mic4hna honours microbiology

HONOURS MICROBIOLOGY

MIC4HNA

2019

Credit points: 60

Subject outline

The Honours course consists of a one year supervised research project and a relatively minor course work component. Microbiological research is as varied in its nature as the microbial world itself and the research interests of the Microbiology discipline reflect this diversity. Programs are potentially available within the discipline in the areas of: the molecular and cellular biology of human and animal viruses; the interactions between host and pathogen; the molecular genetics of bacterial plasmids and wastewater microbiology; environmental microbiology; molecular parasitology; the molecular biology of signal transduction in mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases; understanding mitochondrial function in pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms; as well as other relevant aspects of microbial physiology and mammalian cell biology.

SchoolSchool of Life Sciences

Credit points60

Subject Co-ordinatorSteve Petrovski

Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo

Subject year levelYear Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG

Exchange StudentsNo

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Must be admitted in one of the following courses SHBIS or SHS or SHMES or SHMC or SHAVB.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects MIC4PGA

Equivalent subjects MIC4PGA

Special conditions This subject of study represents the first semester of a year long program. Students MUST complete both MIC4HNA and MIC4HNB in the one academic year.

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Develop intellectual independence and laboratory experience and demonstrate advanced knowledge in microbiology

Activities:
Developed with guidance from supervisors and interaction with postgraduate students and laboratory personnel as well as the statistics workshop and honours lectures. The assessment activities for this ILO will include the oral and written (i.e. Scientific abstract, Literature review and Thesis) presentations throughout the year.

02. Demonstrate writing ability and presentation skills at a level that is consistent with international discipline standards and the use of correct terminology to communicate coherent explanation of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences, such as peers and scientific community.

Activities:
Students will be provided with information on writing and presentation skills by the honours coordinator and their supervisors. The written activities will include (1) Literature review, (2) Writing an abstract and (3) Thesis. The oral presentation activities will include (1) Research proposal, (2) Lecturette and (3) Final results presentation. In addition students will regularly present in their laboratory meetings. All these activates will be run in-house and students are encouraged to seek feedback from postgraduate students and academic staff prior to submission.

03. Develop rationale to interrogate assumptions, comprehend scientific information, formulate hypothesises, draw unbiased conclusions and defend scientific ideas consistent with international discipline standards.

Activities:
Students will develop these skills via regular weekly meetings with their supervisors and other academic staff in the discipline. Students will further develop these skills through (1) Attendance at all research seminars and honours lectures in the discipline, (2) Literature review, (3) Lecturettes, (4) Their presentations to the discipline and (5) the abstract writing test.

04. Employ academic integrity and scientific rigor in conducting and evaluating scientific research and developing professional practice consistent with international discipline standards.

Activities:
This will be developed working in an academic research laboratory environment however students will also be provided with appropriate training in good laboratory practice and attend workshops on recombinant DNA and/or Animal/human ethics as required. Additional workshops will be provided which include database library services and Endnote. Students will attend a compulsory statistics workshop followed by the completion of an online assessment.

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSteve Petrovski

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"The lectures are compulsory (medical certified needed for non-attendance)"

Supervised ResearchWeek: 10 - 22
One 5.0 days supervised research per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Laboratory and research skills assessment (500-words equivalent)501, 04
One 10,000-words Thesis6501, 02
One 3,000-words literature review1001, 02, 03
Workshop assessment and abstract writing test (1,000-words equivalent)501, 02, 03, 04
Seminar and lecturette presentations totalling approx. 1 hour (1500 words equivalent)1501, 02, 03