Are you considering a PhD, but not really sure what’s involved? Are you curious about research, but not sure where to begin?

Come and join in the excitement of research at the ANU Physics and Astronomy Master Class, where we will answer these questions and many more!

The program will be presented over three action packed days and will include laboratory tours, hands on experiences, academic debates and special presentations. You will participate in:

• Taking control of one of the largest telescopes in Australia.
• The search for new objects beyond Pluto.
• Learning about Cosmology - are there any limits to what humans can know?
• Finding out how the elements are created.
• Cutting edge experimental and theoretical physics including Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Nonlinear Physics, Solid State Physics, Plasma Physics, and Atomic Physics.

Astronomy: The Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics has again been named Australia’s leading space research institution by achieving a key top-ten world ranking. The latest Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators report, published by Campus Review, lists the global top 20 institutions in space sciences. ANU ranked tenth, topping Harvard University, Cambridge University and the University of California, Berkley. ANU is the only university in Australia to make it onto the list and one of only three non-US institutions in the top 20. The ANU Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics is based at Mt Stromlo Observatory, on the outskirts of Canberra. Astronomers here study everything from the geology of Mars to the origin of the universe, from the nature of dark energy to the innermost secrets of stars. The ANU runs Australia's premier observatory, at Siding Spring, and is deeply involved in a wide variety of international space missions and telescopes.

Physics: Physics is a fundamental discipline on which other sciences are built. We have to come to grips with the basic nature of matter and of forces in order to create a complete model of the universe. In the process, many new technologies such as lasers and quantum computing come to light that would never have been discovered by simply refining existing technologies. Research in physics ranges from the atoms and nuclei that make up the universe to the very practical application of optical and electronic engineering in areas such as photonics and telecommunications. Our research leads us into many new and challenging areas such as anti-matter, quantum computing and nonlinear optics, and also involves the development of special powerful instrumentation such as ultra high resolution three dimensional x-ray scanners.

Physics and Engineering at ANU represents Australia's foremost university based research activity in this area, involving several hundred academics, graduate students and support staff. ANU hosts a wide array of major multi-million dollar experimental facilities, many serving a national research role. The quality of research is reflected by a strong involvement in four ARC centres of excellence, a CRC and our hosting of three ARC research networks.

Domestic students (Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents and New Zealand Citizens) who are in the final two years of an undergraduate program, or doing Honours, in a relevant discipline, are invited to participate in this three-day Master Class which will include interactive seminars and sessions showcasing important research work in the fields of Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics at the ANU from 2 July to 4 July 2009.

Ten bursaries covering travel, food and accommodation are available for this event. Applications close 9 June 2009. It is important that students applying for the master class ensure their referees send in email statements of support by the application closing date.

See the Conditions of Award

Download application form

For further information, please contact Anna Alikhan, National Marketing Coordinator on:

T: +61 2 6125 9131
E: anna.alikhan@anu.edu.au