TROPICAL PLANT SCIENCES
Coordinated by the School of Tropical Biology, postgraduate programs include the awards of Graduate Diploma of Science, Master of Applied Science (Coursework), Master of Science (by research) or Doctor of Philosophy (by research). The discipline also contributes to programs in other schools particularly in Marine Biology and Aquaculture, Tropical Biology and Tropical Environment Studies and Geography.
Discipline areas in which research degrees can be undertaken are plant systematics and population biology, plant ecology, plant physiology and metabolism, cytology, genetics and plant breeding, marine and freshwater plant biology, tropical soils and the theoretical and applied aspects of tropical crops, pastures and horticulture.
Postgraduate training opportunities are enhanced by linkages with several Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs) and numerous organisations in the region with research interests in tropical plants, plant communities and crops such as CSIRO, Bureau of Sugar Experimental Station, Departments of the Environment, Natural Resources and Primary Industries and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. The University hosts the CRCs for Sustainable Sugar Production, the CRC for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management and the CRC for the Sustainable Development of Tropical Savannas. Staff and students are actively involved in all these Centres.
MASTER OF APPLIED SCIENCE (BOTANY) MASTER OF APPLIED SCIENCE (TROPICAL AGRICULTURE)
The Master of Applied Science (Botany) provides training in applied aspects of the plant sciences. The Master of Applied Science (Tropical Agriculture) is a similar program but with special emphasis on those aspects of the plant sciences relevant to tropical agriculture. Each program requires a minimum of one year full-time study. Specialist strands of study may be selected, in consultation with the Course Coordinator.