum mechanics.
A total of approximately twenty-four lectures, six tutorials and thirty laboratory hours.
Prerequisites: PHYS1001; or ENGN1214 and ENGN1226; and mathematics to at least the standard of MATH1013 and 1014. It is desirable that students take MATH2305 or MATH2405 concurrently with PHYS2017, unless they have previously completed MATH2023. Incompatible with PHYS3035.
Coordinator: Professor Hans-A. Bachor
Syllabus: This course is the main second year experimental physics course in first semester. It is also the main introductory course for Photonics. The lecture program is focussed on optics, fibre optics and laser physics. The application of Fourier theory to linear optical systems is introduced. The syllabus will include: light propagation; ray tracing; polarisation; reflection, interference and diffraction; light propagation through optical fibres; resonator physics; dispersion, absorption and gain.
A total of approximately twenty-four lectures and thirty-four hours of tutorials and laboratory work.
Prerequisites: PHYS1001; or ENGN1214 and ENGN1226; and mathematics to at least the standard of MATH1013 and 1014. Familiarity with the syllabus content of MATH2305 or MATH2405 or MATH2023 will be assumed.
Coordinator: Professor David McClelland
Incompatible with PHYS2022, Physics B01 and B04
(a) Electronic Signal Processing: analysis of DC and AC circuits; operational amplifiers; integration and differentiation circuits; active filters; combinational logic; sequential logic; selected applications.
(b) Thermal Physics: energy, work and heat; probability distributions and thermodynamic potentials; ideal and real gases; heat capacity of solids.
(c) An introduction to computational physics with a case study approach.
Prerequisites: 12 group A science units, and 12 group A mathematics, statistics, or computer science units or equivalent; or 24 units of first year Engineering and IT units.
Syllabus: This course provides a unique depth of insight into information technology that will provide an important competitive edge to the leaders of, and participants in, the information technology revolution. It explains the underlying physical principles of the technologies, their limitations, and how these might be overcome. This provides a solid foundation for understanding the present state of, and future directions for, information technology. The course is divided amongst the three key areas of information technology: processing, storage, and communication. There is also a section on advanced concepts.
Information Processing. Physics of conductors, semiconductors, and insulators.
Information Storage. Physics of semiconductor, magnetic, optical, and other recording devices.
Information Communication. Physics of wire based, radio, and optical communications systems.
Information Theory and Advanced Concepts. The limits to computation. Quantum computers, optical computers, and molecular computers.
Three lectures and one tutorial per week
Prerequisites: PHYS2013 and 2016. In addition, it is expected that students will have successfully completed PHYS2017 and 2020. However, students taking a combined program leading to a BSc and another degree who have not studied all of these courses should consult with the Head of Department to determine whether their prior studies in physics satisfy the prerequisites.
Syllabus: This core physics course develops classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity, and electromagnetism. The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian approaches to classical mechanics are studied. Special relativity is developed using geometrical methods, culminating in relativistic electrodynamics. Approximate methods for quantum mechanics, such as time-dependent perturbation theory, are discussed. Quantum mechanical pictures and symmetries are studied.
Three lectures and one tutorial per week.
Syllabus: This course builds on the content of PHYS3001. Slightly more than one-third of the course develops general relativity. This is the accepted theory of gravity and is one of the major triumphs of theoretical physics. The full geometric structure underpinning the theory will be developed, leading to the Einstein field equation and an in depth study of the Schwarzchild black hole. The remainder of the course will consist of two advanced topics chosen from many-body theory, relativistic quantum mechanics, advanced classical mechanics, classical field theory. Many body theory is the theory of identical particles.
A total of twenty-four lectures, twenty-four hours of laboratory work and ten tutorials.
Prerequisites: PHYS2013, 2016 and 2017 or equivalent
Coordinator: Professor Hans-A. Bachor
Syllabus: This course is designed as an essential core course for all students majoring in physics. It aims to establish the fundamental concepts in atomic physics and laser physics. It will introduce the concepts of spectroscopy and the technical details of lasers. It will introduce applications of both spectroscopy and lasers in research and industry. Topics covered will include: atomic spectra, fine, hyperfine and Zeeman splitting, applications of spectroscopy, line broadening, dispersion, absorption, emission and gain, the design of lasers, resonator physics, pulsed lasers, application of laser spectroscopy.
A total of approximately thirty-six lectures and interactive tutorials and eighteen hours of laboratory work.
Prerequisites: PHYS2013 or PHYS2020.
Coordinator: Dr Heather Kennett
Syllabus: This course is designed as an essential core course for all students majoring in Physics. It aims to establish fundamental concepts in solid state physics and statistical physics. The electron theory of solids is developed and applied to explain the physical properties of metals, semiconductors, dielectrics, superconductors, magnetic and advanced materials. Classical and quantum statistical mechanics is introduced, its relation to thermodynamics elucidated and the theory is applied to various areas of Physics.
A total of approximately twenty-four lectures, up to ten tutorials and twenty-four hours of laboratory work.
Syllabus: This course is designed as an essential core course for all students majoring in Physics. It aims to establish the fundamental concepts in nuclear physics and nuclear reaction dynamics. Topics covered will include nuclear cross-sections, reaction energetics, and nuclear structure models, such as the shell model and collective models, as well as decay modes of the nucleus. The course will also present applications of nuclear physics and will include a discussion of the interaction of nuclear radiations with matter, detectors and dosimetry.
A total of approximately twenty-four lectures and interactive tutorials and eighteen hours of laboratory work.
Syllabus: This course is designed to be of interest and relevance for all students majoring in Physics and/or Engineering. It aims to establish fundamental concepts in fluid dynamics, with a particular emphasis on flows undergoing significant density and/or temperature changes. A number of topics in the fields of: atmosphere/ocean dynamics and geological fluid dynamics; gas dynamics; shock wave physics; and astrophysical gas dynamics will be presented as a means of establishing important concepts in the field.
The Geophysical flows segment will introduce concepts in buoyancy-driven flows and effects of planetary rotation, with applications to the circulation of the atmosphere and oceans and to climate dynamics. Problems in the flow of melts and solidification will be introduced.
For the gas dynamics and shock wave physics component of the course, the response of fluids to motion at high speeds will be examined, in particular: the role of fluid compressibility; the production of shock waves and rarefaction waves; and the departure from ideal gas behaviour. In addition, the role of shock waves in high-speed flight, high-temperature physics and astrophysics will be discussed.
A total of approximately twenty-four lectures, ten tutorials and twenty-four hours of laboratory work.
Prerequisites: PHYS2013 and PHYS2016 and enrolment in the combined program BE/BSc.
Coordinator: Professor Hans-A. Bachor
Syllabus: This course is designed for students enrolled in the combined program BE/BSc who intend to study third year courses in Physics. It may be taken as a corequisite with PHYS3031 as a replacement for the second year courses PHYS2017. The lecture program is focussed on optics, fibre optics and laser physics. The application of Fourier theory to linear optical systems is introduced. The syllabus will include: light propagation; ray tracing; polarisation; reflection, interference and diffraction; light propagation through optical fibres; resonator physics; dispersion, absorption and gain.
The laboratory program includes experiments in physical optics used, in part, to emphasise and reinforce lecture material and, in part, to train students in experimental aspects of the discipline.
There will be a total of 50 contact hours including lectures, laboratories and tutorials.
Prerequisites: MATH2305 or MATH2405 or approval of Head of Department.
This course will assume knowledge of the computational techniques taught in PHYS2020.
Syllabus: This course will consist of a number of case studies from a range of applications areas, each one showcasing sophisticated application of computational techniques. Case studies will be chosen from a broad range of application areas including physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. Various scientists from both the Institute and Faculties will develop and supervise these studies. At present the list of modules includes: Computational fluid dynamics of external and internal aerodynamics; a bio-electric problem involving the solution of electrostatic equations in a biological context; astrophysical magnetohydrodynamics and a quantum chemistry model involving the determination of the structure of molecules using ab initio methods; and Monte-Carlo transport.
These courses are aimed at providing students with the opportunity to make contact with, and participate in research activities with researchers in various parts of the ANU. Under these codes students may choose from a variety of modules outside the core third year program from areas of physics actively pursued at the ANU.
Prerequisites: It is expected that students will have successfully completed two out of PHYS2013, 2017, 2020 and 2016 and be concurrently enrolled in other third year Physics courses. Students taking a combined program leading to a BSc and another degree who have not studied these courses should consult with the Course Convener or Head of Department to determine whether their prior studies in physics/engineering satisfy the prerequisites. Entry is at the discretion of the Head of Department.
In 2002 modules presented as part of these courses may, but need not necessarily, include the following:
This module will cover relativistic wave equations and their implications; Feynman diagrams; lepton and hadron properties; the 3-quark model; baryon magnetic moments; the standard model; conservation laws and symmetries; parity violation; weak interactions; lepto-quark symmetry and quark mixing. This module is normally presented in the first semester.
Plasma physics studies the fourth state of matter - in particular, the response of an ensemble of ions and electrons to external and internal forces. This module draws on concepts in statistical mechanics to build a set of fluid equations which, when coupled with Maxwell's equations of electromagnetism, allow a self-consistent approach to the study of the physics of electrostatically and magnetically confined plasmas. The module includes an analysis of the fundamental motions of charged particles in inhomogeneous and time varying electric and magnetic fields such as those that occur in fusion devices, and an outline of the many wave modes that are supported in plasmas. This module is normally presented in the first semester.
This module is designed for students with a good background in physics, chemistry, engineering or mathematics and an interest in applying these skills to biology. Theories and models for biological phenomena such as transmission of information in nervous systems will be discussed with an emphasis on biophysical aspects of the relationship between events at a molecular level and biological responses. Computer simulations will be used to illustrate these concepts. This module is normally presented in the second semester.
This module designed to connect students, on an individual basis, to active researchers at the ANU. The student will be expected to participate in a project at a level equivalent to that required for a 3 unit course. The project topic can be any area in Physics, either theoretical or experimental, provided appropriate supervision exists. Assessment will typically consist of a project report and seminar. A list of project areas will be available early in 2002, with students expected to undertake the project in the second semester.
15 lectures and 3 interactive tutorials and 10 hours of laboratory
Prerequisites: ENGN1214 and ENGN1226 or PHYS1001
Recommended: ENGN4502 and ENGN4540 or PHYS2016 and PHYS3031
Incompatible: PHYS3018, ENGN4513 AND ENGN4542
Coordinator: Professor John Love
Syllabus: The course provides an overview of optical transmission systems and concentrates on transmission through the optical fibres and waveguides which form the connections between the light processing components of the systems. Course content includes: basic electromagnetic theory including Maxwell's equations, ray tracing, Snell's and Fresnel's laws; light propagation through single-mode and multi-mode fibres; pulse propagation; fabrication of fibres and planar waveguides; sources and detectors; birefringence; nonlinear effects; and numerical techniques.
15 lectures and 3 interactive tutorials and 10 hours of laboratory
Prerequisites: ENGN4542 or PHYS3018 or PHYS3050
Coordinator: Professor John Love
Syllabus: This subject complements PHYS3050 by investigating the devices required for an optical transmission system using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to accommodate the exponential growth Internet and other high-speed transmission systems; WDM; fibre attenuation; optical amplification and gain; dispersion compensation; add/drop wavelength filters, polarisation mode dispersion; fibre gratings; optical switching; fibre couplers; device integration; optical circuitry; and numerical and simulation techniques.
This course covers galactic dynamics and cosmology. For details, see the entry in the Astronomy and Astrophysics section.
The intention of the honours year is to develop further the student's ability in physics and to allow the student to apply the knowledge gained in this and previous years to research problems in physics. The course provides training in the analytic and systematic approach to the solution of problems. This training is relevant to all areas of physics and to related subjects.
To qualify for admission to honours candidature, an ANU student must have successfully completed at least 48 units of Group B or Group C courses relevant to the proposed honours study, of which at least 24 units must be for Group C courses. It is recommended that students should include in their program PHYS3001, PHYS3031, PHYS3032, PHYS3033 and PHYS3034.
Students from other universities are welcome to apply for enrolment in the honours program. Their qualifications for admission will be based on their undergraduate record and its equivalence to the above requirements.
Candidates will be required to undertake: (i) the equivalent of six 12-lecture courses, four of which are core courses; and (ii) original work on at least one research project related to the specialised topics of the course.
The research project may be taken within the Faculties or in any affiliated department or division of the Institute of Advanced Studies. Projects are available in a wide area of topics: laser physics and atom optics, optical physics, gravitational wave detection, high-temperature and hypervelocity aerophysics, shock-wave physics, laser-based flow diagnostic methods, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, laser physics, plasma physics, observational and theoretical astrophysics, cosmology, thermal physics, electronic materials physics, surface physics, condensed matter physics and geophysics. Candidates will be required to attend seminars and give at least two oral presentations on their project. A written report will be required on the research project.
The formal course work will have weight of 40% in the final honours assessment, the remainder coming from the research project.
Outstanding students may be invited to take a Special Honours program. These candidates would be expected to carry out independent work on a research project, which should contain an element of originality. In addition, there will normally be courses of lectures or reading courses but in all respects, there is a high degree of flexibility because of the small number of students involved. The content, extent and weighting of the coursework component of the Special Honours program will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the convener of the Honours program.
Students may enrol in an honours program in Astronomy and Astrophysics in either the Mathematics Department or Physics Department, or can enrol in the specialised Astronomy and Astrophysics program. Mathematically-oriented students should enrol for Mathematics IV honours (MATH4005) and will pursue a program under the same rules as for other Mathematics IV students. Students oriented toward Physics should enrol in either Physics IV honours (PHYS4003) and pursue a program under the rules for the respective course. Students whose interests and background are not specialised in either of the above disciplines should enrol for Astronomy and Astrophysics IV honours (ASTR4005) and will pursue a program under the rules for that program.
For full details on the Astronomy and Astrophysics program at the ANU, see the Astronomy and Astrophysics section in this Handbook.
P.J. Oakes, BSc Bristol, PhD Bristol
Psychology programs are offered by the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science. The programs offered cover the broad spectrum of the scientific study of human behaviour. The general first-year course (PSYC1001) is an introduction to the types of problems studied in psychology, and the methods employed. Major topics covered include perceiving, learning, remembering, thinking, research methodology, child development, social psychology and personality. There is also an introductory course in Organizational Psychology (PSYC1002). Later-year courses treat more specialised subject matter and offer training in more advanced techniques. Laboratory and practical work are a normal part of courses in psychology and attendance at practical classes is compulsory.
Psychology can be studied at the ANU in a specialised Bachelor of Psychology degree. Students wanting to qualify with a BPsych take 84 units of psychology within their 144 unit degree, comprising PSYC1001, 36 units of 2000 level and 36 units of 3000 level psychology courses. Other courses making up the 144 units for the degree are at the student's discretion, with advice from the BPsych coordinator. Psychology can also be studied as part of a BSc or BA degree, the choice of degree depending on whether a student's interests lean towards the biological (BSc) or Arts/Social Sciences (BA) areas. In both of these cases, students wishing to qualify for fourth year study in Psychology take 72 units of psychology within their 144 unit degree, and further Science or Arts courses as specified in the BSc and BA rules. These programs of study in psychology can also form part of combined programs; for example the BPsych may be combined with degrees in Law (BPsych/LLB) or Commerce (BComm/BPsych), as well as with the BSc and BA. For additional information and specific advice, the student should consult either the Faculty Office or the Undergraduate Adviser of the School.
A pass degree in psychology provides adequate acquaintance with the field for a non-specialist. An honours degree or fourth-year diploma provides additional training in research and substantive psychological skills. This is essential for admission to associate membership in the Australian Psychological Society, for registration as a psychologist in the ACT, and for enrolment in most graduate degree programs. Qualification for the independent practice of psychology, or employment in academic and medical institutions, typically requires graduate study leading to a degree of Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Clinical Psychology, Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DPsych), Doctor of Philosophy, or Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology).
Students intending to specialise in psychology are advised to combine this with studies in related fields. These might include zoology, biochemistry, neuroscience, sociology, anthropology, political science, philosophy, linguistics, or computer science.
The following patterns of enrolment in first year are highly recommended:
*Note that for a background in genetics and animal behaviour students are also encouraged to take BIOL1003 Ecology, Evolution and Genetics.
* Note: Psychology students without the necessary prerequisites for the Chemistry courses are encouraged to consult the Living Cells course convener.
Students with a specific interest in the evolution of human behaviour and comparisons between humans and other species should consult the offerings of the School of Anthropology and Archaeology.
All second-year courses in Psychology are open to students who have satisfactorily completed PSYC1001. Third-year courses have specific prerequisites appropriate to the particular course.
Detailed syllabi and lists of preliminary reading may be obtained from the School of Psychology.
Assessment: A wide variety of methods of assessment are used in undergraduate courses offered by this School. In all these courses, the most appropriate methods for each course will be discussed with students during the first week of lectures. It is departmental policy that the assessment for any undergraduate course will require pass-level performance on some supervised form of assessment and that this will constitute at least 40% of the whole assessment. Most undergraduate psychology courses comprise two lectures a week and up to three hours laboratory work on most weeks. Attendance at laboratories is regarded as compulsory and a student who attends less than 80% of scheduled laboratory classes may be failed in the course.
All examination scripts will be retained for 12 months, and students may discuss these with the course controller, if they wish to do so.
Full year (students enrol in A in first semester and B in second semester)
Three lectures and two hours of laboratory work per week.
Syllabus: The course provides a broad coverage of the main areas of psychology, giving a basis for more specialised later-year courses. Three lecture streams per semester cover research methodology, developmental psychology, biological bases of behaviour, social psychology, cognitive psychology and personality. Lectures are video-taped. Compulsory laboratory classes provide first hand experience in the planning, implementation and writing up of research.
Assessment: An exam at the end of both first and second semester (multiple-choice and short-answers), one of which must be passed in order to pass the course. Additionally, one major and one minor written assignment per semester.
Two hours of lectures every week plus two hours of laboratories every other week.
Syllabus: Organisations are a major achievement of human society and one of its most fundamental features. People are educated, entertained, protected and governed by them. We are born in them, we work in them, we die in them. But how does human psychology make organisational behaviour possible? How is an organisation's purpose, performance and culture shaped by its members and by society at large? And how does belonging to organisations affect the way we think, feel and behave? Providing answers to such questions has been a major challenge for applied and social psychologists for the greater part of the 20th century and is the focus of this course. Lectures present a detailed treatment of core organisational topics - including leadership, motivation, communication, decision-making, negotiation, productivity, power and organisational change. The course also discusses ways in which these topics can be integrated and considers broad issues surrounding the theory, politics and practice of organisational psychology.
Assessment: To be determined but likely to include lab report or essay, final exam and research participation.
Two-hour lecture per week for thirteen weeks and a three-hour laboratory on selected weeks.
Syllabus: Survey of basic concepts, empirical research topics and theoretical progress within social psychology, eg social influences on perception and memory, attitudes, attitude change, and the relationship between attitudes and behaviour, conformity and obedience to authority, cooperation and competition, group behaviour, prejudice and social stereotyping. Laboratory classes will include both practical and theoretical consideration of method in social psychology.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports, essays and other formal assignments.
Two-hour lecture per week for thirteen weeks and a three-hour laboratory per week for six weeks.
Syllabus: This course will focus on the qualitative and quantitative changes that occur during psychological development between birth and adolescence. Topics will include the theoretical frameworks and methodologies of developmental psychology, and the areas of language, cognitive, moral, emotional, and social development. Some emphasis will be given to risk factors that may predict later maladaptive behaviours.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports, essay or other formal assignments.
Two-hour lecture per week for thirteen weeks and a three-hour laboratory on selected weeks.
Syllabus: The term personality refers to the typical way an individual thinks, feels and acts in a variety of situations. Personality psychology takes as its focus individual persons and seeks to develop models that are able to describe and explain their behaviour as individuals. This course provides an overview of current theory and research in the study of human personality. Some of the topics that will be covered include: personality assessment; personality from the perspective of evolutionary psychology; behavioural genetics and biological influences on personality; cultural influences on personality; personality development; motivation and emotion; cognitive structures that guide interpretations of the self, others and the world; contemporary accounts of unconscious mental processes; personality and intimate relationships; and, personality and the question of abnormality. Procedures appropriate for conducting research in personality psychology will be introduced through practical work in laboratory classes.
Assessment: To be determined but likely to include a written assignment and final exam.
Two-hour lecture per week and a three-hour laboratory on selected weeks.
Prerequisite: PSYC1001 or 24 Group A Science units
Syllabus: An introduction to behavioural and systems neuroscience and the brain mechanisms underlying behaviour. Topics to be covered will include: general organisation, evolution and development of the nervous system; sensory systems (vision, hearing, somaesthesis and proprioception; balance; and the chemical senses) and their contribution to perception; control of movement; the autonomic nervous system; the hypothalamus and hormonal control; sleep and wakefulness; structure and function of the cerebral cortex; and higher order functions such as learning, memory and cognitive processes. Laboratory classes will cover microscope and macroscopic anatomy of the nervous system, investigations of higher order processing, and experimental approaches to brain and behaviour. Laboratory work will not involve use of animals.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with at least one written assignment, such as a laboratory report, essay, journal article review, or other formal assignment.
Two lectures per week and six three-hour laboratories in the semester.
Prerequisite: PSYC1001 or PSYC2007. Other backgrounds in cognitive science, biology or engineering fields will be considered on merit.
Syllabus: A major focus is on the processing of visual information, from retinal images through to identifying -- and assigning meaning to -- familiar objects in the external world. Reading and working memory are also covered. Specific topics include: anatomy and physiology of the visual system; perception of depth and three-dimensional space; processing of colour and motion; visual object recognition; visual word recognition; syntax, semantics and sentence processing; working memory. Questions addressed include: Why do we see visual illusions? How do we read? How much of our cognitive processing is conscious? Laboratories form an integral part of the course, and provide students with practical experience of the experimental methods psychologists employ to investigate these questions.
Proposed assessment: Invigilated examination (50%), plus two pieces of work comprising laboratory reports, essays, or other formal assignments (50%). The examination must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded.
Two lectures and a two-hour laboratory per week.
Syllabus: An introduction to selected quantitative techniques used in psychological research and practice, such as applications of statistical techniques in the design and analysis of experiments and surveys, and construction and applications of techniques of psychological measurement in experiments and surveys.
This course is considered by the School as required preparation for fourth year, and may present difficulties for students who do not have a quantitative background. This course is also compulsory for the BPsyc Program.
Note: Most Psychology C courses require two of PSYC2001, PSYC2002, PSYC2004, PSYC2007 or PSYC2008 as prerequisites, so that PSYC2009 cannot be taken as part of a single Arts major in Psychology. PSYC2009 (or its equivalent, eg STAT2001; STAT1003 and STAT1004) is a prerequisite for PSYC3017 and PSYC3018. Other backgrounds will be considered on individual merit.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports, essays and other formal assignments.
Two hours of lectures per week for thirteen weeks and three hours of laboratories per week for seven weeks.
Prerequisite: PSYC2009 (or equivalent) and one of PSYC2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 or 2008
(It is strongly recommended that students also do PSYC3017)
Syllabus: This course will focus on individual differences in intelligence. The topic areas will include: psychometrics -- concepts of testing such as the nature of tests, norms, and the construction of intelligence tests; definition and measurement of intelligence - inquiring into the structure of intelligence, implicit and explicit theories of intelligence, psychometric and information-processing approaches; and characteristics of IQ -- distribution of IQ, age changes and the nature-nurture question, the genetic and environmental influence on the development of intelligence.
Proposed assessment: 1 laboratory report (40%), and a 3 hour final examination (60%).
Two lectures per week and a three-hour laboratory most weeks
Prerequisite: PSYC2001 and one of PSYC2002, 2004, 2007 or 2008
Syllabus: This course considers the psychological processes involved in relations between and within groups. The course begins with a treatment of key concepts in group processes such as social identity, categorisation, the self concept, social stereotyping and social influence. The remainder of the course involves a more detailed treatment of social psychological processes involved in behaviour in organisations. The processes considered include leadership, communication, group decision making, negotiation, power, group productivity and industrial protest/collective action.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports, essays and other formal assignments.
Two-hour lecture per week for thirteen weeks and one three-hour laboratory for six weeks.
Prerequisite: PSYC2002 and one of PSYC2001, 2004, 2007 or 2008
Syllabus: This course builds on the understanding of normal child development acquired in PSYC2002. It considers potential risk factors (like family discord, school failure, drug/alcohol use, child abuse, and others) as well as vulnerability and resilience factors. We will not only ask how do "normal" children cope when exposed to these risks, but also examine which risk factors may account for "abnormal" child development, including presentations such as learning disorders, conduct disorder, delinquency, anxiety disorders, depression, suicide, or anorexia nervosa. Note that the final list of conditions to be covered will be announced in the first lecture.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports or essay or other formal assignments.
Two lectures per week and six three-hour laboratories in the semester
Prerequisite: PSYC2008 or two of PSYC2001, 2002, 2004, 2007. Other backgrounds in cognitive sciences, biology or engineering fields will be considered on merit.
Syllabus: The general aim of the course is to provide students with a conceptual understanding of how the visual system functions from the level of the initial sensory processing of the retinal images to the perceptual representation of the outside world. From 2003 onwards, the course will build upon the knowledge acquired in PSYC2008. The topics of spatial vision, perception of depth and three-dimensional space, colour processing and motion processing will be covered in detail. Psychophysical and biological based models of these visual systems, as well as general perceptual models will be presented. These models will be used to analyse case studies from clinical neuropsychology that result in specific visual disorders. Laboratory classes will highlight specific processing strategies employed by the visual system and demonstrate various psychophysical techniques.
Proposed assessment: Invigilated examination (60%) plus either a laboratory report or essay (40%). The examination must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded.
Two hours per week of lectures and six laboratory sessions of three hours each.
Prerequisite: Two of PSYC2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 or 2008.
Incompatible with PSYC3010 Abnormal Psychology (a previously offered course)
Syllabus: This course presents and reviews major contemporary approaches to the understanding of psychological and behavioural disturbance. Epidemiological, biological, cognitive, and psycho-social research evidence is examined with respect to the description and explanation of a range of psychological disorders. Both neurotic and psychotic conditions will be considered, and attention will be given to presentation, aetiological theories, and treatment. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interaction between research and practice in the investigation and treatment of psychopathology. Note: This unit is a prerequisite for entry into the postgraduate clinical psychology program in the School of Psychology.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports, essays and other formal assignments.
Two lectures per week and six three-hour laboratories in the semester.
Prerequisite: PSYC2007 or PSYC2008 or permission of the coordinator.
Syllabus: This course examines contemporary research issues and theories in cognitive processes, and will also include explanations of cognitive disorders. Possible topics: attention, consciousness, visual memory (for scenes and faces), neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but including an invigilated examination (40%) plus two pieces of work comprising a laboratory report, essay, seminar presentation, or other formal assignments (60%). The examination must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded.
Two lectures per week and a total of eight three-hour laboratory classes.
Prerequisite: PSYC2007 and one of the following: PSYC2008 or BIOL2103 or BIOL3101; or PSYC2007 and a cognate Science B or C unit in consultation with the conveners.
Syllabus: Sets of lectures will cover a variety of advanced topics in neuroscience, with an emphasis on vision and visual perception, and/or control of movement, cerebral lateralisation and higher order cortical processing; many will be given by members of the Institute of Advanced Studies and the Centre for Visual Science who are actively engaged in research into these topics. In the laboratory classes, students will work, in small groups, conducting original experiments in laboratories in the Faculties, or in the Institute, and present their results at the end of the course.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded. A major proportion of the assessment, to be arranged in consultation with the students, will be associated with the work done for the research project and may include assessments of written work such as a literature review or essay, and/or of practical work; and work up and presentation of final results.
Two hours of lectures per week for thirteen weeks and three hours of laboratories per week for at least six weeks.
Prerequisite: PSYC2009 (or equivalent) and one of PSYC2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 or 2008. (It is strongly recommended that students also take PSYC3018 in second semester). Incompatible with PSYC3009 Advanced Research Methods (a previously offered course). This course is a prerequisite for entry to the fourth year Psychology Honours Program and is a compulsory course in the BPsych Program.
Syllabus: This course covers psychological research methods involving multivariate analyses beyond the level of linear correlation and regression with one predictor. Lecture contents may include: revision of simple correlation and regression, multiple correlations, multiple regression, regression diagnostics and variable selection methods. In addition, test reliability and test validity will be covered.
Assessment: To be arranged in consultation with students, but consisting of an invigilated component or components accounting for at least 40% of the overall assessment package which must be passed in order for an overall pass in the course to be awarded, together with some combination of laboratory reports, and other formal assignments.