Bachelor of Science with Honours

Honours in Science is an intensive year-long program that enables students to research a topic they are passionate about.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their own original project and conduct research under the guidance of a supervisor who is a specialist in the relevant field.

This is the final year of undergraduate study for most students and provides an avenue into postgraduate study and improves career prospects.

Students who complete an honours year can demonstrate to future employers that they have advanced science skills and the ability to manage and independently produce high quality work.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Science with Honours offers students the opportunity to undertake advanced study and research in a broad range of disciplines across The Sciences. The course prepares students for postgraduate study and establishes a sound basis for a successful future career.The course aims to encourage students to have an understanding that -· Science encompasses both a body of knowledge and a reliable process of discovery. It is founded upon the recognition of fundamental laws that make nature systematic and reproducible. · Scientists observe, measure, classify and perform experiments upon the natural world. They employ scientific methods to test hypotheses and use empirical evidence to support or refute their hypotheses. The natural variability, or uncertainty, inherent in the natural world, means that scientific conclusions are reliable but contestable; they may be revised or modified as new evidence emerges. Scientists are curious about the natural world, and are creative in formulating hypotheses and in designing approaches to problem solving. · Mathematics is used in science to model real-world systems and scientific data are often analysed using statistical methods. · Science operates within a paradigm of peer review and replication that provides a collective responsibility for the reliability of scientific knowledge. Scientists have a responsibility to communicate the outcomes of their work accurately and without bias to their peers and to society. · Science is embedded within a context that reflects both the history of scientific endeavor and the culture of present society. Scientists generate and build knowledge, develop technologies, investigate and solve problems.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate, through their own practice, an advanced understanding of the methods and processes of science as a creative endeavour and that current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry; exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating advanced knowledge in one or more disciplinary areas, demonstrating the potential to make original contributions to scientific knowledge and integrating their own research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms; conduct a research investigation under supervision in a research or professional environment by critically analysing a challenging complex or multi-faceted problem, identifying research questions, designing and planning a project, selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools to address a research question and analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating research findings; be effective communicators of science by communicating scientific ideas and research findings to informed professional audiences using a variety of modes; and be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by demonstrating initiative and intellectual independence, collaborating effectively, and complying with regulatory frameworks and practising professional ethics relevant to their disciplinary area.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts relevant to their discipline(s) and knowledge of research principles and methods and will possess a global perspective on the developments over time relevant to their field(s) of study and their discipline(s). In addition, they will have the capacity to understand the implications of international events for their area(s) of study. Communication Skills Graduates will have high level communication skills, oral and written, to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences. Information Literacy Graduates will be able to recognise pertinent information and will have the advanced cognitive skills to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access, critically analyse and interpret information. They will have technical skills to plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence. Life-Long Learning Graduates will have cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding as well as responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice. Problem Solving Graduates will have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence. They will exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will be aware of their professional responsibilities and will demonstrate understanding and practice of the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with their discipline or profession. This includes an understanding of their own ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community and the environment. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be able to exercise responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others within broad parameters.