Program Requirements

The Master of Science (Advanced) in Nuclear Science degree requires the completion of 96 units, of which:

72 units must come from completion of the coursework component

24 units must come from completion of the research component

A minimum of 48 units must come from completion of 8000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of: 

A minimum of 72 units from completion of courses from the lists below:

36 units from completion of Nuclear Science courses from the following list:

PHYS8201 Fundamentals of Nuclear Science (6 units)

PHYS8202 Reactor Science (6 units)

PHYS8203 Accelerators and their Application (6 units)

PHYS8204 Fundamentals of Nuclear Radiation (6 units)

PHYS8205 Nuclear Fuel Cycle (6 units)

PHYS8206 Nuclear Measurement (6 units)

A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 units from completion of the following course:

PHYS8207 Master of Nuclear Science Research Project (can be taken twice)

A maximum of 24 from advanced reactor science and/or nuclear strategy, law and regulation courses from the following list:

PHYS8212 Advanced Reactor Science (6 units)

REGN8024 Regulation Nuclear Capabilities (6 units)

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy (6 units)

LAWS8316 Nuclear Security Law (6 units)

A maximum of 6 units from completion of courses in disciplinary knowledge areas from the following list:

PHYS Physics

MATH Mathematics

ENGN Engineering

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 units from completion of Science and Society Courses from the following list:

REGN8050 The Policy and Practice of Regulation (6 units)

PHYS6205 Physics for Future Leaders (6 units)

POGO8138 Science, Technology and Public Policy (6 units)

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

SCOM6012 Communicating Science Online (6 units)

SCOM6015 Public Speaking About Science (6 units)

SCOM6016 Science, Journalism and Society (6 units)

SCOM6031 Misinformation, Disinformation, and Risk (6 units)

SCOM6501 Science Communication Strategy and Leadership (6 units)

SCOM8088 Engagement for Policy Impact (6 units)

SCNC8000 Science Internship (6 units)

A maximum of 12 units from completion of elective courses offered by the ANU

24 units from completion of the following research component:

PHYS8000 Masters Research Project (which can be taken twice over consecutive semesters)

Students must achieve a minimum 70% Weighted Average Mark in the 48 units of the coursework component and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project to remain enrolled in the Master of Science (Advanced) in Nuclear Science and continue to the research component. A condition of supervisor approval is that the research project is feasible and it should be noted that the majority of research projects will require on campus attendance. Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% Weighted Average Mark or do not have approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to the Master of Science in Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma of Science.

A minimum of 30 and a maximum of 36 units from completion of courses from the following list:

PHYS8201 Fundamentals of Nuclear Science (6 units)

PHYS8202 Reactor Science (6 units)

PHYS8203 Accelerators and their Application (6 units)

PHYS8204 Fundamentals of Nuclear Radiation (6 units)

PHYS8205 Nuclear Fuel Cycle (6 units)

PHYS8206 Nuclear Measurement (6 units)

A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 units from completion of the following course:

PHYS8207 Master of Nuclear Science Research Project (can be taken twice)

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 30 units from completion of Science and Society Courses from the following lists which must include:

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 24 units from completion of courses from the following list:

PHYS6205 Physics for Future Leaders (6 units)

SCOM6027 Science Politics (6 units)

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century (6 units)

A maximum of 18 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ENVS6013 Society and Environmental Change (6 units)

ENVS6014 Qualitative Research Methods for Sustainability (6 units)

ENVS6020 Human Ecology (6 units)

ENVS6025 Complex Environmental Problems in Action (6 units)

ENVS6033 International Environmental Policy (6 units)

ENVS6101 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability (6 units)

ENVS6103 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

ENVS6528 Environmental Policy (6 units)

SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web (6 units)

SCOM6015 Speaking of Science (6 units)

SCOM6016 Science in the Media (6 units)

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

24 units from completion of the following research component

PHYS8000 Masters Research Project (which can be taken twice over consecutive semesters)

A maximum of 12 units from completion of elective courses offered by the ANU

Students must achieve a minimum 70% Weighted Average Mark in the 48 units of the coursework component and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project to remain enrolled in the Master of Science (Advanced) in Nuclear Science and continue to the research component. A condition of supervisor approval is that the research project is feasible and it should be noted that the majority of research projects will require on campus attendance.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% Weighted Average Mark or do not have approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to the Master of Science in Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma of Science.

Master Research

Masters (Advanced) program that meets this requirement through the substantial research-based project

Master Research Training

The program requires 24 units of research project, carried out on an individual basis with an academic supervisor at the ANU and assessed through a written thesis of approximately 50 pages and a final oral presentation.  

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent

• with a minimum GPA of at least 5.5/7.0
• with at least 6 courses in a cognate discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0.

The GPA requirement for this program must be met by both the program as a whole, as well as by the 6 courses in the cognate disciplines. Where more than 6 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 6 courses when assessing the cognate GPA.

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Mathematics - assumed knowledge : Background knowledge equivalent to high-school maths study is recommended but not essential. Prospective students may wish to take a Mathematics diagnostic test to ascertain their current level of Mathematics. A Maths Diagnostic Test is available at https://maths.anu.edu.au/study/choosing-your-first-year-first-semester-mathematics-course but prospective students may elect to use tests offered by other providers.

Prospective students who do not have the recommended background knowledge in high-school maths may wish to enrol in suitable preparatory courses prior to commencing the Masters program. Information on the Maths Bridging Courses offered by ANU is available at https://maths.anu.edu.au/study/bridging-course . Prospective students may also wish to undertake bridging courses by other providers.

Ranking and English Language Proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au.

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications.

Credit Granted

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (one semester) of credit. 

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Bachelor degree with Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (one year) of credit.

Cognate Disciplines

Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Learning Outcomes

1. demonstrate high-level knowledge of nuclear science concepts;
2.   apply knowledge of nuclear science to new problems;
   
3.   interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to nuclear science;
   
4.   demonstrate theoretical and practical skills relevant to techniques and research methodology in nuclear science;
   
5.   critically analyse nuclear systems and nuclear data to reach independent conclusions;
   
6.   demonstrate a critical understanding of science in society;
   
7.   clearly communicate theory and results in both written and oral formats. 

Research Strengths

Masters (Advanced) program that meets this requirement through the substantial research-based project

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Other Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

Progression hurdle:

This program has a progression hurdle that must be satisfied in order to progress to the research project: Students must achieve a minimum 70% average mark in the first 48 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project. A condition of supervisor approval is that the research project is feasible and it should be noted that the majority of research projects will require on campus attendance.

Course offered by the College of Science:

An indicative list of courses offered by the College of Science can be found under current students page on the College website via this link.