Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Science (Honours)

This course aims to provide students with a higher level of experience in independent analysis and research in their chosen area of expertise. In special circumstances, the dean, acting on the recommendation of the heads of schools, may approve candidature embracing more than one discipline. The degree with honours is awarded on the successful completion of a program of advanced study including a supervised research project which will include a contribution to the knowledge of the subject by original work and a critical review of the literature. The course has vocational aims but also provides a preparation for higher degree studies.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge and technical skills in at least one area of science
• develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in professional contexts to analyse challenges and to develop effective solutions
• convey ideas and results effectively to diverse audiences and in a variety of formats, and present scientific work in a potentially publishable way
• work independently to undertake a scientific literature review, and to design develop and implement a research project
• collect, organise, analyse, interpret and present data meaningfully, using mathematical and statistical tools as appropriate to the discipline of specialisation
• exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Students who have successfully qualified for course S2000 Bachelor of Science (previously 0050), or equivalent, with at least a distinction grade average (70 per cent) in 24 points of level three units in the relevant science discipline. These 24 points of studies will normally include at least 18 points of units in the area of study in which they wish to undertake honours. Students in science double degrees must have completed at least 144 points of units in that course, including all of the science requirements in the single degree, before they may apply for entry to honours.

The specific requirements for the award of a degree with honours is dependent on the field of study but in general will include advanced coursework and specified assessment tasks, a thesis component and seminars/oral presentations.

Schools are able to cater substantially for the interests of individual students, although there may be compulsory elements to be completed by all students in some disciplines. The work to be completed by a candidate will be as prescribed by the relevant head of school.

Further details about the requirements for honours in each discipline, along with faculty honours policies and guidelines are available on the Faculty of Science honourshonours (http://monash.edu/science/current/honours/) web page.

Students, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff :

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the faculty in the student's chosen discipline, including attending and/or presenting at seminars, undertaking any required coursework studies and other related activities as indicated by the faculty

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of a specified length on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners.

Students enrol in the following units depending on their area of specialisation.

Clayton

Anatomy and developmental biology

• BMH4100 Biomedicine research project (36 points)
• BMH4200 Advanced studies in biomedicine (12 points)

Astrophysics

• ASP4100 Astrophysics honours part 2 (project) (24 points)
• ASP4200 Astrophysics honours part 1 (24 points)

Atmospheric science

• ATM4100 Atmospheric science honours part 2 (project) (24 points)
• ATM4200 Atmospheric science honours part 1 (24 points)

Biochemistry and molecular biology

• BMH4100 Biomedicine research project (36 points)
• BMH4200 Advanced studies in biomedicine (12 points)

Chemistry

• CHM4100 Chemistry research project (36 points)
• CHM4201 Chemistry honours coursework (12 points)

Computational science

Honours thesis (24 points) consisting of the following units:

• FIT4441 Honours thesis part 1
• FIT4442 Honours thesis part 2
• FIT4443 Honours thesis part 3
• FIT4444 Honours thesis final

plus:

• FIT4005 IT research methods (6 points)
• two computer science electives as published by the Faculty of Information Technology (12 Points)

plus one of the following computer science electives (6 points):

• FIT4009 Advanced topics in intelligent systems
• FIT4010 Advanced topics in algorithms and discrete structures
• FIT4012 Advanced topics in computational sciences

Ecology and conservation biology

• BIO4100 Biology research project (36 points)
• BIO4200 Advanced coursework in biology (12 points)

Genetics

• BIO4100 Biology research project (36 points)
• BIO4200 Advanced coursework in biology (12 points)

Geographical science

• ATS4778 Geographical science honours thesis 1 (12 points)
• ATS4779 Geographical science honours thesis 2 (12 points)
• ATS4776 Seminar in geography (12 points)
• ATS4889 Directed studies in geography (12 points)

Geophysics

• GPS4100 Geophysics research project (36 points)
• GPS4200 Geophysics honours coursework (12 points)

Geosciences

• ESC4100 Earth sciences research project (36 points)
• ESC4200 Earth sciences honours coursework (12 points)

Immunology and medical biology

• BMH4100 Biomedicine research project (36 points)
• BMH4200 Advanced studies in biomedicine (12 points)

Materials science

• MSC4100 Materials science project (24 points)
• MSC4200 Advanced materials science (24 points)

Mathematics and statistics

• MTH4100 Mathematics honours part 2 (project) (24 points)
• MTH4200 Mathematics honours part 1 (24 points)

Microbiology

• BMH4100 Biomedicine research project (36 points)
• BMH4200 Advanced studies in biomedicine (12 points)

Pharmacology

• BMH4100 Biomedicine research project (36 points)
• BMH4200 Advanced studies in biomedicine (12 points)

Physics

• PHS4100 Physics thesis project (24 points)
• PHS4200 Advanced physics (24 points)

Physiology

• BMH4100 Biomedicine research project (36 points)
• BMH4200 Advanced studies in biomedicine (12 points)

Plant sciences

• BIO4100 Biology research project (36 points)
• BIO4200 Advanced coursework in biology (12 points)

Psychology

• PSY4100 Psychology honours: Research project (24 points)
• PSY4210 Statistics and research design for professional psychology (6 points)
• PSY4220 Ethical and professional issues in psychology (6 points)
• PSY4270 Psychological assessment (6 points)

plus one of the following psychology electives (6 points):

• PSY4110 Psychology in society
• PSY4120 Mental health and illness
• PSY4130 Developmental psychology and clinical neuroscience

Regenerative medicine

• MIS4100 Regenerative medicine research project (36 points)
• MIS4200 Advanced studies in regenerative medicine (12 points)

Zoology

• BIO4100 Biology research project (36 points)
• BIO4200 Advanced coursework in biology (12 points)

Gippsland

Available areas of study include:

• biochemistry
• biotechnology
• chemistry
• ecology and environmental management
• medical bioscience
• microbiology

All students must complete the following:

• ASC4100 Honours research project (36 points)
• ASC4200 Honours coursework (12 points)

Malaysia

Biotechnology

• BTH4100 Biotechnology research project (36 points)
• BTH4280 Honours coursework in biotechnology (12 points)

Medical bioscience

• MBS4100 Medical bioscience research project (36 points)
• MBS4280 Honours coursework in medical bioscience (12 points)

Food science and technology

• FST4100 Food science and technology research project (36 points)
• FST4280 Honours coursework food science and technology (12 points)

Psychology

• PSY4100 Psychology honours: Research project (24 points)
• PSY4210 Statistics and research design for professional psychology (6 points)
• PSY4220 Ethical and professional issues in psychology (6 points)
• PSY4270 Psychological assessment (6 points)

plus one of the following psychology electives (6 points):

• PSY4110 Psychology in society
• PSY4130 Developmental psychology and clinical neuroscience
  

Tropical environmental biology

• BIO4180 Tropical environmental biology research project (36 points)
• BIO4280 Honours coursework in tropical environmental biology (12 points)

Bachelor of Science (Honours)