Further information
Research Leaders
- Winthrop Professor Malcolm McCulloch
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Winthrop Professor Malcolm McCulloch is a world-leading expert on the effects of climate change and direct anthropogenic activities on coral reefs. His research is characterised by the development and application of new sets of quantitative tools for determining sediment discharge into reefs, changes in freshwater river runoff, ocean temperatures, sea-levels, and most recently ocean acidification from rising CO2 emissions.
Professor McCulloch is an ARC Laureate Fellow in the School of Earth & Environment and member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, formerly WA Premier’s Research Fellow. Throughout his career he has received numerous awards and distinctions, including being made a Fellow of The Royal Society (London) in 2010, and a Fellow of The Geological Society of Australia in 2009.
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UWA is a science-focused university. More than 50% of our undergraduates and over 40% of our postgraduate students study the sciences.
We are ranked 1st in Australia for Life and Agricultural Sciences.
From Astronomy to Zoology, UWA is a multidisciplinary melting pot of expertise and research capabilities.
Science that makes a difference
The diverse nature of our faculty and the resource-rich natural environment here in Western Australia provide our students with unique opportunities for research. As a faculty, we focus on bringing about meaningful change for the world and humanity in the key areas of:
- Feeding the world
- Preventing, diagnosing and treating disease
- Furthering human knowledge and enhancing society
- Harnessing resources and energy for a sustainable future
- Optimising physical and mental performance
- Restoring and maintaining balance in our natural environment
These major research projects are making a difference to people’s lives around the world.
Being ‘in the zone’
UWA is very much ‘in the zone’, meaning we’re ideally situated within the Asian time zone that’s home to 60% of the global population and many of the world’s emerging economic powerhouses. It’s a region that’s playing an increasingly influential role in international business, innovation and industry, and we’re at the heart of it. Find out more about why being ‘in the zone’ is so important
A biodiversity hotspot
We are also located close to an international biodiversity hotspot in Australia’s South West – an area of 300,000 square kilometres, with 13,500 kilometres of coastline. In addition to 1,500+ plant species and a host of endemic mammals, we also have World Heritage-listed Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef – one of the world’s largest fringing reefs – on our doorstep. Read more about our unique environment and some of the myriad research opportunities it presents.
Highly ranked, widely renowned
As one of Australia's Group of Eight research-intensive universities, we have an exceptionally strong research culture that’s widely renowned.
UWA is ranked as the top university in Australia for Life and Agricultural Sciences by the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities, (2014). Psychology and Earth and Marine Science are ranked in the world's top 40 institutions (QS World University Rankings by subject). We are ranked 18th in the top 100 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education).
Research partnerships
UWA is one of only two Australian universities to belong to the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) which is a partnership of 18 research-led universities from Europe, North America, South East Asia and Australia. This alliance fosters and encourages collaboration between members, bringing together the experience, equipment and expertise necessary to tackle the big issues currently facing societies, governments, corporations and education.
Our students and staff
The Faculty of Science has more than 5000 students and more than 800 staff members, including ten Highly Cited Scientists, three Federation Fellows, six Premiers Fellows, four Australian Laureate Fellows and winners of numerous national and international prestigious science awards, such as:
- Professor Ryan Lister, recipient of the 2014 Frank Fenner prize for Life Scientist of the Year
- WA Scientist of the Year 2012 Professor Peter Quinn, the world-renowned astrophysicist who played a key role in the success of the nation’s bid to host the world’s biggest radio astronomy project, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
- Winthrop Professor Mark Spackman, winner of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 2013 Gregori Aminoff Prize in Crystallography
- Winthrop Professor Philip Vercoe and the Enrich Project team who won the 2013 Eureka Prize 'Caring for our Country Landcare Eureka Prize for Sustainable Agriculture'
Science research within our schools
Find out more about the groundbreaking research being carried out within our schools and centres.
Discover some of our current PhD research projects.
How to apply
The Faculty offers both research and postgraduate coursework courses by thesis or a combination of thesis and practice-based research.
Domestic students, for information on how to apply for a postgraduate research degree, visit the Future Students website.
International students, if you wish to apply for a postgraduate research degree in the Sciences, you will first need to find a supervisor. To assist you in finding a supervisor, we ask you to complete the online enquiry form. For general questions about undertaking a postgraduate research degree in the Sciences, contact HDR Enquiry.
Find out what our postgraduates are researching.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
