School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences

Research Degrees - Apply

Scholarships - Apply

The School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences has five Priority Research Areas.

1. Applied and Industrial Mathematics
   The Applied and Industrial Mathematics group applies a broad range of mathematical and statistical techniques, supplemented with extensive modern computing methods, to the analysis of complex real-life problems. For more...
2. Astrophysics
   Astrophysics is a quantitative and largely observational science that encompasses not only the study of the distant universe, but also solar and planetary physics. For more...
3. Coastal Catchment Science
   Coastal catchment science fosters research to inform integrated responses to environmental changes in human and biophysical systems with a focus on coastal and catchment areas. Fore more...
4. Functional Materials
   The School has long-held a strong research presence in condensed matter and materials physics, principally using atomic and nuclear techniques. Strategic research is directed at a range of functional materials with applications including: magnetic, electronic and optical signal processing and storage, ionising radiation dosimetry and imaging, magnetic cooling, spintronics, and orthopaedic prostheses. For more...
5. Molecular Design
   Research is directed to the design, synthesis and study of novel molecules, supramolecular structures and materials for various applications including biological, environmental, pharmaceutical, industrial and military applications. Current expertise of members includes: organic and inorganic synthesis, inorganic biochemistry and physical and theoretical chemistry. For more...
   

Prospective students can apply to do postgraduate research (MPhil, MSc, MA or PhD) in the following research fields within PEMS:

Biological Chemistry Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Molecular Design and Reaction Mechanisms Applied and Industrial Mathematics (AIM) Physical Oceanography

Astronomy & Astrophysics Lower Atmosphere Research Environmental Systems Geographic Information Science Society & Space Science Education

Scholarships are available for postgraduate research study in the School.  Our postgraduate student directory provides links to current students and descriptions of postgraduate research currently being undertaken in the School. 
See http://sas.unsw.adfa.edu.au/future_students/pg_research/pg_research_what_to_do.html for how to apply for admission to a research degree program.

The School carries out cutting edge multi-disciplinary research which is underpinned by well-funded campus facilities, equipment and IT support. We have 37 academic staff active in research, and 38 postgraduate research students who come to us from all over Australia and from overseas. Collaborations with international and other Australian institutions are a feature of our research activity.

Facilities e.g.

Acoustic and electromagnetic wind profilers Anton Paar DMA 5000 Vibrating Tube Densimeter (0 < T /°C < 90) Analytical instrumentation Computer Facilities Cryostats Electronic Workshop Geographical research equipment and remote area field work Global Positioning System High Presure Falling-Body Viscometer (p < 400 MPa, -15 < T /°C < 50) High Pressure Modified 20 MHz Bruker NMR for Self-diffusion. Measurements in Fluids ( p < 400 MPa, -50 < T /°C < 80) Infra-red Spectrometers Laser Systems Libraries (including map library)

Low Temperature Refrigerators Magnetometers Materials Preparation and Characterisation Laboratory Mechanical Workshop Mooring - Jervis Bay Mössbauer Spectrometers NMR spectrometers Radiochemistry Laboratory Radioisotope Implanter Sediment Laboratory Spectrometers/interferometers/polarimeters Vehicles - Road and Marine,research vessels for inshore work

Access to Large Facilities e.g.

• Bruker 800 MHz NMR facility at The Australian National University
• Electron microscopy unit (EMU) at The Australian National University
• High resolution mass spectrometer facility at The Australian National University
• Insect Monitoring Radars (IMRs) - located at Bourke, in northwestern NSW, and Thargomindah, in southwestern Queensland
• Neutron scattering and µSR (muon spin resonance) experiments are carried out routinely at national (HIFAR, Lucas Heights) and international facilities (ISIS, UK, BENSC, Germany)
• Optical and Radio telescopes (Siding Springs, Parkes, ...)
• Stratospheric Balloon Launching Station
• Telescopes/Observatories - e.g. time on NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope

School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences Research Report 09/10
[pdf version of whole Biannual Research Report for 09/10].