Veterinary Bioscience Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

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.

Students must be admitted to either the Bachelor of Science (Honours) or the Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) in order to be eligible for this subject.

Students, in consultation with their supervisor or the Veterinary Bioscience Honours Coordinator, will enrol in one of the following subjects (dependent on the nature of their research project):

Students should have a sound understanding of broader biological science and an appreciation of the research process.

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, 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 Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This honours research project aims to develop a student's ability to design and undertake a substantial body of work, to find solutions to a particular problem, and to report on this in written and verbal form. Project definition is completed shortly after commencement of the semester of enrolment in the subject, and requires approval from the subject coordinator.

Students who enrol in this 25-point subject in one semester will enrol in the 50-point Veterinary Bioscience Research Project (VETS40016) in the other semester of their course to ensure they have completed a total of 75 points for the research project by the end of their course.

Students who have completed this subject should have acquired:

• An understanding of the scientific process including the research methodologies necessary to design and interpret experiments;
• Appropriate knowledge and the ability to critically evaluate knowledge gained from a range of scientific sources;
• The ability to disseminate scientific information;
• Skills to effectively analyse, and scientifically evaluate scientific problems and reach appropriate solutions;
• The ability to collect and interpret data for interpretation; and
• An understanding of the research methodologies necessary to design and interpret experiments.

Project proposal (Hurdle)

• 1-2 page outline of the project to be submitted 4-6 weeks from commencement of Semester 1

Proposal seminar (Hurdle)

• 15-minute presentation based on the proposal to be given 4-6 weeks from commencement of Semester 1

Final presentation (20%)

• 30-minute presentation to be given 2 weeks before the end of Semester 2

Thesis (80%)

• Thesis of no more than 20,000 words to be submitted for examination during the last week of Semester 2

Students will conduct a literature review as part of their research project.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who have completed this subject should have acquired:

• an ability to evaluate scientific and professional literature;
• the ability to use conceptual models to rationalize experimental data;
• a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written and oral presentations;
• a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed experimental work; and
• a capacity to enhance teamwork skills as required, and respect for integrity in the conduct and reporting of scientific investigations.