Zoology Honours Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides students with the opportunity to design and conduct, under supervision, independent research. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise, but may address a broad spectrum of zoological issues. Students will take responsibility for a research project, including the design of rigorous field sampling programs, field and/or laboratory experiments; collection, appropriate statistical analysis, and interpretation of data; and providing oral and written presentations of the results. Students will assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm, and communicate that knowledge to others. Students will also develop skills in managing a scientific research project, writing scientific reports, providing and responding to peer reviews, and making an oral presentation.

Students will be enrolled in the research project subject indicated below in each semester to ensure they have completed a total of 75 points for the research project by the end of their course.

• conducting research in zoology;
• designing rigorous experimental and sampling programs;
• taking responsibility for managing a research project;
• preparing and giving an oral and written presentation of the results;
• expressing persuasive intellectual, scientific arguments;
• assimilating and critically evaluating existing knowledge within a scientific paradigm; and
• developing a justified budget for their proposed research.

A literature review not exceeding 4,000 words (10% of the overall mark); a formal final seminar presenting original results (10%); an assessment of the research skills demonstrated by the student, provided by the student's research supervisor (10%); a written thesis not exceeding 10,000 words, due at the end of the program (70%).

On-going hurdle requirements: a seminar presentation outlining the research proposal; preparation of a grant proposal justifying, costing and explaining the methodology for carrying out the honours research project; participation in peer review panels to evaluate and allocate limited resources to the grant proposals.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• articulating the breadth of knowledge gained in an particular discipline;
• critical appraisal of draft documents;
• developing the ability to exercise critical judgement;
• expressing persuasive intellectual arguments;
• writing a scientific report;
• managing a research project;
• oral communication and presentation;
• rigorous and independent thinking; and
• time management and self-management skills.