Studying Chemistry in Australia
Chemistry is often called “the central science” because it lies at the boundaries of biology, physics, geology, mathematics and computational science. Chemical knowledge and principles are also used in agriculture, wine science, food technology, engineering, metallurgy, forensic analysis and other disciplines. Even if you do not intend to major in chemistry or in science, it is worthwhile studying some chemistry at university because it will enhance your scientific literacy and help you understand the science involved in economic, political and health issues.
Chemistry, like all sciences, is an international and trans-national discipline. Increasingly, advances in the discipline are made by multinational teams of researchers or teams with overseas connections. Travelling abroad to study chemistry is an entrée into that international world.
Where?
Australia has over forty universities, with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) accrediting undergraduate chemistry degrees at thirty-four of these universities. The RACI is the professional association for the chemistry profession, and is equivalent to the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), the American Chemical Society (USA) and similar bodies. Accreditation ensures that the subjects meet a strict academic standard. A full list of accredited degree courses can be found on the RACI website.
How?
Undergraduate chemistry is taught using a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratory practical exercises and on-line resources, depending on the university. Many of the teaching methods and resources are world leaders. For example, the VisChem animations are now used internationally and the Higher Education Academy’s Physical Sciences Centre (UK)’s Practice Guides include Australian contributions. At some universities you can use videoconferencing to interact with lecturers and classmates hundreds of kilometres away.
What?
A distinctly Australian experience that cannot be matched anywhere in the world is to undertake an upper-level undergraduate chemistry research project on (for example) the Great Barrier Reef, Antarctic marine species, or Australian wines and native mushrooms. Other undergraduate projects involve collaboration with industry: Australia produces over one-quarter of the world’s legal supply of opiate drugs, has the world’s largest output of aluminium oxide (bauxite), produced the first plastic banknotes, and is a leading producer of wool. Undergraduate research in more conventional chemistry is also available.
If you choose to do an upper-level undergraduate project, you might be eligible to attend one of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute’s student conferences. There are student conferences in several areas of chemistry, including polymer chemistry, synthetic chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, analytical and environmental chemistry, and physical chemistry. Many of these annual conferences are held in exotic locations and attendance fees are minimal for students.
There are few graduate or post-graduate study programs by coursework. The few programs are typically in areas related to chemistry, such as chemical education, occupational health and safety, bioinformatics. Most graduate or post-graduate programs are for Master-level or doctoral degrees by research. If you are interested, you should inquire about the possibility of a full or partial scholarship, but be aware that there is fierce competition for Australian-sourced scholarships. You may have better chances of success applying for a travelling scholarship from your home country.
The most important part of studying overseas is the opportunity to sample a different culture and to go touring – essentially a “study vacation”. Australia is a large country, roughly the same size of continental Europe or the 48 contiguous states of mainland USA, with varied scenery and climate. You may have seen some of this splendour in movies like Mission Impossible: M:I2, the Matrix trilogy, the Mad Max trilogy, Crocodile Dundee, and The Man from Snowy River, or in telecasts of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Most of the population and most of the universities are concentrated in the southeast coastal fringe of the continent, but it is possible to study all around the nation. The major metropolitan universities have a wide range of academic expertise and academic offerings, similar to leading universities in your home country. Studying at one of these universities gives you access to the major events on weekends and during university vacations. In addition to regular sporting fixtures like cricket, rugby union, rugby league, Australian Rules football, there are the Festival of Sydney, the Australian Grand Prix, as well as various tennis and golf championships.
The “regional” universities, may have smaller choices of subjects, but give you the opportunity to experience country Australia. For example, the University of New England has many national parks within an easy hour’s drive, Charles Sturt University has its own vineyard and winery, Charles Darwin University is close to Kakadu National Park, James Cook University and Central Queensland University are a short boat ride from the Great Barrier Reef, the University of Tasmania is a convenient base camp for visits to several World Heritage wilderness areas, while Deakin University adjoins the spectacular “surf coast” and “shipwreak coast” along the Great Ocean Road.
Australian universities are quite informal. It is normal to address senior academics by “Prof”, or even by their first names. Staff-versus-student sports are common on many university campuses. Barbecues (“BBQs”) -- parties featuring the grilling or roasting of food using an outdoor fire -- are very popular: most chemistry departments or their student clubs would hold barbecues during the academic year.
In summary, any overseas study will be an enriching experience. The study of chemistry is of relevance in many scientific careers and even if you intend a career outside science, will help you be more “scientifically literate”. Australia is an excellent place for overseas study because you can combine a high-quality academic program with the opportunity to explore a scenic and beautiful country.
Associate Professor Kieran F Lim
Deakin University, Chair, Division of Chemical Education, Royal Australian Chemical Institute
14 April 2006
