Honours Projects

Introduction

The Science Faculties offers students an active research environment, with an integrated interdisciplinary approach to research and honours study. There are a wide range of areas of study these being, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Conservation Biology, Energy Studies, Engineering, Environmental Science, Marine science, Mathematics and Statistics, Mineral Science, Molecular Biology,and Physics. The individual specialist research area of all academic staff is shown in the following pages.

The Division consistently attracts over 33% of its total budget from competitive research schemes and external contracts and this assists and supports the research activity across the Division. In addition individual staff receive support from a large number of private, state and federal funded agencies as well as the University's own research funds.

The Division is the host institution for the AJ Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy, the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy, the Centre for Atomic, Molecular and Surface Physics, the Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, the Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research, the Centre for Organic Waste Management, the Centre for Rhizobium Biotechnology, the Energy Research Institute, the Environmental Technology Centre, the Marine and Freshwater Research Laboratory and the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre. A significant contribution is also made towards the activities of the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture.

The following pages list the research areas for all academic staff within the Division. Applicants interested in applying for Honours are also provided with details on admission and enrolment. Applicants interested in undertaking a PhD or MPhil should contact the Office of Research Management.

Admission to Honours

Admission to the Honours Programmes is available to students holding a Bachelor of Science according to the following guidelines:

1. Students are admitted to Honours on a case by case basis. Generally speaking, students are expected to have obtained a Credit (or better) average in most Part II units in the area of their proposed Honours study.
2. Admission is subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor.
3. If you are unsure whether you qualify for admission please consult with a member of the Honours Subcommittee in the relevant programme.

Admissions Process

Students intending to apply for honours should follow these steps:

1. Decide which area you wish to work in.

2. Approach potential supervisors to discuss specific projects. Use this site as a guide to find out what projects are offered and by whom.

   Please be aware that the projects listed here should be taken as an indication of the general research activities of the staff members and are not the only projects that can be carried out. If you want to work with a specific supervisor but are not attracted by any of the projects listed, then please approach the supervisor and express interest. An alternative project catering more to your interests may be able to be developed.

   Please remember that it is your honours, and it is in your interest to shop around and find a project that you are happy to work on.

3. Apply for honors online via MyInfo. More information on this process is available from Faculty Student Administration.
4. Honours projects do not have to be carried out at Murdoch. They may be located off campus, at another university, hospital, government department or industry. The Honours subcommittee will appoint an internal supervisor for such students.

Maximum Period of Enrolment

Students considering undertaking an honours programme should note that University Requirements state that an 'honours programme should be completed within two semesters on a full-time basis, four semesters on a part-time basis, or one semester enrolled full-time and two enrolled part-time'. (Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor 54) Students should therefore ensure that they are able to commit sufficient time to their honours programme in order to complete within these timeframes.

Method of Assessment

The honours year is 24 points (equivalent to one year full-time study) and is made up of a majority of project work, related items of assessment plus some course work in some Schools.

Detailed information regarding the assessment and examination of the honours programmes will be provided at enrolment or is available from the Divisional Office.

Code of Practice

The code of practice for Honours Projects is available from the Murdoch Policies Index

Scholarships

Scholarships may be available to Honours students. For further details please contact the Office of Research Management or the Divisional Office.

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