News & Events
Welcome to our News and Events pages. The information here represents a selection of the many activities being undertaken within the Faculty.
Information on:
- Faculty staff win citations in Australian Learning and Teaching Council awards
- La Trobe Postgraduate Expos - a head start to your future - September 2008
- $230M Biosciences Research Centre project - Tenderers shortlisted - 13 August, 2008
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre launched Friday 27 June 2008
- Solar power generation at La Trobe
- Vale Emeritus Professor Bruce Stone - 28 June 2008
- The 2008 Nancy Millis Lecture topic was "Vaccines, Global Health and Social Equity" - more details on archive page...
- Science at La Trobe ranked in Australia’s top 12
- Working in science - starting salaries and employment issues
Faculty staff win citations in Australian Learning and Teaching Council awards
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.
La Trobe Postgraduate Expos - a head start to your future
Four exciting Postgraduate Expos are coming up soon:
- Bendigo campus - 3 September (register now)
- Albury-Wodonga campus - 10 September (register now)
- Melbourne (Bundoora) campus - 24 September (register now)
- Melbourne Town Hall - 14 October (register now)
For the complete schedule visit the La Trobe Postgraduate Expo 2008 website.
La Trobe University postgraduate chat room
You can also join our online postgraduate chat room - Thursday 16 October - Friday 24 October 2008. A great chance to chat with La Trobe's academic staff about postgraduate coursework programs. A great way to explore the possibilities postgraduate studies offer you. Enquiries, please call 1300 135 045.
$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. (view the BRC Project media release at La Trobe News and Events)
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.
Solar power generation at La Trobe
The Department of Electronic Engineering and the Buildings and Grounds unit have installed 30 solar panels on the roof of La Trobe's CycleSmart centre, which was recently built as part of La Trobe's sustainability program. The solar panels were purchased as part of a government initiative towards sustainability. The funding for the solar panels came from several sources; Sustainability Victoria, the Federal Government, Buildings and Grounds at La Trobe and the Department of Electronic Engineering at La Trobe.
While the energy output of the panels if small compared with La Trobe’s total electricity usage, the 30 solar panels will serve as an educational and research tool as well as raising the awareness of sustainable energy generation within the whole La Trobe community.
Presently, the Department of Electronic Engineering is in the process of adding a new sustainable engineering stream which will include the modification of one unit and the inclusion of two new units to focus on sustainable energy. The solar panel facility will enhance sustainable energy teaching and research activities at La Trobe and will demonstrate the principles of photovoltaic electricity generation and provide students with opportunities to develop monitoring processes. The new facility will be ready for the teaching of the new sustainable energy units in 2009.
Many of the La Trobe's staff and students along with their friends and families pitched in to help with the project. PhD student Andrew Mackie, who worked on installing the solar panels, says that "The opportunity to be involved in setting up a system to obtain free, clean electricity from the sun for decades is the type of thing that makes a community such as La Trobe's pull together."
Vale Emeritus Professor Bruce Stone
It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that Emeritus Professor Bruce Stone died peacefully on the 28th June after a struggle with cancer. Bruce was the Foundation Professor in Biochemistry at La Trobe and started the Department in 1972. The Funeral Service for Professor Bruce Stone was held in the Trinity College Chapel, Melbourne University, Royal Parade, Parkville on FRIDAY July 4, 2008.
Professor David Finlay
Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering
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.