BIOL7730 Honours Scientific Methods and Data Presentation

2019

4.5

1 x 1-hour seminar per semester
3 x 3-hour intensive workshops per semester
1 x 9-hour supervised study per semester

1 108 units of topics
2 Admission into BSCHAB-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Animal Behaviour)
2a Admission into BSCHAQ-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Aquaculture)
2b Admission into BSCHBD-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biodiversity and Conservation)
2c Admission into BSCHMN-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Marine Biology)
2d Admission into BSCHMNAQ-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Marine Biology and Aquaculture)
2e Admission into BSCHFS-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Forensic and Analytical Science)
2f Admission into BSCHCT-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Clean Technology)
2g Admission into BSCH-Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Enhanced Program for High Achievers)
3 Admission into BSCHWS-Bachelor of Science (Honours)
4 108 units of topics
5 Admission into BSC-MCRB-Microbiology
5a Admission into BSC-MCBL-Molecular Biology
5b Admission into BSC-BIOL-EX-Biological Sciences
5c Admission into BSC-BIOL-Biological Sciences
5d Admission into BSC-EBEV-Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution
5e Admission into BSC-BINF-EX-Bioinformatics
5f Admission into BSC-BLCM-EX-Biological Chemistry
5g Admission into BSC-MBMB-EX-Molecular Biosciences & Microbiology
5h Admission into BSC-MBSC-Molecular Biosciences
5i Admission into BSC-EEOB-Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology
5j Admission into BSC-BTEC-Biotechnology
6 Admission into HBSC-Bachelor of Science (Honours)
6a Admission into HBA-Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
6b Admission into HBBSC-Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours)
6c Admission into HBSCAB-Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) (Honours)
6d Admission into HBSCMN-Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) (Honours)
Must Satisfy: ((1 and (2 or 2a or 2b or 2c or 2d or 2e or 2f or 2g)) or (3 and 4 and (5 or 5a or 5b or 5c or 5d or 5e or 5f or 5g or 5h or 5i or 5j)) or ((6 or 6a or 6b or 6c or 6d)))

BIOL4730 has been successfully completed

Completion of the first three years of a Biological Sciences degree and sufficient GPA, or supervisors's consent, to enrol in Honours.

The topic provides basic training in generic techniques required to design & carry out a research program, analyse the data and present the findings & culminates with students presenting a research seminar on their research project.This topic includes the following:

1. A biometrics workshop, with introductory material on experimental design issues; how to design sampling/experiments; what traps to look out for; sensible data-handling protocols; specific advice for students re their project aims; culminating in their experimental design being finalised (in conjunction with their supervisor) early in their honours year
2. A data presentation workshop including some of: what distinguishes tables from figures; when to use each; ways towards best & consistent layout; how to present data for oral presentations; practice with examples to learn how to improve presentation
3. A thesis writing workshop including: taking a literature review and turning it into an Introduction; documenting what was done in the Materials & Methods section; writing the text for the Results section that fits the data; scoping a Discussion (using the funnel model of scientific writing); dealing with references; using examples of real writing to practice revising prose

To provide research training for students involved in Biology Honours degrees, by developing skills in the design, conduct and presentation of scientific research.

At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:

1. Design a viable research program
2. Present scientific data in appropriate ways
3. write up scientific material, either in a standard thesis or in a thesis comprised of publishable scientific papers
4. Present a coherent and engaging research seminar