The Sydney Advantage Studying at the Key Centre is a rewarding experience. A combination of factors provides our students with many benefits, including direct access to world-class facilities, the freedom to interact with academics and experienced technicians, and the benefit of meeting our many visiting international scholars and research associates. The Key Centre also has a number of networks and working relationships with other research institutes and Industries which allows access to off-campus instrumentation. What to expect in the course Each student is allocated an academic supervisor, who acts as mentor and coach throughout the duration of their graduate study program. Several contact persons are also allocated to each student so as they can get expert advice and help on each microscopy and microanalysis technique.
Classes are a mixture of lectures and practicals.
The practical work is all hands-on and students will have the opportunity to drive world class instruments, at first under supervision, until they become competent independent operators. There are no formal examinations, but students are assessed according to attendance, participation, competence on the use of equipment, and submission of short problem solving exercises and short written reports. The Key Centre is fully equipped with its own lecture rooms and laboratories. It also has access to facilities at the Electron Microscope Unit and the School of Physics. Students have the opportunity to learn to operate a range of instruments.