Faculty of Medicine,Dentistry and Health Sciences Department of Pathology

Undertaking B.Sc. Honours in Pathology

A Bachelor of Science honours (B.Sc. (Hons)) is a year of study following a B.Sc., B.Biomed.Sci. or equivalent degree. The B.Sc. (Hons) degree adds significant value to the basic degree by providing extensive research-based training and is a major step for those wishing to undertake a career in science or related fields.

It consists of a combination of a research project (531-496) and advanced course work (531-497).

The research component (531-496) is carried out under supervision in one of the research groups within the Department of Pathology or our affiliated Institutions. Students undertaking B.Sc. (Hons) in the Department of Pathology will undertake novel research which will involve all of the key steps performed by professional biomedical scientists including formulation of hypotheses and research aims, experimental design, performing experimentation and analysis of research data. The culmination of the research project involves the preparation of a B.Sc. (Hons) thesis, which provides a detailed record of the research and its significance. The research component of the B.Sc. (Hons) course is worth 75% of the final assessment and this consists of 60% for the B.Sc. (Hons) thesis, 5% for an Introductory seminar and 10% for a Defense of Thesis seminar.

The advanced course work component (531-497) is designed to examine your ability to understand and interpret scientific data - a key component in the professional scientists toolbox. The two Data Assessment Examinations (12.5% for each examination; total 25%) are based on high quality papers obtained from peer-reviewed journals that publish reports relating to pathological processes. For the examination, you will be provided with a published manuscript where the title, authors’ names and abstract/summary have been removed. You will be asked to critically evaluate the paper, answer 10 specific questions about the paper and write an abstract and title for the paper. Lectures and tutorials are provided to assist students develop skills in critical appraisal of scientific papers.

For most students the B.Sc. (Hons) year starts in February (Semester 1) and ends in November, although a mid-year intake (Semester 2) is also a possibility.

Entry requirements

For entry into the B.Sc. (Hons) degree, you must have completed a suitable degree (B.Sc. B.Biomed.Sci. or equivalent) and achieved a Faculty Honours Score of 65 or equivalent. To undertake B.Sc. (Hons) in the Department of Pathology, you must complete the application procedures outlined in the Department of Pathology B.Sc. (Hons) Project Handbook, have the agreement of a supervisor in the Department of Pathology and the approval of the Head of Pathology (See "enrolling in a B.Sc. (Hons)" below).

Enrolling in a B.Sc. Honours in the Department of Pathology

  1. Look through the available list of B.Sc. (Hons) projects and Supervisors available on the Department of Pathology web site (Semester 1 projects will be made available in September of the previous year and Semester 2 projects will be made available in May).
  2. Contact the supervisors of the projects that are of interest to you by email or phone and arrange an appointment to discuss the project or visit the supervisor's poster at the Departmental honours information session (for Semester 1 intake only, this is normally held in late August early September).
  3. Complete and submit the "List of Preferred Projects" form which is attached to the Department of Pathology B.Sc. (Hons) Project Booklet and Faculty of Science B.Sc. (Hons) Application form to the administrative assistant of the Pathology B.Sc. (Hons) course.
  4. We will review all applications and following consultation with prospective student supervisors, we will send out a letter in late December or early January for Semester I intake informing you of the outcome of your application. Dates will differ for Semester 2 intake.

Honours Projects And Supervisors for 2009 intake:

The 2009 Honours project booklet, available in September 2008, will provide information on projects and supervisors in the Department of Pathology and affiliated institutions.

We will be holding an information session where you can read supervisors posters and listen to them talk about their research projects that may be of interest to you.

When Tuesday 16th September
Where ESJ King Lecture Theatre
and
Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy/Pathology
(Level 3 School of Medicine Building)
Time 5:30 - 7:30pm

 

Contact the Honours co-ordinator

For initial enquiries about doing your BSc(Hons) in the Department of Pathology, contact the Honours Co-ordinators:

top of page