Science, Technology and Engineering

Department of Genetics

Honours Student Information

Honours student timetable

Honours in Genetics is usually undertaken within two years of completion of a B.Sc. Places in Honours may be offered to appropriately qualified students whose undergraduate degree was completed at other universities.

A Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) (Genetics) is also offered, and consists of essentially the same course as offered to Honours students, but is aimed principally at students with suitable academic backgrounds, but who have not necessarily completed a B.Sc. (e.g. Arts graduates with a Genetics major).

Academic qualification required for Honours is an average of 65% or more over third year subjects germane to Genetics, together with an average of at least 60% over all third year subjects. (If only a single Genetics subject has been attempted at third year, then a minimum of 65% is required in both that subject and one from a relevant Programme of Study.)
Students who do not meet the above Faculty requirements may, with the permission of the Head of Department and the support of a supervisor, enrol in the postgraduate diploma programme.

At the end of each year, the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering will send letters to all LTU students who are eligible to undertake either the Honours or the PGD course in the Department of Genetics. Receipt of this letter does not ensure a place in the Honours/PGD programme, it simply indicates that the student has satisfied the Faculty’s prerequisites. The major component of the Honours/PGD course is to undertake a research project under the supervision of a member of staff. It is essential that students who receive a letter indicating their eligibility, contact the Head of Department, or the Department Honours Coordinator, and potential supervisors, to discuss whether a suitable project and supervisor are available (unfortunately, there are normally more eligible students than the number of supervisors and projects available). Both a letter of support from the supervisor, and the letter of offer from the Faculty, will be required for presentation at the time of enrolment.

Students interested in undertaking Honours/PGD are encouraged to talk to potential supervisors as early as possible about their interests. There is no application form for students applying to take Honours/PGD in the Department of Genetics. Potential Honours students are also reminded that the School of Molecular Sciences, of which the Department of Genetics is a part, is offering scholarships of $5,000 to support students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement in their undergraduate degree.

The Honours/PGD Course

All students will undertake:

1. A research project under the guidance of one or more supervisors.  This is usually an in-depth investigation of a specific problem or phenomenon and serves as an introduction to the practice of scientific investigation.  In addition to the laboratory component, students will complete:
   
   (i)   a search essay written at the beginning of the course, on a topic in the area of the research project, and providing knowledge essential to the research topic.  This essay will contribute 5% to the final assessment.
   
   (ii)   a thesis written at the completion of the research project, detailing the background, rationale, results and analysis of the project findings. This will contribute 70% towards the final mark.
2. Two course-work units:  Current Topics in Genetics (subject to availability of staff) on general topics of current interest in Genetics.  Each of these units will be organized by a member of staff of the Department. The units may involve lectures/discussions/workshops/literature appraisal/practical exercises overseen by the academic staff concerned or by outside speakers.  Each unit will be assessed by the responsible staff member and the total value of this section will be 25% of the final assessment.  Two weeks are normally allocated to each topic, during which time the material will be both presented and assessed.
   
3. Each student will give two Seminars during the year:
   
   (i)    a preliminary seminar of 10 minutes' duration outlining the research project and its rationale;
   
   (ii)   a final seminar of 15 minutes' duration discussing the results obtained and their significance.  There is also a regular programme of Departmental seminars which all students must attend.

Assessment:  Research Essay 5%, Current topics in Genetics 25%, Thesis 70%.

Timetable:  The Honours/PGD course normally commences at the start of February and the thesis is submitted in early November.  [With the agreement of supervisors, students may commence their Honours programme mid-year, and the starting date is usually 1st July.]   A detailed timetable is given out at the beginning of the course, but normally, the programme follows the pattern: writing of the research essay; a number of short sessions involving writing skills, laboratory safety and ethics; first seminar; course-work components; research project; second seminar; thesis submission.

Further Information:  Any queries should be directed to Dr Graham Flannery, Honours Coordinator, Department of Genetics, Biological Sciences Building 1, Level 2, Room 235 – email  g.flannery@latrobe.edu.au, or telephone 9479-2269.

A guide to projects offered by staff of the Department of Genetics
The list that follows is not exhaustive, and students should consult individual supervisors for further areas of research interest.  Students with original projects, or ideas for projects, are encouraged to discuss them with potential supervisors to ascertain their suitability, and the availability of necessary resources and equipment.  Potential candidates should also check the list of recent Departmental publications to further ascertain interests and areas of expertise. Students are also encouraged to examine the prospects for external placements in e.g. research institutes and hospitals, where projects may be offered, and which can be co-supervised through the Department of Genetics.

Honours projects

Some examples of research projects which may be offered by staff of the Department of Geneticsare shown below.  Students interested in any of these, or in related areas, should contact staff directly in order to discuss details.  Since many projects will only be offered subject to the availability of funding, students should also clarify this in discussions with putative supervisors.

• Non-viral gene therapy vector development: Enhancing nuclear delivery of Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes using nuclear targeting signal conjugates.
• Non-viral gene therapy vector development: Use of block polymers and ultrasound to facilitate HAC (Human Artificial Chromosome) transfection of mammalian cells.
• In vitro studies of gene manipulation in leukaemias (with Dr Graham Flannery), with emphasis on down-regulation of telomerase using RNAi.
• Gene therapy for mitochondrial genetic disorders: Exploiting the mitochondria protein import pathway for gene delivery.
• Human variation and ancient migration of people groups in Borneo (with A/Prof John Mitchell).
• Enhancement of drug and DNA vaccine delivery.
• Gene therapy of beta thalassaemia and cystic fribrosis.

• Early differentiation in neoplastic tissues: studying factors influencing arrested differentiation in human cancer cells, and the induction of further differentiation using chemical agents.
• In vitro studies of gene manipulation in leukaemias (with Dr Chee Kai Chan), with emphasis on down-regulation of telomerase using RNAi.
• Immune response to cancer: natural killer (NK) cells and tumour cell lysis - the role of cell surface receptor gene variants.
• Immunogenetics of pregnancy: NK cell interactions with the placenta, and the role of receptor gene variants in pregnancy success.
• Examination of diversity in genes controlling immune responses: their role in population genetic studies (e.g. Indonesian-Australian population affinities, with A/Prof John Mitchell) and their role in disease.

• Analysis of the interactions between genes that play a role in neurotransmitter release and modulation of response to neurotransmitters in C. elegans.
• Positional cloning of genes identified by mutation and/or drug action as likely to play important roles in modulation of behavioural responses in C. elegans.
• Microsatellite analysis of P. trichosuri in possum populations.
• Development of transposon or integrase mediated methods for stable transgenesis of P. trichosuri.
• Investigation of the relationship between stress response genes, lifespan determination and life history decisions in P. trichosuri.
• Investigation of the genetic ecology of Onchocerca volvulus, the causative organism of river blindness, or of parasites of importance in livestock.
  
• Construction and analysis of transgenic nematode models of human disease processes, with a focus on neurodegeneration or cancer.
  

• Microsatellite variation in human populations: forensic and anthropological implications (with Dr Roland van Oorschot, Victorian Forensic Science Centre).
• Analysis of trace DNA and its importance in forensic science (with Dr Roland van Oorschot, Victorian Forensic Science Centre).
• Use of Y-chromosome-specific and autosomal molecular markers to trace human migrations
• Molecular genetics of taste sensitivity in human populations: ethnic differences.

Projects may include DNA analyses of natural populations, managed and captive populations, and taxonomic questions in threatened species (funding permitting). Fisheries management projects are also possible.  Project details are not usually known until December.

• Molecular ecology

Adaptation of native spiders to insecticides in agroecosystems.
Use of allozyme markers to investigate population structure and gene flow: studies on invertebrates in native and agricultural landscapes.

• Any mutually agreed and inexpensive topic in evolutionary, ecological or conservation genetics.

• Development of DNA markers for linkage mapping in the midge Chironomus tepperi.
• Gene expression analysis of candidate genes for heavy metal tolerance in Chironomus tepperi.
• Population genetics of chironomids from pristine and polluted environments.
• Population genetics of the Murray crayfish (with Dr Susan Lawler, DEME).
• DNA barcoding: developing DNA identification techniques for biodiversity biomonitoring.
• Molecular profiling of sediment microbial communities for pollution monitoring in Melbourne urban waterways.
• Investigating the evolution and adaptive potential of mobile genetic elements in sediment microbial communities.

• DNA relationships between marsupial species and genera – especially bandicoots.
• Phylogeographic studies in Antechinus species.
• Phylogeographic studies in New Guinean bandicoots.
• Possible projects on cancer genetics (with Professor Alex Dobrovic, Peter McCallum Cancer Institute).