Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Science Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Information for intending Bachelor of Science Honours students

The Honours Year

The Honours degree is a one-year course of advanced study and research. Completion of Honours allows students to continue onto higher degree study (eg PhD) and provides intensive practical training in current experimental techniques, the opportunity to develop oral and written communication skills and the experience of working in an active research environment. Our Honours graduates are highly sought after by employers in biological, medical and industrial areas.

Most Honours projects are supervised by departmental staff and research fellows located in the University of Melbourne Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute. The Bio21 institute has superb facilities and houses a large number of groups with strong interests in molecular, structural and chemical biology.

Most students start their studies at the beginning of Semester one, although mid-year entry (start of Semester 2) is also a possibility.

Admission requirements

Entry is by merit, usually after a three-year BSc degree. The Honours course is open to students who have completed a major (usually 50 points or more) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Melbourne, or an equivalent level of study elsewhere. However, under circumstances in which students have relevant 300-level subjects in closely related disciplines, these requirements may be waived by the Head of Department. All BBiomedSci students who have completed the core 300-level subjects are eligible.

The same admission criteria apply for University of Melbourne students and those from other institutions. The Faculty of Science requires a faculty Honours score of 65 or better. In fact, most students entering Honours in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology have a faculty Honours score of at least 70, such that meeting the minimum Faculty level is not a guarantee of admission.

Finding a project and a supervisor

Prospective Honours students can find out about research projects posted on this Web site or the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Honours/Postgraduate booklet. All students are strongly encouraged to approach staff members directly to discuss research project opportunities and their interests before completing an application form. Students can also obtain advice from the Honours Coordinator.

Supervisors and Honours projects

Departmental research covers many areas of biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology and biophysics. Current information about the research projects on offer to students and research areas is provided in the information booklet.

Honours/PhD Information Booklet 2010

[PDF, 2.4MB]

Links to the individual supervisors' projects from the information booklet are listed below:


Projects at external institutes

It is possible for students to complete their research project with supervisors in affiliated external institutions. The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has close links with research groups at the following research organisations:

Projects in external institutions must have a strong focus on the use of biochemical and molecular biological approaches and supervisors should be affiliated with the Department and approved by the Honours coordinator. A list of potential supervisors in external institutions is available from the Honours coordinator.

A Combined Honours Course with the Department of Chemistry is also available for students wanting to undertake a research project involving both disciplines. Students taking a combined project will enroll in the Biochemistry/Chemistry degree if their coursework is in Biochemistry and the Chemistry/Biochemistry degree if their coursework is in Chemistry.

Selection into the Honours course

If you wish to be considered for Honours in 2010, and you would like to undertake your project and coursework in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (for projects undertaken within the department or in an affiliated institute), you must carry out the following three-step process in the order indicated:

Note: You can change your preferences as often as you wish up to lodgement of final preference list by 11:00pm, Sun, 29 Nov 2009. The lists will be supplied to the relevant departments and institutes for completion of the selection process in early December 2009.

You will receive a round-one offer letter for the highest preference project offer by mail before Christmas. You can accept or reject the offer. If you choose not to accept, you will be automatically considered for round-two selection in mid-January, 2010.

Key dates for application process:

International students

International students should follow the same procedure as local students to select a supervisor and project, but should submit their application to the International Office. The Department is consulted before a place is offered by the International Office.

Enquiries:

Professor Malcolm McConville
Honours Coordinator, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Bio21 Institute
30 Flemington Rd
room: 332
tel: +61 3 8344 2342
email: malcolmm@unimelb.edu.au

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