Science, Technology and Engineering

News & Events Archive

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La Trobe Synchrotron Program website launched - October 2008

La Trobe University is a foundation member of the recently opened Australian Synchrotron. The University has signed up for a $2.5 million five-year beamline partnership in association with a group of South Australian Universities. Beamline partners have preferential access to 30 per cent of the facility's capacity.

La Trobe research being carried out on this state-of-the-art facility ranges from how phosphate fertilisers, and major pollutants such as chromium, behave in different types of soil, to the design of better malaria drugs.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, says the partnership will enable La Trobe scientists and postgraduate students regular access to the Synchrotron as an education and research tool.

The instrument will be particularly useful for University water research units based along the Murray River, at its Albury-Wodonga and Mildura campuses, as well as for joint facilities with the Department of Primary Industries on the R&D Park on the main Melbourne campus at Bundoora.

Used for leading-edge research and teaching, Professor Johnson says the Synchrotron will be available to researchers and students from all campuses. It will support research in the physical and biological sciences, from nanotechnology, chemistry and materials science to surface physics.

For more information on how to access this facility, visit the La Trobe Synchrotron Program website.

 

Faculty staff win citations in Australian Learning and Teaching Council awards - August 2008

Staff from the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering won three Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning in the Australian Learning and Teaching Council awards that were presented on Wednesday 6th August, 2008.

The citation winners were:

• A team of Electron Microscopy teachers from the Bendigo campus - for the delivery and resourcing of an innovative third-year science unit with a focus on transition to the work force. The team includes Robert Glaisher, Sabine Wilkins, Chris Bradley, Rod Lindrea, David Osborne and Glenys Shirley;
• Dr Fiona Bird, lecturer in Zoology - for engaging students in an exciting, well-structured learning environment and motivating them towards a deeper understanding of biology by modelling scientific enquiry;
• Dr Susan Lawler, senior lecturer in Environmental Management and Ecology at the Albury-Wodonga campus - for creating engaging and inspiring learning experiences for students at a regional campus which harness their natural curiosity in genetics, evolution and conservation.

The Citations, valued at $10,000 each, are granted to individuals and teams of academics in recognition of their achievements in contributing to the quality of student learning.

 

$230M Biosciences Research Centre project - Tenderers shortlisted - 13 August, 2008

The final tender shortlist for the $230 million Biosciences Research Centre (BRC) was announced on 13 August, by the Victorian Treasurer, John Lenders. Mr Lenders said three groups, Research Environments, Plenary Research and InfraNova had been asked to submit detailed proposals to deliver the new research centre at La Trobe University as a Public Private Partnership.

The Centre is a joint initiative between Victorian Government, through its Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and La Trobe University. It will be built on the Bundoora campus. A major new research facility for agricultural biosciences, it aims to deliver internationally recognised research and development science for the benefit of Victoria.

This world-class facility will accommodate up to 400 scientists from DPI, La Trobe and the private sector. All of DPI's metropolitan based Biosciences Research division staff will relocate to the Centre. La Trobe's existing biosciences staff and activities in the plant and animal sciences, in sustainability, in bioinformatics and in 'E' science will also relocate. The Centre's scientific programs will include:

• world-leading gene discovery and functional genomics in major plant and animal species of importance to Victoria and Australia
• molecular breeding for disease resistance, drought tolerance, bioenergy and health
• molecular diagnostics, biological control and other management strategies for plant and animal pests, weeds and diseases of importance to Victoria and Australia
• physiology and genetics related to plant and animal bioactives and health
• developing sustainable systems of animal and plant production.

More information about the Biosciences Research Centre

 

Launch of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre - Friday 27 June 2008

The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) was established to advance knowledge of the nature and causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as to develop and study evidence-based strategies for supporting children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Centre focuses on both basic and applied research. To find out more, visit the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre website.

 

Science at La Trobe ranked in Australia’s top 12

La Trobe University ranks in the top 12 Australian universities in Science, according to a 2007 Taiwan ranking of world universities. The Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan evaluates journal articles and citations across the past year and a ten year period. Its specialised ranking methodology weights recent and historical performance differently. This gives a more robust, qualitative ranking of world universities’ current performance in Science, compared to the broader university academic rankings, such as the Shanghai Jiao Tong.

 

Working in Science - Starting Salaries and Employment Issues - did you know?

The Graduate Careers Council of Australia reports (2007) show:

• The typical (median) annual starting salary for new Australian resident bachelor degree graduates aged less than 25 and in their first full-time job was $43,000.
• Females earned slightly higher starting salaries than males in computer science (104.7%) and agricultural science (102.5%).

Field of Education	Median Starting Salary $
Agriculture	40,000
Psychology	42,000
Civil Engineering	50,000
Electronic/Computer Engineering	48,000
Pharmacy	34,000 (pre registration)
Computer Science	43,200
Life Sciences	41,000
Mathematics	46,000
Chemistry	42,000
Physical Sciences	43,000
Education - initial	46,000

Source: GradFiles Schools Edition, December 2007. Graduate Careers Australia
www.graduatecareers.com.au

 

Top 10 selection criteria for recruiting graduates:

Employers reported the following in descending order of importance:

Interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
Academic qualifications
Work Experience
Leadership skills
Passion/Knowledge of Industry/Drive/Commitment/Attitude
Teamwork skills
Critical reasoning & analytical skills/problem solving/lateral thinking/technical skills
Emotional intelligence (self-awareness, strength of character, confidence, motivation)
Activities
Cultural alignment/values fit

For more detailed information on these reports go to the Graduate Careers Australia website.

 

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