Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Hons)
Orientation for Semester 1,
2012
SCHOOL OF
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Proceedings Monday 6th February:
2-3.30 pm
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Opening by Dr David Pennisi (Chair of Hons Committee )
Overview over the Honours Year & Requirements
Role of Hons Committee
Other bits & pieces (including OHS and ethics)
Greeting from Head of School
Proceedings continued
3.30-5pm – drinks
• Meeting the committee
• Meeting your fellow Honours students
• Time to ask lots of questions about Honours,
life at UQ etc.
Honours @ SBMS
• SBMS
– ~ 50 research groups around T&L academics &
research-only staff
– About 1300 full-time undergraduate students
– 120 PhD students
– Honours students ~ 50 for 2010 & ~ 70 for 2011
– Close collaborations with many of the Institutes
and other Schools (IMB, QBI, UQCCR, Diamantina,
School of Medicine)
– Head of School: Prof Wally Thomas
BBiomedSc Honours
• BBiomedSc administered by SBMS
• One course code and #16 for SBMS Honours:
BIOM6191 (BSc Hons)
BIOM6501 (BBiomedSc Hons)
• Electronic Course Profiles to be posted soon
• This is the second year BBiomedSc Hons
conducted
Honours @ SBMS
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Your first “proper” contact with research
Some initial related training
Your main activity will be your research
Most assessment based on oral and written
aspects of YOUR own project
• See if you catch the research bug!
Summary of Course Content
Important points to note:
In 2012, assessment for the BSc and
BBiomedSc courses are the same.
There are significant changes for previous
years – make sure your supervisor is aware
of them!
Assessment
Research Proposal
Research Proposal
Research Report
Final Seminar
Supervisor Report
Journal Club
(Written) 10%
(Seminar) 10%
(Thesis) 55%
10%
10%
5%
NB. No Statistics course this year
Research Proposal
• 10% of mark
• ~ 4000 word document
• You will be assessed on your knowledge of literature,
justification of project aims etc.
• Due date Thursday March 29th (3pm), submit through
turnitin, electronic and/or printed copies
• *Note: Remind supervisors this is earlier than previous
years
Proposal Seminar:
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10% of final mark
10 minute talk/ 5 minute questions
April 11th and 12th
“Practice” in the effective communication workshop
Research Project – All students
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55% Thesis,
10% supervisor report
Max 8000 word document
You will be assessed on what you do with your
data, critical appraisal of research crucial
• Due date 26th October (3pm), submit through
turnitin, electronic and/or printed copies
• Important change for previous years:
Students MUST get a H1 on their final
thesis in order to get an overall H1
Final Seminar – All students
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10% of mark
Final Seminar, 10min talk, 10 min questions
Dates ~ Nov 1st and 2nd.
Conference style
Supervisor Mark – all students
Mark based on aspects such as :
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Laboratory skills
Laboratory record keeping
Attitude and compliance to regulations
Independence and originality
Ability to work as a member of a team
• 10% of total mark – ask for routine feedback!
Journal Club Format
• 5% of total Honours mark
• Student to select paper at least 1 week in advance
and send PDF of the paper to Journal club leader
• Papers will then be sent to all students
• ALL students must read the papers prior to the
Journal club
• ~20 minute presentation / 10 minute discussion
• More detail on how to prepare in 1st journal club
group meeting
Assessment and Marking Criteria
• Detailed assessment criteria etc. will be available in
electronic course profiles
• Marking sheets (with criteria) will be made
available (where applicable)
Late Penalties
• ALL work must be completed and submitted on the
due date
• Penalties WILL be applied – 10% for 1 day late,
then 5% per day!
• Extensions granted in extreme circumstances
(eg. serious illness, personal reasons)
- Extensions must be sought from the Honours coordinator (supervisors CAN NOT grant extensions)
- Extensions should be sought well in advance of
deadline. Not the day before submission!
Who Examines?
Seminars:
Research Proposal:
Research Report:
Lab. Report:
Seminar Diary:
Journal Club:
Hons Committee
2 Examiners
2 Examiners
Supervisor(s)
Hons Committee
Journal club leader
Other requirements
• OHS – in relevant School/institute
• Effective Communication Workshops
– 1. Preparing a research proposal – date TBA
– 2. Preparing your seminar – date TBA
• Library courses (2)
– Database course: 13th Feb, 1st
– Endnote course: 17st Feb, or 24th Feb
• Ethics –theory (20st Feb). Only those using animals to
do practical (21–23th Feb). SBMS pays!
• Attend Research Seminars (n >12) and keep a Seminar
diary. Supervisors to sign-off (P/F).
Website: www.uq.edu.au/sbms/honours
Honours Handbook
Core requirements and
assessors sheets important!
Will be published in
electronic form and
posted on Blackboard
Check Bb and your UQ
student email for
notifications
The Honours year is very structured time management is the key!
Refer to Honours Webpage for important dates.
There are heavy penalties for unapproved lateness.
Balance your studies with your external work.
Plagiarism!
http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/plagiarism.html
Occupational Health and Safety
305 Skerman Building for OH&S Induction
- Wednesday 15th Feb 10:00-12:00, SBMS Seminar room
No keys or Swipe card access without OH&S training
No lab work without OH&S training
If you are working in a non-SBMS location (e.g. IMB, QBI)
we need written confirmation that you have been through
an OH&S session at that location.
Information Technology
Centrally located IT help run by Faculty
Please consult your supervisor / lab manager first!
Statistical Help:
Note: No statistics course in this years program
BUT SBMS does offer (free) statistical assistance to all
students
TIME MANAGEMENT!
• DEADLINES (penalties)
• ORGANISATION
• COMMUNICATION
(supervisors, other students, mentors, committee
members)
Know the rules
- ask your supervisor
- check the handbook and/or
- ask a member of the Honours Committee
How will we communicate with you?
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Email
Blackboard
Telephone
In person
Communication with other students
• Bulletin Board
• In person
• At social events
Role of the SBMS Hons Committee
• Formulation of School Policy on all matters in
relation to the Honours program
• Communication with students and supervisors (2-way) via
the Mentor scheme and the postgraduate student
representatives
• Assessment of seminars (proposal & final) and
moderation of marks
• Recommendation of final grades to the Head of School
(Prof. Wally Thomas) and Science Faculty
Honours Committee
Chairs: Karen Moritz (BSc) and David Pennisi (BBioMed)
SBMS Office: Shannon Rawding – Honours Administration
Co-ordinator
Academic members:
A/Prof Bruno van Swinderen
Dr Brooke Purdue
Dr Derik Steyn
Dr Georgia Kafer
Dr Simon Phipps
Dr Michelle Hill
Dr Sean Millard
Dr Tamara Paravicini
Dr Nic Lavidis
Dr Ethan Scott
Dr Kathryn Buller
Contact details can be found in
the Honours Handbook and on
the website
Student members
Mr Lee O’Sullican, Mr Dale Pavlovski, Ms Carlie Cullen
YOUR (student) Reps:
Regular social events:
1. Movie nights
2. Sausage sizzles (need help!!)
3. Trivia night
4. Pancake mornings
Fancy ball at the end of the year
Science events:
Postgraduate colloquia
Invited speakers
Student Mentoring can be arranged
10 Tips for a Successful Honours Year
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Be organised – prepare a work plan for the year.
Attend as many seminars as possible at the start of the year as time will be
limited towards the end.
Attend final honours seminars to get a feel of the type of questions the
examiners may ask.
There are never too many drafts.
Start writing thesis as soon as the written proposal is finished.
Organise experiments ahead of time and remember CONTROLS.
Organise figures and legends for thesis as soon as results are obtained.
Finish experiments at least 1 month before thesis is due.
Try not to STRESS.
Don’t let honours overtake your life – make sure you maintain a healthy
social life.
Why Honours?
• Your expectations:
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Why do you want to do Honours?
What skills will you learn?
What will it be like during the year?
Your “dream outcome”?
• Your supervisor’s expectations:
– Why do you think they took you on?
– What do you think they expect from you?
– Their “dream outcome”?
• SBMS’ expectations:
– Why does SBMS offer Honours?
Information – Some Take-Home Messages
• Course Codes and some dates on circulated Honours
Calendar have changed
• All information will be posted on Blackboard (BIOM6191
and BIOM6501 – the new course codes)
• Students will be informed of any subsequent changes by
email and via Blackboard
• Updated Honours Calendar and Handbook will be
available electronically
Enjoy
your Hons year and
its challenges!