BioSciences Honours Research Project Pt2 (BIOL40008)
HonoursPoints: 37.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Semester 2 (Early-Start)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 (Early-Start) - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 (Early-Start) - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| 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.
The subject involves experimental research under the direction of a supervisor.
Intended learning outcomes
Objectives of this subject are for students to:
- 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
| 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 (Early-Start)
Principal coordinator Mike Haydon Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor. Total time commitment 510 hours Teaching period 2 January 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 15 January 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 (Early-Start) contact information
- Semester 2 (Early-Start)
Principal coordinator Mike Haydon Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor. Total time commitment 510 hours Teaching period 1 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 9 July 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 (Early-Start) contact information
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 37.5 point research project subject would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of 30 hours per week.
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