Program Requirements

The Master of Science (Advanced) in Quantum Technology and Instrumentation requires completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

72 units from the coursework component

24 units from the research component

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

A minimum of 36 units from completion of courses from the subject area PHYS - Physics

The 96 units must consist of:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory Quantum and Instrumentation courses:

PHYS6711 Fundamentals of Noise and Measurement (6 units)

PHYS8751 Quantum Technology (6 units)

12 units from completion of the following compulsory Science and Society courses:   

PHYS6205 Physics for Future Leaders (6 units)

PHYS8752 Quantum Industry (6 units)

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

PHYS6013 Quantum Mechanics (6 units)

PHYS6101 Advanced Quantum Mechanics (6 units)

A minimum of 12 units from completion of research training and research courses from the following list:

PHYS6701 Rapid Prototyping (6 units)

PHYS8702 Prototyping and Systems Integration (6 units)

PHYS8750 Masters Special Topics in Physics (6 units)

A minimum of 18 units from completion of courses from any of the following Field of Study course lists, which can be taken from one list or multiple lists:

Quantum Science

PHYS6201 Quantum Field Theory (6 units)

PHYS6500 Optical Physics (6 units)

PHYS8750 Masters Special Topics in Physics (which must be in Quantum Technology) (6 units)

Quantum Technology

PHYS6500 Optical Physics (6 units)

PHYS6502 Applied Optics (6 units)

PHYS8750 Masters Special Topics in Physics (which must be in Quantum Technology) (6 units)

Which may include a maximum of 6 units from:

MGMT7020 Technology and Project Management (6 units)

MGMT7161 New Venture Creation (6 units)

MGMT7165 Innovation (6 units)

Optical Instrumentation

PHYS6500 Optical Physics (6 units)

PHYS6502 Applied Optics (6 units)

PHYS8017 Optoelectronics and Integrated Optics (6 units)

PHYS8721 Advanced Imaging Methods and Systems (6 units)

Gravitational Wave Instrumentation

ENGN6223 Control Systems (6 units)

PHYS6102 Advanced Electromagnetism (6 units)

PHYS6203 General Relativity (6 units)

PHYS6502 Applied Optics (6 units)

Integrated Photonics

PHYS6032 Solid State Physics (6 units)

PHYS6102 Advanced Electromagnetism (6 units)

PHYS6500 Optical Physics (6 units)

A maximum of 12 units from completion of further courses from the lists above not previously taken or the Quantum Technology and Instrumentation complementary elective list below:

PHYS6020 Thermal and Statistical Physics (6 units)

PHYS8301 Applied Mathematical Methods in Physics (6 units)

ENGN6537 Digital Signal Processing (6 units)

MATH6111 Scientific Computing (6 units)

MATH6114 Number Theory and Cryptography (6 units)

MATH6405 Applied Mathematics I: Ordinary Differential Equations and Vector Calculus (6 units)

MATH6406 Partial Differential Equations, Fourier Analysis and Complex Analysis (6 units)

COMP6730 Programming for Scientists (6 units)

COMP6670 Introduction to Machine Learning (6 units)

MGMT7161 New Venture Creation (6 units)

MGMT7165 Innovation (6 units)

MGMT7020 Technology and Project Management (6 units)

24 units from the following research component:

PHYS8000 Masters Research Project, which must be taken over consecutive semesters if taken part-time

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 Quantum Technology and Instrumentation. 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 Quantum Technology and Instrumentation or the Graduate Diploma of Science.

Master Research

This Masters (Advanced) program meets this requirement through the substantial research-based project PHYS8000.

Master Research Training

The program has a hands-on, inquiry-based education strategy, focused on teaching students the practical lab based skills necessary to succeed in the fields of quantum technology and precision instrumentation. This is reflected in the program capstone courses which include prototyping and fabrication courses and embedded research projects with research teams. These courses include PHYS8750 (Masters Special Topics), PHYS6701 (Rapid Prototyping), PHYS8702 (Prototyping and Integration), each of which emphasise self-directed learning in a project context. In PHYS6701 and PHYS8702, students will conceive, design, prototype, and test a substantial piece of instrumentation, culminating in a final project. PHYS8750 will see students either conduct an in-depth study of a specific theoretical, societal and/or technical aspect of a particular quantum technology, under the supervision of an expert in the field, or join a research team to complete a short research based project on a cutting edge aspect of quantum technology or precision instrumentation. Each course will be culminate in the students producing a written report on their project.

In addition, 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 and a final oral presentation.  

Capstone Courses

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.

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.

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 a 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, 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.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates with specialised skills in quantum technology and instrumentation can bridge the gap between theoretical quantum mechanics and practical hardware development. Job roles can include Quantum Engineer, Quantum Systems Physicists, Photonics Engineer, Optical Scientist or Quantum Software Developer. 

Graduates with Quantum Technology and Instrumentation skills from ANU are in high demand across the defense, space, advanced manufacturing, quantum computing and precision sensing sectors, with many roles available in Canberra. Key opportunities include roles as quantum scientists, quantum engineers, optical specialists and research positions in high-precision measurement.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate high level knowledge of quantum technologies and instrumentation;
2. Apply their knowledge of quantum technology and instrumentation to new problems;
3. Interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to quantum technology and instrumentation;
4. Demonstrate theoretical and practical skills relevant to techniques and research methodology in quantum technology and instrumentation;
5. Critically analyse data within quantum technologies and instrumentation 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

This Masters (Advanced) program meets this requirement through the substantial research-based project PHYS8000.

Inherent Requirements

No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this program.

Further Information

Program advice:

• PHYS8750 Masters Special Topics in Physics - should take care to select the class number associated with the Special Topic in Quantum Technology or Instrumentation depending on the focus of the topic.
• PHYS8000 Masters Research Project - for students in the MSc (Adv) in Quantum Technology and Instrumentation, the research project must be in the field of Quantum Technology or Instrumentation, or both.

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.