Faculty of Science

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Making an impact on global issues

Science is central to almost all areas of modern life and technology. It provides a foundation for and advancements in fields such as agriculture and the environment, biological sciences, human sciences, molecular sciences, psychological sciences and earth sciences.

Advances in technology and science are transforming our world at an incredible pace, and the next generation will undoubtedly experience leaps in technology we can only imagine.

UWA science researchers tackle global, regional and local issues to make the world a better place. Their work translates into economic, social and environmental impact. As a research-intensive university in the top 1% of the world, we contribute to global knowledge, while meeting the needs of communities. We benefit from vital funding which helps us translate our research into tangible benefits for all.

1st in Australia and 17th in the world for Agricultural Sciences (ARWU 2020)

1st in Australia and 21st in the world for Environmental Science and Engineering (ARWU 2020)

Ranked 33rd in the world for Human Biological Sciences (ARWU 2020)

22nd in the world for Oceanography (ARWU 2020)

20th in the world for Sports-Related Subjects (QS 2020)

23rd in the world for Anatomy and Physiology (QS 2020)

Ranked 24th in the world for Geology (QS 2020)

29th in the world for Earth and Marine Science (QS 2020)

At the Faculty of Science, you will learn how to harness the power of science to change lives for the better. Your studies will involve not only the theory, but the crucial technical skills of your chosen field. Whether it's in our world-class laboratories, on exciting field trips or in real-world industry placements, we give you the chance to become immersed in the hands-on side of science. I am sure you will find your scientific journey with us rewarding and fulfilling.
Professor Tony O'Donnell
Executive Dean
Faculty of Science

Bettering the world

The diverse nature of our Faculty and Western Australia's resource-rich environment give our students unique research opportunities. Our Faculty focuses on meaningful change for the world and humanity in six areas:

Scholarships

There are a number of prestigious scholarships available to domestic and international students, offered by UWA and the Faculty of Science.

The Global Excellence Scholarship
The University of Western Australia is offering high achieving students across the globe scholarships to study with us. This significant scholarship will be awarded to high-achieving undergraduate and postgraduate students, from selected countries, who apply for particular courses at the University.

If you're looking to study in Australia, you could be awarded up to AUD$45,000 for undergraduate studies and up to AUD$30,000 for postgraduate to assist with your tuition fees.

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The Dean's Excellence in Science PhD Scholarship

Our facilities

The Faculty of Science is home to a wide range of facilities which support world-class research and teaching activities.

Imaging at Science

Imaging at Science is one of the leading biological imaging facilities in Western Australia.

Histology

UWA’s Histology Laboratory produces high-quality work for teaching and research purposes within the University and broader scientific community.

Earth and Environment Analysis Laboratory

Chemical and physical analyses in environmental and agricultural areas.

Remotely Piloted Aerial Sensing Platform

The Remotely Piloted Aerial Sensing Platform provides the latest in drone and sensing equipment to support UWA students, researchers and collaborators.

Plant Growth Facilities

A high-quality, practical growing site for carrying out controlled experiments with the capacity for a wide range of research and teaching.

Bayliss Building

The Bayliss Building is a stunning five-storey facility that’s the largest and most technically complex building on our campus. Home to the School of Molecular Sciences, the building was named after Emeritus Professor Sir Noel Stanley Bayliss (1906-1996), an eminent Australian chemist whose name was given to the mineral ‘baylissite’.

UWA Mining Innovation Network

MINe works in collaboration with industry, government, research and training institutes, and civil society organisations, to co-create solutions to local, national and global challenges facing the mining industry.

Barry J Marshall library

Extensive study spaces and a wide range of convenient facilities

Group therapy session with psychology students

Robin Winkler Clinic

The Robin Winkler Clinic clinic provides individual and group psychological treatment and assessment for people of all ages and backgrounds is linked with UWA’s School of Psychological Sciences.

Shenton Park Field Station

The Shenton Park Field Station is a 67-hectare facility supporting research by plant and animal biologists.

Clients and students working out in UWA Exercise Performance Centre.

UWA Exercise and Performance Centre

The UWA Exercise and Performance Centre (EPC) provides individual and group exercise services for people of all ages and backgrounds to improve health, function and physical performance.

Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management

The Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management (CENRM) is an Albany-based research centre of the University of Western Australia (UWA)

Cell and Molecular Life Facility

The Cell and Molecular Life Facility teaches and supports research staff and students advanced molecular biology techniques.

The UWA Centre for Sleep Science

UWA’s Centre for Sleep Science is committed to researching sleep and sleep disorders and offers a variety of educational opportunities.

International partnerships

UWA has more than 200 agreements with international partners. We are the only Western Australian university to belong to the Group of Eight – a coalition of the top research universities in the country.

We’re also one of only two Australian universities to belong to the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), a partnership of 18 research-led universities from Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific. This international 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.

The University is also a foundation member of the Matariki Network of high-quality, research-intensive universities with a particular focus on student experience.

Be inspired by our research

Partnerships and outreach

We collaborate with industry, government agencies and universities worldwide to offer diverse education and research programs and forge meaningful partnerships with organisations to strengthen their capabilities and achieve solutions.

Our Faculty also links with schools and the wider community through various programs and outreach activities to raise awareness and generate interest in science education.

Our people

We are home to award winning researchers and academics who are experts in their field.

Professor Daniel Murphy

Professor Daniel Murphy's research focuses on improving soil and its impact on sustainable agriculture in Australia and worldwide.

Professor Ryan Lister

Professor Ryan Lister is an award winning scientist at UWA whose research focuses on the information contained in the DNA of plant and animal genomes.

Dr Cyril Grueter

Dr Cyril Grueter is a senior lecturer and researcher in biological anthropology, studying the social organisation of primates as a basis for understanding human behaviour.

Dr Archa Fox

Dr Archa Fox is a senior lecturer and leading researcher in the School of Molecular Sciences whose research has uncovered a new cellular structure, paraspeckles.

Dr Louise Naylor

Dr Louise Naylor is a senior lecturer and researcher in exercise physiology whose research investigates exercise as medicine to treat disease.

Professor Shayne Loft

Professor Shayne Loft is the Director of the Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Psychology Laboratory and Deputy Head of The University of Western Australia’s School of Psychological Science.

Professor Shane Maloney

Professor Shane Maloney's research focuses on the thermal physiology of humans and animals.

Eun-Jung Holden

Professor Holden’s multi-disciplinary research spans the boundaries of computational science and geoscience, and links academia with industry.

Professor Sarah Dunlop

Professor Sarah Dunlop is a highly regarded researcher leading an integrated team in basic and clinical research to promote recovery after neurotrauma.

Simon Farrell

Professor Simon Farrell is Head of the School of Psychological Science, his ongoing research examines how people pursue goals and how we make decisions in social contexts

Dr Nat Benjanuvatra

Dr Nat Benjanuvatra is a researcher and lecturer in UWA’s School of Human Sciences working with elite athletes and coaches to optimise performance.

Professor Richard Hobbs

Professor Richard J Hobbs FAA, is a Professor of Ecology and IAS Distinguished Fellow, former ARC Australian Laureate Fellow, and Head of the ERIE Research Group at The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

Professor Colin MacLeod

School of Psychological Science Professor Colin MacLeod is an ARC Laureate Fellow, and Director of the Rutherford Memorial Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion.

Dr Tristan Clemons

Dr Tristan Clemons and his team use nanoparticles to revolutionise how we treat injuries and diseases, such as burns and cancer, by improving drug delivery and avoiding negative side effects.

Winthrop Professor David Badcock

Winthrop Professor David Badcock is an expert in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, focusing on visual processing and perception.

Professor Charlie Bond

Professor Charlie Bond is a dedicated structural biologist driving research with far-reaching applications

Associate Professor Carmela Pestell

Associate Professor Carmela Pestell is a clinician, researcher and lecturer in clinical psychology and neuropsychology, and Director of the Robin Winkler Clinic

Professor Romola Bucks

Professor Romola Bucks is an award winning researcher whose research investigates cognitive disorders related to the process of ageing.

Professor Annette George

Professor Annette George is Head of the School of Earth Sciences and researcher in petroleum geoscience and early Earth environments.

Winthrop Professor Daniel Green

Winthrop Professor Daniel Green is a cardiovascular exercise physiologist in the School of Human Sciences studying ways to prevent chronic disease.

Professor Jane Pillow

Professor Jane Pillow is a clinical scientist and neonatologist whose work focuses on improving outcomes for premature infants.

Professor Stephen Powles

Professor Stephen Powles is one of the world’s most highly cited agricultural scientists and is widely regarded as an expert in herbicide resistance in plants.

Emeritus Professor John Pate

Professor John Pate is a distinguished biologist and plant physiologist with a career spanning decades of scientific research and discovery.

See all Faculty of Science staff

News

A kick towards positive fathering

Tue, 8 Sep 2020

The Men Against Violence round of the Great Northern Football League (GNFL) will be returning for its second year.

Coinciding with the Father’s Day weekend, the round will be held on the 5th and 6th of September at Chapman Valley, Brigades and Railways.

Round 9 of the GNFL and GNWFL ‘Men Against Violence’ rounds will promote positive fatherhood and the roles men can play to be positive dads or male role models.

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Biochar and zinc application can improve wheat grown in certain soils

Tue, 25 Aug 2020

Researchers from The University of Western Australia’s Institute of Agriculture and Sultan Qaboos University in Oman have found that the combined application of biochar and zinc can mitigate stress in wheat caused by the heavy metal cadmium.

Cadmium reduces the growth, yield, and zinc concentration in wheat grain due to oxidative stress. Its accumulation in soil can cause significant health risks to humans if it is introduced into the food chain via crops.

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UWA News has moved to Impact

Mon, 17 Aug 2020

All UWA news content, including media releases, are now available on Impact.

Read More

Visit our newsroom

Upcoming events

The Science Experience at UWA

12 Jan 2021

At the Science Experience at UWA we invite year 9 and 10 students with a passion for STEM

See all events

Contact the Science Faculty Office

Phone

Get in touch

+61 8 6488 6770

Email

Send an enquiry

contactscience@uwa.edu.au

Location

Find us on campus

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Staff

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A-Z listing

Faculty of Science

Making an impact on global issues

Bettering the world

Scholarships

Our facilities

Imaging at Science

Histology

Earth and Environment Analysis Laboratory

Remotely Piloted Aerial Sensing Platform

Plant Growth Facilities

Bayliss Building

UWA Mining Innovation Network

Barry J Marshall library

Robin Winkler Clinic

Shenton Park Field Station

UWA Exercise and Performance Centre

Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management

Cell and Molecular Life Facility

The UWA Centre for Sleep Science

International partnerships

Be inspired by our research