Program Requirements

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

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 18 units from completion of the following course:

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

A maximum of 18 from nuclear strategy, law and regulation courses from the following list:

REGN8024 Regulation Nuclear Capabilities (6 units)

STST8026 Nuclear Strategy (6 units)

LAWS8316 Nuclear Security Law (6 units)

A maximum of 12 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 Science Communication and the Web (6 units)

SCOM6015 Speaking of Science (6 units)

SCOM6016 Science in the Media (6 units)

SCOM6031 Science, Risks and Ethics (6 units)

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

SCOM8088 Engagement for Policy Impact (6 units)

SCNC8000 Science Internship (6 units)

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity (6 units)

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

VCPG6005 Beyond Chaos (6 units)

A maximum of 24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Capstone Courses

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent@

• with a minimum GPA of at least 5.0/7.0 and with at least 6 courses in a cognate discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0. or
• with completion of the Graduate Certificate of Nuclear Technology Regulation with a minimum GPA of at least 5.0/7.0 and at least 2 courses in a cognate discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0

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

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://mathsdiagnostic.com/LMS/login/ 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-modules. 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.

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, 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. 

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

Potential pathway to Masters (Advanced)

Students who are admitted to the Master of Science in Nuclear Science can explore the option of undertaking a signficant research component. Please discuss this with the program convener before completion of the first 48 units of study at the Master level. Students have the option of applying to transfer to the Master of Science (Adv) in Nuclear Science (Adv) and undertaking a 24 unit research project if they satisfy the following requirements:

• have completed the coursework component required in the first 48 units of the Master of Science (Adv) in Nuclear Science,
• achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the initial 48 units of coursework,
• have the approval of an identified supervisor, and
• meet the published admission requirements of the Master of Science (Adv) in Nuclear Science

Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD:

This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year single undergraduate degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). Not all undergraduate and Masters programs are offered as a Vertical Double Degree pathway. For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees

Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.

This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Exit pathways:

Students who have completed 48 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Students who have completed 24 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Certificate of Science.

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.