Honours / Postgraduate Diploma in Botany
Third year students or those who have completed third year may want to extend their study in our research environment by doing a Degree with Honours or Postgraduate Diploma.
These Degrees are viewed more favourably by employers and with good reason. You will not only have demonstrated an ability to complete an independent research project, but you will have greatly improved your report writing and communication skills. You will work alongside our research staff, using current research techniques, facilities and equipment - an invaluable experience for a science graduate.
A synopsis of possible research projects is posted in the third year laboratory and details of these projects will be made available during the final semester.
Basically, the course revolves around spending nine months, from the beginning of February to late October (or from July to March for students commencing in second semester), in carrying out a research project in association with a supervisor in a specialist area of Botany to be selected from the following:
- Plant Physiology - Dr. A.R. Gendall
- Molecular Plant Pathology - Dr Kim Plummer
- Cell and Molecular Biology - Professor R.W. Parish
- Plant Ecology and Vegetation Science - Dr Peter Green, Dr J.W. Morgan
- Mycology and Plant Pathology - Dr. P.J. Keane
Projects are offered by and may be done in collaboration with other institutions such as the Botanic Gardens, the Department of Primary Industry and the National Herbarium. Students interested in any of these should consult first with the Honours Co-ordinator.
Students taking the course will undertake an independent research project under the guidance of one of our research staff. They will then be required to submit a report which will account for 70% of the final mark. The remaining 30% will comprise a literature review and attendance at three workshops, on written presentation of a scientific paper, statistics and the analysis of data, and on oral presentation of a scientific paper. Students will also be required to give two seminars, and to attend the Department's seminars.
It is normally expected that students with a minimum of 65 average in relevant third year subjects, and 60 over all third year subjects, will be eligible to apply for the Honours Course. Students who do not meet this requirement may consult with the Honours Co-ordinator about admission to the Postgraduate Diploma Course.
Further enquiries about the course may be made of the Honours Co-ordinator or any of the staff involved in the course. Students will be invited by letter to participate in the course once their results and eligibility are known. You will receive a form with your letter of invitation and if you wish to do Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Botany this form must be completed and submitted to the Head of the Botany Department by 12.00 noon on Friday 16 December 2005.
Some students may qualify for financial assistance, including the La Trobe Honours Year Grant Scheme. In addition, depending on the field of study, there are a limited number of competitive industry scholarships available, many of them with early closing dates (October). Contact potential supervisors early for more information.