A 19-year-old University of Canberra science student who is accused of making drugs on campus has been held in custody pending a mental health assessment.

Miles Whitty appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court today on a charge of manufacturing an illegal drug.

Court documents show Mr Whitty called an ambulance about 5:00pm saying he had dropped a beaker while making cyanide in his campus room, and was having trouble breathing.

Shortly afterwards university staff received a fire alert, but by the time they arrived Mr Whitty had been taken to the Canberra Hospital.

The university confirmed students were evacuated from the building following the incident.

Police and firefighters told the court they found evidence of an explosion, with broken glass from chemistry equipment.

They said they also found chemicals and a notebook with a recipe for the drug MDMA, which is pure ecstasy commonly taken in capsules.

The court heard other items found included a spice container with a radioactive symbol, another container labelled uranium and several unknown substances.

Police alleged Mr Whitty was operating a clandestine drug lab in his room.

Mr Whitty is not expected to appear in court until his mental health is assessed.