Science Honours
Biology
A single Honours program in Biology accommodates students who have completed 24 credit points of Senior Biology units and have a minimum WAM of 65.
During the Honours year the principles established in the first three years of the undergraduate award course are further developed, and students are introduced to a wider field of Biology and biological techniques. Students may elect to specialise in any of the aspects of Biology that are studied in the school. Projects jointly supervised by staff in other schools or departments within the University may also be considered.
The Honours year comprises:
- a project in which the student investigates a problem and presents oral and written accounts of their research.
- a coursework unit – BIOL4015 Scientific Research in Biology, instruction in experimental design, and other technical training.
The degree will be awarded on the basis of:
(a) written assignments from coursework units
(b) marks awarded for a thesis on the subject of the project.
Honours Coordinator, Professor Ashley Ward
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T +61 2 9351 4778
General Honours Advice:
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Unit outlines will be available though Find a unit outline two weeks before the first day of teaching for 1000-level and 5000-level units, or one week before the first day of teaching for all other units.
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Biology Honours |
|||
| BIOL4015 Scientific Research in Biology |
6 | C BIOL4016 N BIOL4009 or BIOL4010 or BIOL4011 or BINF5002 or BINF5003 BIOL4016 corequisite not required by Bioinformatics Masters Research Stream students. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BIOL4016 Biology Honours A |
6 | C BIOL4015 N BIOL4011 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BIOL4012 Biology Honours B |
12 | C BIOL4015 and BIOL4016 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BIOL4013 Biology Honours C |
12 | C BIOL4012 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BIOL4014 Biology Honours D |
12 | C BIOL4013 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Biology Honours
BIOL4015 Scientific Research in Biology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ashley Ward Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 13 workshops Corequisites: BIOL4016 Prohibitions: BIOL4009 or BIOL4010 or BIOL4011 or BINF5002 or BINF5003 Assessment: Research proposal (based on University of Sydney Research and Development scheme) (60%), written assignment to include data analysis and presentation of analysed results (40%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: BIOL4016 corequisite not required by Bioinformatics Masters Research Stream students.
Studies in Life Science investigate the dynamics of living organisms and span the levels of biological organization, from the ecosystem to the molecular. Research in the Life Sciences strives to offer explanations as to how organisms function, interact and evolve. A graduate Biologist must be conversant with a wide range of analytical techniques, including quantitative analysis as well as being able to communicate effectively about their research. Students must understand the logical structures which underpin analytical techniques, be able to design experiments based on understanding of biological processes and document their intended research. This course work unit provides the core skills and techniques that will equip students to perform a broad range of laboratory and field studies in biology, develop critical thinking and clear communication skills. Students will be introduced to the appropriate methodologies for data collection, handling and analysis which underpin the successful testing of biological hypotheses, and document their intended research as a grant proposal
Textbooks
Reccomended reading: Dytham, C. (2003) Choosing and Using Statistics: A Biologists Guide. 2nd edn. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford
BIOL4016 Biology Honours A
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ashley Ward Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: The program may include lectures, tutorials, seminars and practicals. Corequisites: BIOL4015 Prohibitions: BIOL4011 Assessment: Assessment will include the research project and may include examinations and classwork. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Students enrolled in the Honours programs study various advanced aspects of Biology. The program may include lectures, tutorials, seminars and practicals. They will undertake a research project. Assessment will include the project and may include examinations and classwork.
BIOL4012 Biology Honours B
Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ashley Ward Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: See BIOL4016. Corequisites: BIOL4015 and BIOL4016 Assessment: See BIOL4016. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
See BIOL4016.
BIOL4013 Biology Honours C
Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ashley Ward Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: See BIOL4016. Corequisites: BIOL4012 Assessment: See BIOL4016. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
See BIOL4016.
BIOL4014 Biology Honours D
Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ashley Ward Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: See BIOL4016. Corequisites: BIOL4013 Assessment: See BIOL4016. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
See BIOL4016.