BioSciences Research Project Part 1 (BIOL90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 50On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1 (Extended)
Semester 2 (Extended)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 (Extended) Semester 2 (Extended) |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The entire research project for the Master of Science (BioSciences) consists of 125 points with assessments distributed over 4 semesters for full-time, and 5 semesters for part-time.
This subject is part of a sequence taken in successive semesters that together constitute the 125-point research project offered through the MSc Bioscience.
The Research 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.
For full-time students, the project will be taken over four consecutive semesters and will begin on the Monday of the first semester (students can start either semester 1 or semester 2 for mid-year intake) 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 the student’s supervisor.
For part-time students, the project will be taken over five consecutive semesters. This will typically be from Semester 3 to Semester 7 of a 48 month MSc course.
Students will first enrol in BioSciences Research Project Part 1 in their first Research semester, and then progress through to Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 (and, for part-time students, Part 5). Students may only progress through BioScience Research Project subjects upon successful completion of the earlier project component.
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: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must satisfy the requirements for entry into the Master of Science (BioScience) course.
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assessments in BioSciences Research Project Part 1 contribute 20% to the final mark of the research project: a 20 minute oral presentation due around week 8 of the first semester (5%), and a 3000 word research proposal/literature review due around week 10 of the first semester (15%). | First Semester | 20% |
Additional details
The entire research project for the Master of Science (BioSciences) consists of 125 points with assessments distributed over 4 semesters for full-time, and 5 semesters for part-time.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1 (Extended)
Coordinators Michael Kearney 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. Total time commitment 680 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 30 June 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 30 June 2023 Semester 1 (Extended) contact information
- Semester 2 (Extended)
Coordinators Michael Murray and Michael Kearney 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. Total time commitment 680 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 24 December 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 24 December 2023 Semester 2 (Extended) 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 and a 50 point research project subject would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of 40 hours per week
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
Last updated: 4 March 2025