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Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Z0466  073629C



Duration

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Fee*
1 Year/s Hawthorn (Semester 1) A$22,950 (annual for 2012) 
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.


The primary focus of the Honours course in Science at Swinburne is on research skills with a mix of advanced theory, professional training, research training, and a research project leading to a thesis. An Honours degree in Science provides a competitive advantage for employment in research positions and is a requirement for studying at PhD level.

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The course is divided into various strands which allow student to focus on their specific discipline. Lectures and, in particular, the research component of the honours degree are expected to focus on that specific discipline.
The following strands are available:
  • Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Biomedical Science
  • Biomedical Technology
  • Chemistry
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Health Science
  • Psychophysiology
  • Psychology
  • Sports Science

Each strand has its own course structure (see below), although it is expected that some lecture components and research resources are shared across the strands. The overall honours grading is based on a formula dependent on the strand (see below).

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The objective of this course is to allow high achieving students to gain a degree with honours in a core specialisation (or "strand") of science. The course is a recognised point of entry into postgraduate research studies.

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The Honours course is completed in one year of full-time study (100 credit points of study) after completion of an undergraduate degree. If the undergraduate year is completed at Swinburne, then the strand corresponds to the chosen major of the degree.
 
An overall grade for the honours year is given as follows:
  • First Class Honours (H1) 80% – 100%
  • Second Class Honours Division A (H2A) 70% – 79%
  • Second Class Honours Division A (H2B) 60% – 69%
  • Third Class Honours (H3) 50% – 59%
Details of the units of study and calculation of the honours mark vary from strand to strand as follows:
 
Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Biomedical Sciences
HES5640 Honours Lectures 25 credit points
HES5590 Honours Project 75 credit points
An overall Honours Grading is based on 60% of the Project and 40% of the Lecture component.

Biomedical Technology
HMS770 Statistical Practice 1 12.5 credit points
HET707 Neuroscience Methods 12.5 credit points
HET803 Honours Project 1 25 credit points
HET802 Honours Project 2 37.5 credit points
and one of:
HET738 Neuropsychology Methods 12.5 credit points
HET704 Neurophilosophy 12.5 credit points
HET830 Biomedical Research Topics12.5 credit points
HMS771 Statistical Practice 212.5 credit points
An overall Honours Grading is based on a weighted average of the units taken

Chemistry
HES5540 Chemistry Honours Lectures 25 credit points
HES5590 Honours Project 75 credit points
An overall Honours Grading is based on 60% of the Project and 40% of the Lecture component.

Cognitive Neuroscience
HAY453 Advanced Quantitative Methods 12.5 credit points
HET707 Neuroscience Methods 12.5 credit points
HET803 Honours Project 1 25 credit points
HET802 Honours Project 2 37.5 credit points
HET738 Neuropsychology Methods12.5 credit points 
An overall Honours Grading is based on a weighted average of the units taken

Environmental Sustainability
HAS318 Social Research Design: Principles and Methods 12.5 credit points
HAS317 Qualitative Research Methods 12.5 credit points
HES5706 Sustainability Honours Seminars 25 credit points
HES5700 Honours Project 50 credit points
An overall Honours Grading is based on 60% of the Project and 40% of the Lecture component.
 
Public Health
HES5705 Honours Seminars 25 credit points
HES5700 Honours Project 50.0 credit points 
An overall Honours Grading is based on 60% of the Project and 40% of the Lecture component.
 
Psychophysiology
HET707 Neuroscience Methods12.5 credit points
HET803 Honours Project 1 25 credit points
HET802 Honours Project 2 37.5 credit points
and one of:
HET704 Neurophilosophy12.5 credit points 
An overall Honours Grading is based on a weighted average of the units taken
 
Psychology 
HAY470 Thesis A 12.5 credit points
plus one of:
HAY472 Contemporary Psychology 12.5 credit points
HET707 Neuroscience Methods12.5 credit points 
 and one of:
HAY458 Counselling Psychology 12.5 credit points
HET738 Neuropsychology Methods 12.5 credit points 
An overall Honours Grading is based on a weighted average of the units taken.
 
Sports Science
HMS770 Statistical Practice 1 12.5 credit points
HET707 Neuroscience Methods12.5 credit points
HET803 Honours Project 1 25 credit points
HET802 Honours Project 2 37.5 credit points
and one of:
HET738 Neuropsychology Methods 12.5 credit points
HMS771 Statistical Practice 2 12.5 credit points
An overall Honours Grading is based on a weighted average of the units taken.

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Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Biomedical Sciences

 
 
 
 

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Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Education Abroad website or telephone the Education Abroad Office on (03) 9214 4816.

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This course equips graduates for careers in a variety of science areas including medical, health, food and beverage, wine, agricultural, sports, chemical and environmental industries. It is also specifically designed as a pathway into higher research degrees (Masters and PhD).

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  • The Chemistry Strand of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) is accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Other bodies may recognise graduates for associate membership, depending on the strand studied. 
  • All honours graduates are entitled to apply for membership of the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA).
  • Several of the Strands (those with Microbiology units of study and incorporating a microbiology research project) may be eligible to apply for the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM).
  • Students who have successfully completed the psychology strand meet the academic requirements for registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, and are also eligible for Associate Membership of the APS.
  • Graduates completing the Health Sciences strand are eligible to apply for Associate Membership of Environmental Health Australia (EHA).
  • Graduates successfully completing the Biomedical Technology strand may be eligible to apply for membership of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM).
  • Graduates of the Biochemistry/Biotechnology strand are eligible to apply for the Australian Biotechnology Association (ABA) and the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

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Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level certificate at the undergraduate level (EAP 5: UG-65% ); OR, Obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 550 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Computer-based) minimum score of 213 (with Written Writing score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 80 with no band less than 20.

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

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Students should have completed a (professional) major (or equivalent) in the discipline corresponding to the honours strand chosen and should have achieved a credit average within that strand. Student who has achieved two distinctions, or better, in their final year of study may also be considered (on a case by case basis).

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