bch4hna honours in biochemistry
HONOURS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
BCH4HNA
2019
Credit points: 60
Subject outline
The full Honours program lasts approximately nine months and starts early February. This course is available to students who have fulfilled the requirements of a Bachelor of Science degree and Biomedical Science degree, provided that their previous academic record is of sufficient standard. The Honours program consists of an individual research project under supervision, a research essay on the area of the research project, two seminars on the topic of the research project and its findings, attending biotechnology lectures aimed at exposing students to cutting-edge biotechnology techniques, production and presentation of a research poster, a thesis written at the completion of the research project and an oral examination. Potential students should contact the Honours co-ordinator the Department of Biochemistry and Genetics for a full and comprehensive list of available research projects and interview with potential supervisors to discuss placement and research projects.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points60
Subject Co-ordinatorChristine Hawkins
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be enrolled in SHBIS or SHS or SHMC or SHMES or SHAVB
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjects GEN4HNA
Special conditions This subject of study represents the first semester of a year-long program. Students must complete BCH4HNA and BCH4HNB in the one academic year. Enrolment requires approval of a research supervisor in addition to the marks requirement
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Analyse and integrate research findings from numerous sources to synthesise professionally-written, comprehensive summaries of scientific information and concepts.
- Activities:
- Plan and carry out experimental procedure. Students will keep a laboratory book with detailed records of their work.
02. Apply advanced technical skills and safe laboratory practices to undertake a novel research project.
- Activities:
- Safety and good laboratory practice briefings will be conducted at the beginning of the Honours year Students will receive regular instruction from their supervisors and senior laboratory colleagues.
03. Design and perform experiments using multiple advanced techniques to investigate complex scientific questions.
- Activities:
- Plan and carry out experimental procedure. Students will keep a laboratory book with detailed records of their work.
04. Use advanced oral and written scientific communication skills to transmit knowledge and ideas to audiences including individuals with and without detailed specialist expertise.
- Activities:
- Prepare and present a research poster at a Departmental symposium. A workshop on how to research poster will be given to the students. Prepare a research thesis. Instructions on how to write a thesis will be given in the honours handbook. Supervisors will provide feedback on a draft copy and examiners will provide feedback on the final copy Students will receive feedback from their supervisor and receive comments from their examiners. Conduct a final oral presentation. Instructions on how to give a seminar presentation will be given in the honours handbook. Students will also receive feedback on a practice seminar to their supervisor as well as colleagues in their group. Articulate a high level of understanding of both their research field and research project.
05. Interpret experimental data in the context of results and prior literature.
- Activities:
- Analyze and evaluate results interpret the obtained outcomes.
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Week 06-24, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorChristine Hawkins
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 06 - 06
Four 4.0 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 06 to week 06 and delivered via face-to-face.
"LIMS induction course covers 2 days (week 6).
Normally carried out in the LIMS Auditorium"
Independent ResearchWeek: 06 - 24
Five 7.0 hours independent research per week on weekdays during the day from week 06 to week 24 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students would be expected to spend 35 hours a week in the lab."
SeminarWeek: 06 - 22
Two 1.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 06 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"About 24 seminars per semester"
SeminarWeek: 13 - 13
Two 4.0 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 13 to week 13 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Each student gives 1x15min seminar + 5 min questions (introductory seminar week 13)
"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature Review and literature seminar (4,500-words equivalent) | Students will write a literature review describing the existing literature in their field of research. Equivalent to 3000 words. Students will present a 15 minute seminar summarising the literature and project aims. | 8 | 01, 04 |
| Adv. biotech coursework inclu. 1.5 hr exam, 7 worksheets and 20-min team oral prese (4,000-words eq) | Students will undertake classes in advanced techniques in biotechnology. Students will complete question sheets for each lecture, and sit an internally invigilated 1.5 hr exam. In the Honours program assessments are continued over two semesters. | 10 | 01, 03, 04 |
| Weekly Departmental seminar quiz (1,000-words equivalent) | Students will attend a simple quiz following selected Departmental seminars In the Honours program assessments are continued over two semesters. | 1 | 01, 04 |
| Poster presentation (1,500-words equivalent) | The poster presentation involves the creation of a A0- sized poster describing the key outcomes of their research for a general audience. Prior to the assignment there will be a 1 hour workshop covering tips and tricks for good posters. In the Honours program assessments are continued over two semesters | 8 | 01, 04 |
| Laboratory performance (supervisor's mark) (5,000-words equivalent) | A supervisor mark is given at the end of the research work and is based on the students performance in the lab and work ethics. In the Honours program assessments are continued over two semesters. | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |
| Thesis (15,000-words equivalent) | Prepare a research thesis The final written report covers introduction, methods, results, discussion, and figure/ table legends but does not include abstract, table of contents, abbreviations, references or acknowledgements. In the Honours program assessments are continued over two semesters. | 40 | 01, 03, 04, 05 |
| Final seminar (1,500-words equivalent) | Students will present a 15 minute seminar describing the outcomes of their research year. There will be 5 minutes of question time. | 8 | 01, 04 |
| Oral examination (2,500-words equivalent) | The oral exam takes place after the final seminar and reports have been assessed. The exam (up to 20 minutes) will consist of questions directed by the examination committee about the research project. Multiple questions on other basic concepts pertinent to the project may be asked. The exam will be conducted in the presence of the examination panel and a moderating committee. The supervisor will be present | 15 | 01, 03, 04, 05 |