• Honours home
• 1. Introduction

1.1. Scope of these guidelines
1.2. Sources of information

• 2. Academic requirements of the honours course

2.1. Basic course details
2.2. Course objectives
2.3. Areas of specialisation
2.4. Admission requirements
2.5. Repeating units for honours admission purposes
2.6. Period of candidature and enrolment
2.7. Advanced standing for previous studies

• 3. Roles and responsibilities

3.1. Faculty Board
3.2. Faculty Education Committee
3.3. Faculty Board of Examiners
3.4. Associate Dean (Education)
3.5. Faculty Academic Manager
3.6. Faculty Honours Committee and Board of Examiners (FHC&BE)
3.7. School Honours Coordinator
3.8. Academic supervisors
3.9. Students

• 4. Approved honours requirements for each area of specialisation

4.1. Objectives for each area of specialisation
4.2. Publication of assessment requirements
4.3. Honours assessment guidelines for typical assessment tasks
4.4. Submission of results for honours component units
4.5. Overall honours mark and grade

• 5. Faculty honours administration

5.1. Admission and enrolment
5.2. Deferment and intermission
5.3. Load management and quotas
5.4. Honours units
5.5. Special consideration
5.6. Appeal process
5.7. Scholarships
5.8. Graduation

• 6. School academic responsibilities

6.1. Provision of induction information
6.2. School policies on supervisory practices
6.3. Absences of supervisors
6.4. Identification and roles of co-supervisors
6.5. Assessment processes and criteria
6.6. General guidelines for the final research project thesis

List of appendices
• Appendix 1 – Relevant university policies and procedures
• Appendix 2 – Objectives of honours in areas of specialisation
• Appendix 3 – Full-time and part-time honours unit structure
• Appendix 4 – Honours research thesis assessment guidelines
• Appendix 5 – Sample oral presentation assessment sheet (DOC 56KB)

Appendix 2 - Objectives of honours in areas of specialisation

Clayton campus

Anatomy and cell biology

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in the discipline of anatomy and cell biology.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to the discipline of anatomy and cell biology.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the discipline of anatomy and cell biology
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences.

Astrophysics

See ‘Mathematics and Statistics’.

Atmospheric science

See ‘Mathematics and Statistics’.

Biochemistry and molecular biology

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in the discipline of biochemistry and molecular biology.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to the discipline of biochemistry and molecular biology.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the discipline of biochemistry and molecular biology
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences.

Biological sciences

1. To have developed a critical, analytical approach to scientific research.
2. To have developed skills in experimental design.
3. To have developed skills in specialised techniques for field and/or laboratory work in biological sciences.
4. To have developed skills in writing reports of scientific experiments.
5. To have developed skills in searching the scientific literature.
6. To have developed skills in oral communication of scientific information.
7. To have developed skills in the statistical analysis of biological data.
8. To have developed an understanding of the important current trends in a specialised field of interest in biology.
9. To have developed a sound knowledge of OHSE regulations, including hazardous and dangerous materials and risk assessments.

Biomedical sciences

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to their discipline.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in selected disciplines of biomedical science.
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences.

Chemistry

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline.
2. To have a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute, analyse and evaluate a set of laboratory-based exercises, showing an improved ability to work with minimal supervision and to implement their own.
4. To be proficient in computer based literature searching, accessing Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS), word processing and other computer programs commonly used in their chosen chemistry discipline (eq Excel, structure drawing programs, Powerpoint).
5. To be able to present scientific results in a style suitable for publication.
6. To communicate both orally and in written form, their scientific results, and place these results in context with the work of other scientists.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to their chosen chemistry discipline.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of synthetic procedures and/or physical techniques (including measurement) that are essential for a career in Chemistry.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in selected disciplines of chemical science.
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the chemical sciences.
11. To be proficient in safe work practices for a chemical laboratory, including the use of MSDS’s and the performance of risk assessments.

Computer science

1. To have a knowledge of:
   • different programming language paradigms and their limitations;
   • the breadth of Computer Science applications;
   • the development process for large pieces of software;
   • software design strategies such as top-down and object-oriented;
   • problem solving strategies and common techniques for algorithm design;
   • the formal theoretical basis of Computer Science;
   • algorithms and data structures used in common application areas;
   • the cultural, social, legal and ethical issues inherent in the discipline of computing
2. To have an understanding of:
   • limitations of algorithmic solutions for undecidable and intractable problems
   • the underpinning of information technology by Computer Science;
   • how high level applications can be understood and are implemented in various levels of abstraction ranging from a high-level programming language, through assembly language to the underlying hardware;
   • the various components in the hardware of a typical computer and their roles;
   • the various components in the software of a typical computer system and their roles;
   • the importance of user-interface design issues;
   • several important application areas of Computer Science such as databases, artificial intelligence and graphics.
3. To have the ability to:
   • design well-structured programs
   • write, test and debug substantial pieces of software;
   • write technical and user documentation;
   • find or develop an efficient algorithmic solution to a problem;
   • reason theoretically about and empirically evaluate the complexity of a program or algorithm;
   • participate in large-scale programming projects;
   • communicate effectively in a professional environment;
   • review and evaluate computing systems.
4. To have attitudes which enable them to:
   • behave in an ethical and professional manner;
   • work in group projects;recognise the importance of theoretical underpinnings for practice;recognise the need to keep up to date with developments in Computer Science;
   • develop safe, secure, reliable and dependable software;
   • adapt readily to changing technologies;
   • participate professionally in industrial research and development.
5. In addition, students taking the extra honours year will have:
   • an understanding of how to formulate and approach a research problem;
   • the ability to undertake a significant independent research project, and to present research results orally and in a written report.

Genetics

See ‘Biological Sciences’.

Geography and environmental science

1. To be able to demonstrate that they can interpret geographical literature within the framework of various paradigms and evaluate differing viewpoints in the discipline.
2. To be able to independently prepare a research proposal.
3. To be able to defend a research proposal to an audience.
4. To pursue a program of research leading to the presentation of a thesis.
5. To interpret, document and illustrate research findings.
6. To demonstrate an ability to develop and sustain a coherent literate and logical argument based on the research findings.
7. To evaluate the relevance of the research project within the context of existing geographical knowledge.
8. To present the research results to a critical audience.

Geophysics

See ‘Geosciences’.

Geosciences

1. To be aware of the major research directions and current debates in their discipline.
2. To be able to design, development, and implement a research project.
3. To understand the social and economic benefits of their research.
4. To be proficient in collecting and analysing data from field or laboratory studies.
5. To be proficient in presentation of their work in both oral and written form to the specialist and non specialist community.
6. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to their discipline.
7. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
8. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in selected disciplines of geoscience and/or the capacity to gain employment in those disciplines.
9. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the geosciences.

Materials science

See ‘Physics’.

Mathematics and statistics

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline.
2. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of mathematical sciences.
3. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to thesatisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
4. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To have acquired a range of research skills appropriate to their discipline.
7. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in selected research areas of mathematics.

Medical biology

See 'Biomedical Sciences'

Microbiology

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in the discipline of microbiology and molecular biology.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to the discipline of microbiology and molecular biology.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the discipline of microbiology and molecular biology
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences.

Pharmacology

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in the discipline of pharmacology.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to the discipline of pharmacology.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the discipline of pharmacology.
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences.

Physics

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in a particular area.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a laboratory-based research project, or conduct theoretical and computational modelling appropriate to a theory project.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and scientific word processing.
5. To be able to write and produce a high quality scientific report that contains potentially publishable material.
6. To have the confidence and ability to deliver the results of the research project as a scientific seminar.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to their discipline.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in selected disciplines of physics.
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of contemporary physics.
11. To have the ability to interact as part of a team with other people involved in prosecuting the research project.
12. To have respect for the abilities of others, and the willingness to consult with and obtain assistance from others when necessary

Physiology

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in the discipline of physiology.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to the discipline of physiology.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the discipline of physiology.
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences.

Psychology

The course is a fourth year of study in psychology approved by Australian Psychological society and has objectives consistent with all fourth year programs approved by the society. These are to provide students with:

1. An integrated and comprehensive education in the discipline of psychology that will provide a basis for either supervised practice for the purposes of gaining registration as a psychologist or further postgraduate study in professional psychology
2. Advanced level study in a variety of psychological disciplines
3. Advanced research training in which students will conduct an individual research project under supervision of a member of the academic staff to develop research skills appropriate for further study and engender an appreciation of the benefits of psychological research to psychological practice
4. An ability to critically review and analyse the scientific literature in, and the theoretical basis to, current issues in psychology
5. An awareness of the ethic principles to be followed in psychological practice and in the conduct of research
6. An appreciation of the role of ethics in maintaining the integrity and cohesiveness of the profession
7. An understanding of the purpose of legislation relating to the practice of psychology
8. An appreciation of the importance of maintaining professional competence by keeping up with recent developments in the field through ongoing professional development and training.

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in the discipline of stem cells and regenerative medicine
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of technical skills appropriate to the discipline of stem cells and regenerative medicine
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To develop the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in the discipline of stem cells and regenerative medicine,or related biomedical sciences.
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the biomedical sciences.
11. To have developed a sound knowledge of OHSE and/or OGTR regulations, including hazardous and dangerous materials and risk assessments.
12. To have developed an independent approach to scientific research.
13. To be able to work ethically and to have developed an appreciation of the international nature of the professional and scientific standards in research

Gippsland campus

Experimental sciences

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be able to execute and analyse a set of laboratory-based, or other appropriate studies.
4. To be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis, presentation, and word processing.
5. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable form.
6. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
7. To have acquired a range of conceptual frameworks and technical skills appropriate to their discipline.
8. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
9. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in selected disciplines of science.
10. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of applied sciences.

Mathematical sciences

1. To be able to critically review the scientific literature in their discipline.
2. To understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project.
3. To be proficient in computer based analysis and presentation, and text processing.
4. To be able to write up scientific work in a potentially publishable way.
5. To show communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience.
6. To have acquired a range of conceptual frameworks and methods of analysis appropriate to their discipline.
7. To have the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project.
8. To have the capability to pursue higher studies and learning in selected areas of the mathematical sciences.
9. To have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the mathematical sciences through the study of a number of modules broadly related to their research topic.

Sunway campus

Biotechnology

On completion of the Honours program, the student should be able to:

1. critically analyze and evaluate scientific literature in specific areas of biotechnology
2. understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
3. acquire technical skills and appropriate research methodologies in biotechnology
4. conduct  experiments and analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical techniques
5. proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis and presentation of research results
6. communicate both orally and in writing the research results in a concise and precise manner
7. able to write research results in a potentially publishable way
8. extend  the knowledge gained from research project in pursuit of higher studies
9. have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of  biotechnology

Environmental Science

1. critically analyze and evaluate scientific literature in environmental sciences
2. understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
3. acquire technical skills and appropriate research methodologies for environmental science
4. to be able to conduct experiments and analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical research techniques
5. to be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis and presentation of research results
6. to be able to communicate both orally and in writing the research results in a concise and precise manner
7. to be able to write research results in a potentially publishable way
8. to be able to extend  the knowledge gained from the research project in pursuit of higher studies
9. to have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of the  environmental sciences.

Medical Bioscience

1. to be able to critically analyze and evaluate scientific literature in medical biosciences
2. to understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
3. to acquire technical skills and appropriate research methodologies in medical biosciences
4. to be able to conduct experiments and analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical research techniques
5. to be proficient in computer based data acquisition, analysis and presentation of research results
6. to be able to communicate both orally and in writing the research results in concise and precise manner
7. to be able to write research results in a potentially publishable way
8. to be able to extend the knowledge gained from research project in pursuit of higher studies
9. to have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of medical biosciences.

Originally provided for Faculty of Science Education Committee meeting 05/02 – 5 September 2002

Medical Biology added – Faculty of Science Education Committee meeting 04/07 – Faculty Board  04/07

Stem cell and regenerative medicine added - Faculty of Science Education Committee meeting 06/07 – Faculty Board  05/07

Immuniology and pathology deleted - Faculty of Science Education Committee meeting 04/07 – Faculty Board  05/07