BioSciences Honours Research Project Pt1 (BIOL40004)
HonoursPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 (Extended) Semester 2 (Extended) |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is part of a sequence that together constitute the 75-point research project offered through the Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) stream in BioSciences. The subject involves laboratory or field-based experimental research in an area of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Developmental Biology, or 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, including advice on design of the research project. This committee and supervisor(s) are 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
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
Students must satisfy the requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours).
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A research plan of a maximum 1000 words, due early in the first semester of the research project
| Early in the teaching period | 0% |
A literature Review of a maximum 3000 words, due during the first semester of the research project
| During the teaching period | 10% |
An oral presentation on the research project, including questions due toward the end of the final semester of the research project
| Second half of the teaching period | 10% |
A research thesis of up to 10,000 words due at the end of the final semester of the research project
| End of the teaching period | 75% |
Benchmark - supervisor grade based on performance during the research project, finalised at completion of the research project | End of the teaching period | 5% |
Additional details
The assessment outlined here applies to the entire 75 point research project, of which this subject is just one part.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1 (Extended)
Principal coordinator Mike Haydon Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 30 June 2020 - Semester 2 (Extended)
Principal coordinator Mike Haydon Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 24 December 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 24 December 2020
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 25 point research project subject would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of 20 hours per week
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation BioSciences Informal specialisation BioSciences
Last updated: 3 November 2022