A wide range of exciting projects in the field of materials science are offered for students to conduct a small, multidisciplinary research project in materials chemistry, physics and engineering. The students will undertake their individual project within a research group at the ANU under the supervision of a group leader. Students will experience how to conduct real research in this field by working, training and studying alongside PhD students, together forming a cohort of research students in Materials Science.
World-leading research will take place on characterisation of materials, processing and manufacturing of materials, and properties of materials.
Each of the research groups works within one or more of the following broad themes, and research projects available to applicants for the Masters of Science in Materials Science are listed under the following themes:
- Energy materials
- Environmental materials
- Functional materials and application as smart devices
- Optoelectronic materials and device, including Lasers/LEDs, photodetectors and solar cells
- Polymers
- Nanomaterials, for photocatalysis and electrolysis as catalysts as well as smart devices, bio-sensors, thermoelectric materials
- Processing and manufacturing, including thin films, 3D printing, alloys, ceramics, polymers
- Characterisation of materials, with a potential specialised on diffraction, microscopy and ESR
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Undertake advanced planning for a critical investigation of a chosen area of specialisation in materials science.
- Critically analyse and synthesise complex theory and concepts, identifying and utilising appropriate evidence and methodologies, to draw expert conclusions.
- Engage in specialist research discovery and critical review of appropriate information sources.
- Expertly communicate, verbally and in writing, advanced research concepts and contexts.
- Develop high level skills in advanced experimental techniques and specialist knowledge in materials science.
Other Information
The students must contact potential supervisors to fill out and submit a signed student and supervisor research proposal form which includes a brief project aim, research plan and outcomes to the course convener.
Enrolment advice for students: please select the appropriate class number and topic. Once enrolled, please check the unit value is correct in ISIS
Students in the Master of Science in Materials Science may enrol in this course as:
- 1 x 6 units project: NSCMC research project 6 units
- 1 x 12 unit project taken as 6 + 6 units across two semesters: NSCMC research project 6 units
- 1x 12 unit project taken as 12 units in one semester: NSCMC research project 12 units
Students in the Master of Science (Advanced) in Materials Science may enrol in this course as:
- 1 x 24 unit project taken as 12 +12 units across two semesters: VSCMC research project
Indicative Assessment
- Oral presentation (30) [LO 1,4,5]
- Report (70) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload for this research project is approximately 130 hours per 6 units of enrolment.
Half of this time will be dedicated to laboratory work and hands-on research activities, while the remaining half will consist of self-directed study, including literature review, data analysis, and preparation of the report or thesis.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified in this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Research School of Chemistry to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
As assigned by each project supervisor.
Preliminary Reading
As assigned by each project supervisor.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 to 24 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
| 7.00 | 0.14583 |
| 8.00 | 0.16667 |
| 9.00 | 0.18750 |
| 10.00 | 0.20833 |
| 11.00 | 0.22917 |
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
| 13.00 | 0.27083 |
| 14.00 | 0.29167 |
| 15.00 | 0.31250 |
| 16.00 | 0.33333 |
| 17.00 | 0.35417 |
| 18.00 | 0.37500 |
| 19.00 | 0.39583 |
| 20.00 | 0.41667 |
| 21.00 | 0.43750 |
| 22.00 | 0.45833 |
| 23.00 | 0.47917 |
| 24.00 | 0.50000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $780 per unit |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $1120 per unit |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSCMC research project - 6 units | ||||||
| 4224 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |
| NSCMC research project - 12 units | ||||||
| 4225 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |
| VSCMC research project | ||||||
| 4226 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSCMC research project - 6 units | ||||||
| 9205 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| NSCMC research project - 12 units | ||||||
| 9206 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| VSCMC research project | ||||||
| 9207 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |