Teaching

Honours

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the minimum requirements for selection into Honours in Genetics?

What hours will I be required to attend?

Can I keep my part-time job?

Who will be my supervisor?

Can I undertake my research project at another institution/institute?

Will my choice of Honours project restrict my future research options?

Will my choice of Honours project influence my future employment options?

What should I consider when selecting a project?

What are the advantages of doing Honours in the Genetics Department?

How can I contribute to studies of human genetics?

What are the minimum requirements for selection into Honours in Genetics?

The minimum requirements for selection into Honours are given below. You should be aware that meeting these requirements is not a guarantee of admission. You should aim for a Faculty Honours Score (calculated from your best 87.5pts of 3rd year Science pts) well above 65. Exceptions to this rule can be made particularly in the case of students with unusual course structures (eg combined degrees). Selection is also dependent on the availability of places within the laboratories in the Department.

BSc degree:
Completion of the BSc degree
A major in Genetics (50 pts of 3rd year Genetics including 652-302 and 652-304)
FHS > 65
BBiomedSci degree:
Completion of the BBiomedSci degree
652-214 ,652-216,  and 25 points of 3rd Year Genetics
FHS > 65
Combined degree:
Completion of the Science component of the combined degree
A major in Genetics
FHS or average mark in 3rd year Science pts of > 65
Non-University of Melbourne degree:
Applicants will be considered on the basis of their undergraduate studies and academic references. It would be expected that they have an appropriate background in Genetics.

What hours will I be required to attend?

Unlike your previous undergraduate studies, the hours are not set. Although the course work component will require attendance at specific nominated times, the research project is not limited to particular times. As you will learn, productive research is very time-demanding and most honours students will work quite long hours including at weekends as their project develops. The demands of the Honours year are balanced by the knowledge that what you achieve is determined by the time and effort that you put in to it. Self-motivation and time management are valuable skills in Honours and your future careers.

Can I keep my part-time job?

Probably not. For the reasons above, you will find that Honours is a full-time commitment. Honours students are offered the opportunity to demonstrate in some First Year Biology practicals.

Who will be my supervisor?

Your direct supervisor(s) will be laboratory heads and Post-doctoral fellows who are senior members of the laboratory. PhD students and Research assistants in the laboratories are a valuable source of advice and information but do not have a direct supervisory role. All Honours students in the Department have a committee that includes supervisors and two other members of academic staff. The committee members are also available for discussion and advice.

Can I undertake my research project at another institution/institute?

In some cases this is possible but there are strict conditions. The Department must approve of the project and be confident that the supervisory/research arrangements are appropriate. External supervisors are generally Associates of the Department. An internal co-supervisor will also be required. The student must be aware that they will be required to attend all coursework sessions, committee meetings, Honours and Departmental seminars within the Department. This will require significant amounts of travelling between institutions and this should be considered. In addition, a very positive aspect of Genetics honours is the support as well as the social interaction that comes from within the Honours group in the Department.

Will my choice of Honours project restrict my future research options?

Absolutely not. Honours is an undergraduate year that provides the opportunity to expand your knowledge within a discipline area, to learn first hand a variety of techniques and to determine whether you want to continue in Science and in what way. The skills that you learn will be applicable to many research areas and are highly sought after. After Honours you may wish to continue in that area either as a postgraduate student or in employment. Alternatively you may use the skills that you have learnt to move to a new area within Science or into a completely different vocation. Graduates of the Genetics Honours program are in demand because of the broad range of scientific, technical and management skills that they acquire during this year. If you wish to pursue your studies as a PhD student, you will need a scholarship (unless you are independently wealthy!). The award of scholarships is dependent on your Honours and third year scores. APA (Australian Post-graduate Award) scholarships, MRS (Melbourne Research Scholarships) and Fee Remission Scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Other scholarships are also available. Prospective supervisors here and elsewhere will consider your success in Honours, your interest and capability to undertake independent research and not the specific project undertaken in Honours as these skills are readily transferable.

Will my choice of Honours project influence my future employment options?

Again, absolutely not. As outlined in the first paragraph above, Honours provides you with a variety of skills that are applicable in a range of employment areas. Prospective employers will consider the types of technical skills that you have acquired if it is relevant to the job eg in biotechnology companies, research and development or industry. More importantly, Honours training provides other direct skills - report writing, use of computer data bases, data analysis, information searching and retrieval, time/project management, oral presentation, team work etc. You can demonstrate your capacity in these areas and these skills are highly sought after as they are readily applicable to any employment situation.

What should I consider when selecting a project?

When considering projects offered by the Genetics Department or elsewhere, there are a number of factors to consider in addition to the specifics of a particular project. These include: What questions are the laboratory investigating - am I interested in that broad research area? The supervisory arrangements - will I have enough access to my supervisor, what if there are problems? What techniques will I learn or be exposed to during the year? What are the coursework requirements - will I extend my knowledge broadly and in what discipline area? These questions should encourage you to think beyond the narrow focus of project outlines and consider both the Department and the laboratory in which you will spend your Honours year.

What are the advantages of doing Honours in the Genetics Department?

The Department provides an excellent environment in which to undertake your Honours year. The advantages include interaction with world class scientists (see recent publications of members of department and look at research pages on http://www.genetics.unimelb.edu.au/research/disciplines.html), excellent laboratory facilities and equipment, a friendly and supportive environment, high standards, an Honours room (including your own desk and computer) and an Honours orientation weekend at Portsea.

How can I contribute to studies of human genetics?

As a budding scientist, there are many research areas in which you may want to be involved. If you want to make a contribution to human welfare, to make the world a better place in some way, you need to develop the skills and tools to enable you to do this. The aim of the Honours program is to train young, enthusiastic and skilled science graduates who can address scientific questions with a broad knowledge base and the capacity to apply different aspects of this skill base to particular questions. Remember that all aspects of science contribute to human welfare. Much of what we understand about normal and disease states in humans is absolutely dependent on the application and transfer of knowledge from studies in other systems. Furthermore, it is no less important to understand human interaction with, and impact on, the natural world. Every aspect of biological research contributes directly or indirectly to a deeper understanding of issues relating to human welfare.