Further information
Research Leaders
- Professor Harvey Millar
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Take a breath - now exhale.
To most of us this is simply respiration, the taking in of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide, and we don't actually think much about it, why it happens and what it actually does.
But this process happens in every cell of our bodies and through it vital energy is produced. Professor Harvey Millar's work is directly concerned with breathing, in particular the chemical process of respiration within plants.
UWA is a science-focused university. More than 50% of our undergraduates and over 40% of our postgraduate students study the sciences. UWA is rated above world standard in 38 fields of research, and 79% of these are science fields.
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.
From projects that are helping to feed the world, to preventing diseases and securing sustainable energy, our work is furthering human knowledge and serving humanity, as well as playing a key role in protecting our natural environment. Take a look at some of the projects that 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 was ranked as the top university in Australia for Life and Agricultural Sciences and second for Chemistry (according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2012).
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.
People
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 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), and Professor Mark Spackman, winner of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 2013 Gregori Aminoff Prize in Crystallography.
Science research within our schools
Each school and centre within the Faculty has a strong research focus, which informs and becomes a part of our teaching. Science research takes place within our nine schools:
- School of Agricultural and Resource Economics
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology
- School of Animal Biology
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- School of Earth and Environment
- School of Physics
- School of Plant Biology
- School of Psychology
- School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health
- and in our numerous Research Centres and Institutes.
Study
The Faculty offers both research and postgraduate coursework courses by thesis or a combination of thesis and practice-based research.
Find out what our postgraduates are researching.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
