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The Australian National University (ANU), is a university located in Canberra, the national capital of Australia. According to several international indices, it is the best university in Australia, being particularly strong in research. It is one of Australia's " Group of Eight" leading universities.

1 History

The ANU was founded in 1946 by the Australian Federal Government as Australia's only research only university. With a mandate for "postgraduate research and study, both generally and in relation to subjects of national importance to Australia" the ANU was intended to strengthen Australia's research efforts at the highest levels.

In 1960 undergraduate education was added to the ANU by amalgamation with the Canberra University College. The University retains two distinct parts: the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) continuing a focus on research and postgraduate study, and the School of General Studies (now known as The Faculties) which includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The ANU also contains many focused schools and centres.

2 Academic structure

The academic structure of the ANU is made up of three parts; The Institute of Advanced Studies, The Faculties and the University Centres.

2.1 The Institute of Advanced Studies

The IAS is focused on post-graduate education and research. The IAS comprises nine research schools and a research centre:

• Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Australia's premier university center for astronomical research, the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) runs the ANU's two observatories Mount Stromlo Observatory and Siding Springs Observatory . [1]

• Research School of Biological Sciences

The Research School of Biological Sciences (RSBS) is one of Australia's leading biological research centres. Research is carried out in significant areas such as agriculture, environment, health and technologyTechnology ( Gr. tau;εχνολογια < τεχνη "craftsmanship" + λογος "word, reckoning" + the suffix ια) has more than one definition.. [2]

• Research School of Chemistry

The Research School of Chemistry (RSC) extends our fundamental knowledge in chemistryChemistry is the science of matter and its interactions with energy (see physics, biology). Because of the diversity of matter (which is mostly atomic), Chemists are often engaged in the pursuit of studying how atoms interact to form molecules, and how mo concentrating on areas of national importance. The RSC's outstanding performance is recognised around the world. [3]

• Research School of Earth Sciences

The Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) is one of the top ten, university geoscience programs in the world. [4]

• Research School of Information Sciences and Engineering

The Research School of Information Sciences and Engineering (RSISE) contains the Departments of Systems Engineering and Telecomunications Engineering as well as the Computer Sciences Laboratory. [5]

• Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies

The Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies (RSPAS) is Australia's leading centre for research and postgraduate training on the Asia Pacific region. Priority research areas include Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Southwest Pacific . [6]

• Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering

The Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering (RSPhysSE) is Australia's foremost physical sciences and engineering research facility. Research ranges from the fundamental to the applied, including both experimental and theoretical work. The school's primary research areas are: materials science and engineering; lasers, nonlinear optics and photonics; nanotechnology and mesoscopic physics ; physics of atoms, molecules and the nucleus; plasma physics and surface science ; physics and the environment. [7]

• Research School of Social Sciences

The Research School of Social Sciences (RSSS) is the leading Australian institution for theoretical and empirical research in the social sciences. The following programs are exist within the school: Demography & Sociology, Economics, History, Law, Philosophy, Political Science and Social & Political Theory. [8]

• The John Curtin School of Medical Research

The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) was formed in 1948 as a result of the vision of Nobel Laureate Howard Florey and Prime Minister John Curtin. Two of Australia's Nobel Prizes have been won by research performed at John Curtin. [9]

• The Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies

Enjoying a reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration The Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies (CRES) includes economists, hydrologists , historians, ecologists, anthropologists and soil scientists . High quality research is undertaken into many natural resource and environmental issues. [10]