Medical Sciences
The following four research disciplines may be of interest to Science students, however the PhD and MSc programs are administered by the Sydney Medical School. For administrative enquiries for Honours and Graduate Diploma in Science please contact the Faculty of Science.
Anatomy & Histology
Anatomy and histology has internationally renowned researchers offering exciting research projects for students wishing to undertake postgraduate programs. The research labs within the discipline are well-funded from government and corporate bodies and have an outstanding reputation for publications in the top international journals. The discipline is one of the largest in the University, and indeed the largest of its type in Australia. The discipline is most interested in attracting talented and determined students for its research programs.
Areas of research include, but are not limited to:
- neurochemistry
- neural structure and function
- animal development
- retinal biology
- Alzheimer’s disease
- physical anthropology
- muscle research
- vision
- lens research
- Parkinson’s disease
- female reproduction
- teratology
Pharmacology
The Discipline of Pharmacology is the largest in Australia and provides undergraduate teaching in addition to its extensive research. As well as recurrent funds from the University, the Discipline attracts research funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and other similar bodies.
Areas of research include, but are not limited to:
- cardiovascular research
- drug metabolism/drugs and the elderly
- GABA receptors and transporters, sex, stress, steroids and diabetes
- hepatic drug metabolism
- medicinal chemistry
- molecular pharmacology of glutamate transport
- neuropharmacology of drug addiction
- respiratory pharmacology
- Parkinson’s disease endocannibinoids
Physiology
The Discipline of Physiology has a strong tradition in research and this commitment to understanding the function of the human body is reflected in the discipline’s high research profile.
Areas of research include, but are not limited to:
- andrology
- auditory neuroscience
- basic and clinical genomics
- cardiovascular neuroscience
- cortical development
- developmental physiology
- epithelial transport
- human reproduction
- vision and cognition
- molecular neuroscience
- muscle cell function
- muscle research
- neurobiology
- vitamin D, skin and bone
- systems neuroscience
- vision
Pathology
The Discipline of Pathology has very active research groups investigating a large number of human diseases. A wide variety of modern techniques, using both human tissue and experimental animals, are employed to investigate disease causes and processes. The Discipline has a well-regarded science Honours program (run by the Science Faculty) and a large number of students in the PhD program (run by the Medicine Faculty).
Areas of research (in alphabetical order) are:
- atherosclerosis
- cancer
- dementia
- heart muscle disorders
- immunology of blood vessels
- inflammatory bowel disease
- malaria
- motor neuron disease
- viral encephalitis
Students interested in Honours or PhD research in any of these areas should first check the Discipline website to get more information about these projects. You should then contact one of the laboratory heads to meet and discuss your joining the team. Once you have been accepted into a project, contact either the Honours coordinator or the PhD coordinator.
Academic Programs offered by Faculty of Science
- Honours
- Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSc)
Academic Programs offered by the Sydney Medical School
Master of Science (MSc)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)