Our broad aims of the Honours program are to:

• give you the opportunity to design and conduct your own independent research project
• train you in activities appropriate to the type of research project you are undertaking
• teach you how to communicate your data to the scientific community
• expand your knowledge and understanding of biological sciences

Along the way, we hope you will find out whether you are good at doing scientific research and, more importantly, whether you like doing it!

Application Forms

Discover honours_2007

Faculty application form

Zoology Application Form

Outline of Course and Assessment

Overview

The Honours program in the Department of Zoology is offered in two streams: Discovery and Links.

The streams are equivalent in merit, academic rigour and intellectual content. Both can lead to higher degree study. The emphasis in the Discovery stream is on development of the ability to identify research questions and make original discoveries in science. In the Links stream, the emphasis is on the ability to use the scientific method in an industrial or applied context. Students select a project offered in one stream or the other in consultation with a department supervisor and remain in that stream for the duration of the course.

Discovery stream

The Discovery stream in the Department of Zoology is designed to:

• induct students into the processes and practice of research in Zoology;
• provide students with personal experience of the philosophy and methods used for identifying research questions and making original discoveries in science;
• enable students to acquire current research skills in specific areas;
• enhance students' understanding of Biological Sciences across a wide area;
• introduce students to grant writing and evaluation methodology;
• encourage students to develop the ability to think critically and independently, evaluate information and analyse biological data;
• improve oral and written communication skills;
• participate in the production of research communications and publications.

The program comprises a major, original, supervised research project, and a series of lectures and workshops covering design of experiments in biology and statistical analysis of biological data. It emphasizes the development of organisational skills, particularly in scientific writing and oral presentation.

Links stream

The Links stream in the Department of Zoology is designed to:

• provide an introduction to the processes and practice of applied research in Zoology;
• provide students with personal experience of the application of the scientific method in an industrial or government agency context;
• enable students to extend their scientific skills in specific applied areas;
• encourage students to develop the ability to think critically and independently;
• develop the ability of students to approach externally generated biological data sets and to systematise and evaluate them;
• enhance students' understanding applications of Biological Sciences across a wide area;
• improve oral and written communication skills;
• develop the ability of students to write clear and concise reports for industry, government agencies and other users of biological information and technology;
• develop an understanding of how biological training is utilised by industry, government agencies and other users of biological information and technology and to develop links with such bodies.

The program comprises a minor project linked to, co-supervised by, or designed to be of practical value to industry, a government agency or other user of biological information and technology, workshops on handling and evaluating biological data sets, and a series of lectures and workshops covering design of experiments in biology and statistical analysis of biological data. It emphasises oral and written communication across the boundaries between the biological sciences and other spheres of activity such as business or government and the ability to operate in group and team environments and to meet deadlines.