Honours Information
Honours in Botany is a one-year program designed to introduce undergraduate students to the techniques and principles of original research in plant science.
The Botany Honours programme is administered by the Honours Committee on behalf of the Head of School, but much of the specific guidance will be provided by your supervisor. You will be affiliated with the research group of your supervisor, and afforded most of the privileges of Botany staff and postgraduate students (Keys for after hours access, office and laboratory space, join tea club).
All facilities for your research will be provided through, and funded by, your supervisors research group (field work, laboratory expenses e.g., chemicals, photography, access to computing, electron microscopy etc).
Admission requirements
Introduction
Applicants wishing to undertake fourth year studies in the Faculty of
Science must meet both Faculty (Graduate School of Science) and department
requirements to be selected and admitted into the fourth year studies
program. International students must meet additional conditions for
enrolment to be possible.
This section describes the process for administering the selection and
admission of students into the Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) in
2010.
The application process is clearly explained on the Science Student Centre’s
Honours website at:
http://www.ssc.science.unimelb.edu.au/career/further/honours/application
Major changes to the process from previous years
* International applicants apply directly to International Admissions. Local
applicants apply online through the Student Information Systems (SIS)
website.
* All local applicants apply online via the SSC’s Honours website. All
contents of the previous paper-based application form are included in the
electronic version. It is important that all current Honours application
forms currently housed on department websites are removed so that the new
online application process is clear to students. The project/supervisor
nomination section of the online form has 20 allocated fields for students
who wish to be considered for multiple projects, supervisors or departments.
The applicant will complete these fields, and the department, as they always
have been, can expect to be asked for advice on supervisors and projects.
* All international applicants must now apply online through International
Admissions. These applicants will not be submitting to the Graduate School
of Science the same printed application form as local applicants; rather,
they will apply through International Admissions and submit a separate
Honours nomination form 2010 for international students found at
http://www.ssc.science.unimelb.edu.au/career/further/honours/application,
and available as a hardcopy at International Admissions and the Graduate
School of Science. This Honours nomination form 2010 will be similar to the
project/supervisor nomination area on the printed application used by local
applicants. It will have 20 allocated fields for students who wish to be
considered for multiple projects, supervisors or departments. Again, as they
always have been, the department can expect to be asked for advice on
supervisors and projects.
* Completed applications are now submitted to the Graduate School of
Science. The Graduate School of Science will forward the application to
relevant departments for consideration. The department is not expected to
directly accept applications.
In addition to satisfying the Faculty of Science entry requirements , students interested in entering the botany honours program need to complete 50 or more points of 300-level botany, or equivalent in a related field (eg. plant biochemistry, plant genetics or environmental sciences). The Head of Department may waive the prerequisites or stipulate additional requirements.
Scholarships for Honours Students
Scholarships and prizes are available from the department or the faculty.
What does it involve?
- An original research project subject (75 points)
The research project will provide: experience in reviewing scientific literature, hypothesis testing, design of laboratory and/or field experiments, training in experimental techniques, data analysis and interpretation, and development of written and oral presentation skills. The research project will be designed in consultation with a supervisor(s) and the School’s honours committee.
Assessment will be based on a research thesis (80%; maximum 8,000 words), a literature review (10%; maximum 3,000 words), presentation of a seminar based on the research findings (5%; 30 minutes) and an oral defence of the thesis (5%; 30 minutes). Students are expected to attend the School’s general weekly seminar series held during semesters (hurdle requirement).
- Advanced coursework
In addition to the Research Project, 25 points must be selected from the following Elective subjects:Subject Code Subject Name
Points
600-651
Microscopy for biological sciences semester 1
12.5
600-654
Global environmental change semester 1
12.5
606-607
Flora of Victoria summer intensive
12.5
600- 651
Advanced molecular techniques semester 2
12.5
654-634 –Biometry Semester 2 600-650
Metabolomics and Proteomics Semester 2
12.5
654-634
Biometry
12.5
606-XXX
One third year Botany subject, for which credit has not already been given, or an alternative postgraduate coursework elective may be chosen if the core knowledge is required.
12.5
In order to be awarded an Honours qualification, students enrolled in the BSc (Honours) must pass all components and obtain an overall average mark of at least 65% for both the Research Project subject and the Advanced Coursework.
- A fourth year is a great advantage in seeking employment.
- Skills in original research in plant science (scientific and technical)
- Develop capacity for critical thinking and evaluation of information
- Instil knowledge across wide areas of plant sciences
- Enhance communication skills (writing and oral presentations
Plant Biodiversity |
The Environment |
| Plant Systematics Prof Pauline Ladiges |
Plant Ecology Dr Peter Vesk |
| Evolution Dr Andrew Drinnan |
Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA) |
| Marine Botany Dr Jan Carey |
Environmental Science Prof Mark Burgman |
| Plant Diseases | Applied Environmental Decision Analysis (AEDA) Dr Brendan Wintle Dr Michael McCarthy |
| Molecular Plant Pathology Prof Barbara Howlett |
|
| Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology (ARCUE) Dr Mark McDonnell |
|
Plant Cells |
Plant Biotechnology |
| Algal Scum: Protistan Cell Surface Group Dr Rick Wetherbee |
|
| Cell Evolution Prof Geoff McFadden |
Victorian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics Prof Tony Bacic |
| Eukaryotic Diversity and Evolution Dr Ross Waller |
Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics Prof Tony Bacic |
Crop Improvement Technology Prof Adrienne Clarke Dr Robyn Heath - under construction |
Projects
Download or view the 1.9MB PDF document
honours-booklet.pdf
How do I find a supervisor and project?
Think about what subjects you found interesting in 2nd and 3rd year subjects
Look at the range of possible topics at our research pages as well as the project outlines posted on the Honours noticeboard or download honours booklet PDF file.
Approach the relevant Botany staff members to discuss interests and potential projects. It's a good idea to bring the transcripts of your results so far to show the supervisors. All academic and research staff in the School of Botany supervise honours projects. There is also potential for joint supervision with some external institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens or other Departments such as Geography, Zoology and Chemistry.
Semester 1 2010 Entry - February 1st 2010 (finish Nov 2010) Honours Timetable 2008
How do I apply for Honours?
Application forms can now be accessed online at http://www.ssc.science.unimelb.edu.au/career/further/honours/application. Once you have keyed in your details online, you need to download the application, print it and submit it to the Science Student Centre.
Local applicants can start submitting Semester 1, 2010 applications from 17 September 2010 through the Graduate School of Science website as under. Timely applications close Friday, 20 November 2009.
International applicants will apply directly to International Admissions as under. Timely applications close Saturday, 31 October 2009.
http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/int/apply/
If you are interested in Semester 1 entry , try to start organising it as early as possible to ensure there will be a supervisor and project available
What if I have any other questions?
- e-mail me, Rick Wetherbee, Honours Coordinator.richardw@unimelb.edu.au
- phone me (8344 5057)
- drop in to my office (Room 104 in the Botany School) and talk to me non-virtually
- talk to 2008/2009 honours students
- talk to other members of the Honours Committee:
| Dr Ian Woodrow | iewood@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 7503 |
| Prof Barbara Howlett | bhowlett@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 5062 |
| Dr Brendan Wintle | brendanw@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 4572 |
| Dr Ross Waller | rossfw@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 5042 |
| Dr Jan Carey | janetmc@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 3336 |