bch4hnb honours in biochemistry
HONOURS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
BCH4HNB
2017
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, attending biotechnology lectures aimed at exposing students to cutting-edge biotechnology techniques, 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 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.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points60
Subject Co-ordinatorDavid Dougan
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be enrolled in SHBIS or SHS or SHMC or SHMES or SHAVB.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects BCH40HON, BCH42HON
Equivalent subjects BCH42HON
Special conditions This unit of study represents the second semester of a year-long program. Students must complete BCH4HNA and BCH4HNB in the one academic year. Enrolment requires approval of a research supervisor in addition to the marks requirement.
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)
- 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)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2017, Week 28-46, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDavid Dougan
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
"An average of 12 Departmental Seminars in total per semester"
SeminarWeek: 44 - 44
Two 4.0 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 44 to week 44 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Each student gives 1x15min seminar + 5 min questions (final seminar week 44)
"
Independent ResearchWeek: 28 - 43
Five 7.0 hours independent research per week on weekdays during the day from week 28 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students are expected to spend 35 h per week in the laboratory working on their research project"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature Review and literature seminar (equivalent to 4500 words) | Students will write a literature review describing the existing literature in their field of research. Equivalent to 3000 words. Students will present a 20 minutes seminar summarising the literature and project aims. The seminar requires to be timetabled. The seminar will need to be held in a large seminar room with a capacity for about 80 people. There will be a need for 7 h booking to accommodate all stu | 7 | 01, 02, 04 |
| BIO5TEC including Question Sheets (equivalent to 1500 words) | Students will complete BIO5TEC subject. it is at the students discretion to complete question sheets for each lecture. Students will sit the 1.5 h exam This exam is coordinated by the BIO5TEC subject coordinator. In the Honours program assessments are continued over the entire year. | 10 | 01, 03, 04 |
| Research seminar attendance (in-class quiz on 5 selected seminars) (equivalent to 1000 words) | This assessment will cover two semesters. Students will attend Departmental seminars on a wide variety of topics which will expand their scientific knowledge and improve their communication skills. This also gives the students the opportunity to meet and interact with world-class scientists. In the Honours program assessments are continued over the entire year. | 1 | 01, 04 |
| Poster presentation (equivalent to 1500 words) | The poster presentation involves the creation of a A0- sized poster describing the key outcomes of their research for a general audience. Prior to the assignment there will be a 1 hour workshop covering tips and tricks for good posters. This will contribute 7% to their final mark. In the Honours program assessments are continued over the entire year | 7 | 01, 04 |
| Laboratory performance (supervisor's mark) (equivalent to 5000 words) | A supervisor mark is given at the end of the research work and is based on the student performance in the lab and work ethics. In the Honours program assessments are continued over the entire year. | 10 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Thesis (equivalent to 15000 words) | Prepare a research thesis The final written report covers introduction, methods, results, discussion, and figure/table legends but does not include abstract, table of contents, abbreviations, references or acknowledgements. In the Honours program assessments are continued over the entire year. | 40 | 01, 03, 04 |
| Final seminar (equivalent to 1500 words) | Students will present a 20 minutes final seminar describing the outcomes of their research year. The seminar requires to be timetabled. The seminar will need to be held in a large seminar room with a capacity for at least 80 people preferably the LIMS auditorium. There will be a need for booking 3 consecutive mornings (4 h each day) to accommodate all students seminars - one directly following the other. | 10 | 01, 04 |
| Oral examination (equivalent to 2500 words) | The oral exam takes place after the final seminar and reports have been assessed. The exam (up to 20 minutes) will consist of questions directed by the examination committee about the research project. One or more questions on other basic concepts pertinent to the project may be asked. The exam will be conducted in the presence of the examination panel and a moderating committee. The supervisor will be pre | 15 | 01, 03, 04 |