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Academic requirements of the honours course

2.1 Basic course details

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) requires the completion of 48 points of study. Depending on the area of specialisation, it is available for commencement in either March or July in any year and is normally completed in either one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree aims to provide students with a higher level of experience in independent analysis and research in their chosen area of expertise. This experience has vocational aims but also provides a preparation for study by coursework and/or research for the higher degrees of Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy.

The honours course is available in most of the science areas of study listed in this handbook. In special circumstances, the dean, acting on the recommendation of the heads of schools, may approve candidature embracing more than one discipline. Students who have successfully qualified for the Bachelor of Science pass degree may apply to enter. Students in science double degrees must have completed at least 144 points of their studies in that course, including all of the double-degree science requirements, before they may apply for entry to honours.

To be eligible for entry into the honours year, students should obtain a distinction grade average (70 per cent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level three. These 24 points of studies will normally include at least 18 points of units in the area of study in which they wish to undertake honours. Students who have obtained an average of 65 to 69 per cent in their main third-year sequence may also be eligible for consideration if they have also obtained an average of at least 65 per cent in their remaining level-three units and the relevant head of school supports their application.

Schools are able to cater substantially for the interests of individual students, although there may be compulsory elements to be completed by all students in some areas of study. The relevant regulation simply states that the work to be completed by a candidate will be as prescribed by the relevant head of school. The course is normally completed in one year of full-time study - part-time study is also available in some areas of study.

The requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) course also apply to all current honours versions of science double-degree courses, for example BSc(Hons)/BE, and all associated tagged honours courses, including the BSc(ScSchProg)(Hons).

2.2 Course objectives

As approved in the amendment to the course in 2002, the Bachelor of Science (Honours) course aims to provide students with a higher level of experience in independent analysis and research in their chosen field of expertise. This experience has vocational aims but the course is not intended to provide specific vocational training in any discipline or in science in general. A key component of the course is the completion of a major project, which will normally contribute at least 40% of the workload and assessment for the course. The honours course also provides a preparation for postgraduate study by coursework and/or research for the higher degrees of Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy.

On completion of the course, students will have demonstrated a high-level of understanding of the key theoretical and practical aspects of their area of study, including to:

  • be able to critically review the scientific literature in their specialist area of study;
  • understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a relevant research project;
  • be able to complete and analyse a set of laboratory-based, computer-based, theoretical or other appropriate studies;
  • be proficient in computer based data acquisition (where appropriate), critical analysis of results, appropriate presentation, and scientific word processing;
  • demonstrate communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience, including the ability to write and present scientific work in a potentially publishable way;
  • have acquired a range of technical skills and attitudes appropriate to their area of study;
  • have demonstrated the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project;
  • have the demonstrated the potential to pursue higher studies and learning in their area of study;
  • have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of their discipline and its place within the broader scope of science.

In accordance with the university Course Structure Policy and Honours Year Programs Policy, schools/departments must also identify and publish the specific objectives (“learning outcomes”) of the honours program in their areas of specialisation that are consistent with the overall objectives of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) course above.

2.3 Areas of specialisation

The areas of specialisation for which the science honours program is currently available are:

Clayton campus

Anatomy and cell biology (ANT), Astrophysics (ASP), Atmospheric science (ATM), Biochemistry and molecular biology (BCH), Biological sciences (BIO), Chemistry (CHM), Computer science (CSE), Genetics (GEN), Geography and environmental science (GES), Geophysics (GPS), Geosciences (ESC), Microbiology (MIC), Monash Medical Centre (MMC), Materials science (MSC), Mathematics and statistics (MTH), Pharmacology (PHA), Physics (PHS), Physiology (PHY), Psychology (PSY), Stem cells and  regenerative medicine.

Gippsland campus

Experimental sciences (GAS), Mathematical sciences (GAS).

Sunway campus

Biotechnology, Environmental science and Medical bioscience (SCM)

As noted above, schools/departments must identify and publish the specific learning outcomes of the honours program in each of these areas of specialisation. The objectives are listed in ‘Appendix 2 – Objectives of honours in areas of specialisation’ (Approved at Faculty Education Committee meeting 03/05)

The honours program in each of these areas of specialisation is facilitated by enrolment in specific honours component units, as outlined in ‘Appendix 3 – Full-time and part-time honours unit structure’ and in accordance with the faculty unit structures in section 5.4. In special circumstances, the dean, acting on the recommendation of the relevant heads of school/department, may approve candidature embracing more than one area. Honours units in other areas of specialisation may be made available from time to time with the approval of the faculty board.

2.4 Admission requirements

The normal minimum admission requirement is completion of a relevant science pass degree, or equivalent, with at least such grades in level-three units as are determined by faculty board and published in the faculty information handout; or other qualifications or experience which in the opinion of faculty board are equivalent or a satisfactory substitute. Before admitting any person to candidature, the faculty board must be satisfied that adequate supervision and facilities are available.

In particular, the normal admission standards that are currently approved by the faculty board include:

  1. completion of a Bachelor of Science or equivalent with at least a distinction grade average in 24 points (or equivalent) of level-three studies in a relevant science discipline. These 24 points of studies will normally include at least 18 points in the area of study in which honours will be undertaken (see also 2.5 Repeating units for Honours purposes). Applicants who have obtained an average of 65 to 69 percent in their main level-three sequence may also be eligible if they have obtained an average of at least 65 per cent in their remaining level-three units and their application is supported by the relevant head of school; or
  2. completion of both any undergraduate bachelors degree and a major sequence (or equivalent) in a relevant science area of study with at least such grades in level-three units as are required for applicants with a Bachelor of Science degree (Approved at Faculty Education Committee meeting 05/02); or
  3. completion of a Vordiplom at an approved German university and at least one further year of appropriate science studies in Germany be admitted to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) course, upon the agreement of the Associate Dean (Education) and the relevant head of school/department that prerequisite requirements are satisfied and supervision is available. (Approved at Faculty Education Committee meeting 02/02)
  4. Students in all Bachelor of Science double-degree courses are eligible to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) during their double-degree course once they have completed all of the requirements to graduate with a Bachelor of Science. Normally, this is upon the completion of (a) at least 144pts of the studies towards the double-degree course in which they are enrolled; and (b) all of the science studies for that double-degree course. (Approved at Faculty Education Committee meeting 06/01)
  5. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Advanced with Honours), Bachelor of Environmental Science, or Bachelor of Biotechnology (with honours) can enter the Honours year of their respective program if they have completed 144 points of their degree including all the core level 1-3 requirements for that degree, with at least a distinction grade average in 24 points (or equivalent) of level-three studies in a relevant science discipline. (see also 2.4:1)

In addition, the normal Monash University minimum English language requirements for undergraduate students also apply to the honours course.

Normally, the level-three studies upon which admission to the honours program is based must have been completed no more than five years prior to commencement of the course.

Admission to the honours program in some areas of specialisation is also dependent on satisfactory completion of specific units (or equivalent) at level-three. Details of any discipline specific prerequisite studies must be published under ‘level three’ in the related ‘Science areas of study and sequences’ section of the Undergraduate Handbook. The head of the relevant school/department must also certify for each approved application for admission to the honours course that adequate supervision and facilities are available.

In accordance with the university Honours Year Programs Procedures, in order to admit a student without any of the normal qualifications outlined above, a case should be made to the dean of the Faculty of Science for permission. Normally this will not be permitted unless the student is eligible for the award of Bachelor of Science (or equivalent). Should permission be granted to admit the student, a subsequent brief written statement of reasons for this decision should be submitted to faculty board for ratification, via the Admissions and Scholarships Sub-committee of the Faculty Education Committee. In each such case, the outcomes for students admitted in this way will be monitored for reporting back to the faculty board, through the Faculty Education Committee. (University Fourth Year Honours Procedures)

In addition to these minimum entrance requirements, schools (or groups of schools) may recommended or require that students seeking admission to the honours program in their areas of specialisation should have completed particular supplementary studies that would be beneficial to undertake research in that area. For example, some schools might consider that all of their honours students should have also achieved a pass level in the equivalent of at least 12 points of relevant level-one science units (for example, in biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics) as part of their undergraduate program. Where these supplementary studies are recommended or required, these must be published in the Undergraduate Handbook to assist future students.

2.5 Repeating units for honours admission purposes

Students may repeat a unit that they have already passed for honours purposes because their first attempt at the unit had been adversely affected by personal, financial or health reasons. Such students may not achieve the required level for entry into honours if the marks were averaged.

A unit repeated for the purposes of improving their result in support of their application for honours purposes is above degree requirements and must be done on a full-fee paying basis.

Schools/departments will have in place procedures, which will ensure that a student who has attempted a unit for the first time will have precedence over a repeating student where both students have achieved the same result for the unit, or where the student has achieved the same average mark in their relevant level-three studies used to determine eligibility for admission to the honours program. In order to achieve this end, the marks over the two years will be averaged, provided that such averaging will not result in a reduction of the second mark by more than 10%. (Approved at Faculty Education Committee meeting 05/99)

The above process should not affect the mark and grade recorded on the student’s academic transcript for the second attempt at the unit – the averaging of the marks only applies to the averaging process used to determine eligibility for admission to honours.

2.6 Period of candidature and enrolment

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) course is normally completed as a one-year (two-semester) full-time program requiring the completion of a total of 48 credit-points. Enrolment can commence in the March semester in all areas of specialisation and in the July semester for most areas. Full-time enrolment in the honours program is normally undertaken over either both first and second semester (‘full-year’) or both second and first semester (‘Semester 2-semester 1’).

In some areas of specialisation a part-time enrolment is permitted, with an enrolment of 12 credit points per semester over four consecutive semesters. After four weeks from the commencement of the project unit, students will not normally be permitted to convert from full-time to part-time candidature, and then only with the permission of Associate Dean (Education) and upon the recommendation of both the School Honours Co ordinator and the relevant head of school/department.

Students are not normally permitted to undertake part-time, or full-time, honours studies concurrently with any other studies, including any other requirements towards a double-degree program.

Except with the permission of the Associate Dean (Education), no more than 48 points of study may be taken during the Bachelor of Science (Honours) course. Normally, this is only permitted where a student changes their area of specialisation during the course.

Under the university Course Structure Policy, the maximum length taken to complete a one-year full-time equivalent (48 points) honours bachelor degree program is normally two years (not including any approved intermission). The normal maximum period of intermission for students undertaking honours by full-time study is six months. In exceptional circumstances, a student can intermit their honours course for a maximum of twelve months, with the permission of Associate Dean (Education) and upon the recommendation of both the School Honours Coordinator and the relevant head of school/department.

The maximum period of candidature for the science honours program is therefore three years, including any approved intermission. Students may only exceed the maximum period of candidature in exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, with the permission of both the Associate Dean (Education) and upon the recommendation of both the School Honours Coordinator and the relevant head of school/department. Upon termination of the enrolment in the honours program prior to completion of all requirements, the school/department must return marks and grades for all assessable units in which the student was enrolled at that time.

2.7 Credit for previous studies

Credit for relevant previous studies at an equivalent level at Monash, or at another institution, will be assessed on an individual basis by the head of school/department (or nominee) of the relevant area of honours study, in consultation with the School Honours Coordinatorand the Associate Dean (Education). Normally this credit will only be awarded for incomplete qualifications. No more than 24 points of credit may be awarded towards the course, and this can only apply for coursework units.

In exceptional circumstances, approved high-achieving students in some areas of specialisation may be permitted, with the permission of the Associate Dean (Education) and upon the recommendation of both the School Honours Coordinatorand the relevant head of school/department, to complete some component units (up to 12 points) of the honours course prior to commencing the Bachelor of Science (Honours) course. If those students are subsequently admitted into the honours program, those additional studies may be credited towards their honours course (provided they have not already been counted towards their Bachelor of Science course).

With 12 points of approved credit and the provision of a 12-point summer honours unit, it may then be possible, with the permission of the Associate Dean (Education) and upon the recommendation of both the School Honours Coordinatorand the relevant head of school/department, for those students to complete their honours course over one summer (12 points) and one normal semester (24 points) depending on the course structure. (Approved at Faculty Education Committee meeting 05/02, as part of the amended honours course)