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BioSciences Research Project Part 3 (BIOL90014)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 37.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 (Extended)
Semester 2 (Extended)
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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: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIOL90008 BioSciences Research Project Part 2
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BIOL90009 BioSciences Research Project Part 2
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
 25
BIOL90010 BioSciences Research Project Part 2
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
 37.5
BIOL90011 BioSciences Research Project Part 2
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Extended) (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: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

There are no assessments in BioSciences Research Project Part 3 but there is a hurdle requirement to meet with the supervisor and be assessed as making satisfactory progress.

Hurdle requirement		N/A

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: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 1 (Extended)
    CoordinatorsMichael Kearney and Michael Murray
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursDistribution 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 commitment510 hours
    Teaching period 2 January 2024 to 30 June 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date 3 April 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024
    Assessment period ends30 June 2024

    Semester 1 (Extended) contact information

    msc-biosciences@unimelb.edu.au

  • Semester 2 (Extended)
    CoordinatorsMichael Murray and Michael Kearney
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursDistribution 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 commitment510 hours
    Teaching period 1 July 2024 to 24 December 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends24 December 2024

    Semester 2 (Extended) contact information

    msc-biosciences@unimelb.edu.au

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: 31 January 2024

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:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Science (BioSciences)

Last updated: 31 January 2024