Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours)

This capstone subject provides students with the opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during their Bachelor of Agriculture degree or Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Science major) to analysis of large-scale challenges confronting agricultural industries.

Students will develop the capacity to apply a 'systems thinking' approach to problems, utilising the understanding that they have developed throughout their studies of relevant environmental, economic, social and political factors. They will also develop their skills in gathering and interpreting evidence, teamwork, and oral and written communication.

Students will undertake an investigation of an industry challenge of their choice, working both individually, and in small groups. Students will undertake guided reflection on their learning, as a basis for developing personal principles for ethical professional practice.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Precision Agriculture can be broadly defined as site-specific soil-crop or animal-specific management of agricultural production systems by leveraging on technology and data. This subject will build students’ knowledge and skills in the key principles and practices of Precision Agriculture in a range of agricultural production contexts including broadacre cropping, horticulture and livestock farming. Frameworks and case studies of technological innovation, adoption and diffusion in the agricultural sector will be an integral component of the curriculum. Through a series of seminars, practicals, fieldwork excursion activities coupled with industry involvement, students will be equipped to work effectively in the increasingly networked, digital, automated and data-rich environment of primary production, and gain experience with Precision Agriculture equipment. Adopting a ‘Big Data’ perspective, students will acquire skills in agricultural/environmental data management and analysis, and their application to crops and animals

View detailed information in the Handbook

A knowledge of appropriate methods for management of our soils is vital for sustainable food production and environmental health. This subject will provide students with a thorough understanding of key soil chemical, physical and biological processes to enable practical solutions to soil management issues at appropriate scales. The subject will discuss major soil management issues such as: carbon storage; soil acidification; salinity; erosion and sodicity, including soil structure and its maintenance; the use of fertilizers, including composts, biosolids, manures and effluents from intensive animal industries and processing plants; the use of soil testing for maintenance of soil fertility and; offsite impacts of management on air and water quality. The role of the soil microbiome in improving plant productivity and the role of soil organisms in improving soil fertility and promoting nutrient transformations will also be explored. Practicals and excursions will be used to demonstrate methods of soil survey and land capability assessment.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject outlines the methods used to identify pathogens causing plant diseases, the consequences of diseases for plant productivity, and control of plant diseases. The links between classic plant pathology and modern molecular pathology techniques are explored as plant breeders and pathologists seek novel integrated disease management procedures to control pathogens.

Topics covered include:

• Taxonomy, identification and biology of the main groups of plant pathogens affecting Australian cropping industries and abiotic causes of plant diseases
• Host pathogen relationships, and the nature of disease resistance and pathogenesis
• Methods to identify pathogens, and development of tools for diagnosis
• Modern bioinformatic techniques used in plant pathology
• Processes leading to plant disease epidemics and their evaluation
• Evolutionary processes and management practices affecting pathogen populations in agricultural ecosystems
• Management and integrated control of plant diseases
• Current professional opportunities and challenges in the field of plant pathology

Practical work includes:

• Identification and diagnosis of common diseases
• Development of skills in traditional and molecular research techniques and methodology in plant pathology
• Development of bioinformatic skills used in pathogen diagnosis and molecular taxonomy of plant pathogens

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the major factors influencing the health of production animals. Students will learn the principles of health, understand how to analyse data to identify disease, and investigate significant infectious and non-infectious causes of disease in production systems. Students will develop an understanding of how the type of production system will influence disease risk and development in production animals, and begin to understand how management of the whole production system is key in maximising animal health and production.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject focuses on understanding the main agronomic factors affecting Australian agriculture in the endeavour for efficient and sustainable farming systems. It builds on students’ knowledge of crop production with a particular emphasis placed on the management of and interaction between fertilisers, water, pests and weeds. The subject begins with a general introduction on the application of principles of agronomy for guiding the formulation of decisions made by producers, their interpretation and the impacts they may have. Students will interpret and analyse soil, crop and system information with a view to predicting fertiliser requirements and designing other management strategies for common agronomic scenarios and problems. Students will critically evaluate the impacts agronomic decisions have on the production and quality of crops and wider cropping systems.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject focuses on understanding the procedures involved in breeding crops and the role of genetics in the process. The integration of conventional breeding approaches and the use of gene technologies in breeding new crop varieties are explored. Emphasis is placed on how plant breeders identify priority traits and the management of breeding programs in a commercial setting. The practical sessions aim to develop skills in plant breeding methodologies and research techniques.

Topics covered include:

• Domestication of crop species and conservation of plant genetic resources
• Evolutionary processes and genetic variability of plant populations
• Reproductive systems
• Methods of breeding self– and cross-pollinating plants
• Supplementary breeding approaches including mutation breeding
• The use of molecular biology techniques in plant breeding
• Genetics of important crops within the Australian agricultural context and discussion of priority traits for improvement

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject provides students with advanced level written, verbal and visual skills needed to communicate with a wide audience. Students learn that agriculture is not only built on a firm scientific basis, but also has a strong social science element to it as well. Through a set of lectures and small tutorial groups students will be exposed to the reasons why rhetoric is a required skill in science. They will learn that while the audience is wide, to be effective the message needs to be clear, concise and targeted. They will be introduced to and encouraged to adopt the appropriate techniques that improve the way they deliver their message, whether they are using the written word, speech or some other electronic form of communication. They will also be taught to be critical of their and other people’s work. Students are asked to critically evaluate what they like and dislike about different examples of communications, with the aim of inculcating them with a set of skills they can employ in a range of different circumstances and situations.

In undertaking this task students will be required to first write a short proposal on some research idea they have. From this base they will be asked to develop the idea ultimately into a poster presentation. In between students will need to present a seminar and write a peer reviewed article on their proposal. Thus students are exposed to a wide range of written and visual techniques. Additionally, in tutorials students will be asked to complete a short simulated ‘interview’ and partake in a debate in order to improve their verbal skills. To learn these tasks students will be required to peer review their colleague’s work.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Agriculture is an important part of the Australian economy and vital for rural communities. In this subject, students will explore the development of agriculture in Australia and globally. Issues around world food supply and demand, the natural and market conditions that determine the nature of agricultural activity in Australia, along with the key elements of farming and farm businesses that determine how they perform will be studied. The major livestock (sheep, beef and dairy) along with field and horticultural crops will be covered. The subject will be taught using a combination of lectures, workshops and field trips.

This subject is intended for students who have not previously studied agriculture in the Australian context.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject provides students with an introduction to quantitative techniques and strategies used in research in a range of life science disciplines, including agriculture and food science, biological sciences, and ecosystem sciences. The subject will focus on the design of research projects, investigation and interpretation of data, and the application of scientific computing to research problems. Teaching and learning will be centered on hands-on sessions in which students work with real-life data. There is a particular emphasis on developing scientific reasoning, statistical intuition, and experience in the practical application of common quantitative methods.

The subject is designed for students with little or no background in statistics or mathematics.

Topics include:

• An introduction to sampling techniques and experimental design
• Description and exploration of data
• Visualization using univariate and bivariate plotting
• Introduction to elementary probability
• Linear models as analytical tools for univariate problems
• Statistical inference using linear models and related techniques
• Interpretation and presentation of the results of statistical models
• Logistic regression models for binary outcomes
• Practical skills working with data in the R software environment

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Understanding of social process and action is critical to effective land and environment management and social research skills are therefore valued by resource management agencies. This subject aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to design social research, which can be used to improve management of environments, agricultural and food systems. The subject presents a framework for understanding diverse approaches to social research; the relationship between theory and method is given particular emphasis.

The research process is considered step by step including scoping research issues, the evolution of research questions, and selection of appropriate methods. A number of research strategies are considered in more detail including survey research, case studies and action research. Social research ethics, quality in social research and advances in social research methods are examined.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject critically examines the policies, practices and challenges of creating more environmentally sustainable systems of food production, distribution and consumption. The resource dependence and environmental issues associated with existing food systems will be reviewed, including climate change, deforestation, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, oil dependency, and chemical pollution and animal welfare issues. Current and proposed practices and integrated policy solutions for creating more sustainable and less resource-dependent systems of production distribution and consumption will be explored and compared. These initiatives will be placed in the context of a rising global demand for food and shifting dietary patterns. Government policies and regulations will be examined, and the contributions of food producers, corporations, consumers and NGOs in driving change will be analysed.

Subject topics include:

• Sustainable food system policies and planning
• Sustainable agricultural practices
• Sustainable intensification: from high-tech innovations and efficiencies to low-input practices
• Sustainable livestock production and consumption
• Farm animal welfare regulations and labelling
• Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
• The environmental impacts of food distribution, food miles, food manufacturing and convenience food production and packaging
• Food waste across the supply chain: structural causes and remedies
• Food standards, certification and labelling of sustainably and ethically sourced foods
• Sustainable food consumption practices

View detailed information in the Handbook

Formerly FOOD90026

This subject examines the politics of the global food system, and will focus on the policies, structures, power relations and political debates surrounding the production, distribution and consumption of food. The impacts of food production and consumption on food security, health, the environment, animal welfare, and the livelihoods of producers, will be critically explored. Key theoretical frameworks and concepts for understanding the dominant paradigms and dynamics of the food system will be discussed and evaluated. Integrated policies and strategies for creating more sustainable and equitable food systems, and alternative paradigms and practices of production, distribution and consumption, will also be critically examined. This subject will primarily draw on theories and methodologies from the sociology and politics of food and agriculture, food policy, and the political economy and political ecology of food.

The topics and debates covered include:

• Food policy and governance at the global, national and local levels
• Food security, food sovereignty and the Global Food Crisis
• Global trading relations, free trade and fair trade
• Environmental impacts and sustainable forms of food production and consumption
• Animal production, factory farms and animal welfare
• Supermarkets and alternative retailing and distribution networks
• Agricultural paradigms and technologies: chemical-industrial agriculture, genetically modified foods, organic agriculture and agroecology
• Corporate concentration within and across sectors of the food system
• Competition for food and land: animal feed, biofuels and land-grabbing
• Food processing, food marketing, dietary advice and health
• Local and urban food production and planning
• Alternative paradigms and networks of food production, distribution and consumption

View detailed information in the Handbook

Currently, there is more than sufficient food produced on a global scale to feed the population. This has been an upward trend throughout agricultural history, whereby humans have altered their cultivation habits to produce more. However, the continued rise in productivity is unlikely to continue under current systems within which resources are finite. The full impacts of this on a global scale are yet to be experienced by much of the population, largely in developed areas, although viability has dropped in many food producing systems due to increases in input costs of fuel, water, fertilizers and pest and disease control. Meanwhile, at the regional scale, food production systems are already found to be unsustainable with dropping productivity in previously fertile and highly productive areas. The reasons for the production declines are varied and complex, ranging from climate impacts to unsustainable cultivation methods leading to land degradation, reduced fertility and biodiversity required for healthy ecosystems.

This subject will explore the biological issues contributing to the reduction of productivity we are currently observing in these fragile agricultural systems and explore the future issues that are likely to impact on systems thought to currently be more stable. We will thereby understand the components that contribute to sustainable food productivity and learn which of these are most unsustainable and will require future investment in systems change to maintain productivity.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Formerly FOOD90027

This subject critically examines the scientific, policy and political debates regarding the relationship between food, nutrition and health. The social, economic, commercial, scientific and regulatory processes and structures that shape food consumption patterns, the nutritional quality of foods, and the dietary health of the population will be explored. This includes an evaluation of governments’ food, agricultural and nutrition policies.

Topics include:

• The science and politics of formulating dietary guidelines, nutritional reductionism in nutrition research, and debates over definitions of healthy and unhealthy foods
• Changing dietary patterns, the nutrition transition, food security, the “obesity epidemic”, and other health outcomes
• The socio-economic, commercial and environmental influences on food choices and dietary patterns
• The production, nutritional quality, marketing and consumption of highly processed foods and beverages
• Food industry strategies for food reformulation, and the development and marketing of fortified and functional foods
• Food labelling, and nutrient and health claims regulations
• The use of nutritionally-enhanced crops and fortified micronutrient deficiencies
• Dietary guidelines and choices to create ecologically sustainable food systems
• Policy approaches to regulating food quality, food consumption, food marketing, and food industry practices.

The subject will draw upon the disciplines of the sociology and politics of food systems, food and nutrition policy, public health nutrition and public health, and will consider Australian and international case studies.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Formerly BIOL90021

The subject examines the applications of new technologies in processing and analysis of feeds for a range of animal species. The subject will introduce empirical, mechanistic and telemetric models to evaluate animal performance under different dietary regimes. Furthermore, the implications of feed composition and evaluation on mechanistic modelling of nutrient uptake and utilisation by the animal will be assessed. The modelling procedures will also be used to evaluate wastage of C and N in animal production systems with special emphasis on the losses of C as methane and N as ammonia and nitrous oxides.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject covers recent advances in the application of genetics and breeding technologies to commercial animal improvement programs including: advanced reproductive technologies, quantitative and molecular genetics. Students will develop the skills to evaluate the potential impact of recent breeding technologies on breeding program design. Practical sessions aim to develop skills in the interpretation of genetic data and to gain knowledge of how reproductive systems can be manipulated to implement advanced breeding technologies, such as multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, cloning and transgenesis.

View detailed information in the Handbook

On completion of the subject, students should have sound and broad understanding of the systems regulating body function and the behavioural and physiological responses utilised by animals in responding to environmental change. From this theoretical base, students should develop an appreciation of the scientific approaches available to assess animal welfare. Furthermore, students should understand the concepts of animal welfare and be aware of the main welfare issues confronting animals in modern livestock production systems and other captive animal settings.

Specific topics covered include:

• The current debate about animal usage and animal welfare
• Systems regulating the body (homeostasis, motivation and control systems, and development of regulatory systems)
• Limits to adaptation (stimulation, tolerance and coping, variation in adaptation)
• Stress and welfare (Selye's concept of stress and refinements to the concept, coping and fitness, definition of welfare and its assessment)
• Assessing welfare using short- and long-term biological responses
• Assessing welfare using preference testing
• Assessing welfare by studying cognitive skills
• Ethical problems concerning welfare
• Welfare issues in agriculture and the general community
• Codes of practice for the welfare of livestock and welfare solutions

This subject runs in alternate years.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Currently, there is more than sufficient food produced on a global scale to feed the population. This has been an upward trend throughout agricultural history, whereby humans have altered their cultivation habits to produce more. However, the continued rise in productivity is unlikely to continue under current systems within which resources are finite. The full impacts of this on a global scale are yet to be experienced by much of the population, largely in developed areas, although viability has dropped in many food producing systems due to increases in input costs of fuel, water, fertilizers and pest and disease control. Meanwhile, at the regional scale, food production systems are already found to be unsustainable with dropping productivity in previously fertile and highly productive areas. The reasons for the production declines are varied and complex, ranging from climate impacts to unsustainable cultivation methods leading to land degradation, reduced fertility and biodiversity required for healthy ecosystems.

This subject will explore the biological issues contributing to the reduction of productivity we are currently observing in these fragile agricultural systems and explore the future issues that are likely to impact on systems thought to currently be more stable. We will thereby understand the components that contribute to sustainable food productivity and learn which of these are most unsustainable and will require future investment in systems change to maintain productivity.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Current advances worldwide in crop and pasture monitoring methods focus on innovative remote sensing and precision agriculture technologies to quantitatively assess crop physiological condition and soil properties for informed agronomic decisions.

New developments in crop sensing, comprising innovative close range-, drone- and satellite-based technologies and models will be discussed in the context of physiology and agronomy, with emphasis on water stress detection for precision irrigation, crop nutrient assessment for site-specific fertilizer application, early disease detection, soil condition and management, crop quality parameter quantification, and improved within-field crop yield uniformity evaluation for sustainable crop production.

New sensing methodologies available for monitoring physiological crop traits related to crop photosynthesis and transpiration via fluorescence emission detection will be described, linking to new tools required by industry in the context of high‑throughput data collection for plant phenotyping and plant breeding. Students will gain practical experience with laboratory and field physiological measurement techniques, remote sensing, precision agriculture tools and data analytical methods.

View detailed information in the Handbook

A common and important role that agricultural scientists and agri-business service providers play is within agricultural research projects or initiatives of agricultural industries and government targeting changes in practice or adoption amongst the farming population or in particular rural communities/catchments. This subject will provide students with the theory and practice of agricultural extension. Agricultural extension encompasses the practices involved in designing, delivering and evaluating interventions that facilitate desired change within a target population related to improved economic, environmental or social outcomes.

The subject covers the four main aspects of contemporary agricultural extension considerations: the history and philosophy of extension and extension policy in a global context; social theories of change; design principles for agricultural extension within an agricultural knowledge and innovation system; delivery strategies, methods and tools; evaluation of interventions and ethical dimensions of extension practice.

To achieve competency and professionalism in each of these aspects, extension practitioners must understand both the practical dimensions of designing and delivering change projects as well as the development of theories of action that underpin the design and allow for critical testing and evaluation of strategies. This includes understanding of target populations for particular agricultural change topics and the processes involved in change; the description and analysis of knowledge networks and communities of practice; how to construct learning and collaboration processes; processes of multi-stakeholder engagement and management, collaboration dynamics, and the political perspectives on change visions.

Topics covered in the subject include:

• History and philosophy of agricultural extension policy and practice in Australia and overseas
• Key concepts and approaches in contemporary agricultural extension
• Social theories of change, the role of theories of action
• Agricultural extension design principles: change outcomes, change stakeholders; change audiences, change processes
• Agricultural extension delivery strategies, methods and tools: top-down/bottom-up/co-development strategies; Individual and group methods; communication and engagement tools (e.g. social marketing; education and training; open learning communities; campaigns)
• Evaluating extension: theory, ethics, politics and power; methods
• Leadership and management of extension processes

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject explores the control of diseases on a large scale and the role of animal health surveillance in maintaining the health of human populations. Students will learn about integrated approaches to infectious disease control in animal populations, as well as the epidemiological and biological basis of the methods that are used.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The health of wildlife populations is determined by the presence and absence of diseases, and also by the population’s resilience in environments affected by climate change, habitat degradation and destruction, and direct conflict with human interest.

This subject will discuss the factors that determine disease and health in wildlife populations, examine disease impacts on wildlife populations and how they are measured, consider case studies of some of the most significant current diseases of wildlife (including diseases of veterinary and human public health significance), and investigate the principles of managing health and disease in wildlife populations.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject elaborates on the scientific basis of disease recognition in individual animals and populations of animals. It explores causes of disease in animal populations, the mechanisms of disease processes and their transmission, principles of biosecurity, and the scientific basis of technologies and procedures available for monitoring disease status (diagnostics). Students will acquire skills in a variety of techniques used to monitor the health of populations of animals (ELISA, PCR, microbiology), and will develop abilities in critical analysis of animal health related matters.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the major factors influencing the health of production animals. Students will learn the principles of health, understand how to analyse data to identify disease, and investigate significant infectious and non-infectious causes of disease in production systems. Students will develop an understanding of how the type of production system will influence disease risk and development in production animals, and begin to understand how management of the whole production system is key in maximising animal health and production.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject provides students with advanced level written, verbal and visual skills needed to communicate with a wide audience. Students learn that agriculture is not only built on a firm scientific basis, but also has a strong social science element to it as well. Through a set of lectures and small tutorial groups students will be exposed to the reasons why rhetoric is a required skill in science. They will learn that while the audience is wide, to be effective the message needs to be clear, concise and targeted. They will be introduced to and encouraged to adopt the appropriate techniques that improve the way they deliver their message, whether they are using the written word, speech or some other electronic form of communication. They will also be taught to be critical of their and other people’s work. Students are asked to critically evaluate what they like and dislike about different examples of communications, with the aim of inculcating them with a set of skills they can employ in a range of different circumstances and situations.

In undertaking this task students will be required to first write a short proposal on some research idea they have. From this base they will be asked to develop the idea ultimately into a poster presentation. In between students will need to present a seminar and write a peer reviewed article on their proposal. Thus students are exposed to a wide range of written and visual techniques. Additionally, in tutorials students will be asked to complete a short simulated ‘interview’ and partake in a debate in order to improve their verbal skills. To learn these tasks students will be required to peer review their colleague’s work.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Agriculture is an important part of the Australian economy and vital for rural communities. In this subject, students will explore the development of agriculture in Australia and globally. Issues around world food supply and demand, the natural and market conditions that determine the nature of agricultural activity in Australia, along with the key elements of farming and farm businesses that determine how they perform will be studied. The major livestock (sheep, beef and dairy) along with field and horticultural crops will be covered. The subject will be taught using a combination of lectures, workshops and field trips.

This subject is intended for students who have not previously studied agriculture in the Australian context.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject provides students with an introduction to quantitative techniques and strategies used in research in a range of life science disciplines, including agriculture and food science, biological sciences, and ecosystem sciences. The subject will focus on the design of research projects, investigation and interpretation of data, and the application of scientific computing to research problems. Teaching and learning will be centered on hands-on sessions in which students work with real-life data. There is a particular emphasis on developing scientific reasoning, statistical intuition, and experience in the practical application of common quantitative methods.

The subject is designed for students with little or no background in statistics or mathematics.

Topics include:

• An introduction to sampling techniques and experimental design
• Description and exploration of data
• Visualization using univariate and bivariate plotting
• Introduction to elementary probability
• Linear models as analytical tools for univariate problems
• Statistical inference using linear models and related techniques
• Interpretation and presentation of the results of statistical models
• Logistic regression models for binary outcomes
• Practical skills working with data in the R software environment

View detailed information in the Handbook

Understanding of social process and action is critical to effective land and environment management and social research skills are therefore valued by resource management agencies. This subject aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to design social research, which can be used to improve management of environments, agricultural and food systems. The subject presents a framework for understanding diverse approaches to social research; the relationship between theory and method is given particular emphasis.

The research process is considered step by step including scoping research issues, the evolution of research questions, and selection of appropriate methods. A number of research strategies are considered in more detail including survey research, case studies and action research. Social research ethics, quality in social research and advances in social research methods are examined.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject covers recent advances in the application of genetics and breeding technologies to commercial animal improvement programs including: advanced reproductive technologies, quantitative and molecular genetics. Students will develop the skills to evaluate the potential impact of recent breeding technologies on breeding program design. Practical sessions aim to develop skills in the interpretation of genetic data and to gain knowledge of how reproductive systems can be manipulated to implement advanced breeding technologies, such as multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, cloning and transgenesis.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Formerly BIOL90021

The subject examines the applications of new technologies in processing and analysis of feeds for a range of animal species. The subject will introduce empirical, mechanistic and telemetric models to evaluate animal performance under different dietary regimes. Furthermore, the implications of feed composition and evaluation on mechanistic modelling of nutrient uptake and utilisation by the animal will be assessed. The modelling procedures will also be used to evaluate wastage of C and N in animal production systems with special emphasis on the losses of C as methane and N as ammonia and nitrous oxides.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will examine agricultural systems of monogastric animal production before focusing on the developments in production, reproduction and product quality that are improving the industry.

Topics examined include:

• Size, distribution and value of the pig, poultry and other intensive animal industries
• Breed selection and genetic improvement in intensive animal production
• Practical feeding of breeding and growing animals
• Optimisation of reproductive output
• Environmental effects and the use of buildings in intensive animal production
• Management regimes to maintain animal health
• Maximisation of product output and quality
• Analysis of production systems and consideration of alternatives

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject aims to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the study of the research methods of animal behaviour; domestic animal behaviour, its causation and its biological function; and the application of animal behaviour principles to animal behaviour problems.

The topics covered will include:

• Describing, recording and measuring behaviour
• Development of behaviour
• Stimuli and communication
• Motivation and decision making
• Learning and memory
• Genetic influences on behaviour
• Hormonal and neural influences on behaviour
• Social behaviour, including sexual behaviour, maternal behaviour and dam-neonate interactions
• Behavioural problems

View detailed information in the Handbook

On completion of the subject, students should have sound and broad understanding of the systems regulating body function and the behavioural and physiological responses utilised by animals in responding to environmental change. From this theoretical base, students should develop an appreciation of the scientific approaches available to assess animal welfare. Furthermore, students should understand the concepts of animal welfare and be aware of the main welfare issues confronting animals in modern livestock production systems and other captive animal settings.

Specific topics covered include:

• The current debate about animal usage and animal welfare
• Systems regulating the body (homeostasis, motivation and control systems, and development of regulatory systems)
• Limits to adaptation (stimulation, tolerance and coping, variation in adaptation)
• Stress and welfare (Selye's concept of stress and refinements to the concept, coping and fitness, definition of welfare and its assessment)
• Assessing welfare using short- and long-term biological responses
• Assessing welfare using preference testing
• Assessing welfare by studying cognitive skills
• Ethical problems concerning welfare
• Welfare issues in agriculture and the general community
• Codes of practice for the welfare of livestock and welfare solutions

This subject runs in alternate years.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Effective management of animal systems requires an appreciation of the context in which that management is carried out. This context may be predominantly social, environmental or commercial or combinations thereof. The application of scientific knowledge in conjunction with an appreciation of context, individual- or societal-goals is the domain of systems analysis and thinking. This subject aims to develop the skills required to analyse these interactions and support decision-making in animal enterprises. Students will examine real world situations, and align the scientific with the social. Assessment work will see students required to clearly identify problems to be solved, analyse options for solving the problems and then provide evidence-based assessment to support their decisions. It is designed to enable students to work effectively with the owners and managers of animal businesses in bringing about change in their system.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject develops knowledge and understanding of systems for regulating body function, and physiological and behavioural processes that are utilised by animals in response to environmental challenges. This basis will allow students to evaluate and assess animal welfare and ethical issues that confront livestock production and amenity use of animals in society. The subject will also develop knowledge in adaptation, preference testing, cognition, and short and long-term biological responses.

Specific topics covered include;

• The current debate about animal usage and animal welfare
• Systems regulating the body (homeostasis, motivation and control systems, and development of regulatory systems)
• Limits to adaptation (stimulation, tolerance and coping, variation in adaptation)
• Stress and welfare (Selye’s concept of stress and refinements to the concept, coping and fitness, definition of welfare and its assessment)
• Assessing welfare using short-term and long-term biological responses
• Assessing welfare using preference testing
• Assessing welfare by studying cognitive skills
• Ethical problems concerning welfare
• Welfare issues in agriculture and the general community; and codes of practice for the welfare of livestock and welfare solutions

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject elaborates on the scientific basis of disease recognition in individual animals and populations of animals. It explores causes of disease in animal populations, the mechanisms of disease processes and their transmission, principles of biosecurity, and the scientific basis of technologies and procedures available for monitoring disease status (diagnostics). Students will acquire skills in a variety of techniques used to monitor the health of populations of animals (ELISA, PCR, microbiology), and will develop abilities in critical analysis of animal health related matters.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject explores the control of diseases on a large scale and the role of animal health surveillance in maintaining the health of human populations. Students will learn about integrated approaches to infectious disease control in animal populations, as well as the epidemiological and biological basis of the methods that are used.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Precision Agriculture can be broadly defined as site-specific soil-crop or animal-specific management of agricultural production systems by leveraging on technology and data. This subject will build students’ knowledge and skills in the key principles and practices of Precision Agriculture in a range of agricultural production contexts including broadacre cropping, horticulture and livestock farming. Frameworks and case studies of technological innovation, adoption and diffusion in the agricultural sector will be an integral component of the curriculum. Through a series of seminars, practicals, fieldwork excursion activities coupled with industry involvement, students will be equipped to work effectively in the increasingly networked, digital, automated and data-rich environment of primary production, and gain experience with Precision Agriculture equipment. Adopting a ‘Big Data’ perspective, students will acquire skills in agricultural/environmental data management and analysis, and their application to crops and animals

View detailed information in the Handbook

The aim of this subject is to give students of animal science a fundamental understanding of both applied reproductive biology and genetics. This will enable students to develop the skills necessary for management of reproductive performance and to implement genetic improvement of domestic animals. The content includes comparative structure and function of reproductive organs; endocrinology and neuro-endocrinology of reproductive cycles; environmental and genetic influences on reproduction, interventions to manipulate reproduction; reproductive biotechnologies; breeding values and selection indices; inbreeding and crossbreeding; applied animal genomics.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Efficient production relies on keeping animals in their optimal physiological state. The aim of this subject is to provide in depth knowledge of animal physiology as it pertains to the production of food and fibre. Furthermore this subject will cover industry scenarios that compromise efficient production, the impacts on animal physiology and amelioration strategies.

The topics to be covered include: Pathways that regulate growth; Physiology of Lactation; Physiology of Reproduction; Environmental physiology; Muscle biology as it pertains to meat quality; and Feed intake regulation.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject introduces students to the major factors influencing the health of production animals. Students will learn the principles of health, understand how to analyse data to identify disease, and investigate significant infectious and non-infectious causes of disease in production systems. Students will develop an understanding of how the type of production system will influence disease risk and development in production animals, and begin to understand how management of the whole production system is key in maximising animal health and production.

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This subject provides students with advanced level written, verbal and visual skills needed to communicate with a wide audience. Students learn that agriculture is not only built on a firm scientific basis, but also has a strong social science element to it as well. Through a set of lectures and small tutorial groups students will be exposed to the reasons why rhetoric is a required skill in science. They will learn that while the audience is wide, to be effective the message needs to be clear, concise and targeted. They will be introduced to and encouraged to adopt the appropriate techniques that improve the way they deliver their message, whether they are using the written word, speech or some other electronic form of communication. They will also be taught to be critical of their and other people’s work. Students are asked to critically evaluate what they like and dislike about different examples of communications, with the aim of inculcating them with a set of skills they can employ in a range of different circumstances and situations.

In undertaking this task students will be required to first write a short proposal on some research idea they have. From this base they will be asked to develop the idea ultimately into a poster presentation. In between students will need to present a seminar and write a peer reviewed article on their proposal. Thus students are exposed to a wide range of written and visual techniques. Additionally, in tutorials students will be asked to complete a short simulated ‘interview’ and partake in a debate in order to improve their verbal skills. To learn these tasks students will be required to peer review their colleague’s work.

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Agriculture is an important part of the Australian economy and vital for rural communities. In this subject, students will explore the development of agriculture in Australia and globally. Issues around world food supply and demand, the natural and market conditions that determine the nature of agricultural activity in Australia, along with the key elements of farming and farm businesses that determine how they perform will be studied. The major livestock (sheep, beef and dairy) along with field and horticultural crops will be covered. The subject will be taught using a combination of lectures, workshops and field trips.

This subject is intended for students who have not previously studied agriculture in the Australian context.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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This subject provides students with an introduction to quantitative techniques and strategies used in research in a range of life science disciplines, including agriculture and food science, biological sciences, and ecosystem sciences. The subject will focus on the design of research projects, investigation and interpretation of data, and the application of scientific computing to research problems. Teaching and learning will be centered on hands-on sessions in which students work with real-life data. There is a particular emphasis on developing scientific reasoning, statistical intuition, and experience in the practical application of common quantitative methods.

The subject is designed for students with little or no background in statistics or mathematics.

Topics include:

• An introduction to sampling techniques and experimental design
• Description and exploration of data
• Visualization using univariate and bivariate plotting
• Introduction to elementary probability
• Linear models as analytical tools for univariate problems
• Statistical inference using linear models and related techniques
• Interpretation and presentation of the results of statistical models
• Logistic regression models for binary outcomes
• Practical skills working with data in the R software environment

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Understanding of social process and action is critical to effective land and environment management and social research skills are therefore valued by resource management agencies. This subject aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to design social research, which can be used to improve management of environments, agricultural and food systems. The subject presents a framework for understanding diverse approaches to social research; the relationship between theory and method is given particular emphasis.

The research process is considered step by step including scoping research issues, the evolution of research questions, and selection of appropriate methods. A number of research strategies are considered in more detail including survey research, case studies and action research. Social research ethics, quality in social research and advances in social research methods are examined.

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This subject covers recent advances in the application of genetics and breeding technologies to commercial animal improvement programs including: advanced reproductive technologies, quantitative and molecular genetics. Students will develop the skills to evaluate the potential impact of recent breeding technologies on breeding program design. Practical sessions aim to develop skills in the interpretation of genetic data and to gain knowledge of how reproductive systems can be manipulated to implement advanced breeding technologies, such as multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, cloning and transgenesis.

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Formerly BIOL90021

The subject examines the applications of new technologies in processing and analysis of feeds for a range of animal species. The subject will introduce empirical, mechanistic and telemetric models to evaluate animal performance under different dietary regimes. Furthermore, the implications of feed composition and evaluation on mechanistic modelling of nutrient uptake and utilisation by the animal will be assessed. The modelling procedures will also be used to evaluate wastage of C and N in animal production systems with special emphasis on the losses of C as methane and N as ammonia and nitrous oxides.

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This subject will examine agricultural systems of monogastric animal production before focusing on the developments in production, reproduction and product quality that are improving the industry.

Topics examined include:

• Size, distribution and value of the pig, poultry and other intensive animal industries
• Breed selection and genetic improvement in intensive animal production
• Practical feeding of breeding and growing animals
• Optimisation of reproductive output
• Environmental effects and the use of buildings in intensive animal production
• Management regimes to maintain animal health
• Maximisation of product output and quality
• Analysis of production systems and consideration of alternatives

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This subject aims to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the study of the research methods of animal behaviour; domestic animal behaviour, its causation and its biological function; and the application of animal behaviour principles to animal behaviour problems.

The topics covered will include:

• Describing, recording and measuring behaviour
• Development of behaviour
• Stimuli and communication
• Motivation and decision making
• Learning and memory
• Genetic influences on behaviour
• Hormonal and neural influences on behaviour
• Social behaviour, including sexual behaviour, maternal behaviour and dam-neonate interactions
• Behavioural problems

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On completion of the subject, students should have sound and broad understanding of the systems regulating body function and the behavioural and physiological responses utilised by animals in responding to environmental change. From this theoretical base, students should develop an appreciation of the scientific approaches available to assess animal welfare. Furthermore, students should understand the concepts of animal welfare and be aware of the main welfare issues confronting animals in modern livestock production systems and other captive animal settings.

Specific topics covered include:

• The current debate about animal usage and animal welfare
• Systems regulating the body (homeostasis, motivation and control systems, and development of regulatory systems)
• Limits to adaptation (stimulation, tolerance and coping, variation in adaptation)
• Stress and welfare (Selye's concept of stress and refinements to the concept, coping and fitness, definition of welfare and its assessment)
• Assessing welfare using short- and long-term biological responses
• Assessing welfare using preference testing
• Assessing welfare by studying cognitive skills
• Ethical problems concerning welfare
• Welfare issues in agriculture and the general community
• Codes of practice for the welfare of livestock and welfare solutions

This subject runs in alternate years.

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To participate in the rapidly expanding fields of genome research and protein structure-function analysis, it is necessary to have an understanding of the techniques used in these areas.

This subject provides training in the use of molecular biology technologies of, protein analyses and cell biology. Students will learn how experiments are designed, performed and the resulting data analysed.

Experiments in the subject will explore (a) the use of recombinant DNA analyses, (b) bacterial expression systems to produce and characterise recombinant protein, (c) identification of proteins by mass spectrometry; and (d) mammalian cell culture.

Students will learn practical skills of how to record data and maintain experimental observations in laboratory notebooks, to search bioinformatic databases, and to construct and concisely write a scientific research paper based on their findings. Students will also further develop their skills in performing biochemical calculations and solving problems by applying knowledge attained from practicals.

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In this subject, students will learn about the current advances in molecular science fields encompassed by the disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology. Students will critique cutting edge research in depth, delving into the experimental evidence underpinning our understanding of the molecular world. The topics to be examined include regulation of gene expression, gene function and genomic manipulation protein behaviour in cellular applications, the dynamics of the living cell, and metabolic adaptation.

Through written and oral tasks, students will become proficient in interpreting and synthesizing scientific knowledge and presenting conclusions, as well as writing critiques and recommendations for a range of audiences including, public organisations, industry and the general public.

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This subject will describe the wide range of structures, functions and interactions of proteins and their importance in biological processes, biomedicine and biotechnology. Emphasis will be on the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their interactions with biological molecules. We will describe experimental and computational techniques and how they help in determining and predicting protein structure and function and aid in the development of new drugs. The subject matter addresses the general properties of protein structure; the major classes and topologies of proteins; evolution of sequence, structure and function; protein synthesis, folding, misfolding, targeting and trafficking; bioinformatics analysis of protein sequence and structure; binding of small molecules to proteins and drug design; protein-protein interactions; effects of mutations on tertiary structure, protein stability and biological functions; enzyme reaction kinetics and mechanisms; motor proteins; transporters.

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Knowledge of genome structures from various organisms and the rapid development of technologies that exploit such information are having a big impact in biology, medicine and biotechnology. This subject describes the structure and expression of genomes in higher organisms and provides an understanding of the technologies used to analyse and manipulate genes. Students will learn how the modification of genes in cells and whole organisms can be used to discover gene function or to modify phenotype. The structure of eukaryotic chromosomes is presented to demonstrate how genetic material is replicated and how transcription of RNA is controlled. We illustrate how pathways that regulate RNA and protein are integrated to control cell metabolism and cell fate. The content will cover the bioinformatic techniques used to interpret and extend genomic information. The approaches of functional genomics to the study of specific human diseases will be discussed to illustrate the application of molecular biology to the study of human biology and health.

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This subject describes the molecular mechanisms underpinning eukaryotic cell organisation, morphology and behaviour and their importance in biomedicine. We will explore the relationships between cellular organisation and the biological functions of normal and stressed cells, as well experimental strategies for investigating the molecular basis of these relationships. The subject matter includes the compartmentalisation of eukaryotic cells; intracellular trafficking of biomolecules; the structure, function and biogenesis of subcellular organelles; protein folding and maturation; vesicle-mediated transport; structure and function of the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules and their role in diseased states such as malignancies; cellular stress responses and linked signal transduction events; cytoskeletal structures and the signal transduction processes regulating the assembly and disassembly of actin-cytoskeleton; molecular processes determining cell movement and shape changes; imaging of processes within live cells.

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Aberrations in the structure and expression of hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters and their receptors can give rise to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. To understand the molecular basis of these diseases, it is essential to know how hormones, growth factors and neurotransmitters are synthesised, and how their signals are recognised, amplified and transmitted by intracellular signalling pathways in the target cells.

Topics covered, to illustrate the importance of signalling in health and disease, include the structures of the major classes of signalling receptors, the mechanisms of intercellular and intracellular signal transduction, second messengers, examples of post-translational modifications such as protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, ubiquitination and S-nitrosylation and their impact on signalling, mechanisms of cell death and autophagy, and innate immune signalling.

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The interpretation of nutritional information relies on an understanding of how nutrients are metabolised and what can go wrong in disease states. The subject material covers the regulation of blood glucose concentration and the causes of diabetes; the generation of free-radicals and the importance of antioxidants in protecting proteins, lipids and DNA from oxidative damage; metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, neurons and immune cells; metabolism in the gut: the role of the microbiota; metabolomics and other research methods for the study of metabolism.

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In this subject students participate in an individual program of supervised research within the School of Biomedical Sciences, or elsewhere within the faculty, at a research institute or overseas institution in which the student contributes to the design of a research project, in consultation with a supervisor; conducts the research; and presents the findings of the project. The project may be self contained or form a component of a larger research program. Each student will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

Where a student is conducting the research external to the School of Biomedical Sciences, a School of Biomedical Sciences academic staff member who has allied research expertise co-supervises the project and coordinates the assessment requirements. Detailed assessment requirements, including due dates of individual assessment items, are determined through consultation between the supervisor, the co-supervisor and the Biomedical Science Research Project Coordinator(s) in the relevant department.

The subject may incur additional costs such as travel and accommodation. Students may be eligible for University funding. Where the host institution is located in the IndoPacific, Australian citizens for whom this subject is part of a full time semester of study may consider applications through the New Colombo Plan scholarship funding.

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This subject aims to prepare students for the processes and strategies at the core of modern biomedical research. Using self-directed learning strategies, students will be guided through a series of online modules to serve as preparation for their own research projects. Modules on ethical considerations in biomedical research, data integrity and legislation, will equip students to consider these in the context of their own research. Students will learn about the importance of accurate research records, data documentation, and effective reference management including the use of an electronic laboratory notebook and reference management software. Real-world examples will be used to introduce experimental design and core statistical techniques enabling students to plan experiments and analyse their own data. The students will further leverage resources developed by expert scientific communicators to aid in effective communication of their research, in both written and oral form, to a lay audience. The integration of a “Conversational Questions” assessment will additionally provide opportunity for students’ to critically appraise aspects of experimental design and data analysis along with the current state of literature in their chosen field of research. Collectively, the skills gained provide a foundational introduction to biomedical research preparing them for their research projects.

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This subject will offer students a foundation in developing a biomedical research discovery into a new therapeutic approach. In a series of workshops students will be introduced to the basics of research translation and the importance of data management and intellectual property strategy. Students will learn about the process and time scales involved in technology transfer and the challenges of transitioning from a research mindset into a development mindset. They will learn about the regulatory framework required to progress biomedical discoveries and the importance of project management, negotiation and relationship building with industry and government. Each module consists of a masterclass supported by webinars and print resources to deepen further the understanding of the topic.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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Neuroscience research is characterized by the breadth of its conceptual and technical approaches; students will discuss and debate a wide variety modern neuroscience research programs with leading neuroscience researchers. The focus is on research directed at understanding neural function at the level of circuits and systems. In-depth consideration of these programs will examine what dictates the choices of model systems and methods of analysis; what sort of technical and analytical skills researchers need to conduct their research; the factors that limits progress in the research programs, and what opportunities exit for the translation of research discoveries into therapies.

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Students and leading neuroscience researchers will discuss, debate and analyse research programs that examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural function in health and disease. In-depth consideration of these programs will examine what dictates the choices of model systems and the methods of analysis; what sort of technical and analytical skills researchers need to conduct their research; the factors that limits progress in the research programs, and what opportunities exit for the translation of research discoveries into therapies.

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This subject will introduce a range of specialised and emerging research techniques and technologies and apply them to understanding contemporary research problems relating to infection and immunity. The principles and scientific basis underpinning methods to study (i) the expression and regulation of host and/or pathogen genes/proteins and (ii) techniques to visualise these factors will be explained. The application of these techniques to current cutting-edge science and technology will be analysed and explored. This subject will be taught by scientists who are research leaders in the discipline using relevant pathogen and disease-specific case examples. Students will engage with the content of this subject through a series of online pre-recorded lectures, live seminars and workshops, and laboratory based practical classes.

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This subject will enable students to understand how scientific discoveries from diagnostic, surveillance and basic research laboratories contribute to broader research programs in infection and immunity dedicated to the control of pathogens and disease within the wider population and environment. Through a series of lectures, seminars and discussion groups, students will learn about the principles of containment of specific pathogens within the laboratory setting, and the underlying regulatory framework required to maintain laboratory standards and progress biomedical discoveries. This subject will be taught by scientists who specialise in diagnostic, surveillance and basic research relating to specific infectious pathogens. The subject includes an optional 1-day (9am-4pm) excursion to CSIRO - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong.

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Personalized medicine is the end goal of advances in genomics. Many patients are now able to have their genome sequenced and many, many new human sequence variants are being discovered on a weekly basis. How can these data be analysed to benefit the patient? How can we interpret genomic data to determine if a sequence variant is likely to be pathological or be causative for a specific disease phenotype. This subject will provide students with experience of a pipeline that can be used to analyse genomic variants and a framework for decision-making about the types of laboratory studies that can be utilized to gain further information about a gene and related sequence variants.

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Mammalian cells are the building blocks of our bodies, the foundries and factories of our medicines. With recent advances in gene engineering, cultured cells are no longer simply tools to study disease, but are a living therapeutic product. Pluripotent stem cells form a front-line to advances in cell manufacturing, as these can be engineered from cells cultured from any individual and in combination with gene therapy are forming the next generation of precision treatments for a range of diseases. In this subject, students will explore the recent and exciting history of cell and gene therapies, and develop a deep understanding of the foundational principles of growing, engineering, and scaling cells for successful manufacturing. Working with leading industry partners, students will work on real-life challenges facing the sector today, and will develop the essential attributes to design and manufacture the next generation of cell-based products.

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In health, metabolic function involves the integrated operation of all body systems to ensure that metabolic fuel supply is attuned to the fuel usage requirements of every organ, tissue and cell. In metabolic disease, the integrated operations of the primary fuel supply regulator (liver) and the major energy consumer tissues (especially heart and skeletal muscle) are disrupted. Metabolic disruption is the basis of major global health burdens - including diabetes, obesity, heart failure, and cancer. In this subject Researchers will lead discussions to introduce students to the paradigms of metabolic research, examining how questions can be formulated to drive knowledge forward and how different models and technologies can be used to generate translational outcomes.

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The past decade has seen a growing interest in metabolism research which is reshaping our understanding of human physiology and disease, with the ultimate goal to aid in better treatment and prevention of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, cancer and related metabolic diseases. This subject will bring together some of the most outstanding metabolism researchers, with a strong translational focus, to introduce interested students to the innovative technologies utilised in the metabolism field in both academia and industry. This subject will provide theoretical and hands-on experience in state-of-the-art innovative technologies for discovery and translational metabolism research, including measures of glycaemia, mass spectrometry-based approaches, as well as gene/protein therapy and pharmaceutical interventions.

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Microscopy is the key technique for imaging fine structure in biological specimens. This subject will introduce the range of methods and capabilities of light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscopy, as well as the methods of specimen preparation for standard histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. The principles and scientific basis underpinning the various methods and techniques will be explained, and applications to current cutting-edge science and technology will be discussed. Practical and project work will include demonstration of equipment and analysis of images and data.

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The field of Biotechnology encompasses many different advanced analytical techniques. The aim of this subject is to develop knowledge and skills in the application of these technologies. This subject will be taught by scientists who will discuss their own research involving the application of state-of-the art technologies designed to understand the composition of different organisms, protein modification, the structure and function of proteins, and the complexities of protein-protein interactions and metabolic outcomes. There will be a strong emphasis on how these technologies are applied to a range of areas in biology, medicine and industry.

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This subject is designed to provide students with detailed training in statistical methods as applied to the design and analysis of projects undertaken by postgraduate students, across all disciplines.

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Successful commercialisation of scientific discoveries and new technologies occurs in a unique business environment where scientific and business interests and personalities must productively interact.

The subject will develop a critical understanding of the context in which the commercialisation of science occurs, and the opportunities and challenges encountered. Topics covered within the subject will include the nature and types of intellectual property (IP), how it can be protected, valued, managed and strengthened, its use as a commercial tool, exploration of the barriers to commercialisation, what strategies can be used to exploit IP, how to develop a commercial plan and leverage finance for the commercialisation of IP.

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This subject examines the workplace environment and the range of competencies needed to operate effectively. Communication is central to success in the workplace, from proposing projects, consulting and influencing colleagues, through to reporting. Students will gain a range of communication skills in writing, oral and presentation skills, and using graphics and statistics, to communicate science to others with whom they work.

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This subject will give an overview of the tools required to operate successfully in an organisational environment. The focus of the subject is the internal workings of an organisation and specifically addresses three main areas: working with people, managing budgets and understanding basic accounting, and managing processes and projects.

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Bioinformatics is a key research tool in modern agriculture, medicine, and the life sciences in general. It forms a bridge between complex experimental and clinical data and the elucidation of biological knowledge. This subject presents bioinformatics in the context of its role in science, using examples from a variety of fields to illustrate the history, current status, and future directions of bioinformatics research and practice.

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In this subject, students will develop and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how to use computer code to analyse, visualise and make evidence-based decisions from large data sets. By developing an understanding of a solid understanding of the theory and practice of data science for biomedical research, students will gain the necessary knowledge to identify and evaluate suitable data analysis tools for application in biomedical and clinical data sets via coding tutorials utilising AI co-piloting models. Lectures will cover data visualisation and visual communication, core statistical concepts including machine learning methods, and their application in the analysis of biomolecular data and health informatics.

This subject will be delivered through online lectures that delve into the principles of data analysis and AI, and its practical implementation in biomedical research. To enhance the learning experience, students will gain valuable practical training in the R software language that will teach them reproducible and transparent data science practices and responsible use of AI assistance whilst building foundational skills in data analysis and visualisation and basic statistical analysis. Students will learn to perform analysis on datasets pertaining to bioinformatics and disease, and communicate findings through code-based (markdown) reports and oral presentations.

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This subject enables students to develop knowledge and skills relevant to Australian and global biotechnology industry by exploring the challenges of research translation and commercialisation. Students will navigate the steps involved in taking novel discoveries from the research laboratory to market, considering a multitude of factors which help or hinder this goal, including intellectual property rights, government regulation, and market opportunities. Learning will be supported by examination of local and global companies pursuing biotechnology innovation, case studies of product commercialisation successes and failures, and analysis of relevant commercial and scientific information and data. In lectures, students will hear from a range of experts including scientific researchers, research translation consultants, and industry professionals. Assessment tasks will require students to explore factors driving the success of novel biotechnology products and practice hypothetical investments pitches.  By the end of the subject, students should have the knowledge to scrutinize the ethical considerations and societal impacts of biotechnology innovation and commercialisation.

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This subject focuses on gene structure, function and regulation, which form the molecular basis of many important biological phenomena such as short-term organismal and cellular responses to rapid changes in environmental conditions and long-term controls of development. The molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are frequently exploited in biotechnology, medical and agricultural applications. The topics covered in this subject include gene structure; genome organisation; regulation of gene expression by transcriptional, translational and post-translational control; and regulatory networks. These processes are presented in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, using examples in model organisms and humans. Understanding of these processes is considered in the context of significant historical genetic experiments and through the application of current molecular genetic and genomic techniques.

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This subject describes the molecular mechanisms underpinning eukaryotic cell organisation, morphology and behaviour and their importance in biomedicine. We will explore the relationships between cellular organisation and the biological functions of normal and stressed cells, as well experimental strategies for investigating the molecular basis of these relationships. The subject matter includes the compartmentalisation of eukaryotic cells; intracellular trafficking of biomolecules; the structure, function and biogenesis of subcellular organelles; protein folding and maturation; vesicle-mediated transport; structure and function of the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules and their role in diseased states such as malignancies; cellular stress responses and linked signal transduction events; cytoskeletal structures and the signal transduction processes regulating the assembly and disassembly of actin-cytoskeleton; molecular processes determining cell movement and shape changes; imaging of processes within live cells.

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To participate in the rapidly expanding fields of genome research and protein structure-function analysis, it is necessary to have an understanding of the techniques used in these areas.

This subject provides training in the use of molecular biology technologies of, protein analyses and cell biology. Students will learn how experiments are designed, performed and the resulting data analysed.

Experiments in the subject will explore (a) the use of recombinant DNA analyses, (b) bacterial expression systems to produce and characterise recombinant protein, (c) identification of proteins by mass spectrometry; and (d) mammalian cell culture.

Students will learn practical skills of how to record data and maintain experimental observations in laboratory notebooks, to search bioinformatic databases, and to construct and concisely write a scientific research paper based on their findings. Students will also further develop their skills in performing biochemical calculations and solving problems by applying knowledge attained from practicals.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Aberrations in the structure and expression of hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters and their receptors can give rise to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. To understand the molecular basis of these diseases, it is essential to know how hormones, growth factors and neurotransmitters are synthesised, and how their signals are recognised, amplified and transmitted by intracellular signalling pathways in the target cells.

Topics covered, to illustrate the importance of signalling in health and disease, include the structures of the major classes of signalling receptors, the mechanisms of intercellular and intracellular signal transduction, second messengers, examples of post-translational modifications such as protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, ubiquitination and S-nitrosylation and their impact on signalling, mechanisms of cell death and autophagy, and innate immune signalling.

View detailed information in the Handbook

The interpretation of nutritional information relies on an understanding of how nutrients are metabolised and what can go wrong in disease states. The subject material covers the regulation of blood glucose concentration and the causes of diabetes; the generation of free-radicals and the importance of antioxidants in protecting proteins, lipids and DNA from oxidative damage; metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, neurons and immune cells; metabolism in the gut: the role of the microbiota; metabolomics and other research methods for the study of metabolism.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will describe the wide range of structures, functions and interactions of proteins and their importance in biological processes, biomedicine and biotechnology. Emphasis will be on the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their interactions with biological molecules. We will describe experimental and computational techniques and how they help in determining and predicting protein structure and function and aid in the development of new drugs. The subject matter addresses the general properties of protein structure; the major classes and topologies of proteins; evolution of sequence, structure and function; protein synthesis, folding, misfolding, targeting and trafficking; bioinformatics analysis of protein sequence and structure; binding of small molecules to proteins and drug design; protein-protein interactions; effects of mutations on tertiary structure, protein stability and biological functions; enzyme reaction kinetics and mechanisms; motor proteins; transporters.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Knowledge of genome structures from various organisms and the rapid development of technologies that exploit such information are having a big impact in biology, medicine and biotechnology. This subject describes the structure and expression of genomes in higher organisms and provides an understanding of the technologies used to analyse and manipulate genes. Students will learn how the modification of genes in cells and whole organisms can be used to discover gene function or to modify phenotype. The structure of eukaryotic chromosomes is presented to demonstrate how genetic material is replicated and how transcription of RNA is controlled. We illustrate how pathways that regulate RNA and protein are integrated to control cell metabolism and cell fate. The content will cover the bioinformatic techniques used to interpret and extend genomic information. The approaches of functional genomics to the study of specific human diseases will be discussed to illustrate the application of molecular biology to the study of human biology and health.

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The subject focuses on the functional biology of plants and how it can be modified by biotechnology. Students will explore topics through a series of vignettes including plant diseases and microbiomes; plant water productivity; cell wall biosynthesis for climate change mitigation; photosynthesis and enhancement for food security; nutrient uptake and fertiliser reduction; and the genome in plants and its modification by biotechnology and biodiversity. The practical class experiences and assessments form a capstone experience in which students apply theoretical knowledge to answer complex research questions. Students will design and carry out practical work using leading-edge techniques including using CRISPR for gene editing. By the end of the subject students are prepared for applying their knowledge and skills in both the workplace and further study.

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This subject delves into the world of environmental contaminants and their impact on water and soil quality. Additionally, it introduces frequently used analytical techniques essential for environmental and industrial monitoring and analysis. Students will gain proficiency in a range of analytical techniques critical for achieving desirable environmental outcomes.

The practical component of this subject offers hands-on experience in applying analytical techniques to environmental samples. Students will work with state-of-the-art equipment, including mass spectrometry (MS), gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ion chromatography (IC) and atomic absorption/emission spectrometry. These practical exercises will reinforce the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures and provide students with valuable real-world analytical skills.

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The subject provides a capstone experience for students majoring in Genetics. It involves lectures and practical exercises which demonstrate advanced principles and techniques of genetic analysis from classical and population genetics to modern molecular technology. An emphasis is placed on student participation in experimental design and data analysis. Tutorials will be used to illustrate modern aspects of Genetics by the in-depth consideration of current publications in the field.

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This subject will provide an overview of modern drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on the pharmacology that underpins the endeavour. The social, economic and scientific challenges facing contemporary drug discovery and development with respect to choice of suitable drug targets will be discussed; current drug targets, including receptors and enzymes, will be highlighted. Strategies – contrasting the complementary chemical-to-target and target-to-chemical approaches – to identify and optimise lead compounds will be presented. The material will include a discussion of small molecules as well as “biologicals”, such as antibodies and nucleotides. A description of how these lead compounds become drug candidates and are characterised with regards to their pharmacodynamic (receptor binding and activation), pharmacokinetic (ability to reach their site of action) and toxicological/safety pharmacology properties will be provided. Finally the approaches to bring an identified drug candidate to the market will be examined. This part of the subject will consider the necessary human clinical trials, regulatory requirements and ongoing monitoring of approved drugs. The subject material will be presented via a combination of lectures, associated online learning materials, and “hot topic” tutorials. The latter will focus on recent innovations in drug discovery, and will serve to highlight the close relationship between basic science and actual therapeutic agents.

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What does it take to develop something innovative and then move it from the laboratory out into the real world? Scientists must negotiate a labyrinth of hurdles, ranging from conducting bullet-proof data analysis, designing clinical trials, developing and managing intellectual property, assessing contracts, and setting up Total Quality Management systems in a biotech setting. Students will learn how to navigate these hurdles as applied to a range of possible inventions, such as therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, GMOs and other bio-science-related creations.

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This subject involves case studies of biotechnology innovations that are hindered by a barrier of significant public distrust, the prime example being genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Newer biotechnologies such as precision gene editing may face analogous barriers. This subject explores (i) the scientific context of such controversial innovations, (ii) social implications that may restrict them from making a beneficial contribution to society, and (iii) strategies needed for successful deployment.

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The basis for decision making in biotechnology is often the analysis of data. For these decisions to be reliable data must be correctly collected and analysed. To control costs data should be efficiently collected and it needs to be properly stored and managed. The interpretation of an analysis requires some knowledge of basic statistical ideas and techniques, and the results will often be communicated to a non-specialist audience who will make decisions based on the presentation. Alternatively, decisions may be made from the analyses and interpretations of others. This subject examines the whole process of data collection, analysis and decision making.

This subject is a core subject for Master of Biotechnology (MC-SCIBIT) and examples and curriculum are designed for MC-SCIBIT students.

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This subject provides students with the opportunity to design and conduct independent research under supervision. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise, but may address a broad range of biotechnology issues.

Students will also develop skills in writing scientific reports and giving oral presentations.

This subject must be taken as a pair; SCIE90028 Biotechnology Research Project Part 1 (12.5 points) plus SCIE90029 Biotechnology Research Project Part 2 (12.5 points). These subjects are equivalent to SCIE90016 Biotechnology Research Project (25 points).

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This subject is focussed on the use of molecular techniques to study gene and protein functions in a range of organisms. It aims to provide students with an advanced understanding of the strategies and techniques used in molecular biology of relevance both to the biotechnology industry and to advanced molecular biology research. Topics will be drawn from the current literature and ongoing research in molecular biology.

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Projects drive most modern science organisations. Learn how to plan and manage projects, and to relate to a client, team members, and to other stakeholders. The subject covers the processes and tools/techniques in project management as well as the ‘soft side’ of managing people in projects. The subject uses the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) covering the competencies in project management including scope, time, cost, quality, resource, risk, communication and integration management.

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The successful commercialisation and marketing of biotechnological products requires extensive documentation and rigorous evaluation by the relevant regulatory bodies.

This subject is comprised of four discreet units focusing on: the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and their international counterparts such as the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The regulatory requirements of devices, drugs and foods will be examined by a series of case study focused seminars and workshops, providing an understanding of the time frame, rigor, effort, and uncertainty encountered throughout the process of product registration.

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This subject provides students with the opportunity to design and conduct independent research under supervision. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise, but may address a broad range of biotechnology issues.

Students will also develop skills in writing scientific reports and giving oral presentations.

This subject must be taken as a pair; SCIE90028 Biotechnology Research Project Part 1 (12.5 points) plus SCIE90029 Biotechnology Research Project Part 2 (12.5 points). These subjects are equivalent to SCIE90016 Biotechnology Research Project (25 points).

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The main area of study in this subject is the examination of the key processes that maintain our present climate and how these may change into the future with climate change. We examine this by studying the controlling mechanisms for key conserved quantities in the Earth System such as energy, moisture, angular momentum and key trace gases.

The subject also introduces the various techniques used for climate predictions globally and locally. These include the modelling of climate change and the use of emission scenarios. Interpretation and statistical analysis of future-climate scenarios and the use of ensemble simulations.

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This subject gives an overview of the weather and climate extreme phenomena in the tropical region, as driven by the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere on a wide range of time and space scales. Topics include tropical cyclones, ENSO theory, Monsoon depression and Monsoon lows, cloud clusters and squall lines, tropical-extratropical interactions, the governing equations at low latitudes, momentum and heat exchanges in the ocean and atmospheric boundary layers, fundamental causes of ocean circulation, ocean wave theory including wind-waves and tides, Kelvin and Rossby waves, and intraseasonal oscillations.

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This subject presents a comprehensive view of the processes that are responsible for the structure, composition and properties of the atmosphere. It will focus on local and regional scales, covering aerosol and cloud processes such as formation, precipitation and lightning. It will address how these atmospheric processes and composition interact with the climate system - discussing major weather systems, land use, air quality and greenhouse gas fluxes. This subject will involve a face-to-face or virtual field trip to the Creswick campus in week 5 of semester to observe the atmospheric boundary layer state and chemical composition using state of the art monitoring equipment.

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This subject addresses the fundamental processes that govern atmospheric and oceanic motion, and how these processes interact to control the weather and climate of the Earth. Topics include the fluid dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, the scaling of the equations of motion, the shallow-water system, vorticity and divergence, buoyancy driven flows, and numerical modelling of atmospheric and oceanic flows. On completion of this subject, students should have an appreciation of the fundamental processes that govern atmospheric and oceanic motion and interactions on a range of time and spatial scales. A qualitative as well as quantitative understanding of the atmosphere is to be gained, with the substantial mathematical analyses covered during the subject. Students will also receive experience in constructing simplified models of the atmosphere and ocean.

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Everyone knows what ‘Sustainable Development’ is, but if you stop to think, it may become less clear. Sustainable development has become a chameleon, suiting different needs and fulfilling different roles for different people with different interests. In this subject, we will explore this appealing-yet-slippery idea with the aim of deciding whether it is a suitable concept with which to explore the cultural, environmental, and economic challenges facing society. Is sustainable development a useful idea, do we need to move on, or can we take it back?

In addition to the debates over sustainable development, this subject will provide students with the skills needed to examine, analyse, and report on challenges related to their interests. At its heart, the subject explores the primary question of sustainable development, which is whether it can be useful in a world (seemingly) approaching numerous catastrophic tipping points. The climate is changing, the oceans are acidifying, the soils cannot keep producing our food, and wealth is being concentrated amongst a smaller and smaller segment of the world. Is sustainable development helpful in understanding, and ideally changing, these trends?

There are also more practical considerations surrounding the debate over sustainable development. Some people might be interested in having a greater impact on the world through development projects, micro-credit, or volunteering. Is sustainable development helpful? Can the concept help individuals seeking to improve our world (or at least trying)? Does it help ensure that their efforts are beneficial and not perverted by opposing interests and processes?

It is also worth considering whether sustainable development might not be better thought of as an analytical framing: as a way of pulling apart problems or projects in order to better understand or assess their impact on ecological sustainability, development, or economics? Is sustainable development an analytical tool for making sense of ‘wicked’ problems?

In this subject we will review the history of sustainable development, which draws together literature from Geography, Sociology, Engineering, Psychology, Economics, and the Sciences. We will explore critiques of sustainable development, and force ourselves to consider whether it is possible, practical, or even useful in the ‘real world’. We will explore several key challenges, using sustainable development as a lens or framing. And finally and most creatively, we will attempt to reinterpret sustainable development in a world of growing inequality.

For more information see: http://briansresearch.wordpress.com/teaching/sustainable-development/

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This subject examines the impacts of disasters in cities. It will explore why some groups are more vulnerable to particular hazards than others, while considering the role of social capital and adaptation for increasing the resilience of urban communities to disasters.This is important because the trend towards increasing urbanisation and larger cities is a major contributor to the rising toll of disaster losses globally. In addition, climate change predictions indicate that natural hazards such as bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones are likely to increase in intensity and possibly also frequency in many places, including cities. Contemporary cases will be used to highlight key issues and policy debates. Implications for urban planning and disaster planning and management in cities and at the rural-urban interface will be considered.

Cases and examples will be drawn from around the world, primarily from developed countries. Students will have the opportunity to examine case/s of their own choosing (with approval from the subject coordinator), and will undertake locally based research in preparation of the field report. There will be a local field trip associated with this subject.

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This subject aims to provide students with the skills to undertake and critically evaluate environmental risk assessments. Students will learn a range of qualitative and quantitative tools from a variety of disciplines, and apply them to environmental risk problems. Students completing this subject should be familiar with the concept of exposure pathways; understand the ecological processes associated with contamination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; be able to develop empirical models; estimate exposures and responses in ecological systems; and develop a critical understanding of methodologies used in environmental risk assessment.

Topics include the concepts of risk assessment, psychology and history of risk perception, Australian standards for risk assessment, risk assessment frameworks, exposure pathways, hazard assessment, casual and empirical modeling, inference from data, endpoints and management goals, interval arithmetic, logic trees, environmental toxicology, decision-making under risk and uncertainty, social context of risk, and risk management.

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The transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions will involve a significant transformation of the global energy system. This will fundamentally change where energy is generated and how it is consumed. These required changes will have broad economic, socio-environmental, and geopolitical challenges. Such as, the uneven endowment of wind and solar resources in regions that may be rich in biodiversity, with or without large human populations, or existing transmission infrastructure. However, continuing to rely on fossil fuels also exposes nations, businesses, and essential services to geopolitical instabilities and social injustice. A systematic view is needed to analyse, predict and chart viable pathways for our energy transition.

This subject provides a capstone experience for the Environmental Science major specialisation in Energy Transition, while also providing a sustainability lens for discipline-focused majors in the energy space. This subject builds upon a fundamental understanding of thermodynamics, chemical, mechanical and/or electrical energy to explore the role of energy in nature and human society. Students will learn about the various forms of energy generation with their associated environmental and social impacts, and the degree to which the supply and demand of energy must be transformed, in order to mitigate climate change while conserving biodiversity and sustainable economic development. Students will evaluate real-world decision-making problems, and develop the skills needed to assess and critique energy transition pathways towards a sustainable future.

The energy transition is also a key component of environmental, social and governance (ESG) of businesses. Students will learn from industry experiences and potentially present to an industry panel.

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Most mathematical problems arising from the physical sciences, engineering, life sciences and finance are sufficiently complicated to require computational methods for their solution. This subject introduces students to the process of numerical approximation and computer simulation, applied to simple and commonly encountered stochastic or deterministic models. An emphasis is on the development and implementation of algorithms for the solution of continuous problems including aspects of their efficiency, accuracy and stability. Topics covered will include simple stochastic simulation, direct methods for linear systems, data fitting of linear and nonlinear models, and time-stepping methods for initial value problems.

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Extreme weather and climate events have large impacts on people and the environment. It is vital that these events are well predicted on weather forecasting timescales to limit the damages they cause. It is also important that the characteristics of these events in a changing climate are well understood so that we can be prepared for future climate extremes. This course will focus on how weather and climate extremes are characterised locally and internationally, how they have changed and how they will change under global warming. The processes that lead to these events and how they are forecast will also be explained. Statistical techniques for analysing extremes will be introduced. This course will also include discussion of how extremes are communicated in terms of mitigating risks for forecast events.

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This subject describes the physics of the climate system, and how the system is represented in numerical models.

Key aspects include:

• Radiation balance and heat balance of the earth
• Carbon dioxide, water vapour and other Greenhouse Gas absorption spectra
• Other key climate drivers including solar variability, aerosols and clouds
• The global carbon cycle and the modelling of other greenhouse gases
• Impacts of climate change including sea level rise and extreme events

It covers aspects of uncertainty and chaos to understand why climate models are imperfect but invaluable tools. Students will build a simple climate model and run numerical experiments with different greenhouse gases. Existing knowledge in python programming is recommended but can be acquired throughout the course. The subject will also briefly discuss the processes of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The 12 lectures cover the following themes: 1. Introduction; 2. Radiative forcing; 3. Climate feedbacks; 4. Carbon & gas cycles; 5. Oceans & sea level rise; 6. Aerosols & Clouds; 7. Variability and El Nino*; 8. Water Cycle and Extremes; 9. Ensemble & probabilistic projections, D&A; 10. Scenarios, carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management; 11. Climate Targets, carbon budgets and the Paris Agreement*; 12. Wrap Up

The lectures are accompanied with weekly exercises that provide students with hands-on conceptual learning, modelling and data analysis experience.

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This subject focuses on how to access and understand basic climate science and data and how to accurately communicate to a broader audience. The subject covers the fundamentals of climate science, including the physics and chemistry of climate change, future climate projections, climate extremes, and the interactions between the atmosphere and land, forests and the oceans. The subject also interrogates how global changes in climate lead to impacts on society, ecosystems, and economies. The subject has a particular focus on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. To develop practical skills, students will make use of these scientific reports and concepts learnt in class to prepare short assessments that clearly and concisely communicate and translate aspects of climate science. The course culminates in a negotiation session where students take on the role of a state representative within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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This subject equips participants with an understanding of the role and limitations of science in environmental debates and decision-making. Global changes to the atmosphere, hydrological cycle, land-uses, urbanisation, climate, pollution, biodiversity, pests, and diseases are having profound impacts on the planet, its people and other species. You will gain an appreciation of strengths and limitations in the diversity of scientific approaches used to understand and manage environmental changes. These approaches include empirical observation, mathematical and statistical modelling, and expert opinion. The subject highlights the breadth of environmental changes, and the range of scientific methods that can be used to address these issues. Collectively, these elements provide a sound foundation for science-based advocacy and management that recognises the scientific and social contexts of environmental debates.

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The aim of this subject is to explore processes governing convection in the atmosphere, with a particular emphasis on severe convective storms and tropical cyclones. Specific topics covered include buoyancy, local convection, cellular convection, stability, severe storms - including supercell storms and squall lines, tornadoes, and tropical cyclones.

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Data assimilation refers to the process of combining model simulations of a natural system such as the atmosphere or ocean with observations to obtain an estimate of the actual trajectory of that system. It is vitally important to weather and climate prediction. Of all the improvements made to the Bureau of Meteorology’s global forecasting system since 2011, the top 5 were all from improvements to the data assimilation system. It is data assimilation that produces the multi-decadal reanalyses from which details of climate change and climate model error can be deduced. A wide range of industries such as finance, mining and medicine now regularly use data assimilation tools that were originally developed for atmosphere/ocean data assimilation applications. The course will introduce and explain the data assimilation systems now used at the world’s leading weather and climate forecasting centres. These systems include 4DVar and various flavours of the Ensemble Kalman filter. In addition, a brief introduction will be given to more accurate but more computationally expensive methods such as the particle filter and Monte-Carlo-Markov chain approaches.

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The history of Earth’s climate provides examples of widely different states, ranging from cold glacial climates to hot greenhouse climates. Palaeoclimatology seeks to reconstruct past climate conditions and understand the dynamics and variability of the climate system on a range of time scales. This course will explore key examples of past warm and cold climates, including the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, the Pliocene, the warm last interglacial period and the last glacial maximum. The drivers and mechanisms of past climate change will be discussed, with a focus on topics of current debate in palaeoclimate science. Proxy records used to reconstruct past climate will be discussed, such as ice cores, marine sediments, tree ring and coral records. The use of climate models to simulate past climates will also be a explored. The course will also address the relevance of past climates for understanding future climate change due to human activity.

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This subject introduces and analyses critical concepts and terms central to debates over climate change, including risk and uncertainty, adaptation and mitigation, burden sharing, and problems and issues relating to regimes, strategies and policy instruments for addressing global warming. The subject considers the rise of climate change as a policy problem. It reviews and analyses the history of climate change policy as it has evolved nationally and internationally. It examines the interactions between national and regional climate policy, including in Australia, the United States, the European Union and China. It analyses debates and concerns that have led to the evolution of the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and more recent arrangements. Students will consider a range of policy instruments, including carbon taxes and emissions trading, and technologies that have been proposed or deployed to address this issue. This subject enables students to understand the evolution of a critical global environmental issue. It offers insights into technical, political, ethical and ecological issues that have framed climate change policy, and enables students to think critically about and participate in developing policy in this domain.

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This subject focuses on climate change adaptation, and in particular its environmental, political, social and policy dimensions. It explores the ways in which climate change poses risks to human wellbeing, and the ways these risks can be managed. It draws on examples from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, and in particular on the teaching staff’s concurrent research on climate change adaptation on small islands. It explains that adaptation and its success can be thought of and approached in multiple ways, shaped in part by existing interests and the varied and dynamic places in which adaptation is being consciously or unconsciously implemented. The subject also highlights that adaptation poses, as well as addresses, risks, and that decisions about adaptation need to be considered critically and iteratively. The subject is taught in an intensive mode. Topics include:

• Issues of complexity, uncertainty, knowledge, power, and practice in researching and implementing climate change
• The relationship between adaptation and other processes of change, including development
• Strategies for change at global, regional, local and individual scales, their inter-relations and how they may be facilitated.

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This subject will focus on the complex topic of climate change mitigation. Climate change mitigation includes actions we take globally, nationally and individually to limit changes in the global climate caused by human activities. Mitigation activities are designed to reduce greenhouse emissions and/or increase the amount of greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere by greenhouse sinks.

The subject will provide a critical and multidisciplinary overview of strategies for climate change mitigation but focuses on the technical feasibility and effectiveness of different mitigation options in the many different sectors that emit or sequester greenhouse gases. We will discuss in detail the emissions profiles and potentials for reducing emissions in energy systems, transport, buildings and industry, but we also include agriculture and land based systems and new breakthrough technologies. The subject will discuss the criteria and considerations for evaluating climate change mitigation, assess the feasibility in a technical and economic sense and the potential transformation pathways.

The strengths and weaknesses of mitigation strategies will be discussed in the context of national and international frameworks and economies. It will be demonstrated that climate change mitigation cannot be achieved by a single action but that multiple approaches may be necessary to achieve meaningful mitigation and that many societal sectors will be required to take action.

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This subject examines the science, technology and policy instruments of a broad range of renewable energy technologies including solar, wind and water as well as other thermal renewables. Specifically, the subject covers:

• Solar: Overview of the fundamental physics of solar radiation; Technical details of photovoltaic cells and concentrating solar power systems
• Wind and water: Overview of the fundamental physics of motion involved in energy in wind & water; Technical details of wind turbines and hydro-power systems, including pumped Hydro-Energy Storage
• Other thermal renewables: Overview of the chemistry and technologies for biomass for heat and electricity and liquid biofuels
• Renewable integration and policy: Overview of renewable energy policy considerations; Understanding challenges of integration of renewables into power systems. This includes managing variability and the opportunities provided by storage and demand-side management.

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This subject will address current topics in the area of physical climate science. Topics will vary from year to year depending on developments in the field but may focus on new research discoveries, areas of scientific debate, or recent climate events. The subject brings together knowledge from previous studies in climate science and related areas to discuss and critically analyse up to date knowledge of the field and its application to the world around us.

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AIMS

This subject introduces the fundamental concepts of computing programming, and how to solve simple problems using high-level procedural language, with a specific emphasis on data manipulation, transformation, and visualisation of data.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Fundamental programming constructs; fundamental data structures; abstraction; basic program structures; algorithmic problem solving; use of modules.

The subject assumes no prior knowledge of computer programming and is not suitable for students with prior programming experience.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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This subject provides a series of specialised modules in the areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Students choose three modules from the following selection of topics. Each module consists of 12 lectures.

• Computational Chemistry
• Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine
• Methods in Organic Synthesis
• Green Chemistry
• Supramolecular and Structural Inorganic Chemistry

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This subject delves into the world of environmental contaminants and their impact on water and soil quality. Additionally, it introduces frequently used analytical techniques essential for environmental and industrial monitoring and analysis. Students will gain proficiency in a range of analytical techniques critical for achieving desirable environmental outcomes.

The practical component of this subject offers hands-on experience in applying analytical techniques to environmental samples. Students will work with state-of-the-art equipment, including mass spectrometry (MS), gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ion chromatography (IC) and atomic absorption/emission spectrometry. These practical exercises will reinforce the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures and provide students with valuable real-world analytical skills.

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The subject builds on the skills base established in CHEM20020 Structure and Properties. The concepts of quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, molecular interactions and reaction kinetics will lay the fundamentals for the discussion of chemical reactions involving various types of reactive intermediates. The application of molecular orbital theory will be used to understand the nature of pericyclic reactions and the concept of coordination in main group (including carbon) and transition metal elements. An investigation of inorganic reaction mechanisms will focus on transformations involving coordination and organometallic complexes of d-block metals. Discussion of synthetic aspects will cover methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and functional group transformations, as well as principles of catalysis involving transition metal complexes and their chemistry in synthetic and biological systems.

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This subject will build on the experience gained in second year practical chemistry through the synthesis and characterisation of complex molecules, the acquisition and interpretation of advanced spectroscopic and physical data and the investigation of chemical systems through computational techniques. It consists of a series of laboratory-based experiments aimed at developing skills in the synthesis, safe handling and analysis of chemical substances of a range of different classes of compounds; an understanding of modern characterisation techniques (e.g. chromatography, atomic and molecular spectroscopy); and the operation of instrumentation for the acquisition of kinetic, structural and thermodynamic data.

A component of this subject will also involve the development of skills in independent practical work through the design and implementation of experimental procedures and techniques, and data interpretation. The subject will also provide opportunities for the development of scientific writing and presentation skills, problem solving and small group collaboration, while introducing resources and software commonly used within chemical research fields (i.e. scientific databases, chemical drawing software, molecular modelling & optimisation, etc).

In addition to increased proficiency in standard techniques, this subject provides an introduction into research-based chemistry through integrated and themed experiments. It will provide skill development in a range of techniques utilised in the modern chemistry laboratory.

The subject provides experience across multiple traditional chemical disciplines whilst highlighting the importance of these disciplines in diverse 'real world' applications such as materials science and medicinal chemistry.

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This subject delves into the world of environmental contaminants and their impact on water and soil quality. Additionally, it introduces frequently used analytical techniques essential for environmental and industrial monitoring and analysis. Students will gain proficiency in a range of analytical techniques critical for achieving desirable environmental outcomes.

The practical component of this subject offers hands-on experience in applying analytical techniques to environmental samples. Students will work with state-of-the-art equipment, including mass spectrometry (MS), gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ion chromatography (IC) and atomic absorption/emission spectrometry. These practical exercises will reinforce the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures and provide students with valuable real-world analytical skills.

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This subject provides a series of specialised modules in the areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Students choose three modules from the following selection of topics. Each module consists of 12 lectures.

• Computational Chemistry
• Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine
• Methods in Organic Synthesis
• Green Chemistry
• Supramolecular and Structural Inorganic Chemistry

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This subject provides a series of specialised modules in the areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry

Students choose three modules from the following selection of topics. Each module consists of 12 lectures:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Metal chemistry: Principles and applications
• Spectroscopy – Identification of Organic Molecules
• Photomolecular Science

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The lecture component of this subject covers the main sources and types of environmental contaminants with a focus on water contaminants and their effect on water quality. Frequently used analytical techniques in environmental and industrial monitoring and analysis, not covered in the prerequisite or other second year level chemistry subjects, will be outlined in the context of achieving desirable environmental outcomes. These include: volumetric analysis; gravimetric analysis; optical techniques (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry); electroanalytical techniques such as potentiometry (ion-selective electrodes, potentiometric stripping analysis) and voltammetry (polarography, anodic stripping voltammetry); analytical separation techniques (ion chromatography, extraction); and automatic analytical techniques (flow injection analysis).

The practical component of this subject involves the application of chromatographic (ion chromatography, gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography), electroanalytical (potentiometry, polarography and anodic stripping volatmmetry) and optical (atomic absorption spectrometry) analytical techniques to environmental samples.

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This subject will outline some of the major methods of organic synthesis including asymmetric aldol and related reactions, sigmatropic rearrangements and metal-catalysed transformations. Applications in the synthesis of important chiral molecules will be discussed.

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This subject will explore modern drug design principles, as well as the molecular basis of therapeutic activity and methods of synthesis of various drugs. Case studies will be used to highlight the discovery and development of important drug classes.

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Excitons lie at the heart of many important natural and technological processes including photosynthesis, vision, energy efficient lighting and solar energy conversion. An exciton is a coulombically bound electron-hole pair that is generated in a material either by light absorption or electrical charge injection. Because of the strong coulomb interactions, excitonic materials are very efficient absorbers of light, possess excellent light emission properties, and can exhibit a variety of unique phenomena, such as up- or down- conversion, that can enable us to move beyond the efficiency limits of existing materials. This Masters course provides an overview of exciton science. Advanced topics include techniques to probe excitons, the properties of various materials classes that involve excitonic interactions and applications in photosynthesis, solar cells and light emitting technologies.

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This subject explores the chemical transformations in the Earth's atmosphere, which is influenced by both natural processes and human activities. The subject will provide an introduction into the chemistry of the stratosphere and the troposphere to explore some important problems, such as acid rain, ozone depletion, photochemical smog, greenhouse gases and global warming.

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This subject will explore the interrelationship between bonding, structure and reactivity in organic molecules. Fundamental concepts of modern physical organic chemistry such as molecular orbital theory, orbital symmetry control, of organic reactions and the nature of reactive intermediates will be discussed to provide students with a thorough understanding of chemical reactivity and mechanisms.

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This subject will explore magnetochemistry in the context of isolated spins, discrete spin clusters and extended systems. Areas covered will include magnetic susceptibility, the mechanisms of magnetic exchange interactions, long range ordering in extended solids, spin crossover complexes and single-molecule magnets.

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The emergence of organic electronics is transforming current electronic technologies that will lead to light-weight flexible devices such as foldable displays, building-integrated lighting and low-cost solar cells. This subject will give an overview of this new technology area. A range of topics will be covered including materials design and synthesis, materials characterisation, and device applications. There will be an emphasis on organic semiconducting materials and photovoltaic devices.

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This subject will discuss general principles of laser action, the properties of laser beams, some specific types of lasers, laser-based spectroscopic methods, laser photochemistry, ultrafast lasers, and lasers in mass spectrometry.

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This subject will explore the design of advanced materials from the micro to nano-domain and their application in areas such as biomedicine and diagnostics. Common materials characterisation techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, will also be studied.

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This subject explores the fundamentals of structure determination as applied to organic and biological molecules, with a focus on mass spectrometry based ion chemistry and instrumentation. The combination of background theory and range of examples will enhance students’ ability to acquire and analyse experimental data.

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Catalytic processes are ubiquitous in natural and synthetic systems. A firm base of knowledge on catalysis is an essential tool not only for students interested in synthesis but also those who seek a deeper understanding of biological and industrial processes. This subject provides an overview of catalysis. A range of catalytic processes will be discussed with emphasis on transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis and photocatalysis. Case studies involving biological and industrial processes will form part of the lecture series.

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This subject will outline the fundamental steps important to radical chemistry and show how these principles can be used in the synthesis of important molecular frameworks.

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This subject explores the major historical developments of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the role of analytical chemistry in environmental monitoring, assessment and regulation. This subject provides an overview of trace level pollutant measurement using isotope surrogate dilution with measurement performed on LCMS and GCMS instrumental techniques. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants and per and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will be used as case studies to explain the relationship between chemical properties with analytical measurements as well as environmental fate, behaviour and ecological impact.

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This subject will discuss the theory of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, relevant experimental techniques and its application in molecular structure determination. The theory of pulse Fourier Transform NMR will be presented along with the methods of spectral processing. Key aspects of proton chemical shift, spin-spin coupling and coupling constants will be discussed. ¹³C and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy as well as the theory and application of advanced 2D techniques will also be detailed. A combination of 1D and 2D methods will be applied to determine the structure of complex molecules.

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This subject provides in depth training in the technique of X-ray crystallography for the determination of chemical and macromolecular structures. Students will be exposed to the theory that underpins this technique, its practical application and the interpretation and validation of its results. Students will apply current software packages to real data to determine the structures of chemical complexes and proteins. Cutting-edge techniques, particularly those accessible through the Australian Synchrotron that provide complementary structural information will also be discussed.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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The lecture component of this subject covers the main sources and types of environmental contaminants with a focus on water contaminants and their effect on water quality. Frequently used analytical techniques in environmental and industrial monitoring and analysis, not covered in the prerequisite or other second year level chemistry subjects, will be outlined in the context of achieving desirable environmental outcomes. These include: volumetric analysis; gravimetric analysis; optical techniques (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry); electroanalytical techniques such as potentiometry (ion-selective electrodes, potentiometric stripping analysis) and voltammetry (polarography, anodic stripping voltammetry); analytical separation techniques (ion chromatography, extraction); and automatic analytical techniques (flow injection analysis).

The practical component of this subject involves the application of chromatographic (ion chromatography, gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography), electroanalytical (potentiometry, polarography and anodic stripping volatmmetry) and optical (atomic absorption spectrometry) analytical techniques to environmental samples.

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An understanding of workplace safety issues is important for students pursuing careers in the chemical industry. This course explores the legal frameworks, current methodologies and issues of best practice in the risk minimisation and management of workplace hazards. The subject uses a variety of media in online delivery of course material and assessment, including recorded lectures, websites, videos and documented case studies, and builds on students own workplace experiences. It is anticipated that students will gain an appreciation of current legislation and codes of practice, identify different types of chemical workplace hazards and be able to apply risk management to workplace hazards.

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The aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of the chemical structure of important food components of plant origin. The chemical and biological properties of these components are also explored.

This course is supported by a practical laboratory program, which emphasises analytical and instrumental techniques.

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Energy production and industrial activity produces chemical air pollutants that, in the absence of controls, create unsafe air, degrade the ozone layer, and heat our planet. This subject teaches students about the processes that lead to the formation of air pollutants, the mechanisms responsible for their transport and transformation in the environment, and the technological and regulatory options available for their control and abatement.

Earth’s atmosphere as a chemical reactor, interpreted in terms of material and energy balances, reaction kinetics, and transport phenomena. Important air pollutants, including CO₂, NO_x, SO_x, VOCs, particulate matter, halogenated compounds, and air toxics. Global impacts of air pollutants on human health and the environment. Mechanisms of air pollution formation and release. Engineering controls and regulatory abatement mechanisms for air pollution.

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The minerals industry is of utmost importance to the Australian economy. This subject focuses on the liberation, size reduction, size separation and concentration separations in minerals processing. A range of design processes in extractive metallurgy, including hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy will be highlighted. Concepts behind aspects of physico-chemical principles of mineral separation processes to produce metals and ceramic products from ores as well as recycled materials and consumer products will be described. The systems approach to recycling of products, process sustainability and environmental considerations is extremely important in mineral processing and this will be studied in detail.

Indicative content: mineral processing separation concepts; the importance of sustainable mineral processing; the mechanisms used in dewatering mineral tailings; influence of material properties on recyclability; influence of recycling on material purity and properties; development of case studies in recycling products to recover valuable materials.

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Learning in this subject is based around the examination of a number of use-cases for AI in the sciences, including such applications as data analytics, modelling, scientific discoveries and therapeutic devices. After conversations covering preliminary material on AI, Ethics, Law and Human Rights, these use-cases will be employed as basis for investigating the issues with particularly relevant themes drawn from the broader thematic domains.

Indicative themes to be covered:

• Trust
• Accountability, Transparency & Explainability
• Beneficence & Non-maleficence
• Fairness & Justice
• Autonomy
• Licensing
• Liability
• Privacy
• Legal Personality
• Regulatory approval

These themes will be applied to various applications of AI in the sciences, which could include for example, therapeutic zoomorphic robots in aged care, surveillance systems to prevent poaching, analysis of data derived from large scale sensor deployment for measuring pedestrian flow, weather modelling, 'lab in a box', and discovery of novel materials.

The subject is suitable for those with either science, quantitative, or legal backgrounds, with pre-class reading required both to promote the richest possible discussions during class contact time, and to address understanding of fundamental concepts for students of various backgrounds.

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This subject will give an overview of the tools required to operate successfully in an organisational environment. The focus of the subject is the internal workings of an organisation and specifically addresses three main areas: working with people, managing budgets and understanding basic accounting, and managing processes and projects.

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AIMS

This subject introduces the fundamental concepts of computing programming, and how to solve simple problems using high-level procedural language, with a specific emphasis on data manipulation, transformation, and visualisation of data.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Fundamental programming constructs; fundamental data structures; abstraction; basic program structures; algorithmic problem solving; use of modules.

The subject assumes no prior knowledge of computer programming and is not suitable for students with prior programming experience.

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The physical, social and engineering sciences make widespread use of numerical simulations and graphical representations that link underlying their theoretical foundations with experimental or empirical data. These approaches are routinely designed and conducted by researchers with little or no formal training in computation, assembling instead the necessary skills from a variety of sources. There is an art to assembling computational tools that both achieve their goals and make good effective use of the available computational resources.

This subject introduces students to a wide range of skills that are commonly encountered in the design and construction of computational tools in research applications:

• Formulation of the task as a sequence of operations or procedures that express the context of the assigned problem in a form accessible to digital computing (Mathematica).
• Implementation of this formulation using computer languages appropriate for numerically intensive computation (C, C++, Fortran)
• Modularization of computationally intensive tasks, either as user-written procedures or existing libraries (for example BLAS, lapack)
• Documentation of the code to explain both its design, operation and limitations (LaTeX)
• Instrumentation of the code to verify its correct operation and monitor its performance (gprof)
• Optimization of the code, including the use of parallelization (OpenMPI)
• Visualization of data using graphical packages or rendering engines (Geomview, OpenGL)
• Interaction with the code through a graphical user interface (Python, Matlab)

These skills are introduced to the student by undertaking a short project that is selected in consultation with the Subject Coordinator.

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This subject is designed to provide students with detailed training in statistical methods as applied to the design and analysis of projects undertaken by postgraduate students, across all disciplines.

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What conclusion can be drawn from a pool of data? How can a scientist draw meaningful conclusions while not overreaching? How can modelling help the scientist interpret data? This subject will address these questions by teaching students critical thinking and data analysis skills. After completing this subject students will understand the basic principles of sampling and experimental design, how the results of statistical analyses are reported, the statistical thinking behind common statistical procedures and will be able to carry out a range of standard statistical techniques.

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Successful commercialisation of scientific discoveries and new technologies occurs in a unique business environment where scientific and business interests and personalities must productively interact.

The subject will develop a critical understanding of the context in which the commercialisation of science occurs, and the opportunities and challenges encountered. Topics covered within the subject will include the nature and types of intellectual property (IP), how it can be protected, valued, managed and strengthened, its use as a commercial tool, exploration of the barriers to commercialisation, what strategies can be used to exploit IP, how to develop a commercial plan and leverage finance for the commercialisation of IP.

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Excellent scientific leadership is not only required in academic research groups, but also in technological industries and many areas of government. This subject will examine the nature and styles and consequences of leadership and decision making in academia, industry and government.

Students will examine, through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, the roles of leadership in: motivation, ethics, risk and the development of a productive organisational culture drawing upon case studies, personal accounts from scientific leaders and their own personal experiences.

In addition, students will learn strategies to deal with staff and clients, build teams, make decisions, think strategically, develop self awareness, identify and manage conflict of interest, identify opportunity and value diversity.

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This subject will introduce students to the world of quantum information technology, focusing on the fast developing area of quantum computing. The subject will cover basic principles of quantum logic operations in both digital and analogue approaches to quantum processors, through to quantum error correction and the implementation of quantum algorithms for real-world problems. In lab-based classes students will learn to use state-of-the-art quantum computer programing and simulation environments to complete a range of projects.

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What is conflict of interest? What should a scientist do when they find fraud is occurring on a scientific research team? How does a scientist write and defend an animal ethics submission and get it approved? What are the ethical issues associated with peer review? This subject is intended to give students a broad overview of research ethics in a scientific context. It will include topics on scientific integrity; conflicts of interest; data recording management; authorship and peer review; animal experimentation and regulations; privacy and confidentiality of records; and, finally, research in humans.

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This subject involves completion of an 80-100 hour science or technology work placement integrating academic learning in science areas of study, employability skills and attributes and an improved knowledge of science and technology organisations, workplace culture and career pathways. The placement is supplemented by pre- and post-placement classes designed to develop an understanding of science and technology professions, introduce skills for developing, identifying and articulating employability skills and attributes and linking them to employer requirements in the science and technology domains. Work conducted during the placement will be suitable for a graduate level of expertise and experience. While immersed in a work environment, students will be expected to challenge themselves by accepting roles and responsibilities that stretch their existing capabilities. They will interrogate the requirements of specific careers and continually monitor their own progress towards developing the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to thrive in these roles.

Students will be responsible for identifying a suitable work placement prior to the semester. Application for credit need to be submitted via the Internships Portal at least 3 weeks prior to internship commencement and within the Key Dates mentioned on the website. More information is available on the subject webpage here: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-study/internship-subjects. If you have questions on how and where to find internship, you should contact the Careers and Industry team in the Faculty of Science at hyperlink: https://forms.your.unimelb.edu.au/4747166?SID=a3xOY000000018z

On completion of the subject, students will have completed and reported on a course-related project in a science or technology workplace. They will also have enhanced employability skills including communication, interpersonal, analytical and problem-solving, organisational and time-management, and an understanding of career planning and professional development.

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This subject provides an in-depth look into the methods, algorithms and techniques behind biomolecular structure determination. In particular, students will be exposed to prominent techniques in the field for example: X-ray Crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and cryogenic-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM). As part of a general introduction into measurement techniques students will visit state-of-the-art NMR, cryo-EM and X-ray facilities at the Bio21 Institute and the Australian Synchrotron. Using industry standard software packages, students will learn to input and handle data to reconstruct biomolecular structure and dynamics across the range of techniques. The computer based laboratories will be overseen by practitioners in the field. This multi-disciplinary subject is co-taught by staff in the School of Physics, Chemistry and Biomedical sciences. There is particular emphasis on integration of these disciplines with students receiving both theoretical and practical knowledge of fundamental and frontier research and development in biomolecular structure determination.

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Projects drive most modern science organisations. Learn how to plan and manage projects, and to relate to a client, team members, and to other stakeholders. The subject covers the processes and tools/techniques in project management as well as the ‘soft side’ of managing people in projects. The subject uses the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) covering the competencies in project management including scope, time, cost, quality, resource, risk, communication and integration management.

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Why is it essential that scientists learn to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences? What makes for engaging communication when it comes to science? How does the style of communication need to change for different audiences? What are the nuts and bolts of good science writing? What are the characteristics of effective public speaking?

Weekly seminars and tutorials will consider the important role science and technology plays in twenty-first century society and explore why it is vital that scientists learn to articulate their ideas to a variety of audiences in an effective and engaging manner. These audiences may include school students, agencies that fund research, the media, government, industry, and the broader public. Other topics include the philosophy of science communication, talking about science on the radio, effective public speaking, writing press releases and science feature articles, science performance, communicating science on the web and how science is reported in the media.

Students will develop skills in evaluating examples of science and technology communication to identify those that are most effective and engaging. Students will also be given multiple opportunities to receive feedback and improve their own written and oral communication skills.

Students will work in small teams on team projects to further the communication skills developed during the seminar programme. These projects will focus on communicating a given scientific topic to a particular audience using spoken, visual, written or web-based communication.

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As a scientist, it is not only important to be able to experiment, research and discover, it is also vital that you can communicate your research effectively in a variety of ways. Even the most brilliant research is wasted if no one knows it has been done or if your target audience is unable to understand it.

In this subject you will develop your written and oral communication skills to ensure that you communicate your science as effectively as possible. We will cover effective science writing and oral presentations across a number of formats: writing a thesis; preparing, submitting and publishing journal papers; searching for, evaluating and citing appropriate references; peer review, making the most of conferences; applying for grants and jobs; and using social media to publicise your research.

You will have multiple opportunities to practice, receive feedback and improve both your oral and written communication skills.

Please note: students must be undertaking their own research in order to enrol in this subject.

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This subject explores the relevance of ecological and evolutionary theory for understanding the distributions of species, their interactions, their life history characteristics and how these traits are impacted by changing environmental conditions. Topics include spatial ecology and metapopulations, climatic impacts on distribution and abundance, life history evolution and ecosystem stability and resilience. The skills developed in this subject provide an essential grounding for careers in ecology.

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Applied Ecology is the science of understanding and managing ecosystems. The subject describes and evaluates the applications of ecological concepts for the conservation and management of natural and human-altered ecosystems. In particular, it identifies the implications of global and local changes for ecosystems, communities and individual species, especially within the Australian environment. It examines approaches to management and conservation of terrestrial resources and ecosystems, the control of pest species, and restoration of modified habitats.

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Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in an increasingly urbanised world. This subject will introduce students to urban ecology and landscape ecology concepts and illustrate how they can be applied to plan and design more ecologically sustainable human landscapes. Topics include the concept of scale in ecology, land transformation and habitat fragmentation, the structure and components of landscapes, patterns and processes along urban-rural gradients, the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity and strategies to mitigate them.

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This subject provides a detailed knowledge of vegetation structure and natural values of Victorian plant communities and their assessment, including environmental limiting factors, threats due to land use, development and fragmentation, and management issues related to environmental impact assessment and conservation of native vegetation. The subject will be based around short excursions to examine different vegetation types in the Melbourne region, and a series of special lectures by scientists, managers and consultants from both the government and private sectors. Topics will include:

• ecology and natural history of Victorian plant communities;
• environmental impacts and vegetation assessment;
• conservation and management issues (e.g. revegetation, rare species, fauna habitat, weed invasions);
• biodiversity legislation and government agencies;
• consulting services and client focus.

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The oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface and support an incredible diversity of life. This subject provides a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the biodiversity and biogeography of marine animals, plants and micro-organisms. It then explores the role that ecology and evolution play in shaping patterns of abundance, demography, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in the marine realm.

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This subject focuses on how science contributes to environmental decision-making and management. Students will investigate how science from different disciplines is used and apply it to the process of study design, monitoring, assessment, and evaluation. Workshops associated with each module will emphasize practical aspects of how decisions get made in the face of scientific uncertainty. An individual capstone project will provide opportunities for in-depth critical thinking and analysis in an area of interest chosen by the student. By the end of the subject, students will have developed a scientific toolbox that they can use to solve real-world environmental problems after graduation whether undertaking further study or in the workforce.

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This is a largely field-based subject, based in one of several possible locations, though generally in the Daintree Rainforest in northern Queensland. The subject provides a capstone research experience in which students undertake a field-based research project around a problem in ecology or evolution. Students will design and execute the project, and will gain hands on experience in basic ecological field methods. They will then analyse their data, and report on their results, in written and oral reporting styles

Students should be aware that this course entails an additional cost associated with travel and accommodation; typically between $1500-$2000.

Students who require this subject in order to complete a major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, but who are experiencing financial difficulty should contact the subject coordinator to enquire about the possibility of scholarship support.

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Is Darwin’s extraordinary idea relevant for our species? The subject highlights the power of Darwin’s theory of the evolution of adaptation by natural (and sexual) selection for understanding our origins and the present human condition, with an emphasis on exploring the claim that we cannot fully appreciate anthropogenic systems in the absence of an evolutionary perspective. The subject briefly examines the recent evolutionary history of hominids and highlights the challenges and significance of distinguishing between nature and nurture in shaping contemporary life-histories and behaviour. The subject focusses especially on the application of evolutionary theory to informing our understanding and management of global anthropogenic issues, including antibiotic, insecticide and other forms of resistance; vaccines and viruses; pathogen virulence; response to selection arising from environmental change, including pollution and climate; and the management of natural resources. Classes combine lectures and tutorials, and there is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between unsubstantiated conjecture and concepts that are supported by rigorous science.

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This subject equips participants with an understanding of the role and limitations of science in environmental debates and decision-making. Global changes to the atmosphere, hydrological cycle, land-uses, urbanisation, climate, pollution, biodiversity, pests, and diseases are having profound impacts on the planet, its people and other species. You will gain an appreciation of strengths and limitations in the diversity of scientific approaches used to understand and manage environmental changes. These approaches include empirical observation, mathematical and statistical modelling, and expert opinion. The subject highlights the breadth of environmental changes, and the range of scientific methods that can be used to address these issues. Collectively, these elements provide a sound foundation for science-based advocacy and management that recognises the scientific and social contexts of environmental debates.

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This subject focuses on common statistical approaches used to analyse biological data sets. Topics covered include research and experimental design, hypothesis testing, estimation, and statistical modelling for univariate and multivariate data. In interactive classes, students will consolidate concepts before working through examples in the context of different disciplines within the biosciences (including biomedicine, genetics, environmental science and ecology). The computer-based workshops will provide opportunities to translate theoretical knowledge into practice with emphasis on statistical interpretation, reasoning, and basic coding skills. By the end of the subject, students will have the statistical skills required to design, analyse, and interpret their own biological research.

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Invasions are natural ecological phenomena. Dispersing individuals encounter suitable habitat, establish, spread and evolve. In this way, species have radiated outwards from their origins, colonised distant offshore islands, and species have spread in response to changes in climate.

Human-induced invasions of plants, animals and diseases in modern times have dramatically altered the scales of time and distance over which invasions take place. Their impacts can be considerable, wiping out unique communities, endangering rare species, adding considerable costs to agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and having effects on the health, leisure and livelihoods of people. Tools such as pesticides and biological control can often be used to great effect, while for other invaders there are no obvious solutions. There may be unwanted side-effects of control methods on non-target species, they may adversely affect human health, and may cause considerable public concern. Integrated management strategies can be developed using ecological information about the species but these must be implemented in a real world that involves economics, politics, opinions and social interactions.

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Wildlife Management has varied goals, addressing issues as diverse as conservation and biodiversity, human-animal conflict, pest animal control, overabundance and potential for disease spill over.

This subject will expose students to real-life examples of wildlife management in Australia, and provide them with opportunities to meet and interact with relevant professionals in this field during synchronous online teaching sessions. Although examples in this subject are based in Australia, the principles students engage with are applicable across the globe. All synchronous teaching activities will also be recorded, and thus available asynchronously.

Staff from a variety of government and not-for-profit agencies involved in wildlife management will present an outline of their management programs and provide detailed information about specific management issues and activities. Further materials to support the themes discussed, and to provide students with additional background and context for each management example, will be provided through asynchronous delivery.

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The interactions between spatial context and ecosystem composition and structure can have a significant influence on the management of our natural environment. Spatial and temporal patterning of ecosystems can influence ecosystem functioning which in turn can affect resource availability for flora and fauna, dynamics of plant communities, and lead to the alteration of disturbance regimes. Humans play a critical role in shaping the spatial context on ecosystems within landscapes, both creating and affecting these relationships. This subject will cover the principles of landscape ecology with a focus on understanding how spatial heterogeneity, spatial extent, agents of change (i.e. fire, climate) and the role of humans (i.e. forest management, urbanisation) influence ecosystem patterns and in turn ecological processes (i.e. plant migration, meta-population dynamics, provisioning of ecosystem services). Case studies will be drawn from international and domestic examples from urban, agricultural, and forested landscapes.

This subject will involve lectures, practicals and a 3-day field trip.

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This subject explores the ways people know and interact with nature in the context of ecosystem management. Through a series of local and global case studies, students will critically reflect on real world examples, grounded in ideas and theories drawn from social sciences. By exploring dimensions of power, knowledge, and values, students will analyse the ways in which communities participate, drive, and determine what healthy ecosystems mean. Tensions between government, corporate and community aspirations will be drawn out through the case study examples.

This subject has a particular emphasis on Indigenous knowledges, self-determination and conceptualisations of Country. The field trip will provide students an opportunity to hear from communities directly about their connections to, and applications of caring for Country.

Students will gain insights into different nature framings and perspectives.

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This subject prepares students for environmental management roles by providing them with the principles of how human impacts on the environment might be detected and managed. The principles will be placed within the legal and social contexts of environmental impact assessment. At the completion of the subject, students should understand three aspects: prediction of the kind of changes that might occur with human activities; the design and implementation of proper monitoring programs that can detect changes; and assessment of those changes. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of principles.

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This subject will investigate the role of terrestrial ecosystems in the global carbon cycle and in a changing climate. Students will learn the scientific basis for climate change and the impact that a changing climate might have on terrestrial ecosystems and how ecosystems influence climate. We will learn what adaptation actions we can take to manage ecosystems in a changing climate. We will discuss the role ecosystems play in the global carbon cycle and the degree to which terrestrial ecosystems can be used as a carbon sequestration options. We will evaluate the requirements for forest carbon accounting and will apply carbon accounting tools in hands-on accounting sessions with industry partners. This scientific understanding will be extended to discuss policy instruments under consideration in Australia and in the international arena for the potential role of ecosystems in carbon emissions trading. The subject will equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge on the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems and with practical experiences in forest carbon accounting.

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This subject provides an overview of data science concepts and techniques as they pertain to the field of biology. Students will learn how to apply data science methods to real-world biological data, including techniques for data collection, curation, analysis, and visualization. The subject will provide practical skills in programming languages commonly used for data science, such as R or Python, and best practices for reproducible research, including documentation and data sharing. It will also provide with the students a practical experience of high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud computing. By the end of the subject, students will have developed a robust foundation across this set of skills, empowering them to work confidently with the kind of large-scale dataset that is becoming increasingly common across all fields of biology.

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This subject takes students through a process of identifying, planning, managing, analysing and reporting on a project relating to a problem or issue in either urban or forested ecosystem. Selection of the problem or issue is led by students and is structured to explore ecological, environmental, social, spatial, temporal and economic related topics.

Activities include developing a project proposal and objectives, project planning and timelines, scientific methods of analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and/or information and the preparation and presentation of results, findings or outcomes. Students will also work in groups drawing upon their prior degree studies to develop recommendations, provide solutions, or outline further insights for their problem or issue.

In collaboration with industry representatives and academic staff, this subject enables students to explore projects based on real world problems through a work integrated learning and relevant capstone experience.

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Applied Ecology is the science of understanding and managing ecosystems. The subject describes and evaluates the applications of ecological concepts for the conservation and management of natural and human-altered ecosystems. In particular, it identifies the implications of global and local changes for ecosystems, communities and individual species, especially within the Australian environment. It examines approaches to management and conservation of terrestrial resources and ecosystems, the control of pest species, and restoration of modified habitats.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject explores psychological and social dimensions of environmental sustainability and landscape and ecosystem management. The subject examines the ways humans experience, interact and behave in the physical environment. This is done by exploring psycho-social dimensions of human-environment interactions examining frameworks for understanding environmental concern and environmentally significant behaviour. Topics include: psychological bases for human-environment relationships (considering biological and cognitive needs, social identity and other forms of motivation); frameworks for understanding attitudes to environmental issues and for understanding environmentally significant behaviour; strategies for enhancing, awareness, concern and action for sustainability.

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This subject imparts detailed knowledge on the crucial role that urban forests are playing in the development and resilience of sustainable cities around the world, using both local and international case studies. It begins by exploring the unique composition of urban forests, and the multiple social and ecological drivers that shape them in the context of global environmental change. This includes extreme biotic and abiotic stressors, such as changing pests and pathogens, fundamental plant physiology principles of drought, heat, light and pollution tolerance. The benefits that the urban forest generate for fauna habitat and biodiversity, human health and wellbeing, nature connectedness, microclimate cooling, and improved hydrology and water quality are discussed and analysed in detail. Finally, the subject brings these themes together through an urban landscape management lens to explore practical approaches to building our future urban forests through remote sensing, modelling ecosystem service values, and community engagement and participation. A central theme will be planning and managing urban forests for environmental equity, multiple social values and ecological outcomes in a contested urban landscape.

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Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in an increasingly urbanised world. This subject will introduce students to urban ecology and landscape ecology concepts and illustrate how they can be applied to plan and design more ecologically sustainable human landscapes. Topics include the concept of scale in ecology, land transformation and habitat fragmentation, the structure and components of landscapes, patterns and processes along urban-rural gradients, the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity and strategies to mitigate them.

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At a global scale forests are valued and managed by societies in a wide range of ways for goods and services that reflect the needs of people and their aspirations for the environment. Combining biophysical understandings of forest ecosystems with the social context in which they exist, Forest Systems explores the complexity of forest management and will provide students with a deep appreciation of the challenges and opportunities associated with taking care of the worlds’ forests in a sustainable way. The subject will be taught across 9 weeks starting with a 4-day field trip. Students will immerse themselves directly in forests by visiting a range of sites and exploring several case studies and real-world scenarios to gain perspective and insights that they will draw on during subsequent activities.

After the fieldtrip, the next 8 weeks students will explore four themes where they will learn how science has shaped our understanding of what sustainable forest management is, how forest grow, develop and are utilised, the role fire in shaping forest ecosystems and how societal attitudes and values impact on the provision of forest ecosystem goods and services. Assessment tasks will link directly to each theme where students will be expected to critically analyse and communicate their understandings in a contextualised way while also reflecting on the activities and discussions undertaken during workshops.

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Conservation planners and managers must contend with important questions about competing priorities and strategies. Which species should we protect? What should be the objectives for the conservation of an ecosystem? How should we balance multiple values of a site, and which sites should be prioritised for protection or conservation action? Which conservation practices and tools will best achieve the intended outcomes? The answers to these questions depend not only on the biological and physical characteristics of ecological systems, but on human relationships with nature.

The subject builds on foundational knowledge in ecology and environments. Students will develop an understanding of psychological and sociological theory relevant to conservation decision making, scenarios and practice. They will also develop skills grounded in social science that can support conservation planning based on integrated ecological and social principles. Topics for consideration include:

• ecological, psychological and cultural factors that influence the species and ecosystems that society and managers prioritise for protection;
• cognitive and cultural influences on conservation objectives and strategies;
• the impact of value conflicts on the success of conservation projects;
• the relationship between conservation and the welfare of both animals and humans; and
• the role of tools such as education and engagement, citizen science, citizen informed and participatory decision making in managing conservation challenges.

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This subject explores and evaluates green infrastructure technologies, including green roofs, green walls, green facades and water-sensitive urban design installations. Students study the underpinning science that supports these technologies and their use in urban environments to achieve environmental, social and economic outcomes, including plant ecology, horticulture, hydrology and the science of growing media including soils and green-roof substrates. There is a strong emphasis on understanding the functions of different design systems and the engineering applications of green infrastructure in landscape and building installations. The subject also uses case studies, field visits and industry practitioners to investigate, analyse and evaluate green infrastructure technologies and systems.

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Environmental Risk Assessment aims to provide you with the skills to undertake and critically evaluate environmental risk assessments. We outline the history and social context of risk and explore the psychology of risk perception. You will be introduced to quantitative and qualitative tools with the objective of giving you the ability to select, apply and assess technical and socially based risk assessment. The subject is structured to develop your skills in writing reports and participating in group exercises.

While the contact period is six intensive days, the learning period is longer. Reading materials are distributed in May and a small assessment task is set to encourage you to be fully prepared. You will be required to complete a take-home examination and a substantial practical report in the weeks following the course.

The subject is made up of lectures in the mornings and practical exercises in the afternoons. It assumes no formal background in quantitative methods. An understanding of basic statistical concepts (means, medians, standard deviations, confidence intervals, basic linear regression) is an advantage. If you have not been involved in an undergraduate statistics class before, contact the subject coordinator to discuss your options.

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This subject explores the ways people know and interact with nature in the context of ecosystem management. Through a series of local and global case studies, students will critically reflect on real world examples, grounded in ideas and theories drawn from social sciences. By exploring dimensions of power, knowledge, and values, students will analyse the ways in which communities participate, drive, and determine what healthy ecosystems mean. Tensions between government, corporate and community aspirations will be drawn out through the case study examples.

This subject has a particular emphasis on Indigenous knowledges, self-determination and conceptualisations of Country. The field trip will provide students an opportunity to hear from communities directly about their connections to, and applications of caring for Country.

Students will gain insights into different nature framings and perspectives.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Environmental decisions are not made in a vacuum, rather a complex web of social, political and ecological factors influence how decisions are made and whether or not they are effective. Conflicts over how environmental issues should be managed may arise due to differences in values and interests and are influenced by discrepancies in knowledge and power. Understanding how environmental decision-making is situated in broader societal processes and movements can help in delivering more effective, equitable and just decisions that stick.

This subject adopts an interdisciplinary and participatory approach to exploring environmental decision-making and the broader societal context in which they are situated. Concepts, such as knowledge, power and values will form the foundation for the analysis of decision-making, while cross-sectional issues, such as gender, racism, colonialism and activism will be examined as case-studies to highlight how these fundamental issues play out in different contexts.

A 3-day field trip in Week 3 will provide an experiential field experience where students will have the opportunity to observe and discuss environmental decision-making in practice across a variety of different local contexts.

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Terrestrial ecosystems provide a wide range of values—from biodiversity and carbon storage to clean water and recreational opportunities in interaction with social systems. Managing ecosystems to sustain these values requires understanding what values exist in a given ecosystem, their interactions with society and how they change over time and space. However, natural ecosystems and the social context within which they are embedded are inherently variable across scales—capturing the many ecosystem values presents a significant challenge. This unit will explore the principles of, and approaches to, ecosystem assessment and monitoring across both the biophysical and social domains. We will focus on developing practical skills in the design of social and biophysical assessments, data collection and the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data associated with natural resources and their management. Example assessment approaches include ecological monitoring, forest inventory, stakeholder analysis, participatory mapping and value-based conversations, among many others. We will draw on examples from a range of ecosystems around the world.

This subject will involve practicals and a three-day, pre-semester field trip.

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Sustainable Landscapes combines social and ecological disciplines to consider the management of urban and rural/regional landscapes for sustainable futures. Subject teaching includes weekly lectures and a 1x weekend field trip to observe and discuss management of landscapes for sustainable outcomes. Australian and overseas case studies are drawn upon to cover the following topics:

• the meaning and significance of sustainability in the context of urban, urban fringe, rural, and regional landscapes and their futures;
• rural and urban land use, and drivers of current and future landscape change, including fragmentation, social change and transformation, biodiversity loss, industrialisation, intensification, pollution, sovereignty, and security;
• assumptions around land ownership, ethics and economics that influence issues of environmental security, commons and sustainable regional futures; · the utilisation, degradation, and management of rural and urban biophysical resources for sustainable futures, including maintenance of ecosystem services and processes;
• the involvement of different stakeholders in decision making for regional, service, rural, fringe and urban areas, including the role of relationships and social features such as politics, memory, and values; and
• the role of governance, including institutions, deliberative democracy, empowerment; and community based natural resource management in navigating landscape change.

The content and the issues raised will draw upon and integrate theory, knowledge and practices from different disciplines familiarising students with systems theory and how it is integral to framing an understanding of landscape management. Theories of complex adaptive systems, social ecological systems, uncertainty, resilience and complexity will also frame the investigation of these issues. Landscape ecology sciences, social sciences (including cultural geographies) and policy frameworks will be drawn upon in analysing and evaluating landscapes and their futures, with a strong focus on community-based knowledge systems. Students will engage deeply with the literature that informs these ideas and will develop a critical understanding of their value and limitations.

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The course covers the fundamentals of spatial analysis for ecosystem management and conservation problems. Students will develop skills in the application of remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for landscape analysis of data. Methodologies for collecting, analysing and interpreting spatial data will be considered through theoretical and practical approaches. These will include data collected by drones through to satellite derived measures at a continental to global scale. Students will learn the spatial skills essential to environmental management by applying industry standard tools and methods. Finally, students will develop an understanding of the emerging technologies in data collection and analysis.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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This subject takes students through a process of identifying, planning, managing, analysing and reporting on a project relating to a problem or issue in either urban or forested ecosystem. Selection of the problem or issue is led by students and is structured to explore ecological, environmental, social, spatial, temporal and economic related topics.

Activities include developing a project proposal and objectives, project planning and timelines, scientific methods of analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and/or information and the preparation and presentation of results, findings or outcomes. Students will also work in groups drawing upon their prior degree studies to develop recommendations, provide solutions, or outline further insights for their problem or issue.

In collaboration with industry representatives and academic staff, this subject enables students to explore projects based on real world problems through a work integrated learning and relevant capstone experience.

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Applied Ecology is the science of understanding and managing ecosystems. The subject describes and evaluates the applications of ecological concepts for the conservation and management of natural and human-altered ecosystems. In particular, it identifies the implications of global and local changes for ecosystems, communities and individual species, especially within the Australian environment. It examines approaches to management and conservation of terrestrial resources and ecosystems, the control of pest species, and restoration of modified habitats.

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This subject imparts detailed knowledge on the crucial role that urban forests are playing in the development and resilience of sustainable cities around the world, using both local and international case studies. It begins by exploring the unique composition of urban forests, and the multiple social and ecological drivers that shape them in the context of global environmental change. This includes extreme biotic and abiotic stressors, such as changing pests and pathogens, fundamental plant physiology principles of drought, heat, light and pollution tolerance. The benefits that the urban forest generate for fauna habitat and biodiversity, human health and wellbeing, nature connectedness, microclimate cooling, and improved hydrology and water quality are discussed and analysed in detail. Finally, the subject brings these themes together through an urban landscape management lens to explore practical approaches to building our future urban forests through remote sensing, modelling ecosystem service values, and community engagement and participation. A central theme will be planning and managing urban forests for environmental equity, multiple social values and ecological outcomes in a contested urban landscape.

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Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in an increasingly urbanised world. This subject will introduce students to urban ecology and landscape ecology concepts and illustrate how they can be applied to plan and design more ecologically sustainable human landscapes. Topics include the concept of scale in ecology, land transformation and habitat fragmentation, the structure and components of landscapes, patterns and processes along urban-rural gradients, the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity and strategies to mitigate them.

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Conservation planners and managers must contend with important questions about competing priorities and strategies. Which species should we protect? What should be the objectives for the conservation of an ecosystem? How should we balance multiple values of a site, and which sites should be prioritised for protection or conservation action? Which conservation practices and tools will best achieve the intended outcomes? The answers to these questions depend not only on the biological and physical characteristics of ecological systems, but on human relationships with nature.

The subject builds on foundational knowledge in ecology and environments. Students will develop an understanding of psychological and sociological theory relevant to conservation decision making, scenarios and practice. They will also develop skills grounded in social science that can support conservation planning based on integrated ecological and social principles. Topics for consideration include:

• ecological, psychological and cultural factors that influence the species and ecosystems that society and managers prioritise for protection;
• cognitive and cultural influences on conservation objectives and strategies;
• the impact of value conflicts on the success of conservation projects;
• the relationship between conservation and the welfare of both animals and humans; and
• the role of tools such as education and engagement, citizen science, citizen informed and participatory decision making in managing conservation challenges.

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This subject explores and evaluates green infrastructure technologies, including green roofs, green walls, green facades and water-sensitive urban design installations. Students study the underpinning science that supports these technologies and their use in urban environments to achieve environmental, social and economic outcomes, including plant ecology, horticulture, hydrology and the science of growing media including soils and green-roof substrates. There is a strong emphasis on understanding the functions of different design systems and the engineering applications of green infrastructure in landscape and building installations. The subject also uses case studies, field visits and industry practitioners to investigate, analyse and evaluate green infrastructure technologies and systems.

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At a global scale forests are valued and managed by societies in a wide range of ways for goods and services that reflect the needs of people and their aspirations for the environment. Combining biophysical understandings of forest ecosystems with the social context in which they exist, Forest Systems explores the complexity of forest management and will provide students with a deep appreciation of the challenges and opportunities associated with taking care of the worlds’ forests in a sustainable way. The subject will be taught across 9 weeks starting with a 4-day field trip. Students will immerse themselves directly in forests by visiting a range of sites and exploring several case studies and real-world scenarios to gain perspective and insights that they will draw on during subsequent activities.

After the fieldtrip, the next 8 weeks students will explore four themes where they will learn how science has shaped our understanding of what sustainable forest management is, how forest grow, develop and are utilised, the role fire in shaping forest ecosystems and how societal attitudes and values impact on the provision of forest ecosystem goods and services. Assessment tasks will link directly to each theme where students will be expected to critically analyse and communicate their understandings in a contextualised way while also reflecting on the activities and discussions undertaken during workshops.

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This subject aims to provide students with the skills to undertake and critically evaluate environmental risk assessments. Students will learn a range of qualitative and quantitative tools from a variety of disciplines, and apply them to environmental risk problems. Students completing this subject should be familiar with the concept of exposure pathways; understand the ecological processes associated with contamination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; be able to develop empirical models; estimate exposures and responses in ecological systems; and develop a critical understanding of methodologies used in environmental risk assessment.

Topics include the concepts of risk assessment, psychology and history of risk perception, Australian standards for risk assessment, risk assessment frameworks, exposure pathways, hazard assessment, casual and empirical modeling, inference from data, endpoints and management goals, interval arithmetic, logic trees, environmental toxicology, decision-making under risk and uncertainty, social context of risk, and risk management.

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This subject provides an overview of the horticultural industry from plant production to installation and establishment of plants in the landscape. It introduces plant propagation techniques and plant growing systems; site analysis, with specific reference to the properties of urban soils and related issues affecting plant performance; plant quality; planting techniques; plant establishment; water delivery and management issues; and the plant maintenance activities during production and at planting that are required for designed landscapes to succeed.

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Urban soils can present distinct and unique challenges to the land manager, landscape architect or horticulturist responsible for developing, maintaining or improving urban landscapes. Often compacted, contaminated, or otherwise unsuitable for plant growth, urban soils require assessment, solutions and practical methods to ensure successful outcomes. This applications-oriented subject covers several fundamental soil science issues with direct relevance to urban landscape impacts, uses and requirements. Topics covered include compaction, nutrition, contamination, water supply, drainage and structural soils.

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This subject assesses and evaluates plant pests and diseases, which are the key biological factors impacting on plant health in urban landscapes. Students will learn how to assess and identify common pest and disease species; be able to describe the symptoms; and learn how and when to control and manage them in various settings. Maintaining the health of plants will also be approached from different perspectives such as various Integrated Pest Management methodologies. Students will explore industry-specific plant health issues relevant to trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Safe and effective practices when using chemicals will be discussed, including the relevant legislation relating to chemicals, pests and diseases. The subject will be delivered through a six-day intensive teaching period and a subsequent 12 week period of on-line subject delivery and assessment.

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The course covers the fundamentals of spatial analysis for ecosystem management and conservation problems. Students will develop skills in the application of remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for landscape analysis of data. Methodologies for collecting, analysing and interpreting spatial data will be considered through theoretical and practical approaches. These will include data collected by drones through to satellite derived measures at a continental to global scale. Students will learn the spatial skills essential to environmental management by applying industry standard tools and methods. Finally, students will develop an understanding of the emerging technologies in data collection and analysis.

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This subject explores the identification, selection and design use of plants in urban landscapes. The content includes an introduction to botanical nomenclature, plant selection, sources of information, planting design, planting plans, the design use of major plant groups, and recognition and identification of representative plants. Case studies of plant use and management in urban landscapes and relevant site visits are also discussed.

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This subject considers the evolution of plants, their structure and function, how they reproduce, cell physiology, energy transformations, metabolism, photosynthesis, water and nutrient uptake and transport, plant nutrition and whole plant physiology.

Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate their understanding of the structure of plant cells and tissues, the basic processes involved in the growth of plants and the integration of these processes in the physiology of plant growth.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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The aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of the systematic processes involved in food research and product development. This subject represents a capstone experience for the food science major. It will allow students to experience and conduct basic research projects (minimum six weeks equivalent).

It is anticipated that students will implement the knowledge they have gained via foundation and specialised studies through preparation of a research proposal, and executing that proposal in a laboratory or industry environment. The outcome will involve the development of a new food product, or solving a problem facing the food industry through knowledge of market research, product design and evaluation, packaging, safety, quality and regulatory requirements.

The content includes:

• Research concept and proposal preparation
• Market research and understanding consumer needs
• Product lifecycles and research case studies
• Idea generation and evaluation
• Product and process development - project planning
• Formulation development and evaluation
• Process development
• Shelf-life testing; consumer testing
• Market trial and strategy development
• Product specification; raw materials, process, finished product
• Product evaluation, environmental impact and regulatory issues; packaging and labelling

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This subject examines the macro structure of food and the chemistry of the components as part of a food matrix. This will include their interactions within a food matrix.

Specialised topics will provide students with a greater understanding of nutritional and sensory characteristics of foods, particularly where new product development involves novel functionality such as conferring health benefits or new physical traits.

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This subject critically examines a range of key aspects of the application of human nutrition, along with current fields of research investigation adding to the understanding of nutrition science. These include, but are not limited to: sports nutrition, nutritional genomics, nutrient‐gene interactions, fad diets, evolution of the human diet, nutritional supplements, intestinal microbiome and health, brain function and nutrition, bioactive foods, foetal origins of disease, epigenetic and nutrition in disease, nutritional deficiencies. Students will undertake case studies in the above mentioned topics in which they will evaluate and interpret recent research data and findings.

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Advanced food analysis will teach students most rapid and standard conventional methods commonly used in food analysis.

These analytical techniques will include:

• The selection of appropriate scientific methods for a specific food analysis, physical and chemical parameters
• Principles of instrumentation and/or methodology and applications of these principles to the technologies employed in analytical techniques
• Comparison of instrumental and/or rapid methods to conventional techniques of analysis
• Operation, calibration and standardisation procedures as applicable to particular techniques
• Troubleshooting techniques in conventional and rapid analyses
• Assessment and evaluation of data derived from researches and product development

Methods to be examined are titration; rheology; chromatography (HPLC, GLC, ion exchange separations, spectrophotometry, UV, visible, infrared); AA; mass spectrometry; ELISA; fluorescence spectrometry and sensory.

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The aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of the science and technology associated with the processing of materials of plant and animal origin into food and food products and their preservation by traditional and modern techniques. An integrated presentation embodying chemical, microbiological, nutritional and engineering aspects will be adopted. Practical exercises, demonstrations and site visits will provide experience in commonly applied technologies.

The content includes:

• Basic unit and factory operations
• Preservation and processing by: moisture control, application of heat, removal of heat, chemical additives, fermentation and emerging technologies
• Food packaging
• Science and technology of production of selected food products from plant and animal sources

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The subject will introduce students to the concepts of human food history, the food supply system food composition and processing, contemporary food supply and intake, nutrition assessment and monitoring at the individual and population level, nutritional standards of reference, dietary advice and food guidance systems and food law.

Particular attention is given to methods of measuring food and nutrient intake and applying scientific reasoning and problem solving in evaluating results against established nutrient intake guidelines.

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The food we eat provides our bodies with the nutrients to live, grow and function properly. High quality food contains attributes that are acceptable to consumers. The demand for safe and high-quality foods is rapidly increasing as low quality and unsafe food containing harmful microorganisms, physical constituents and chemical substances, affects the health and well-being of humans. In order to provide safe and quality food, it is necessary to maintain manufacturing and processing standards.

This subject will provide students with an advanced understanding of scientific principles and concepts related to safety and quality standards of food products. Since the importance of quality assurance in producing safe and quality foods in terms of both Australian and international food standards codes are emphasized, the subject will include topics such as: Quality management and international and national quality management standards; What are customers’ expectations of food?; Probability and sampling; Statistical process control; Microbial factors in food quality; Risk analysis and management; Quantitative risk assessment; Regulatory requirements The Food Safety Code, Codex Alimentarius; Global food safety initiative and industry schemes; Performance measures and benchmarking; Role of internal and external auditing; Food safety management systems; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and food safety risks; Quality auditing and improvement; Costs of quality failures; Food allergen management; Maintaining food quality & safety in the production chain; Safety and quality of plant foods, dairy, meat, seafood and GM foods; Australia’s native foods: quality & safety.

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This subject introduces students to the current status of knowledge and the latest research concepts and directions in dairy production and milk processing through advances in the areas of genetics of Bos taurus and related species, cow reproduction and nutrition, dairy chemistry and microbiology, processing technology, and milk-based functional foods.

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The aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of the chemical structure of important food components of plant origin. The chemical and biological properties of these components are also explored.

This course is supported by a practical laboratory program, which emphasises analytical and instrumental techniques.

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This subject is designed to provide students with the fundamental aspects of food microbiology and their practical applications in the food industry.

The content includes:

• Overview of important microorganisms in foods
• Microbial metabolism
• Nature of microbial growth in food
• Action of microorganisms on food components
• Predictive microbiology
• Microorganisms of importance for the food industry
• Microorganisms of potential food safety concern
• Genetically modified microorganisms

This subject is supported by a practical laboratory program, which emphasises modern and instrumental microbiological techniques.

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This subject provides students with an introduction to quantitative techniques and strategies used in research in a range of life science disciplines, including agriculture and food science, biological sciences, and ecosystem sciences. The subject will focus on the design of research projects, investigation and interpretation of data, and the application of scientific computing to research problems. Teaching and learning will be centered on hands-on sessions in which students work with real-life data. There is a particular emphasis on developing scientific reasoning, statistical intuition, and experience in the practical application of common quantitative methods.

The subject is designed for students with little or no background in statistics or mathematics.

Topics include:

• An introduction to sampling techniques and experimental design
• Description and exploration of data
• Visualization using univariate and bivariate plotting
• Introduction to elementary probability
• Linear models as analytical tools for univariate problems
• Statistical inference using linear models and related techniques
• Interpretation and presentation of the results of statistical models
• Logistic regression models for binary outcomes
• Practical skills working with data in the R software environment

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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Preservation techniques (physical, chemical and biological) and applications, including reference to legal requirements, and processing operations (including the principles of the process, factors influencing the selection of equipment and the effect on the food and food components) selected from the following:

• Principles in food processing and preservation including factors influence food quality deterioration, food shelf life, and food processing methods
• Food cleaning technology
• Food homogenisation and emulsification
• Food thermal processing technology: blanching, pasteurization and canning
• Food concentration
• Food drying/dehydration
• Food freezing preservation
• Food membrane processing
• Food irradiation
• Food extrusion
• Food coating and encapsulationFood packaging: traditional and emerging packaging technology
• Food Eelectromagnetic energy based heating
• Meat analogues processing
• Food 3D printing

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Plant-based foods are the most important source of energy and micronutrients in the human diet. Over 200 species of plant are farmed and are processed to varying degrees for human consumption and Australian agriculture has a tradition of thousands more.

The challenge is to meet the food demands of an increasing human population and to maintain the nutritional composition of raw food materials. Thus, the need for food professionals who understand the science behind the sustainable processing and supply of food along with the right balance of nutrition and food safety has never been greater.

This subject will provide students with an advanced understanding of the processing and preservation of grain, fruit and vegetable produce into food products through an integrated approach of science and technology. Students will study and connect with the origin of plant-based food produce, the original chemical and nutritional composition, food technology, changes in the nutritional profile during processing and preservation.

Students will understand the connection between food quality and processing; the science behind processing and the quality maintenance of the processed products. Students will develop skills in critical-thinking, analysing and applying interactions of chemical compositions of plant produce and applied technology to achieve desired processed food products; industry visits; discussion; written review and examination.

The subject will include topics such as:

• The variety of plant-based produce
• the chemical and nutritional composition of plant-based produce
• Pre-processing handling of plant produce
• Cereal and legumes processing technology
• Fruit and vegetable processing technology
• Quality assurance

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The emphasis of this subject is on understanding how evolutionary forces shape the gene pool, on the use of molecular markers in genome mapping, in dissecting polygenic traits by mapping quantitative trait loci, and in other applications such as phylogenetics and conservation biology. The topics covered will be classical population genetics, the impact of natural selection, processes of speciation, conservation genetics, evolution of development, phylogenetic reconstruction, development of saturated linkage maps, physical mapping of genomes, mapping quantitative trait loci, comparative genomics, functional genomics and high-throughout methods of scoring genetic polymorphisms.

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This subject focuses on gene structure, function and regulation, which form the molecular basis of many important biological phenomena such as short-term organismal and cellular responses to rapid changes in environmental conditions and long-term controls of development. The molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are frequently exploited in biotechnology, medical and agricultural applications. The topics covered in this subject include gene structure; genome organisation; regulation of gene expression by transcriptional, translational and post-translational control; and regulatory networks. These processes are presented in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, using examples in model organisms and humans. Understanding of these processes is considered in the context of significant historical genetic experiments and through the application of current molecular genetic and genomic techniques.

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Genetics permeates all aspects of modern life, and modern genetic technologies are being developed at an unprecedented rate with impacts on our understanding of human biology and implications for medicine. This subject will expose students to a deeper understanding of human genetics including the origins of human genomes, rapidly advancing technologies to study and understand genomes, and how this can be used for understanding and improving human health, as well as the overarching ethical considerations.

This subject focuses on several key areas in contemporary human genetics: the contributions mutation and natural selection make to human populations; the genetic basis of non-communicable diseases; strategies (technologies) for identifying the genetic basis of human disease; genetics of cancer and ageing; genetic counselling and gene by environment interactions.

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This subject develops a student’s knowledge of cell biology, introduced in second year subjects. The subject describes the molecular mechanisms underpinning eukaryotic cell and tissue organisation, morphology and behaviour and their importance in biomedicine. We will explore the relationships between cellular organisation and the biological functions of normal and stressed cells, as well as experimental strategies for investigating the molecular basis of these relationships. The subject matter includes the compartmentalisation of eukaryotic cells; intracellular trafficking of biomolecules; the structure, function and biogenesis of subcellular organelles; protein folding and maturation; vesicle-mediated transport; structure and function of the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules and their role in diseased states such as malignancies; cellular stress responses and linked signal transduction events; cytoskeletal structures and the signal transduction processes regulating the assembly and disassembly of actin-cytoskeleton; molecular processes determining cell movement and shape changes; imaging of processes within live cells. Students will also gain an appreciation of the major concepts involved in the development of a range of organisms. This multi-disciplinary subject is co-taught by staff in the School of Biomedical Sciences and School of BioSciences. A feature of this subject is the application of this knowledge in pure and applied research and thus will provide a platform for students in many Life Science majors.

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This subject will introduce the general principles and modern methods of plant evolutionary biology: how to discover the phylogeny (relationships) of organisms using both morphological characters and molecular (DNA) data; how to use this information to improve the classification systems of plants; how to study aspects of evolution, coevolution and historical biogeography; and how to integrate information from living and fossil plants to discover the past and date evolutionary events. Examples of the diversity and evolution of Australian plants - both fossil and living forms - will be used throughout this subject. Topics will include:

• discovering plant relationships phylogenetic systematics;
• evolution of vascular plants, especially flowering plants;
• fossil history of land plants;
• historical biogeography and evolution of Australian flora.

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This subject describes the molecular mechanisms underpinning eukaryotic cell organisation, morphology and behaviour and their importance in biomedicine. We will explore the relationships between cellular organisation and the biological functions of normal and stressed cells, as well experimental strategies for investigating the molecular basis of these relationships. The subject matter includes the compartmentalisation of eukaryotic cells; intracellular trafficking of biomolecules; the structure, function and biogenesis of subcellular organelles; protein folding and maturation; vesicle-mediated transport; structure and function of the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules and their role in diseased states such as malignancies; cellular stress responses and linked signal transduction events; cytoskeletal structures and the signal transduction processes regulating the assembly and disassembly of actin-cytoskeleton; molecular processes determining cell movement and shape changes; imaging of processes within live cells.

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The subject focuses on the functional biology of plants and how it can be modified by biotechnology. Students will explore topics through a series of vignettes including plant diseases and microbiomes; plant water productivity; cell wall biosynthesis for climate change mitigation; photosynthesis and enhancement for food security; nutrient uptake and fertiliser reduction; and the genome in plants and its modification by biotechnology and biodiversity. The practical class experiences and assessments form a capstone experience in which students apply theoretical knowledge to answer complex research questions. Students will design and carry out practical work using leading-edge techniques including using CRISPR for gene editing. By the end of the subject students are prepared for applying their knowledge and skills in both the workplace and further study.

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This subject introduces students to advanced research topics in modern stem cell biology with respect to current roles of stem cells in development of organisms, regenerative medicine and ethical considerations of biotechnological applications.

Different types of stem cells will be discussed with emphasis on embryonic stem cells compared to adult stem cells and roles in embryonic development and adult tissue regeneration. The role of stem cells in diseases such as cancer, anaemia etc., will be discussed by leading stem cell researchers in terms of dysregulation of tissue regeneration and current potential treatment strategies.

New therapies based on stem cells such as in vitro production of organs, stem cell transplantation and cloning will be presented along with the ethical dilemmas posted by these advances. The subject will also cover the latest advances in Induced Pluripotent Stem cell (iPS) technology and what this tells us about the nature of pluripotency.

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This subject describes how technologies enabling the sequencing of complete genomes have transformed biological research in the past decades. Bioinformatics provides the tools to analyse these massive data connecting nucleic acids to the structures and functions of life. The advanced topics will review current knowledge on genomics and transcriptomics and describe the databases used to gather this information.

The course will provide to non-specialised life-scientists the core concepts in genomics and bioinformatics. It will describe how to utilise public databases to retrieve biological information and develop a critical understanding of the methods used to generate them. This subject will explore how genomes are sequenced and annotated, and how connections are drawn between the different levels of molecular organisation to build a systems understanding of complex biological processes.

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This subject focuses on common statistical approaches used to analyse biological data sets. Topics covered include research and experimental design, hypothesis testing, estimation, and statistical modelling for univariate and multivariate data. In interactive classes, students will consolidate concepts before working through examples in the context of different disciplines within the biosciences (including biomedicine, genetics, environmental science and ecology). The computer-based workshops will provide opportunities to translate theoretical knowledge into practice with emphasis on statistical interpretation, reasoning, and basic coding skills. By the end of the subject, students will have the statistical skills required to design, analyse, and interpret their own biological research.

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This subject will provide an in-depth coverage of cellular and developmental genetics with respect to recent advances and insights. This subject will extend basic knowledge in these areas gained during a student’s undergraduate degree with topics ranging from the molecular basis of gene regulation, genetic control cell function, developmental programmes of embryogenesis and their evolution, and the use of model organisms in biomedical studies. It will consist of blocks of lectures, literature review and analysis where published papers are analysed and discussed, and of student oral presentations. The subject provides students with skills and knowledge for understanding original research and enhanced written and oral communication skills. The course will be offered in alternating years.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject is focussed on the use of molecular techniques to study gene and protein functions in a range of organisms. It aims to provide students with an advanced understanding of the strategies and techniques used in molecular biology of relevance both to the biotechnology industry and to advanced molecular biology research. Topics will be drawn from the current literature and ongoing research in molecular biology.

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This subject involves case studies of biotechnology innovations that are hindered by a barrier of significant public distrust, the prime example being genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Newer biotechnologies such as precision gene editing may face analogous barriers. This subject explores (i) the scientific context of such controversial innovations, (ii) social implications that may restrict them from making a beneficial contribution to society, and (iii) strategies needed for successful deployment.

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The field of Biotechnology encompasses many different advanced analytical techniques. The aim of this subject is to develop knowledge and skills in the application of these technologies. This subject will be taught by scientists who will discuss their own research involving the application of state-of-the art technologies designed to understand the composition of different organisms, protein modification, the structure and function of proteins, and the complexities of protein-protein interactions and metabolic outcomes. There will be a strong emphasis on how these technologies are applied to a range of areas in biology, medicine and industry.

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AIMS

Students studying Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells will become familiar with the history, scope and potential of tissue engineering, and the potential role of stem cells in this field. This subject will address the use of biomaterials in tissue engineering; major scaffold materials and fabrication methods, scaffold strength and degradation; cell sources, selection, challenges and potential manipulation; cell-surface interactions, biocompatibility and the foreign body reaction; the role and delivery of growth factors for tissue engineering applications; in vitro and in vivo tissue engineering strategies, challenges, cell culture, scale-up issues and transport modelling; ethical and regulatory issues; clinical applications of tissue engineering, such as bone regeneration, breast reconstruction, cardiac and corneal tissue engineering, and organogenesis (e.g. pancreas).

This subject provides students with exposure to and understanding of a range of new and emerging applications of biomedical engineering. It includes research-led learning with opportunities to interact with experts and active researchers in the fields of stem cells and tissue engineering. The subject covers aspects of biology, materials engineering and process engineering which underpin tissue engineering and provides examples of the applications of this evolving area of technology.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include tissue organization & tissue dynamics, stem cells, cellular fate processes & signalling, the ECM as scaffold material, natural and synthetic polymers for tissue engineering, bioceramics, scaffold design and fabrication, tailoring biomaterials, cell culture and cell nutrition, bioreactors for tissue engineering, risk management in tissue engineering, ethics in tissue engineering.

Please view this video for further information: Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells

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What does it take to develop something innovative and then move it from the laboratory out into the real world? Scientists must negotiate a labyrinth of hurdles, ranging from conducting bullet-proof data analysis, designing clinical trials, developing and managing intellectual property, assessing contracts, and setting up Total Quality Management systems in a biotech setting. Students will learn how to navigate these hurdles as applied to a range of possible inventions, such as therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, GMOs and other bio-science-related creations.

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This subject provides an overview of data science concepts and techniques as they pertain to the field of biology. Students will learn how to apply data science methods to real-world biological data, including techniques for data collection, curation, analysis, and visualization. The subject will provide practical skills in programming languages commonly used for data science, such as R or Python, and best practices for reproducible research, including documentation and data sharing. It will also provide with the students a practical experience of high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud computing. By the end of the subject, students will have developed a robust foundation across this set of skills, empowering them to work confidently with the kind of large-scale dataset that is becoming increasingly common across all fields of biology.

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This field class subject, combining on-campus classes with periodic off-campus field work in the Melbourne area, asks the question: in what ways are local sites globally connected? Sites selected for field study around Melbourne will vary year by year, as will the specific processes studied geographically at those sites. For example, study might be made of a selection of places and communities damaged by recent bushfire or flood, investigating how globally-sourced advice, personnel and equipment played a part in responding to those events, forging lasting links between those local places and the sources of their global assistance. Or, the global sources of contamination of local ocean sites might be studied. Or, the global worlds of social media might be mapped, by looking at a set of local social media users within particular urban populations. Or, the manner in which local environmental or urban policies may be drawn from overseas situations might be examined and critiqued, involving investigation of governance sites/settings in our local area and the ways they connect globally.

This is a field class subject, for which the field work will be conducted in Melbourne or its immediate environs. It is not an intensive subject.

Note this subject may be taken as the Capstone subject in the Geography major of the BA and BSc. All students, whether they are capstone students or not, will be required to complete online introductory learning materials that are common across all field classes.

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This subject examines the impacts of disasters in cities. It will explore why some groups are more vulnerable to particular hazards than others, while considering the role of social capital and adaptation for increasing the resilience of urban communities to disasters.This is important because the trend towards increasing urbanisation and larger cities is a major contributor to the rising toll of disaster losses globally. In addition, climate change predictions indicate that natural hazards such as bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones are likely to increase in intensity and possibly also frequency in many places, including cities. Contemporary cases will be used to highlight key issues and policy debates. Implications for urban planning and disaster planning and management in cities and at the rural-urban interface will be considered.

Cases and examples will be drawn from around the world, primarily from developed countries. Students will have the opportunity to examine case/s of their own choosing (with approval from the subject coordinator), and will undertake locally based research in preparation of the field report. There will be a local field trip associated with this subject.

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This subject is designed to develop students’ understanding of the physical processes, dynamics and linkages operating within the earth’s coastal systems. The beaches, dunes, estuaries and rocky cliffs that comprise the coast are some of the most intensively utilised landscapes worldwide and Australia is no exception. Population growth, development, and climate change are pushing natural functioning systems to the brink. However, intense human impact is only a relatively recent phenomenon. Coastal landforms operate over much longer timescales than people. Beaches and dunes have natural cycles of erosion and deposition over decadal to centennial scales while cliff erosion may relate to a history developed over several hundred thousand years. It is therefore impossible to successfully manage, or simply enjoy this environment, without knowledge of how it evolved and operates. During this subject we will explore the operation and management of the key landforms found at the shore. The drivers of change on the coast, from waves and sea level to weathering and sediment, will all be analysed. The key management strategies from seawalls to nature-based infrastructure will be discussed and critiqued. Only through a thorough understanding how landforms operate can our coasts be managed for current and future generations. This subject will equip you with the skills and knowledge fundamental for a successful career in the public, private and not-for-profit environmental sectors. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips

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Everyone knows what ‘Sustainable Development’ is, but if you stop to think, it may become less clear. Sustainable development has become a chameleon, suiting different needs and fulfilling different roles for different people with different interests. In this subject, we will explore this appealing-yet-slippery idea with the aim of deciding whether it is a suitable concept with which to explore the cultural, environmental, and economic challenges facing society. Is sustainable development a useful idea, do we need to move on, or can we take it back?

In addition to the debates over sustainable development, this subject will provide students with the skills needed to examine, analyse, and report on challenges related to their interests. At its heart, the subject explores the primary question of sustainable development, which is whether it can be useful in a world (seemingly) approaching numerous catastrophic tipping points. The climate is changing, the oceans are acidifying, the soils cannot keep producing our food, and wealth is being concentrated amongst a smaller and smaller segment of the world. Is sustainable development helpful in understanding, and ideally changing, these trends?

There are also more practical considerations surrounding the debate over sustainable development. Some people might be interested in having a greater impact on the world through development projects, micro-credit, or volunteering. Is sustainable development helpful? Can the concept help individuals seeking to improve our world (or at least trying)? Does it help ensure that their efforts are beneficial and not perverted by opposing interests and processes?

It is also worth considering whether sustainable development might not be better thought of as an analytical framing: as a way of pulling apart problems or projects in order to better understand or assess their impact on ecological sustainability, development, or economics? Is sustainable development an analytical tool for making sense of ‘wicked’ problems?

In this subject we will review the history of sustainable development, which draws together literature from Geography, Sociology, Engineering, Psychology, Economics, and the Sciences. We will explore critiques of sustainable development, and force ourselves to consider whether it is possible, practical, or even useful in the ‘real world’. We will explore several key challenges, using sustainable development as a lens or framing. And finally and most creatively, we will attempt to reinterpret sustainable development in a world of growing inequality.

For more information see: http://briansresearch.wordpress.com/teaching/sustainable-development/

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Human migration is a defining feature of our world. Students will be introduced to key theories, concepts, trends, spatial patterns, and contemporary issues arising from international and internal migration. The topics covered will consider the scale and complexity of human mobility, including refugees and forced displacement; rural to urban migration; environmental disaster and displacement; labour, education and skilled migration; health, well-being and migration in the life course. The socio-cultural contexts, factors, and outcomes of migration will be examined drawing on perspectives from demography and human geography. Students will critically explore theories about the ‘push and pull’ factors that drive migration, and consider the implications, challenges, and opportunities of human migration ranging from the personal to the geopolitical level.

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This subject aims to provide students with the skills to undertake and critically evaluate environmental risk assessments. Students will learn a range of qualitative and quantitative tools from a variety of disciplines, and apply them to environmental risk problems. Students completing this subject should be familiar with the concept of exposure pathways; understand the ecological processes associated with contamination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; be able to develop empirical models; estimate exposures and responses in ecological systems; and develop a critical understanding of methodologies used in environmental risk assessment.

Topics include the concepts of risk assessment, psychology and history of risk perception, Australian standards for risk assessment, risk assessment frameworks, exposure pathways, hazard assessment, casual and empirical modeling, inference from data, endpoints and management goals, interval arithmetic, logic trees, environmental toxicology, decision-making under risk and uncertainty, social context of risk, and risk management.

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The transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions will involve a significant transformation of the global energy system. This will fundamentally change where energy is generated and how it is consumed. These required changes will have broad economic, socio-environmental, and geopolitical challenges. Such as, the uneven endowment of wind and solar resources in regions that may be rich in biodiversity, with or without large human populations, or existing transmission infrastructure. However, continuing to rely on fossil fuels also exposes nations, businesses, and essential services to geopolitical instabilities and social injustice. A systematic view is needed to analyse, predict and chart viable pathways for our energy transition.

This subject provides a capstone experience for the Environmental Science major specialisation in Energy Transition, while also providing a sustainability lens for discipline-focused majors in the energy space. This subject builds upon a fundamental understanding of thermodynamics, chemical, mechanical and/or electrical energy to explore the role of energy in nature and human society. Students will learn about the various forms of energy generation with their associated environmental and social impacts, and the degree to which the supply and demand of energy must be transformed, in order to mitigate climate change while conserving biodiversity and sustainable economic development. Students will evaluate real-world decision-making problems, and develop the skills needed to assess and critique energy transition pathways towards a sustainable future.

The energy transition is also a key component of environmental, social and governance (ESG) of businesses. Students will learn from industry experiences and potentially present to an industry panel.

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This subject introduces students to the physical environment, history and development challenges facing contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa. Students will examine in detail intellectual and ethical debates surrounding the strategies undertaken by postcolonial African states and the overseas development “industry” to tackle poverty, inequality, environmental change and the colonial legacy. Students will consider how Africa’s problems are portrayed and understood by the rest of the world. Topics may include: the physical environment and competing understandings of environmental change; the history and governance of the continent; regional case studies (West Africa and the D.R. Congo); agrarian transformations and rural livelihoods; development projects and rise of the NGO; military conflict and mineral wealth; hunger, famine, and the controversies of the relief industry; forestry; wildlife conservation; and urban geographies.

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Spatial modelling and analysis underpins many successful management applications for our environment and society. Questions surrounding humans, natural environments, and the relationships between them are inherently complex and necessitate advanced spatial analysis skills to understand and solve.

This subject will provide highly desired competency in geospatial modelling. These skills are sought after in the workplace, and are also advantageous for students planning further study or research. Here, students will not only learn spatial modelling techniques, but they will also gain a thorough understanding of how to use these methods to address complex environmental, physical and human geography issues. Students will learn to analyse spatial patterns, build their own models, and relate observations to processes in natural and human environments.

This subject builds on students’ existing skills and knowledge in spatial analysis for geography. It covers advanced spatial analysis and modelling topics spanning geoprocessing, networks, accessibility, and making predictions relating to the environment (e.g. ecosystem services) or human activities (e.g. land-use change). The primary software used for this subject is ArcGIS, including the Model Builder functionality. Emphasis is placed on project-based learning through computer-based practicals and individual assignments where students build their own geospatial models to answer questions relating to physical, environmental and human geography. This subject is taught in intensive mode, centred around a 2.5 week teaching period beginning late November.

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This subject engages with critical concepts and issues related to environmental politics and policy. Special attention is paid to the political dimensions of policy development and implementation, with reference to national and international domains. Students will be introduced to relevant theories, cases, and tools for policy makers and environmental activists. Students will consider a variety of case studies including climate change, ozone depletion, water management, land conflict, forest preservation, waste and 'sustainability planning'. Case studies will be drawn from Australia, Southeast Asia, and other global contexts. The subject is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students will gain a practical understanding of issues confronting policymakers and other political actors in relation to a range of environment problems and solutions.

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Much of the world’s data relates to processes and objects situated in space. Spatial data is a rich source of insights about patterns, processes, trends and behaviours in space and time. To tap into these insights, specialised statistical, analytical and computational techniques are required.

This subject exposes students to fundamental aspects of spatial analytics. Students are introduced to key techniques and principles for the analysis of point, area, and field data, covering concepts such as point pattern analysis, spatial autocorrelation and geostatistics. As part of putting these techniques and principles into practice, students learn computational thinking approaches and acquire technical software skills in a high-level scripting language (such as Python and R) that enable them to effectively address spatial data science problems across a variety of domains.

The subject partners with other subjects on spatial data management and visualisation and is of particular relevance to people wishing to establish a career in digital infrastructure, spatial information technology, or the quantitative environmental modelling or planning sectors.

The subject delivers underlying and cross-disciplinary concepts of geographic information science (GIS) and spatial analytics in managing environmental and infrastructure data, and the visual representation of spatial and temporal information. Relating these relevant concepts to applications through case study examples from various sectors such as digital infrastructure, spatial information technology, quantitative environmental modelling, urban sustainability, and planning. Defining and realizing a student-driven project employing a modern scripting language and spatial-temporal relationships of the observed data from real world.

Students will be provided with pointers and material to familiarise themselves with the tools used in this subject before the semester starts; this element of preparation is expected for successful participation in the subject. Advice will be provided on LMS.

Please view this video for further information: Spatial Data Analytics

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This subject prepares students for environmental management roles by providing them with the principles of how human impacts on the environment might be detected and managed. The principles will be placed within the legal and social contexts of environmental impact assessment. At the completion of the subject, students should understand three aspects: prediction of the kind of changes that might occur with human activities; the design and implementation of proper monitoring programs that can detect changes; and assessment of those changes. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of principles.

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Rivers are amongst the hardest of natural resources to manage. They are long and thin, and so maximise the impact of catchment changes; they also focus environmental, social and production pressures. Rivers are the archetypal example of the conflict between private and public goods. In most western countries we have done an effective job of degrading these resources. The last 20 years has seen a transformation in the way rivers have been managed. We are now less concerned with protecting people from rivers (via flood mitigation), and more focused on environmental rehabilitation and protection. This subject equips students to manage rivers more effectively by integrating catchment management activities. In reality, there are not many things that we do to manage rivers: change landuse, change flow, change water quality, change riparian vegetation, or make structural changes to the river. In this course we concentrate on (a) how much do you have to alter each of these management levers in order to produce the most cost effective improvements in river condition and sustainability; (b) how do we integrate the management of many levers at different scales; and (c) how do we evaluate whether we have had any effect. The subject has a strong emphasis on how to develop strong and successful policy for managing natural systems. The principles for managing rivers apply to managing most natural resources, so students can be confident of learning general management and policy principles.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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This subject focuses on how to access and understand basic climate science and data and how to accurately communicate to a broader audience. The subject covers the fundamentals of climate science, including the physics and chemistry of climate change, future climate projections, climate extremes, and the interactions between the atmosphere and land, forests and the oceans. The subject also interrogates how global changes in climate lead to impacts on society, ecosystems, and economies. The subject has a particular focus on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. To develop practical skills, students will make use of these scientific reports and concepts learnt in class to prepare short assessments that clearly and concisely communicate and translate aspects of climate science. The course culminates in a negotiation session where students take on the role of a state representative within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject engages with critical concepts and issues related to environmental politics and policy. Special attention is paid to the political dimensions of policy development and implementation, with reference to national and international domains. Students will be introduced to relevant theories, cases, and tools for policy makers and environmental activists. Students will consider a variety of case studies including climate change, ozone depletion, water management, land conflict, forest preservation, waste and 'sustainability planning'. Case studies will be drawn from Australia, Southeast Asia, and other global contexts. The subject is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students will gain a practical understanding of issues confronting policymakers and other political actors in relation to a range of environment problems and solutions.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Environmental Risk Assessment aims to provide you with the skills to undertake and critically evaluate environmental risk assessments. We outline the history and social context of risk and explore the psychology of risk perception. You will be introduced to quantitative and qualitative tools with the objective of giving you the ability to select, apply and assess technical and socially based risk assessment. The subject is structured to develop your skills in writing reports and participating in group exercises.

While the contact period is six intensive days, the learning period is longer. Reading materials are distributed in May and a small assessment task is set to encourage you to be fully prepared. You will be required to complete a take-home examination and a substantial practical report in the weeks following the course.

The subject is made up of lectures in the mornings and practical exercises in the afternoons. It assumes no formal background in quantitative methods. An understanding of basic statistical concepts (means, medians, standard deviations, confidence intervals, basic linear regression) is an advantage. If you have not been involved in an undergraduate statistics class before, contact the subject coordinator to discuss your options.

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This subject develops the skills to understand and assess the social impacts of development, including international development projects, resource management, and proposed infrastructure or new policies. We do this in two ways: by looking at how to assess the impacts of proposed projects, and through evaluation techniques for existing developments or projects. In each case we develop practical skills and interdisciplinary techniques to appraise and evaluate impacts. These techniques draw from anthropology, development studies, and the policy sciences, and move beyond simple summative assessments and financial accounting. We consider the social and environmental contexts in which any form of appraisal is embedded, and the capacities of different actors (from the state to NGOs and community groups) to avert or mitigate negative impacts through learning, negotiation, and citizen participation. Examples, some presented by guest speakers, are drawn from Australia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. At the completion of the subject students will have developed the conceptual skills to understand the impacts of development; be familiar with the range of methodologies and techniques used in impact assessment; understand development evaluation; and will be able to apply this in critical evaluation of the impact of projects and programmes.

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Currently, there is more than sufficient food produced on a global scale to feed the population. This has been an upward trend throughout agricultural history, whereby humans have altered their cultivation habits to produce more. However, the continued rise in productivity is unlikely to continue under current systems within which resources are finite. The full impacts of this on a global scale are yet to be experienced by much of the population, largely in developed areas, although viability has dropped in many food producing systems due to increases in input costs of fuel, water, fertilizers and pest and disease control. Meanwhile, at the regional scale, food production systems are already found to be unsustainable with dropping productivity in previously fertile and highly productive areas. The reasons for the production declines are varied and complex, ranging from climate impacts to unsustainable cultivation methods leading to land degradation, reduced fertility and biodiversity required for healthy ecosystems.

This subject will explore the biological issues contributing to the reduction of productivity we are currently observing in these fragile agricultural systems and explore the future issues that are likely to impact on systems thought to currently be more stable. We will thereby understand the components that contribute to sustainable food productivity and learn which of these are most unsustainable and will require future investment in systems change to maintain productivity.

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Archaeological science is an intersection of natural sciences and cultural heritage that covers a wide range of examples of interdisciplinary scientific applications to archaeological and cultural heritage questions. This subject will introduce students to the key knowledge and theoretical frameworks essential for archaeological science studies and form the foundation for further studies in the area. Key geoscience-based areas to be discussed include dating and chronometry methods, compositional analysis, analytical approaches, provenance, isotopic analysis, and experimental archaeology. The cultural focus will be on Indigenous and Australian archaeology, as well as input from related studies from world archaeological science. The subject will also examine the relationship of past societies to current societies.

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This subject focuses on how to access and understand basic climate science and data and how to accurately communicate to a broader audience. The subject covers the fundamentals of climate science, including the physics and chemistry of climate change, future climate projections, climate extremes, and the interactions between the atmosphere and land, forests and the oceans. The subject also interrogates how global changes in climate lead to impacts on society, ecosystems, and economies. The subject has a particular focus on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. To develop practical skills, students will make use of these scientific reports and concepts learnt in class to prepare short assessments that clearly and concisely communicate and translate aspects of climate science. The course culminates in a negotiation session where students take on the role of a state representative within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject teaches practical skills and applied knowledge for a range of careers in geoscience. It builds on an understanding of fundamental geological processes and systems and explores a range of topics including: resource exploration, responsible extraction of water and mineral resources, ore deposits, hazards, remediation, sustainability and infrastructure applications. The subject is based on four modules in sequence: 1. Mineral Futures, 2. Applied Geophysics, 3. Engineering Geoscience, 4. Environmental Geoscience and Water Resources. Each module includes background theory, topical discussion and practical classes, with a strong emphasis on case studies from past and present. One of the modules will include a one-day field trip which will focus on an ongoing remediation challenge in Victoria, and draws together the different aspects of the course. The course will bring together theoretical frameworks, active research and industry applications.

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This subject explores the vast diversity of life that has inhabited planet Earth throughout its 4.5 billion year history and biology’s dynamic role in shaping Earth’s environments; from the inhospitable early Earth to the modern world we see around us. From the perspectives of energy flow, metabolism, species-species interactions, and evolutionary innovation, we explore the origin of life, photosynthesis and the oxygenation of the atmosphere, biogeochemical cycles, and life in extreme environments. Using paleontological principles we unravel the vast amount of information contained within fossils, including: paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on microfossil compositions; and broad evolutionary patterns of speciation and extinction spanning the appearance of the first biomineralized tissues half a billion years ago, to the rise and fall of dinosaurs and mammalian megafauna. The topics covered in this course also provide insight into a range of problems in the energy, minerals and environmental industry sectors.

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This subject deals with structural geology, large scale tectonic processes and methods for extracting geological information from geophysical datasets. In the structural geology and tectonics component, students explore advanced aspects of tectonics to link deformation processes and features across a range of scales, including via field work. The subject will begin with a one-week pre-semester field trip to East Gippsland, where students will develop their geological mapping, regional geology and structural analysis skills. This field trip will also include intensive style teaching with a parallel lecture and practical program held on-site. In the geophysics component, students explore potential fields, focusing on the gravity and magnetic methods and how they can be used to understand geology. Students work with industry standard software (e.g. Geosoft - Oasis Montaj) which performs the maths in the background. Topics include: maps, projection systems, datums and GPS; theory, acquisition, processing and interpretation steps involved for gravity and magnetic methods; image enhancement and qualitative interpretation techniques.

The field trip will take place in the weeks immediately prior to the normal commencement of classes for Semester 1. The estimated cost of the field trip is $380 but this may vary slightly at time of field trip.

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Earth’s sediments record over 4 billion years of environmental evolution and host our modern societies’ water resources. This subject gives a broad introduction to the sedimentary record of Earth’s history as well as groundwater systems in sedimentary aquifers. Topics covered include facies analysis and petrology of carbonate, terrigenous and chemical sediments; techniques used in stratigraphic analysis; sedimentary geochemistry and its applications; post-depositional processes, including diagenesis and weathering, that alter rocks after their formation; chemical interactions between minerals and groundwater in weathered rocks and weathering products; application of sedimentary geology to understanding sediment-hosted resources; characterisation of surface and groundwater systems; rock properties affecting groundwater flow; water balance; groundwater resource assessment; and groundwater supported ecosystems.

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This subject will examine the role that geochemistry plays in Earth processes. It will begin with an exploration of the foundations of geochemistry, from the behaviour of elements to the analysis of elemental and isotopic compositions, integrating principles across chemistry and physics, and applying this to systems at all scales. We will explore the many ways in which geochemical data preserved in minerals, plants and animals can provide qualitative and quantitative insights into processes as varied as the formation of our planet, to the migration of past peoples, all the way to its use in modern forensics and medicine. We will see how geochemistry is applied across many contexts, including: paleoclimate reconstruction, green resource exploration, archaeological science, marine science and even medicine. The subject emphasises maturation of fundamentals and application to real-world scientific inquiry involving geochemical methods, e.g. critically evaluating several possible analytical approaches, and identifying/applying the most scientifically sound. Subject also refines student ability to navigate communication of highly specialised geochemical methods to scientific problems, simulating the experience of a modern working scientist in and outside academia.

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This subject is designed to develop students’ understanding of the physical processes, dynamics and linkages operating within the earth’s coastal systems. The beaches, dunes, estuaries and rocky cliffs that comprise the coast are some of the most intensively utilised landscapes worldwide and Australia is no exception. Population growth, development, and climate change are pushing natural functioning systems to the brink. However, intense human impact is only a relatively recent phenomenon. Coastal landforms operate over much longer timescales than people. Beaches and dunes have natural cycles of erosion and deposition over decadal to centennial scales while cliff erosion may relate to a history developed over several hundred thousand years. It is therefore impossible to successfully manage, or simply enjoy this environment, without knowledge of how it evolved and operates. During this subject we will explore the operation and management of the key landforms found at the shore. The drivers of change on the coast, from waves and sea level to weathering and sediment, will all be analysed. The key management strategies from seawalls to nature-based infrastructure will be discussed and critiqued. Only through a thorough understanding how landforms operate can our coasts be managed for current and future generations. This subject will equip you with the skills and knowledge fundamental for a successful career in the public, private and not-for-profit environmental sectors. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will provide students the opportunity to develop skills in field geology that are highly valued in the environmental, resource development, engineering, and mining industries. Students will learn to identify minerals, rocks, sediments, structures, and geomorphic features in the field and using remote sensing imagery, and to express them through geological maps, cross-sections and reports. Students will learn how to collate and interpret diverse geological observations and to use these data to develop models of geological histories across multiple time-scales. Students will gain a rich understanding of how geological mapping and other field methods can be used to inform decision-making across a wide array of contemporary challenges, including hazard identification, risk reduction, and sustaining future Earth. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips

View detailed information in the Handbook

Spatial modelling and analysis underpins many successful management applications for our environment and society. Questions surrounding humans, natural environments, and the relationships between them are inherently complex and necessitate advanced spatial analysis skills to understand and solve.

This subject will provide highly desired competency in geospatial modelling. These skills are sought after in the workplace, and are also advantageous for students planning further study or research. Here, students will not only learn spatial modelling techniques, but they will also gain a thorough understanding of how to use these methods to address complex environmental, physical and human geography issues. Students will learn to analyse spatial patterns, build their own models, and relate observations to processes in natural and human environments.

This subject builds on students’ existing skills and knowledge in spatial analysis for geography. It covers advanced spatial analysis and modelling topics spanning geoprocessing, networks, accessibility, and making predictions relating to the environment (e.g. ecosystem services) or human activities (e.g. land-use change). The primary software used for this subject is ArcGIS, including the Model Builder functionality. Emphasis is placed on project-based learning through computer-based practicals and individual assignments where students build their own geospatial models to answer questions relating to physical, environmental and human geography. This subject is taught in intensive mode, centred around a 2.5 week teaching period beginning late November.

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject will show how to assess sedimentary basins for their resource potential, particularly those resources dependent upon porosity and permeability, such as geothermal energy, water, hydrocarbons and gas/CO2-storage. The skills taught come primarily from the petroleum industry, including seismic interpretation, borehole analysis, core-logging and temperature measurement, but are applied to assess all resources. Students will assess the ESE (economic, social and environmental) value of the resources. Students will each present and promote a farm-out investment opportunity and will be given an investment portfolio. Each student will be required to rank the opportunities against their portfolio. Practically, this will be achieved by comparing and contrasting eastern Australia basins of different types; the Palaeozoic Drummond Basin in Queensland, and the Mesozoic-Tertiary Gippsland-Otway Basins in Victoria. The key assignment will be to analyse the origin, fill, sediment properties and tectonic history of each basin and to assess its resource potential. The subject will include a one-day field excursion to Peninsula Hot Springs geothermal bathing and spa resort on the Mornington Peninsula. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips

View detailed information in the Handbook

This subject combines practical spatial data management with the underpinning theories of spatial and spatiotemporal data representation and handling from Geographic Information Science. Spatial information is answering ‘where’ and ‘when’ questions – which are fundamental in decision making in complex systems, be it in urban planning, traffic and infrastructure management, environmental management, public health and sustainability, or any other social, economic, and environmental context.

The subject introduces foundations of effective, efficient, and large-scale spatial data management. This subject will cover the concepts, methods, and approaches that allow for efficient representation, querying, and retrieval of spatial data, in a modern ecosystem of spatial databases interfacing a geographic information system.

The knowledge acquired is fundamental for subsequent studies in spatial data analytics and visualisation, and is of particular relevance to people wishing to establish a career in the spatial information, the environmental, or the planning industry. It is also suited for every postgraduate student who is looking for solid skills with Geographic Information Systems.

In this subject, we will discuss the intricacies of computational representation and management of spatial information. The subject takes a spatial database perspective to management of extensive spatial datasets. The subject will cover the modelling, loading, transformation, analysis, and retrieval of spatial data in spatial databases. The subject covers data representations (vector, raster, and network data); spatial operations, including geometric, topological, set-oriented, and network operations; spatial indexes and access methods, including quadtrees and R-trees. The subject exposes the students to the whole lifecycle of spatial data management in a team-based project.

Please view this video for further information: Spatial Data Management

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This subject will investigate, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the fundamental physical and chemical processes governing groundwater flow and composition, including aquifer properties, regional geology, hydrology and water-rock interactions. Field and laboratory methods such as well tests, water analysis in the field and in the laboratory and data analysis are demonstrated and used to characterise hydraulic conductivity and mixing, water types and potential contamination. A one-week field excursion to the Newer Volcanic Province and the Limestone Coast will draw together many of these concepts and will emphasise surface and groundwater connectivity and groundwater supported ecosystems.

This subject will have a 1-week intensive field trip that will be delivered in the week prior to the start of Semester 1 (pre-teaching period) and 6 weeks of teaching during weeks 1-6 of Semester 1.

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This subject comprises two intensive modules - Module 1: Geology of Gold and Module 2: Ore Deposits of Critical Minerals.

Module 1 provides a broad coverage of gold geology and exploration, as well as some of the latest research ideas and how they apply to mineral exploration. The module covers all major types of gold deposits with emphasis on Archaean deposits of Western Australia and slate-belt deposits of the Victorian gold province.

Module 2 provides an overview of the geology of major ore deposits hosting critical minerals for the energy transition. The module will also introduce some of the theoretical concepts involved in ore formation.

In both modules, the core sub-discipline areas of geochemistry, structural geology and deposit geology are covered at a level to enable participants to take their place in industry and government teams and make a contribution in all of these areas. The combined modules focus on a holistic approach that uses all applicable fields of geology to address issues pertaining to precious metal and magmatic ore deposits.

This subject is delivered in weeks 1 and 3 of Semester 1.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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This subject prepares students for environmental management roles by providing them with the principles of how human impacts on the environment might be detected and managed. The principles will be placed within the legal and social contexts of environmental impact assessment. At the completion of the subject, students should understand three aspects: prediction of the kind of changes that might occur with human activities; the design and implementation of proper monitoring programs that can detect changes; and assessment of those changes. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of principles.

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Rivers are amongst the hardest of natural resources to manage. They are long and thin, and so maximise the impact of catchment changes; they also focus environmental, social and production pressures. Rivers are the archetypal example of the conflict between private and public goods. In most western countries we have done an effective job of degrading these resources. The last 20 years has seen a transformation in the way rivers have been managed. We are now less concerned with protecting people from rivers (via flood mitigation), and more focused on environmental rehabilitation and protection. This subject equips students to manage rivers more effectively by integrating catchment management activities. In reality, there are not many things that we do to manage rivers: change landuse, change flow, change water quality, change riparian vegetation, or make structural changes to the river. In this course we concentrate on (a) how much do you have to alter each of these management levers in order to produce the most cost effective improvements in river condition and sustainability; (b) how do we integrate the management of many levers at different scales; and (c) how do we evaluate whether we have had any effect. The subject has a strong emphasis on how to develop strong and successful policy for managing natural systems. The principles for managing rivers apply to managing most natural resources, so students can be confident of learning general management and policy principles.

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AIMS

To introduce students to the techniques and technology of remote sensing: the extraction of information from satellite and airborne image data. This subject assumes prior knowledge of image processing techniques such as that acquired in subjects such as GEOM30009 Imaging the Environment. Students passing this subject will have the skills to work under supervision in a spatial information or remote sensing agency of consultancy providing services, for example, to natural resource managers.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Use of image processing systems. High level digital image processing, correction and classification; applications of remote sensing in the geosciences, engineering, and resource assessment and inventory; image data in geographic information systems. Detailed application studies in emergency/disaster management, environmental assessment and geological mapping.

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Archaeological science is an intersection of natural sciences and cultural heritage that covers a wide range of examples of interdisciplinary scientific applications to archaeological and cultural heritage questions. This subject will introduce students to the key knowledge and theoretical frameworks essential for archaeological science studies and form the foundation for further studies in the area. Key geoscience-based areas to be discussed include dating and chronometry methods, compositional analysis, analytical approaches, provenance, isotopic analysis, and experimental archaeology. The cultural focus will be on Indigenous and Australian archaeology, as well as input from related studies from world archaeological science. The subject will also examine the relationship of past societies to current societies.

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Environmental Risk Assessment aims to provide you with the skills to undertake and critically evaluate environmental risk assessments. We outline the history and social context of risk and explore the psychology of risk perception. You will be introduced to quantitative and qualitative tools with the objective of giving you the ability to select, apply and assess technical and socially based risk assessment. The subject is structured to develop your skills in writing reports and participating in group exercises.

While the contact period is six intensive days, the learning period is longer. Reading materials are distributed in May and a small assessment task is set to encourage you to be fully prepared. You will be required to complete a take-home examination and a substantial practical report in the weeks following the course.

The subject is made up of lectures in the mornings and practical exercises in the afternoons. It assumes no formal background in quantitative methods. An understanding of basic statistical concepts (means, medians, standard deviations, confidence intervals, basic linear regression) is an advantage. If you have not been involved in an undergraduate statistics class before, contact the subject coordinator to discuss your options.

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The analysis of real neural networks and the construction of artificial neural networks afford mutually synergistic technologies with broad application within and beyond neuroscience. Artificial neural networks, and other machine learning methods, have found numerous applications in analysis and modelling, and have produced insights into numerous complex phenomena (and generated huge economic value). Such technologies can also be used to gain insights into the biological systems that inspired their creation: we will explore how learning is instantiated in artificial and biological neural networks.

The subject aims to provide foundation skills for those who may wish to peruse neuroscience - or any research or work environment that involves the creation or capture, and analysis, of complex data. Students will gain experience with digital signals and digital signal processing (whether those signals are related to images, molecular data, connectomes, or electrophysiological recordings), and will learn how to conceptualise and implement approaches to modelling data by constructing an artificial neural network using the Python programming language.

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This subject explores the fundamental organisational features and functional principles of the nervous system: from the biology of nerve cells and neural circuits to complex behaviours. We consider simple reflex and pattern generating circuits through to sensory and motor systems, and examine the brain regions and processes involved in higher functions such as social cognition and reasoning. The multidisciplinary nature of modern neuroscience is emphasised; students should gain an appreciation of how life science disciplines (such as Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Psychobiology) have increased our understanding of nervous system function, and how Neuroscience overlaps with other areas of related study (such as Cognitive Science, Information Science, Linguistics, and Experimental and Clinical Psychology).

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The human brain is, arguably, the most complex structure on earth. This subject examines how a simple sheet of cells in the early embryo is fashioned into a functioning brain -. You will learn how cells within the primordial nervous system are assigned different fates, how neural stem cells are stimulated to divide to produce the billions of cells that comprise the nervous system and how these cells differentiate into mature neurons. The subject will examine how neural circuits are established as newly-born neurons send out axons,making functional synaptic connections with specific target cells.

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The subject is structured to build upon students’ understanding of the basic principles behind the development and function of the nervous system, developed in the prerequisite neuroscience subject/s. It will extend upon students’ understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the peripheral and central auditory systems, including aspects of balance function, speech production and development of the inner ear. Following these core lectures, students’ will be exposed to the applications of this knowledge to addressing pathologies of the auditory system, including relevant lectures from international leaders in cochlear implant research, emerging gene- and cell-based therapies, drug delivery platforms, auditory cortical plasticity and artificial hearing and voice.

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The subject builds on students’ understanding of the basic principles behind the functioning of the nervous system, developed in the prerequisite neuroscience subject/s. It develops students’ understanding of the structure, function and development underlying the processing of visual information from the eyes to the further reaches of the brain. The subject provides a thorough understanding of the various levels of the visual pathway and the neural mechanisms that enable visual functions such as perceiving form, colour, depth and movement and how visually-guided action is executed. It will also explore the basis of higher brain functions, such as visual attention and reading and also how eye movements are controlled and vision is related to other senses such as balance, hearing and touch. The subject will provide a number of examples of how disorders of the neural processing lead to specific clinical syndromes.

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Aberrations in the structure and expression of hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters and their receptors can give rise to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. To understand the molecular basis of these diseases, it is essential to know how hormones, growth factors and neurotransmitters are synthesised, and how their signals are recognised, amplified and transmitted by intracellular signalling pathways in the target cells.

Topics covered, to illustrate the importance of signalling in health and disease, include the structures of the major classes of signalling receptors, the mechanisms of intercellular and intracellular signal transduction, second messengers, examples of post-translational modifications such as protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, ubiquitination and S-nitrosylation and their impact on signalling, mechanisms of cell death and autophagy, and innate immune signalling.

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The working of the brain and nervous system is an important frontier of modern medicine and nerves are the target for many important drugs. This subject will address how drugs modulate the processes of neuronal communication and survival in the context of the management of mood and emotional disorders, addictive behaviours, neuro-degenerative diseases, pain and epilepsy. This subject will also discuss strategies for the development of future therapeutics. Students will gain an appreciation of how a detailed understanding of pathophysiological processes is important for the rational development of new therapeutics.

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Students and leading neuroscience researchers will discuss, debate and analyse research programs that examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural function in health and disease. In-depth consideration of these programs will examine what dictates the choices of model systems and the methods of analysis; what sort of technical and analytical skills researchers need to conduct their research; the factors that limits progress in the research programs, and what opportunities exit for the translation of research discoveries into therapies.

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This subject aims to prepare students for the processes and strategies at the core of modern biomedical research. Using self-directed learning strategies, students will be guided through a series of online modules to serve as preparation for their own research projects. Modules on ethical considerations in biomedical research, data integrity and legislation, will equip students to consider these in the context of their own research. Students will learn about the importance of accurate research records, data documentation, and effective reference management including the use of an electronic laboratory notebook and reference management software. Real-world examples will be used to introduce experimental design and core statistical techniques enabling students to plan experiments and analyse their own data. The students will further leverage resources developed by expert scientific communicators to aid in effective communication of their research, in both written and oral form, to a lay audience. The integration of a “Conversational Questions” assessment will additionally provide opportunity for students’ to critically appraise aspects of experimental design and data analysis along with the current state of literature in their chosen field of research. Collectively, the skills gained provide a foundational introduction to biomedical research preparing them for their research projects.

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This subject will offer students a foundation in developing a biomedical research discovery into a new therapeutic approach. In a series of workshops students will be introduced to the basics of research translation and the importance of data management and intellectual property strategy. Students will learn about the process and time scales involved in technology transfer and the challenges of transitioning from a research mindset into a development mindset. They will learn about the regulatory framework required to progress biomedical discoveries and the importance of project management, negotiation and relationship building with industry and government. Each module consists of a masterclass supported by webinars and print resources to deepen further the understanding of the topic.

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Neuroscience research is characterized by the breadth of its conceptual and technical approaches; students will discuss and debate a wide variety modern neuroscience research programs with leading neuroscience researchers. The focus is on research directed at understanding neural function at the level of circuits and systems. In-depth consideration of these programs will examine what dictates the choices of model systems and methods of analysis; what sort of technical and analytical skills researchers need to conduct their research; the factors that limits progress in the research programs, and what opportunities exit for the translation of research discoveries into therapies.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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This subject will introduce a range of specialised and emerging research techniques and technologies and apply them to understanding contemporary research problems relating to infection and immunity. The principles and scientific basis underpinning methods to study (i) the expression and regulation of host and/or pathogen genes/proteins and (ii) techniques to visualise these factors will be explained. The application of these techniques to current cutting-edge science and technology will be analysed and explored. This subject will be taught by scientists who are research leaders in the discipline using relevant pathogen and disease-specific case examples. Students will engage with the content of this subject through a series of online pre-recorded lectures, live seminars and workshops, and laboratory based practical classes.

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This subject will enable students to understand how scientific discoveries from diagnostic, surveillance and basic research laboratories contribute to broader research programs in infection and immunity dedicated to the control of pathogens and disease within the wider population and environment. Through a series of lectures, seminars and discussion groups, students will learn about the principles of containment of specific pathogens within the laboratory setting, and the underlying regulatory framework required to maintain laboratory standards and progress biomedical discoveries. This subject will be taught by scientists who specialise in diagnostic, surveillance and basic research relating to specific infectious pathogens. The subject includes an optional 1-day (9am-4pm) excursion to CSIRO - Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong.

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Personalized medicine is the end goal of advances in genomics. Many patients are now able to have their genome sequenced and many, many new human sequence variants are being discovered on a weekly basis. How can these data be analysed to benefit the patient? How can we interpret genomic data to determine if a sequence variant is likely to be pathological or be causative for a specific disease phenotype. This subject will provide students with experience of a pipeline that can be used to analyse genomic variants and a framework for decision-making about the types of laboratory studies that can be utilized to gain further information about a gene and related sequence variants.

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Mammalian cells are the building blocks of our bodies, the foundries and factories of our medicines. With recent advances in gene engineering, cultured cells are no longer simply tools to study disease, but are a living therapeutic product. Pluripotent stem cells form a front-line to advances in cell manufacturing, as these can be engineered from cells cultured from any individual and in combination with gene therapy are forming the next generation of precision treatments for a range of diseases. In this subject, students will explore the recent and exciting history of cell and gene therapies, and develop a deep understanding of the foundational principles of growing, engineering, and scaling cells for successful manufacturing. Working with leading industry partners, students will work on real-life challenges facing the sector today, and will develop the essential attributes to design and manufacture the next generation of cell-based products.

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In health, metabolic function involves the integrated operation of all body systems to ensure that metabolic fuel supply is attuned to the fuel usage requirements of every organ, tissue and cell. In metabolic disease, the integrated operations of the primary fuel supply regulator (liver) and the major energy consumer tissues (especially heart and skeletal muscle) are disrupted. Metabolic disruption is the basis of major global health burdens - including diabetes, obesity, heart failure, and cancer. In this subject Researchers will lead discussions to introduce students to the paradigms of metabolic research, examining how questions can be formulated to drive knowledge forward and how different models and technologies can be used to generate translational outcomes.

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The past decade has seen a growing interest in metabolism research which is reshaping our understanding of human physiology and disease, with the ultimate goal to aid in better treatment and prevention of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, cancer and related metabolic diseases. This subject will bring together some of the most outstanding metabolism researchers, with a strong translational focus, to introduce interested students to the innovative technologies utilised in the metabolism field in both academia and industry. This subject will provide theoretical and hands-on experience in state-of-the-art innovative technologies for discovery and translational metabolism research, including measures of glycaemia, mass spectrometry-based approaches, as well as gene/protein therapy and pharmaceutical interventions.

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Please refer to Research Project B (MDS) Part 1 for details.

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Microscopy is the key technique for imaging fine structure in biological specimens. This subject will introduce the range of methods and capabilities of light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscopy, as well as the methods of specimen preparation for standard histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. The principles and scientific basis underpinning the various methods and techniques will be explained, and applications to current cutting-edge science and technology will be discussed. Practical and project work will include demonstration of equipment and analysis of images and data.

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This subject is designed to provide students with detailed training in statistical methods as applied to the design and analysis of projects undertaken by postgraduate students, across all disciplines.

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Successful commercialisation of scientific discoveries and new technologies occurs in a unique business environment where scientific and business interests and personalities must productively interact.

The subject will develop a critical understanding of the context in which the commercialisation of science occurs, and the opportunities and challenges encountered. Topics covered within the subject will include the nature and types of intellectual property (IP), how it can be protected, valued, managed and strengthened, its use as a commercial tool, exploration of the barriers to commercialisation, what strategies can be used to exploit IP, how to develop a commercial plan and leverage finance for the commercialisation of IP.

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This subject examines the workplace environment and the range of competencies needed to operate effectively. Communication is central to success in the workplace, from proposing projects, consulting and influencing colleagues, through to reporting. Students will gain a range of communication skills in writing, oral and presentation skills, and using graphics and statistics, to communicate science to others with whom they work.

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This subject will give an overview of the tools required to operate successfully in an organisational environment. The focus of the subject is the internal workings of an organisation and specifically addresses three main areas: working with people, managing budgets and understanding basic accounting, and managing processes and projects.

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Bioinformatics is a key research tool in modern agriculture, medicine, and the life sciences in general. It forms a bridge between complex experimental and clinical data and the elucidation of biological knowledge. This subject presents bioinformatics in the context of its role in science, using examples from a variety of fields to illustrate the history, current status, and future directions of bioinformatics research and practice.

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In this subject, students will develop and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how to use computer code to analyse, visualise and make evidence-based decisions from large data sets. By developing an understanding of a solid understanding of the theory and practice of data science for biomedical research, students will gain the necessary knowledge to identify and evaluate suitable data analysis tools for application in biomedical and clinical data sets via coding tutorials utilising AI co-piloting models. Lectures will cover data visualisation and visual communication, core statistical concepts including machine learning methods, and their application in the analysis of biomolecular data and health informatics.

This subject will be delivered through online lectures that delve into the principles of data analysis and AI, and its practical implementation in biomedical research. To enhance the learning experience, students will gain valuable practical training in the R software language that will teach them reproducible and transparent data science practices and responsible use of AI assistance whilst building foundational skills in data analysis and visualisation and basic statistical analysis. Students will learn to perform analysis on datasets pertaining to bioinformatics and disease, and communicate findings through code-based (markdown) reports and oral presentations.

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Statistical mechanics, the microscopic basis of classical thermodynamics, is developed in this subject. It is one of the core areas of physics, finding wide application in solid state physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and cosmology.

Using fundamental ideas from quantum physics, a systematic treatment of statistical mechanics is developed for systems in equilibrium. The content of this subject includes ensembles and the basic postulate; the statistical basis of the second and third laws of thermodynamics; canonical, micro-canonical and grand-canonical ensembles and associated statistical and thermodynamic functions; ideal quantum gases; black body radiation; the classical limit and an introduction to real gases and applications to solid state physics.

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This subject provides an introduction to electrodynamics and a wide range of applications including communications, superconductors, plasmas, novel materials, photonics and astrophysics. Topics include: revision of Maxwell’s equations, strategies for solving boundary value problems for static and time-varying fields, electromagnetic fields in materials (including dielectrics, magnetic materials, conductors, plasmas and metamaterials), electromagnetic waves, derivation of geometric optics from Maxwell’s equations, guided waves, relativistic electrodynamics and the covariant formulation of electrodynamics, radiation by antennas and accelerating charged particles.

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This subject will build on the experience gained in second year practical chemistry through the synthesis and characterisation of complex molecules, the acquisition and interpretation of advanced spectroscopic and physical data and the investigation of chemical systems through computational techniques. It consists of a series of laboratory-based experiments aimed at developing skills in the synthesis, safe handling and analysis of chemical substances of a range of different classes of compounds; an understanding of modern characterisation techniques (e.g. chromatography, atomic and molecular spectroscopy); and the operation of instrumentation for the acquisition of kinetic, structural and thermodynamic data.

A component of this subject will also involve the development of skills in independent practical work through the design and implementation of experimental procedures and techniques, and data interpretation. The subject will also provide opportunities for the development of scientific writing and presentation skills, problem solving and small group collaboration, while introducing resources and software commonly used within chemical research fields (i.e. scientific databases, chemical drawing software, molecular modelling & optimisation, etc).

In addition to increased proficiency in standard techniques, this subject provides an introduction into research-based chemistry through integrated and themed experiments. It will provide skill development in a range of techniques utilised in the modern chemistry laboratory.

The subject provides experience across multiple traditional chemical disciplines whilst highlighting the importance of these disciplines in diverse 'real world' applications such as materials science and medicinal chemistry.

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The subject offers a range of projects in modules that offer experience in laboratory techniques and computational methods; the relative weights are indicated in the module descriptions. Students must select four projects with a combined weighting that contains at least 25% Computational Physics and 25% Laboratory Physics. The laboratory projects include nuclear physics, particle physics, diffraction, electronics, atomic physics, optical physics and astronomy. The computational projects are designed to develop programming skills and to introduce a range of numerical methods commonly used in physics research will be based on model problems in physics; these may include electronic structure theory, molecular vibrations, stellar structure, quantum spin systems, large-scale magnetic systems and gravitational lensing by point masses. Some projects may be offered that merge laboratory and computational work with approximately equal weighting.

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This subject provides an advanced introduction to condensed matter physics. The general topics covered are (i) experimental and theoretical aspects of the characterisation of condensed matter using electrons and x-rays and (ii) the quantum model of solids and its relevance to semiconductor and mesoscopic physics. Specific topics covered may include: (i) the imaging of condensed matter at the atomic level and (ii) the determination of how atoms are bonded; (iii) application of imaging beyond the nanoscale; (iv) magnetism; (v) superconductivity; (vi) the properties of semiconductor devices and (vii) mesoscopic systems.

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This subject provides an advanced introduction to Einstein's theory of general relativity. Specific topics may inlcude special relativity, manifolds and curvature, experimental tests, Einstein's equations, the Schwarzschild solution and black holes, weak fields and gravitational radiation. Examples will be drawn from particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.

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Quantum Mechanics introduces a dramatically new and rich understanding of the universe. In addition to providing a much deeper insight into the world of atoms and subatomic particles than afforded by classical Newtonian physics, Quantum Mechanics underpins advances in science across all disciplines, from molecular biology to astrophysics. This subject provides a rigorous mathematical formalism for advanced quantum mechanics, laying the foundation for further fundamental theoretical physics and research-level experimental physics in frontier areas such as quantum communication and quantum computation.

The subject describes the Hilbert-space formulation of quantum wave mechanics, including density matrix descriptions for single and joint Hilbert space systems; symmetries and conservation laws including rotations and angular momentum; the path integral approach; perturbation theory applications, and scattering theory.

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This subject introduces quantum field theory, the combination of quantum mechanics and relativity that explains the fundamental structure of matter and the physics of the early universe. The course has an emphasis on quantum electrodynamics. Specific topics will include an introduction to classical field theory, the Euler-Lagrange equations and Noether’s theorem; the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations; the quantisation of free scalar, Dirac and vector fields; covariant perturbation theory, the Smatrix and Feynman diagrams; the computation of elementary processes in quantum electrodynamics.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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Statistical mechanics, the microscopic basis of classical thermodynamics, is developed in this subject. It is one of the core areas of physics, finding wide application in solid state physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and cosmology.

Using fundamental ideas from quantum physics, a systematic treatment of statistical mechanics is developed for systems in equilibrium. The content of this subject includes ensembles and the basic postulate; the statistical basis of the second and third laws of thermodynamics; canonical, micro-canonical and grand-canonical ensembles and associated statistical and thermodynamic functions; ideal quantum gases; black body radiation; the classical limit and an introduction to real gases and applications to solid state physics.

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Particle Physics is the study of the elementary constituents of matter, and the fundamental forces of nature. The subject introduces modern elementary particle physics, with an emphasis on the theoretical description of the Standard Model of Particle Physics and its experimental basis. Specific topics may include basic group theory; parity and CP violation; global and local symmetries; non-abelian gauge theory; QCD and the quark model; running coupling constants and asymptotic freedom; spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism; the complete Standard Model Lagrangian; interactions of particles with matter; accelerators and detectors; deep inelastic scattering and structure functions; flavour mixing and neutrino oscillations.

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Optics and photonics are vibrant international research areas, advancing many aspects of modern life. From the determination of the structure and function of biomolecules to the study of stars and galaxies; from high-efficiency lighting to innovative display technologies, our understanding of optics relies on fundamental underpinnings in advanced quantum mechanics and wave theory.

The course includes the foundations of modern optical theory, including Fourier transforms in optics and diffraction-based imaging; non-linear optical processes such as generation of white light from femtosecond laser pulses, gigahertz optical modulators, and liquid crystal displays; light-atom interactions, the Einstein description of lasers, and optical Bloch equations; holography; quantum optics including zero-point energy and vacuum fluctuations; quantum states of light and quantum squeezing; laser cooling of atoms, atom interferometry, and Bose-Einstein condensation.

Students will develop both analytic and computational problem-solving methods, the latter using standard tools such as MATLAB.

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Quantum field theory has been at the forefront of important breakthroughs in both physics and mathematics in past decades. This subject develops an advanced understanding of the quantum properties of non-Abelian gauge theory via the use of modern field-theoretical methods. Non-Abelian gauge theory is the underlying structure behind the Standard Model of particle physics.

The subject introduces path integrals (including for fermions) in field theory. We develop functional methods to derive Feynman rules from the path integral and calculate the effective action and effective potential. Another major topic is renormalisation. We will explore renormalisation using the method of dimensional regularisation to calculate loop integrals. We will derive the Callan-Symanzik equation and the implications of renormalisation group flow such as asymptotic freedom. We will also study the subtleties of quantising non-Abelian gauge theories through topics such as gauge fixing, Fadeev-Popov ghosts and BRST invariance.

Time permitting, further specific topics may be taken from effective field theory and power-counting, anomalies, non-perturbative techniques, topological defects, and other extended objects in field theory.

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This subject provides an introduction to electrodynamics and a wide range of applications including communications, superconductors, plasmas, novel materials, photonics and astrophysics. Topics include: revision of Maxwell’s equations, strategies for solving boundary value problems for static and time-varying fields, electromagnetic fields in materials (including dielectrics, magnetic materials, conductors, plasmas and metamaterials), electromagnetic waves, derivation of geometric optics from Maxwell’s equations, guided waves, relativistic electrodynamics and the covariant formulation of electrodynamics, radiation by antennas and accelerating charged particles.

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This subject provides an advanced introduction to non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. The subject focuses on collective phenomena in complex many-body systems with an emphasis on diffusive processes, stability and the emergence of long-range order, with examples drawn from physics, chemistry, biology and economics. Specific topics include diffusive stochastic processes (Fokker-Planck equations), birth-death processes (master equations), kinetic transport, and spatio-temporal pattern formation in unstable nonlinear systems (bifurcations, chaos, reaction-diffusion equations).

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This subject provides an advanced introduction to physical cosmology. Specific topics may include the isotropic homogeneous Universe, the Robertson Walker metric, the Friedmann equations, baryogenesis, inflation, big-bang nucleosynthesis, the recombination era, density fluctuations as the origin of galaxies, the cosmic microwave background, linear and non-linear growth of structure, the Press-Schechter mass function, reionization of the IGM and gravitational lensing. Examples are drawn from past and current cosmological observations.

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This subject provides an overview of the key concepts and principles associated with High Energy Astrophysics and their application in current astrophysics research. Students will develop their understanding of the engines that power astrophysical sources and of the physical processes that govern the emission of these sources. Students will also learn to connect these theoretical concepts to recent observational studies in astrophysics.

This subject covers non-thermal and thermal emission processes associated with high energy relativistic particles, shocks and plasmas, as well as the acceleration mechanisms for relativistic particles in these settings. It will apply these concepts to study stellar evolution, supernovae, the physics of compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes), and the physics of accretion and accretion disks around compact objects. The physics will be tied to how these settings can be probed observationally through the electromagnetic spectrum, gravitational waves, or cosmic rays.

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The physical, social and engineering sciences make widespread use of numerical simulations and graphical representations that link underlying their theoretical foundations with experimental or empirical data. These approaches are routinely designed and conducted by researchers with little or no formal training in computation, assembling instead the necessary skills from a variety of sources. There is an art to assembling computational tools that both achieve their goals and make good effective use of the available computational resources.

This subject introduces students to a wide range of skills that are commonly encountered in the design and construction of computational tools in research applications:

• Formulation of the task as a sequence of operations or procedures that express the context of the assigned problem in a form accessible to digital computing (Mathematica).
• Implementation of this formulation using computer languages appropriate for numerically intensive computation (C, C++, Fortran)
• Modularization of computationally intensive tasks, either as user-written procedures or existing libraries (for example BLAS, lapack)
• Documentation of the code to explain both its design, operation and limitations (LaTeX)
• Instrumentation of the code to verify its correct operation and monitor its performance (gprof)
• Optimization of the code, including the use of parallelization (OpenMPI)
• Visualization of data using graphical packages or rendering engines (Geomview, OpenGL)
• Interaction with the code through a graphical user interface (Python, Matlab)

These skills are introduced to the student by undertaking a short project that is selected in consultation with the Subject Coordinator.

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This subject will introduce students to the world of quantum information technology, focusing on the fast developing area of quantum computing. The subject will cover basic principles of quantum logic operations in both digital and analogue approaches to quantum processors, through to quantum error correction and the implementation of quantum algorithms for real-world problems. In lab-based classes students will learn to use state-of-the-art quantum computer programing and simulation environments to complete a range of projects.

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What conclusion can be drawn from a pool of data? How can a scientist draw meaningful conclusions while not overreaching? How can modelling help the scientist interpret data? This subject will address these questions by teaching students critical thinking and data analysis skills. After completing this subject students will understand the basic principles of sampling and experimental design, how the results of statistical analyses are reported, the statistical thinking behind common statistical procedures and will be able to carry out a range of standard statistical techniques.

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This subject is designed to provide students with detailed training in statistical methods as applied to the design and analysis of projects undertaken by postgraduate students, across all disciplines.

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Why is it essential that scientists learn to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences? What makes for engaging communication when it comes to science? How does the style of communication need to change for different audiences? What are the nuts and bolts of good science writing? What are the characteristics of effective public speaking?

Weekly seminars and tutorials will consider the important role science and technology plays in twenty-first century society and explore why it is vital that scientists learn to articulate their ideas to a variety of audiences in an effective and engaging manner. These audiences may include school students, agencies that fund research, the media, government, industry, and the broader public. Other topics include the philosophy of science communication, talking about science on the radio, effective public speaking, writing press releases and science feature articles, science performance, communicating science on the web and how science is reported in the media.

Students will develop skills in evaluating examples of science and technology communication to identify those that are most effective and engaging. Students will also be given multiple opportunities to receive feedback and improve their own written and oral communication skills.

Students will work in small teams on team projects to further the communication skills developed during the seminar programme. These projects will focus on communicating a given scientific topic to a particular audience using spoken, visual, written or web-based communication.

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As a scientist, it is not only important to be able to experiment, research and discover, it is also vital that you can communicate your research effectively in a variety of ways. Even the most brilliant research is wasted if no one knows it has been done or if your target audience is unable to understand it.

In this subject you will develop your written and oral communication skills to ensure that you communicate your science as effectively as possible. We will cover effective science writing and oral presentations across a number of formats: writing a thesis; preparing, submitting and publishing journal papers; searching for, evaluating and citing appropriate references; peer review, making the most of conferences; applying for grants and jobs; and using social media to publicise your research.

You will have multiple opportunities to practice, receive feedback and improve both your oral and written communication skills.

Please note: students must be undertaking their own research in order to enrol in this subject.

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Learning in this subject is based around the examination of a number of use-cases for AI in the sciences, including such applications as data analytics, modelling, scientific discoveries and therapeutic devices. After conversations covering preliminary material on AI, Ethics, Law and Human Rights, these use-cases will be employed as basis for investigating the issues with particularly relevant themes drawn from the broader thematic domains.

Indicative themes to be covered:

• Trust
• Accountability, Transparency & Explainability
• Beneficence & Non-maleficence
• Fairness & Justice
• Autonomy
• Licensing
• Liability
• Privacy
• Legal Personality
• Regulatory approval

These themes will be applied to various applications of AI in the sciences, which could include for example, therapeutic zoomorphic robots in aged care, surveillance systems to prevent poaching, analysis of data derived from large scale sensor deployment for measuring pedestrian flow, weather modelling, 'lab in a box', and discovery of novel materials.

The subject is suitable for those with either science, quantitative, or legal backgrounds, with pre-class reading required both to promote the richest possible discussions during class contact time, and to address understanding of fundamental concepts for students of various backgrounds.

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This subject will give an overview of the tools required to operate successfully in an organisational environment. The focus of the subject is the internal workings of an organisation and specifically addresses three main areas: working with people, managing budgets and understanding basic accounting, and managing processes and projects.

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Learning in this subject is based around the examination of a number of use-cases for AI in the sciences, including such applications as data analytics, modelling, scientific discoveries and therapeutic devices. After conversations covering preliminary material on AI, Ethics, Law and Human Rights, these use-cases will be employed as basis for investigating the issues with particularly relevant themes drawn from the broader thematic domains.

Indicative themes to be covered:

• Trust
• Accountability, Transparency & Explainability
• Beneficence & Non-maleficence
• Fairness & Justice
• Autonomy
• Licensing
• Liability
• Privacy
• Legal Personality
• Regulatory approval

These themes will be applied to various applications of AI in the sciences, which could include for example, therapeutic zoomorphic robots in aged care, surveillance systems to prevent poaching, analysis of data derived from large scale sensor deployment for measuring pedestrian flow, weather modelling, 'lab in a box', and discovery of novel materials.

The subject is suitable for those with either science, quantitative, or legal backgrounds, with pre-class reading required both to promote the richest possible discussions during class contact time, and to address understanding of fundamental concepts for students of various backgrounds.

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This subject will give an overview of the tools required to operate successfully in an organisational environment. The focus of the subject is the internal workings of an organisation and specifically addresses three main areas: working with people, managing budgets and understanding basic accounting, and managing processes and projects.

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Statistical mechanics, the microscopic basis of classical thermodynamics, is developed in this subject. It is one of the core areas of physics, finding wide application in solid state physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and cosmology.

Using fundamental ideas from quantum physics, a systematic treatment of statistical mechanics is developed for systems in equilibrium. The content of this subject includes ensembles and the basic postulate; the statistical basis of the second and third laws of thermodynamics; canonical, micro-canonical and grand-canonical ensembles and associated statistical and thermodynamic functions; ideal quantum gases; black body radiation; the classical limit and an introduction to real gases and applications to solid state physics.

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The subject offers a range of projects in modules that offer experience in laboratory techniques and computational methods; the relative weights are indicated in the module descriptions. Students must select four projects with a combined weighting that contains at least 25% Computational Physics and 25% Laboratory Physics. The laboratory projects include nuclear physics, particle physics, diffraction, electronics, atomic physics, optical physics and astronomy. The computational projects are designed to develop programming skills and to introduce a range of numerical methods commonly used in physics research will be based on model problems in physics; these may include electronic structure theory, molecular vibrations, stellar structure, quantum spin systems, large-scale magnetic systems and gravitational lensing by point masses. Some projects may be offered that merge laboratory and computational work with approximately equal weighting.

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Quantum mechanics plays a central role in our understanding of fundamental phenomena, primarily in the microscopic domain. It lays the foundation for an understanding of atomic, molecular, condensed matter, nuclear and particle physics.

Topics covered include:

• the basic principles of quantum mechanics (probability interpretation; Schrödinger equation; Hermitian operators, eigenstates and observables; symmetrisation, antisymmetrisation and the Pauli exclusion principle; entanglement)
• wave packets, Fourier transforms and momentum space
• eigenvalue spectra and delta-function normalisation
• Heisenberg uncertainty principle
• matrix theory of spin
• the Hilbert space or state vector formation using Dirac bra-ket notation
• the harmonic oscillator
• the quantisation of angular momentum and the central force problem including the hydrogen atom
• approximation techniques including perturbation theory and the variational method
• applications to atomic and other systems.

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This subject provides an introduction to electrodynamics and a wide range of applications including communications, superconductors, plasmas, novel materials, photonics and astrophysics. Topics include: revision of Maxwell’s equations, strategies for solving boundary value problems for static and time-varying fields, electromagnetic fields in materials (including dielectrics, magnetic materials, conductors, plasmas and metamaterials), electromagnetic waves, derivation of geometric optics from Maxwell’s equations, guided waves, relativistic electrodynamics and the covariant formulation of electrodynamics, radiation by antennas and accelerating charged particles.

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This subject provides an introduction to astrophysics discussing the basic structure of stars, our galaxy, and the universe and introducing the most recent research questions.

Topics covered include:

• structure and evolution of stars, degenerate stars, black holes, the structure of the Milky Way and other cosmic objects, emission processes in astrophysics, high energy astrophysics, relativistic cosmology and cosmological models

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The subject provides an introduction to the unified picture of elementary particles and atomic nuclei - how the elementary quarks combine to form strongly interacting particles, and how two of these, the proton and neutron combine to form atomic nuclei; how quarks and their composites interact with the leptons and with each other; how we study these systems experimentally; and the exciting unanswered questions in this field of physics.

Topics covered will be selected from: quarks and leptons; strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions; symmetries and conservation laws; structure, models and properties of hadrons; structure, models and properties of nuclei; scattering and decay processes; accelerators; detectors; fission and fusion reactors; applications of nuclear and particle physics techniques; and other topics in sub-atomic physics of contemporary interest.

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The Science Research Project is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project Coordinator(s). Students can undertake a project in most disciplines within the Faculty of Science, and should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research, and is intended for undergraduate students who have achieved excellent results in the discipline related to the project. Undertaking the Science Research Project provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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The subject will derive the fundamentals of modern optics and apply them to optical systems. We will begin with a matrix approach to geometric ray optics and progress to Gaussian beams with particular emphasis on laser beams and optical resonators. We will review the polarization of light using Jones matrices and Mueller calculus. Interference concepts will be developed and applied to interferometers, thin films and Fabry-Perot cavities. These concepts will be used to explain lasers, from Einstein concepts and population inversion to laser gain and longitudinal mode structure, for three-level and four-level systems, and extended to cover laser dynamics, Q-switched and mode-locked systems, and femtosecond combs.

Fibre optics and applications will include microstructured fibres, coupling, dispersion, fibre amplifiers and lasers. Non-linear optics will be introduced, including coupled-wave theory, harmonic generation, parametric amplification, Pockel and Kerr effects, four-wave mixing and phase conjugation. We will also review Raman, Mie and Brillouin scattering.

Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction theory and the angular spectrum representation of wavefields will be reviewed with emphasis on optical imaging. We will also describe modern optical microscopy from phase imaging to optical coherence tomography and super-resolution methods including STEM, STED, SLIM and TIRF.

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This subject will introduce basic concepts in Condensed Matter Physics, the physics of solids and liquids, from a theoretical and experimental perspective. In particular, it will address the most fundamental concepts and techniques which are required to gain a basic understanding of materials. These concepts and techniques include crystal structure, reciprocal space, adiabatic approximation, free electrons, electrons in a periodic potential, insulators, conductors, semi-conductors and mean-field theory. The subject further aims to introduce some of the most basic experimental techniques in solid state physics and material research. Finally, this subject will provide a phenomenological introduction to one of the most fascinating states of matter: superconductors.

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Complex analysis is a core subject in pure and applied mathematics, as well as the physical and engineering sciences. While it is true that physical phenomena are given in terms of real numbers and real variables, it is often too difficult and sometimes not possible, to solve the algebraic and differential equations used to model these phenomena without introducing complex numbers and complex variables and applying the powerful techniques of complex analysis.

Topics include:the topology of the complex plane; convergence of complex sequences and series; holomorphic functions, the Cauchy-Riemann equations, harmonic functions and applications; contour integrals and the Cauchy Integral Theorem; singularities, Laurent series, the Residue Theorem, evaluation of integrals using contour integration, conformal mapping; and aspects of the gamma function.

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This subject gives an example-oriented overview of various advanced topics that are important for mathematical physics and physics students, as well as being of interest to students of pure and applied mathematics. These topics include:

• Further differential equations: Bessel functions, Legendre polynomials, spherical harmonics and applications such as the Laplace/Schrodinger equation in polar/spherical coordinates;
• Further vector calculus: Differential forms, integration, Stokes’ theorem and applications such as Maxwell’s equations, charge conservation and Dirac monopoles;
• Hilbert spaces: L2 spaces, bounded and unbounded operators, normalisable and non-normalisable eigenfunctions, distributions and applications to quantum theory;
• Group theory: Lie groups and algebras, representations and applications such as quantum spin and particle physics.

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This subject provides a basis for further studies in modern analysis, geometry, topology, differential equations and quantum mechanics.It introduces the idea of a metric space with a general distance function, and the resulting concepts of convergence, continuity, completeness, compactness and connectedness. The subject also introduces Hilbert spaces: infinite dimensional vector spaces (typically function spaces) equipped with an inner product that allows geometric ideas to be used to study these spaces and linear maps between them.

Topics include: metric and normed spaces, limits of sequences, open and closed sets, continuity, topological properties, compactness, connectedness; Cauchy sequences, completeness, contraction mapping theorem; Hilbert spaces, orthonormal systems, bounded linear operators and functionals, applications.

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The subject builds on the skills base established in CHEM20020 Structure and Properties. The concepts of quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, molecular interactions and reaction kinetics will lay the fundamentals for the discussion of chemical reactions involving various types of reactive intermediates. The application of molecular orbital theory will be used to understand the nature of pericyclic reactions and the concept of coordination in main group (including carbon) and transition metal elements. An investigation of inorganic reaction mechanisms will focus on transformations involving coordination and organometallic complexes of d-block metals. Discussion of synthetic aspects will cover methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and functional group transformations, as well as principles of catalysis involving transition metal complexes and their chemistry in synthetic and biological systems.

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Particle Physics is the study of the elementary constituents of matter, and the fundamental forces of nature. The subject introduces modern elementary particle physics, with an emphasis on the theoretical description of the Standard Model of Particle Physics and its experimental basis. Specific topics may include basic group theory; parity and CP violation; global and local symmetries; non-abelian gauge theory; QCD and the quark model; running coupling constants and asymptotic freedom; spontaneous symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism; the complete Standard Model Lagrangian; interactions of particles with matter; accelerators and detectors; deep inelastic scattering and structure functions; flavour mixing and neutrino oscillations.

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This subject provides an advanced introduction to Einstein's theory of general relativity. Specific topics may inlcude special relativity, manifolds and curvature, experimental tests, Einstein's equations, the Schwarzschild solution and black holes, weak fields and gravitational radiation. Examples will be drawn from particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.

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This subject provides an advanced introduction to condensed matter physics. The general topics covered are (i) experimental and theoretical aspects of the characterisation of condensed matter using electrons and x-rays and (ii) the quantum model of solids and its relevance to semiconductor and mesoscopic physics. Specific topics covered may include: (i) the imaging of condensed matter at the atomic level and (ii) the determination of how atoms are bonded; (iii) application of imaging beyond the nanoscale; (iv) magnetism; (v) superconductivity; (vi) the properties of semiconductor devices and (vii) mesoscopic systems.

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This subject introduces quantum field theory, the combination of quantum mechanics and relativity that explains the fundamental structure of matter and the physics of the early universe. The course has an emphasis on quantum electrodynamics. Specific topics will include an introduction to classical field theory, the Euler-Lagrange equations and Noether’s theorem; the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations; the quantisation of free scalar, Dirac and vector fields; covariant perturbation theory, the Smatrix and Feynman diagrams; the computation of elementary processes in quantum electrodynamics.

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The physical, social and engineering sciences make widespread use of numerical simulations and graphical representations that link underlying their theoretical foundations with experimental or empirical data. These approaches are routinely designed and conducted by researchers with little or no formal training in computation, assembling instead the necessary skills from a variety of sources. There is an art to assembling computational tools that both achieve their goals and make good effective use of the available computational resources.

This subject introduces students to a wide range of skills that are commonly encountered in the design and construction of computational tools in research applications:

• Formulation of the task as a sequence of operations or procedures that express the context of the assigned problem in a form accessible to digital computing (Mathematica).
• Implementation of this formulation using computer languages appropriate for numerically intensive computation (C, C++, Fortran)
• Modularization of computationally intensive tasks, either as user-written procedures or existing libraries (for example BLAS, lapack)
• Documentation of the code to explain both its design, operation and limitations (LaTeX)
• Instrumentation of the code to verify its correct operation and monitor its performance (gprof)
• Optimization of the code, including the use of parallelization (OpenMPI)
• Visualization of data using graphical packages or rendering engines (Geomview, OpenGL)
• Interaction with the code through a graphical user interface (Python, Matlab)

These skills are introduced to the student by undertaking a short project that is selected in consultation with the Subject Coordinator.

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Quantum Mechanics introduces a dramatically new and rich understanding of the universe. In addition to providing a much deeper insight into the world of atoms and subatomic particles than afforded by classical Newtonian physics, Quantum Mechanics underpins advances in science across all disciplines, from molecular biology to astrophysics. This subject provides a rigorous mathematical formalism for advanced quantum mechanics, laying the foundation for further fundamental theoretical physics and research-level experimental physics in frontier areas such as quantum communication and quantum computation.

The subject describes the Hilbert-space formulation of quantum wave mechanics, including density matrix descriptions for single and joint Hilbert space systems; symmetries and conservation laws including rotations and angular momentum; the path integral approach; perturbation theory applications, and scattering theory.

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This subject introduces quantum field theory, the combination of quantum mechanics and relativity that explains the fundamental structure of matter and the physics of the early universe. The course has an emphasis on quantum electrodynamics. Specific topics will include an introduction to classical field theory, the Euler-Lagrange equations and Noether’s theorem; the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations; the quantisation of free scalar, Dirac and vector fields; covariant perturbation theory, the Smatrix and Feynman diagrams; the computation of elementary processes in quantum electrodynamics.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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This subject will introduce the general principles and modern methods of plant evolutionary biology: how to discover the phylogeny (relationships) of organisms using both morphological characters and molecular (DNA) data; how to use this information to improve the classification systems of plants; how to study aspects of evolution, coevolution and historical biogeography; and how to integrate information from living and fossil plants to discover the past and date evolutionary events. Examples of the diversity and evolution of Australian plants - both fossil and living forms - will be used throughout this subject. Topics will include:

• discovering plant relationships phylogenetic systematics;
• evolution of vascular plants, especially flowering plants;
• fossil history of land plants;
• historical biogeography and evolution of Australian flora.

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The subject focuses on the functional biology of plants and how it can be modified by biotechnology. Students will explore topics through a series of vignettes including plant diseases and microbiomes; plant water productivity; cell wall biosynthesis for climate change mitigation; photosynthesis and enhancement for food security; nutrient uptake and fertiliser reduction; and the genome in plants and its modification by biotechnology and biodiversity. The practical class experiences and assessments form a capstone experience in which students apply theoretical knowledge to answer complex research questions. Students will design and carry out practical work using leading-edge techniques including using CRISPR for gene editing. By the end of the subject students are prepared for applying their knowledge and skills in both the workplace and further study.

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This subject outlines the methods used to identify pathogens causing plant diseases, the consequences of diseases for plant productivity, and control of plant diseases. The links between classic plant pathology and modern molecular pathology techniques are explored as plant breeders and pathologists seek novel integrated disease management procedures to control pathogens.

Topics covered include:

• Taxonomy, identification and biology of the main groups of plant pathogens affecting Australian cropping industries and abiotic causes of plant diseases
• Host pathogen relationships, and the nature of disease resistance and pathogenesis
• Methods to identify pathogens, and development of tools for diagnosis
• Modern bioinformatic techniques used in plant pathology
• Processes leading to plant disease epidemics and their evaluation
• Evolutionary processes and management practices affecting pathogen populations in agricultural ecosystems
• Management and integrated control of plant diseases
• Current professional opportunities and challenges in the field of plant pathology

Practical work includes:

• Identification and diagnosis of common diseases
• Development of skills in traditional and molecular research techniques and methodology in plant pathology
• Development of bioinformatic skills used in pathogen diagnosis and molecular taxonomy of plant pathogens

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This subject is structured around the fieldwork in early February and covers the basic skills that are required to undertake a field-based botanical activity such as a flora survey or an environmental impact assessment, or to proceed to research in a field-based botanical discipline. Topics to be covered include:

• taxonomy of the Australian flora;
• field identification of major families and genera of plants;
• collection and preservation of plant specimens; mounting and cataloguing specimens; curatorial skills; nomenclature;
• techniques for description and classification of vegetation; structural types, floristic associations, measures of abundance (cover, density, basal area, biomass), sampling techniques (quadrats, line transects, plotless methods), sampling scale and species-area relationships, profile diagrams, life-form spectra;
• soils; and
• vegetation mapping.

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This subject explores the relevance of ecological and evolutionary theory for understanding the distributions of species, their interactions, their life history characteristics and how these traits are impacted by changing environmental conditions. Topics include spatial ecology and metapopulations, climatic impacts on distribution and abundance, life history evolution and ecosystem stability and resilience. The skills developed in this subject provide an essential grounding for careers in ecology.

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At a global scale forests are valued and managed by societies in a wide range of ways for goods and services that reflect the needs of people and their aspirations for the environment. Combining biophysical understandings of forest ecosystems with the social context in which they exist, Forest Systems explores the complexity of forest management and will provide students with a deep appreciation of the challenges and opportunities associated with taking care of the worlds’ forests in a sustainable way. The subject will be taught across 9 weeks starting with a 4-day field trip. Students will immerse themselves directly in forests by visiting a range of sites and exploring several case studies and real-world scenarios to gain perspective and insights that they will draw on during subsequent activities.

After the fieldtrip, the next 8 weeks students will explore four themes where they will learn how science has shaped our understanding of what sustainable forest management is, how forest grow, develop and are utilised, the role fire in shaping forest ecosystems and how societal attitudes and values impact on the provision of forest ecosystem goods and services. Assessment tasks will link directly to each theme where students will be expected to critically analyse and communicate their understandings in a contextualised way while also reflecting on the activities and discussions undertaken during workshops.

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This subject focuses on understanding the procedures involved in breeding crops and the role of genetics in the process. The integration of conventional breeding approaches and the use of gene technologies in breeding new crop varieties are explored. Emphasis is placed on how plant breeders identify priority traits and the management of breeding programs in a commercial setting. The practical sessions aim to develop skills in plant breeding methodologies and research techniques.

Topics covered include:

• Domestication of crop species and conservation of plant genetic resources
• Evolutionary processes and genetic variability of plant populations
• Reproductive systems
• Methods of breeding self– and cross-pollinating plants
• Supplementary breeding approaches including mutation breeding
• The use of molecular biology techniques in plant breeding
• Genetics of important crops within the Australian agricultural context and discussion of priority traits for improvement

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This subject provides a detailed knowledge of vegetation structure and natural values of Victorian plant communities and their assessment, including environmental limiting factors, threats due to land use, development and fragmentation, and management issues related to environmental impact assessment and conservation of native vegetation. The subject will be based around short excursions to examine different vegetation types in the Melbourne region, and a series of special lectures by scientists, managers and consultants from both the government and private sectors. Topics will include:

• ecology and natural history of Victorian plant communities;
• environmental impacts and vegetation assessment;
• conservation and management issues (e.g. revegetation, rare species, fauna habitat, weed invasions);
• biodiversity legislation and government agencies;
• consulting services and client focus.

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This subject is designed for students wishing to take a summer course, and who are interested in the biology of native plants and plant communities and environments in Victoria. It is suited to students studying environmental science or environmental studies.

Topics covered include:

• biogeographic regions of Victoria: climate, landforms, geology, soils and vegetation types;
• biology of Victorian plants: intraspecific variation and adaptation to local conditions, ecotypes and clines, mallee plants, coastal plants, alpine plants;
• conservation and threats to the Victorian flora: weeds, diseases, pests, fire, extinctions.

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This subject focuses on common statistical approaches used to analyse biological data sets. Topics covered include research and experimental design, hypothesis testing, estimation, and statistical modelling for univariate and multivariate data. In interactive classes, students will consolidate concepts before working through examples in the context of different disciplines within the biosciences (including biomedicine, genetics, environmental science and ecology). The computer-based workshops will provide opportunities to translate theoretical knowledge into practice with emphasis on statistical interpretation, reasoning, and basic coding skills. By the end of the subject, students will have the statistical skills required to design, analyse, and interpret their own biological research.

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The Science Research Project (Advanced) is an individual program of supervised research in which the student, in consultation with a supervisor, contributes to the design, execution and presentation of a research project. The project may be ‘stand-alone’ or part of a larger research program being undertaken by the supervisor. The specific details of the project, including its scope and the compilation, analysis and presentation of the results, are negotiated with the supervisor and, as appropriate, the Science Research Project (Advanced) Coordinator(s). Students should approach a potential supervisor within a discipline area that is aligned to their research interests. Students will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.

This subject provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of scientific research. Undertaking the Science Research Project (Advanced) provides invaluable insights for students considering a career in scientific research.

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Microscopy is the key technique for imaging fine structure in biological specimens. This subject will introduce the range of methods and capabilities of light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscopy, as well as the methods of specimen preparation for standard histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. The principles and scientific basis underpinning the various methods and techniques will be explained, and applications to current cutting-edge science and technology will be discussed. Practical and project work will include demonstration of equipment and analysis of images and data.

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The interactions between spatial context and ecosystem composition and structure can have a significant influence on the management of our natural environment. Spatial and temporal patterning of ecosystems can influence ecosystem functioning which in turn can affect resource availability for flora and fauna, dynamics of plant communities, and lead to the alteration of disturbance regimes. Humans play a critical role in shaping the spatial context on ecosystems within landscapes, both creating and affecting these relationships. This subject will cover the principles of landscape ecology with a focus on understanding how spatial heterogeneity, spatial extent, agents of change (i.e. fire, climate) and the role of humans (i.e. forest management, urbanisation) influence ecosystem patterns and in turn ecological processes (i.e. plant migration, meta-population dynamics, provisioning of ecosystem services). Case studies will be drawn from international and domestic examples from urban, agricultural, and forested landscapes.

This subject will involve lectures, practicals and a 3-day field trip.

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Current advances worldwide in crop and pasture monitoring methods focus on innovative remote sensing and precision agriculture technologies to quantitatively assess crop physiological condition and soil properties for informed agronomic decisions.

New developments in crop sensing, comprising innovative close range-, drone- and satellite-based technologies and models will be discussed in the context of physiology and agronomy, with emphasis on water stress detection for precision irrigation, crop nutrient assessment for site-specific fertilizer application, early disease detection, soil condition and management, crop quality parameter quantification, and improved within-field crop yield uniformity evaluation for sustainable crop production.

New sensing methodologies available for monitoring physiological crop traits related to crop photosynthesis and transpiration via fluorescence emission detection will be described, linking to new tools required by industry in the context of high‑throughput data collection for plant phenotyping and plant breeding. Students will gain practical experience with laboratory and field physiological measurement techniques, remote sensing, precision agriculture tools and data analytical methods.

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Lectures/case studies and projects are used to illustrate the steps involved in taking knowledge from research laboratory or breeding trials and producing and releasing novel crop varieties. This subject will include a small research project in an area chosen by each student.

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This subject is focussed on the use of molecular techniques to study gene and protein functions in a range of organisms. It aims to provide students with an advanced understanding of the strategies and techniques used in molecular biology of relevance both to the biotechnology industry and to advanced molecular biology research. Topics will be drawn from the current literature and ongoing research in molecular biology.

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This subject equips participants with an understanding of the role and limitations of science in environmental debates and decision-making. Global changes to the atmosphere, hydrological cycle, land-uses, urbanisation, climate, pollution, biodiversity, pests, and diseases are having profound impacts on the planet, its people and other species. You will gain an appreciation of strengths and limitations in the diversity of scientific approaches used to understand and manage environmental changes. These approaches include empirical observation, mathematical and statistical modelling, and expert opinion. The subject highlights the breadth of environmental changes, and the range of scientific methods that can be used to address these issues. Collectively, these elements provide a sound foundation for science-based advocacy and management that recognises the scientific and social contexts of environmental debates.

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This subject provides an overview of data science concepts and techniques as they pertain to the field of biology. Students will learn how to apply data science methods to real-world biological data, including techniques for data collection, curation, analysis, and visualization. The subject will provide practical skills in programming languages commonly used for data science, such as R or Python, and best practices for reproducible research, including documentation and data sharing. It will also provide with the students a practical experience of high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud computing. By the end of the subject, students will have developed a robust foundation across this set of skills, empowering them to work confidently with the kind of large-scale dataset that is becoming increasingly common across all fields of biology.

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