Botany Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Students should discuss total time commitment with their supervisor but as a guide, a student would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of thirty hours per week over two semesters.

Admission into the Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) program in the School of Botany.

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For the purposes of considering requests 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 Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This 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 the supervisor(s) and the Honours Committee of the School of Botany.

Students enrol in a total of 75 points of research project across the duration of the Honours program. This is achieved by enrolling in a combination of the following subjects in appropriate semesters to achieve a total 75 credit points.

• BOTA40001 Botany Research Project
• BOTA40006 Botany Research Project
• BOTA40007 Botany Research Project

This subject (BOTA40007 Botany Research Project) is the 50 point version for one semester.

The objectives of this subject are to provide students with:

• experience in, and ability to conduct independent research in a field of plant science;
• an ability to review and assessing scientific literature;
• an ability to test hypothesis, and design of laboratory and/or field experiments;
• experience in advanced scientific techniques, data analysis and interpretation;
• experience in written and oral presentations; and
• academic potential to proceed to the PhD degree.

Assessment will be based on a research thesis (80%; maximum 8,000 words) due at the end of the program, a literature review (10%; maximum 3,000 words) due during the first semester of a student’s enrolment, 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).

These assessment requirements are applicable to the entire 75 point Research Project component.

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of this subject, students should have further developed skills in:

• designing, managing and executing a research project;
• demonstrating a breadth of knowledge in a particular discipline;
• analysing and interpreting scientific data;
• providing persuasive intellectual arguments;
• exercising critical judgement, independent thinking and a problem solving approach;
• written report presentation and oral communication; and
• time management and self-organisation.