HONOURS IN BIOCHEMISTRY

BCH4HNA

2015

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, seminar presentation on the published journal article, 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 in 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.

School: School of Molecular Sciences/LIMS

Credit points: 60

Subject Co-ordinator: Marc Kvansakul

Available to Study Abroad Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG

Exchange Students: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in SHBIS or SHS or SHMC or SHMES or SHMS.

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: BCH40HON, BCH41HON

Equivalent subjects: BCH41HON

Special conditions: This unit of study represents the first semester of a year-long program. Students must complete BCH4HNA and BCH4HNB in the one academic year.

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Extend students# general knowledge of biochemistry and genetics

Activities:: Review, synthesise and evaluate current literature. Instructions on how to write a literature review will be given in the honours handbook. Students will receive feedback on a draft submitted to their supervisor. Students will attend all Departmental seminars (invited speakers and postgraduate seminars).
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Provide experience of laboratory practice

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
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

03. Conduct an original experiment based research project

Activities:: Plan and carry out experimental procedures Students will keep a laboratory book with detailed records of their work Analyze and evaluate results interpret the obtained outcomes
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

04. Acquire scientific communication skills

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.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy); Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Marc Kvansakul

Class requirements

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
Three 0.3 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Each student gives 3x15min seminars over the course of the year."

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
Twelve 1.0 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"An average of 12 Departmental Seminars in total per semester"

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Five 7.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students would be expected to spend 35 hours a week in the lab."

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 4.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Laboratory induction course covers 3 half days"

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	%	ILO*
course-work	Breakdown of marks as per Honours booklet.	30	01, 04
research component	Breakdown of marks as per Honours booklet.	70	01, 02, 03