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BioSciences Research Project Part 4 (BIOL90016)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | January July |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is part of a sequence of four (A to D) taken in successive semesters that together constitute the 125-point research project offered through the MSc Bioscience. The project involves laboratory or field-based experimental research in an area of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Developmental Biology, and Plant Biology. The research projects cover a broad range of research from molecular to population and evolutionary biology in micro-organisms, insects, plants and animals. The project will be based in the laboratory of an academic staff member in the School of BioSciences or an approved external supervisor, depending on the particular research project. The research project aims to develop a range of experimental and technical skills, a capacity to set goals and to design and plan experiments. Apart from the help and guidance from their supervisor(s) each student also has a committee, which provides additional help and expertise. This committee is responsible for assessment of the research project subject. The subject also provides students with skills and knowledge for understanding original research and enhanced written and oral communication skills.
The project will be taken over four consecutive semesters and will begin on the Monday of semester of entry (semesters 1 or 2) and continue for up to 88 weeks until the end of the fourth semester, minus recreation leave of between 4 and 8 weeks (22 weeks per semester over the four semesters).
For how long and at what time within the enrolment the actual period of leave is to be taken needs to be negotiated with a student’s supervisor.
The Research Project will be due for submission by the end of the formal examination period of the fourth semester of enrolment if an earlier date is not specified.
Intended learning outcomes
Objectives of this subject are for students to:
The subject involves experimental research under the direction of a supervisor.
- understand the way in which experiments are designed, communicated and interpreted;
- extend their abilities in oral and written scientific communication;
- gain the ability to read and assimilate specific research papers and to understand how the research reported relates to the broad field of biological sciences;
- acquire experience in planning and executing laboratory or field-based experimental research;
- develop effective skills in data collection and analysis, and postulating testable hypotheses based on this data.
Generic skills
This subject should provide students with the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:
- the ability to evaluate scientific literature;
- the ability to use conceptual models to assess experimental data;
- the ability to conduct research;
- the capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written and oral presentations;
- the capacity for high level written report presentation skills;
- the capacity for oral communication and presentation skills;
- time management and self-management skills.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL90012 | BioSciences Research Project Part 3 |
January (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL90013 | BioSciences Research Project Part 3 |
July (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
BIOL90014 | BioSciences Research Project Part 3 |
July (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
|
37.5 |
BIOL90015 | BioSciences Research Project Part 3 |
July (On Campus - Parkville)
January (On Campus - Parkville)
|
50 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
The entire research project for the Master of Science (BioSciences) consists of 125 points with assessments distributed over 4 semesters. Assessments in BioScience Research project D contribute 80% to the final mark of the research project.
A 20 minute oral presentation due at the end of semester (12.5% and 10% of final mark). A research thesis of up to 20,000 words due at the end of semester (87.5% and 70% of final mark).
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- January
Coordinators Alexander Idnurm and Michael Murray Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 10 hours per week (per 12.5 point loading) is expected. Teaching period 2 January 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 1 February 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 April 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 - July
Coordinators Alexander Idnurm and Michael Murray Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 10 hours per week (per 12.5 point loading) is expected. Teaching period 1 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 24 July 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 October 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019
Time commitment details
This subject is an individual research project and weekly contact hours will vary depending on the nature of the project. Students should discuss this with their supervisor but as a guide, a student enrolled in a 12.5 point research project subject would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of 10 hours per week.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Science (BioSciences)
Last updated: 3 November 2022