single degree

Master of Science (Advanced) in Precision Instrumentation and Measurement

A single two year graduate award offered by the ANU College of Science

VSCPI
  • Length 2 year full-time
  • Minimum 96 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Academic plan VSCPI
  • Post Nominal MSciAdvPreInstMeas
  • CRICOS code 099249A
  • Length 2 year full-time
  • Minimum 96 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Academic plan VSCPI
  • Post Nominal MSciAdvPreInstMeas
  • CRICOS code 099249A

Program Requirements

The Master of Science (Advanced) in Precision Instrumentation and Measurement 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: 

36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

EMSC8712 Electronics and Data Analysis (6 units)

PHYS6701 Rapid Prototyping (6 units)

PHYS6711 Fundamentals of Noise and Measurement (6 units)

PHYS6502 Photonic Sensing Systems (6 units)

PHYS8702 Prototyping and Systems Integration (6 units)

PHYS8721 Advanced Imaging Methods (6 units)


12 units from completion of Measurement and Instrumentation courses from the following list:

ASTR8016 Optical Instrumentation (6 units)

PHYS8206 Nuclear Measurement (6 units)

PHYS8750 Masters Special Topics in Physics (6 units)


A minimum of 6 units from completion of Computing courses from the following list:

MATH6111 Scientific Computing

COMP6730 Programming for Scientists


A minimum of 12 units from completion of Science and Society Courses from the following lists:

6 units from completion of the following course:

PHYS6205 Physics for Future Leaders (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from courses from the following list

MGMT7161 New Venture Creation (6 units)

MGMT7165 Innovation (6 units)

SCOM6015 Speaking of Science (6 units)

SCOM6027 Science Politics (6 units)

SCOM6032 Making Modern Science (6 units)

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity (6 units)

VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World (6 units)


24 units from completion of the following research component

PHYS8000 Masters Research Project (24 units) (which can be taken part-time as 12+12 over consecutive semesters)


A maximum of 6 units from completion of elective courses offered by the ANU.


Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the first 48 units and have the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project to remain enrolled in the Master of Science (Advanced) in Precision Instrumentation and Measurement. 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.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 48 in the same teaching period in which the 48th unit is attempted, exactly 48 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from courses in descending order of marks.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark or do not have the approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to the Master of Science in Precision Instrumentation and Measurement 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.  

Capstone Courses

[PHYS8000, PHYS6701, PHYS8702, PHYS8721]

Study Options

Year 1 48 units PHYS6711 Fundamentals of Noise and Measurement 6 units Computing Course List 6 units ASTR/PHYS/EMSC/ENGN 6000 - 8000 level Measurement & Instrumentation Course List
PHYS6502 Photonic Sensing Systems 6 units EMSC8712 Electronics and Data Analysis 6 units PHYS6205 Physics for Future Leaders 6 units PHYS6701 Rapid Prototyping 6 units
Year 2 PHYS8721 Advanced Imaging Methods and Systems 6 units Science and Society Course List 6 units Measurement & Instrumentation Course List PHYS8702 Prototyping and Systems Integration 6 units
PHYS8000 Masters Research Project 12 to 24 units

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 8 courses in a cognate discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0.
  • with undergraduate Mathematics equivalent to the level of ANU MATH2305.

The GPA requirement for this program must be met by both the program as a whole, as well as by the 8 courses in a cognate discipline. Where more than 8 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 8 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.

Cognate Disciplines: Physics, Engineering

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.

Applications for course credit: 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

Annual indicative fee for domestic students
$35,490.00

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$50,760.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

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.

Measurement is at the heart of scientific discovery, and the frontiers of knowledge are expanded through the development of new and more precise instrumentation. This program draws on the history and current expertise of three leading research schools at ANU: the Research School of Physics, the Research School of Earth Sciences, and the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Each of these Schools are at the forefront of modern scientific research and have outstanding pedigree in the development of advanced scientific instrumentation. You will be learning from ANU scientists who have worked on projects including: * the design and development of instrumentation for the Nobel-prize winning discovery of gravitational waves * a high-resolution ion microprobe for geological analysis * a high-resolution x-ray computed tomography instrument for the study of porous and disordered materials, and * an integral-field spectrograph for an international, next-generation, thirty-meter class optical telescope.

In this program you have the opportunity to learn the most advanced techniques for studying the heavens, the Earth, and everything in-between. The interdisciplinary expertise you acquire will impact on diverse areas of fundamental scientific research as well as industrial applications. The program aims to produce graduates with deep insight and creative know-how to pursue related careers in science, industry and government, with a focus on innovation, teamwork, and getting results. The degree is a mix of course work and projects, comprising individual and group-based research.

This Advanced program incorporates a research project and thesis

 

Career Options

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate high level knowledge of scientific instrumentation and measurement.

  2. Apply their knowledge of measurement systems and instrumentation to new problems.

  3. Interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to measurement and instrumentation.

  4. Demonstrate theoretical and practical skills relevant to techniques and research methodology in scientific measurement.

  5. Critically analyse data from measurement systems to reach independent conclusions.

  6. Independently perform experimental or theoretical work, interpret and analyse results, write reports and collate data into a thesis.

  7. Demonstrate a critical understanding of science in society.

  8. 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

Program advice:

  • PHYS8750 Special Topics in Physics - students in the MSc (Adv) in Precision Instrumentation take care to select the class number associated with the Special Topic in Precision Instrumentation & Measurement.
  • PHYS8000 Masters Research Project - for students in the MSc (Adv) in Precision Instrumentation and Measurement, the research project must be in the field of Precision Instrumentation and Measurement.


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 and College of Health and Medicine:

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

Academic Advice

The first step to enrolling in your new program is to seek academic advice in order to discuss the courses you will be studying. This is done by making an appointment to meet with the program convener (details below).

Your academic advice session is a great opportunity to discuss with the convener the direction in which you want your studies to go. The convener will be able to advise you about course selection and content of courses that you will undertake as part of your program. Ideally you should bring along a copy of your academic record/academic transcripts as these will greatly assist your convener when giving you course advice.

To book an appointment you can email pec.physics@anu.edu.au

Detailed enrolment information and instructions can be found at https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/enrolment/enrol-for-the-first-time-as-a-coursework-student

Please follow each step carefully, and do not hesitate to reach out to the College Student Services Team if you need help.

There is additional information available from https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/new-masters-students

An indicative list of courses offered by the College of Science and College of Health & Medicine can be found here: https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/courses

If you have any issues enrolling yourself through ISIS please contact us by emailing students.cos@anu.edu.au 

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