Medical Science - SOMSAH4500
Stream Summary
Faculty: MED - Faculty of Medicine
School: School of Medical Sciences
Contact: http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/
Program: 4500 - Science (Honours)
Award(s):
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Stream Outline
The School of Medical Sciences (SOMS) Honours stream introduces undergraduate students to medical research. Students undertake a supervised research project that places emphasis on scientific research methods, the use of relevant specialised techniques, critical thinking and scientific communication via written submissions and oral presentations. The learning and teaching philosophy underpinning this course is centred on Honours students taking on their ‘role as a researcher’ to develop these skills and the relevant advanced disciplinary knowledge. The stream, run over two semesters, includes a substantial and partly independent research project complemented by more formal Research Skills Seminars and Techniques Workshops, as well as Departmental/Institute/School seminars.
Student research projects relate to the disciplines of Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Physiology and may be undertaken in a wide range of laboratories within SOMS and within affiliated Hospitals and Research Institutes.
Further information on the Honours program is available on the SOMS Honours webpage:
http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/overview
Honours in Medical Science can be completed full-time or part-time. Most students commence their enrolment in semester 1 (S1) but mid-year entry is available. Students are to commence work on their project in early February (S1 enrolments) or in June (S2 enrolments). The course runs until mid-November (S1 commencement) or late July (S2 commencement). Students should check the SOMS Honours webpages for current enrolment deadlines, and assessment and completion dates.
Student research projects relate to the disciplines of Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Physiology and may be undertaken in a wide range of laboratories within SOMS and within affiliated Hospitals and Research Institutes.
Further information on the Honours program is available on the SOMS Honours webpage:
http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/overview
Honours in Medical Science can be completed full-time or part-time. Most students commence their enrolment in semester 1 (S1) but mid-year entry is available. Students are to commence work on their project in early February (S1 enrolments) or in June (S2 enrolments). The course runs until mid-November (S1 commencement) or late July (S2 commencement). Students should check the SOMS Honours webpages for current enrolment deadlines, and assessment and completion dates.
Stream Structure
The SOMS Honours stream involves undertaking a research project that, although conducted under supervision, contains substantial independent research and self-direction. The research project is described in a submitted Project manuscript that forms the majority of the assessment. The research project is complemented by introductory written and oral background presentations, oral presentation of the research project, and an analysis of research performance by the project supervisor(s). The courses also includes compulsory Research Skills Seminars and Techniques Workshops, and Departmental/Institute/School seminars. Students also undertake relevant Health and Safety training.
Students must enrol in either SOMS4001 School of Medical Science Honours Full-time (24 UOC) for two semesters, or SOMS4002 School of Medical Science Honours Part-time (12 UOC) for four semesters.
Assessment items:
Literature Review
A 3000 word written proposal providing a detailed account of published scientific investigations relevant to the project being undertaken. Students graded by their assigned examiners.
Introductory Seminar
A 15 minute presentation covering the background and methods of the project and strengths and limitations of relevant literature. A written abstract is also required in association with the presentation. Students are graded by the academics in the audience for their presentation and their assigned examiners.
Research Skills Test
Multiple choice exam based on material covered in the Research Skills Seminars and Technique Workshops.
Project Manuscript
A written manuscript summarising the research and results of a maximum of 5,000 words marked by two assigned examiners.
Final Seminar
A 20 minute presentation covering the results of the research.
Research Performance
Assessment of a student’s research performance throughout the year including motivation, organisational skills, research (laboratory) skills, note-keeping, critical analysis and communication skills.
Other compulsory activities which do not contribute to a grade but are required for successful completion of the program:
Students must enrol in either SOMS4001 School of Medical Science Honours Full-time (24 UOC) for two semesters, or SOMS4002 School of Medical Science Honours Part-time (12 UOC) for four semesters.
Assessment items:
Literature Review
A 3000 word written proposal providing a detailed account of published scientific investigations relevant to the project being undertaken. Students graded by their assigned examiners.
Introductory Seminar
A 15 minute presentation covering the background and methods of the project and strengths and limitations of relevant literature. A written abstract is also required in association with the presentation. Students are graded by the academics in the audience for their presentation and their assigned examiners.
Research Skills Test
Multiple choice exam based on material covered in the Research Skills Seminars and Technique Workshops.
Project Manuscript
A written manuscript summarising the research and results of a maximum of 5,000 words marked by two assigned examiners.
Final Seminar
A 20 minute presentation covering the results of the research.
Research Performance
Assessment of a student’s research performance throughout the year including motivation, organisational skills, research (laboratory) skills, note-keeping, critical analysis and communication skills.
Other compulsory activities which do not contribute to a grade but are required for successful completion of the program:
- Attendance at Research Skills seminars and at two Research Techniques Workshops. Research Skills seminars are held for one hour a week for 10 weeks in a student's first semester and cover managing scientific literature, writing a literature review, intellectual property and commercialisation, careers, ethics, analysing and presenting scientific data, and presentation skills. Technique workshops give overviews and practical tips regarding a range of common biomedical science techniques, including for example, histology and microscopy, cell culture, electrophysiology etc. Usually 6-8 different techniques are described in small group learning environments. Students must attend two of the workshops on offer.
- Attendance at School and Departmental or Institute seminars
- Completion of the online Occupational Health & Safety Awareness course and Laboratory Safety course
- Completion of additional OH&S requirements depending on research project
- Attendance at Student Interview if required. This may be required by examiners to clarify assessment and adjudication of the project manuscript. The interview is chaired by a member of the Honours Committee and held in the presence of a student's supervisor.
Honours Grade Calculation
- Literature Review (10%)
- Introductory Seminar (7.5%)
- Research Skills Test (2.5%)
- Project Manuscript (50%)
- Final Seminar (15%)
- Research Performance (15%)
A guide to allocation of Honours classes and what is expected of students within the School of Medical Science is as follows:
Final Mark >85 (Honours Class 1)
Work of superior quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, demonstrating the ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, the integration of information from a wide range of sources and containing clear examples of excellent critical evaluation.
Final Mark 75-84 (Honours Class 2.1)
Work of very good quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, but showing lesser ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, integrate information from range of sources and critically evaluate the literature and research data.
Final Mark 65-74 (Honours Class 2.2)
Good quality in all aspects research, scientific writing, and oral presentation but with inadequacies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Final Mark 50-64 (Honours Class 3)
Adequate quality work with significant deficiencies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Admission Requirements and Process
Admission Requirements
The SOMS Honours stream is available to all students whom have met the entry requirements outlined below and is typically offered to Medical Science (3991), and Science (3970) students at UNSW whom have completed at least 18 units at Level III in the relevant Major sequence outlined for each discipline in SOMS (see the UNSW Online Handbook for prerequisites for Majors/Specialisations in Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Physiology). Students selected for the Graduate Entry stream into UNSW Medicine are permitted to enrol in Honours in a discipline in which they have only taken 12 units at level III. Exceptions to these requirements will only be permitted with the consent of the Honours Coordinator, including UNSW students with Majors outside of the above mentioned SOMS disciplines. External students should provide evidence of equivalent study and require approval of the course Honours Coordinator.
Other requirements of all Science & Medical Science students prior to entry into honours are as shown below. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
Final Mark >85 (Honours Class 1)
Work of superior quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, demonstrating the ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, the integration of information from a wide range of sources and containing clear examples of excellent critical evaluation.
Final Mark 75-84 (Honours Class 2.1)
Work of very good quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, but showing lesser ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, integrate information from range of sources and critically evaluate the literature and research data.
Final Mark 65-74 (Honours Class 2.2)
Good quality in all aspects research, scientific writing, and oral presentation but with inadequacies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Final Mark 50-64 (Honours Class 3)
Adequate quality work with significant deficiencies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Admission Requirements and Process
Admission Requirements
The SOMS Honours stream is available to all students whom have met the entry requirements outlined below and is typically offered to Medical Science (3991), and Science (3970) students at UNSW whom have completed at least 18 units at Level III in the relevant Major sequence outlined for each discipline in SOMS (see the UNSW Online Handbook for prerequisites for Majors/Specialisations in Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Physiology). Students selected for the Graduate Entry stream into UNSW Medicine are permitted to enrol in Honours in a discipline in which they have only taken 12 units at level III. Exceptions to these requirements will only be permitted with the consent of the Honours Coordinator, including UNSW students with Majors outside of the above mentioned SOMS disciplines. External students should provide evidence of equivalent study and require approval of the course Honours Coordinator.
Other requirements of all Science & Medical Science students prior to entry into honours are as shown below. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
- A credit average (≥65% weight average mark; WAM) for all undergraduate degree courses.
- A credit average for all Level III courses relevant to the Major sequence.
- An applicant with an overall WAM of between 60 to 64 will only be considered if the weighted average for their Level III courses is ≥65%. For combined degree students, only Science courses will be used in this calculation.
Admission Process
Potential students must first apply for acceptance into the stream and, following receipt of an offer of acceptance, students can proceed with enrolment. Application and Enrolment procedures are described on the SOMS honours webpage:
(http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/overview).
Supervisors and potential projects can also be found on the SOMS Honours webpage. Students may also identify potential supervisors and projects via UNSW Research (http://research.unsw.edu.au/).
Students who meet the entry requirements should make contact with potential supervisors aligning with their interests and discuss undertaking Honours with them. Students should then download and complete an application form (http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/apply/step-3) and submit to BSB Student Office before the submission deadline (early February for S1 or June for S2 enrolments). Students accepted into the program will receive an offer of acceptance letter from the Honours Coordinator, and can then proceed with full enrolment.
Pathways
Students who successfully complete SOMS Honours are qualified to continue further in their research careers by undertaking postgraduate studies by research (Masters or PhD level). Students with successful honours are qualified to enrol in a PhD program at UNSW. Students achieving a high Honours Grade (Class 1 or 2.1) may apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) PhD scholarship to support such studies. Further information can be obtained from the postgraduate studies webpage:
http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/postgraduate-research/overview
Honours graduates may also consider undertaking further study in a graduate Medical Program or in a postgraduate Allied Health Program.
Graduates of the SOMS honours plan are well qualified to work in a Medical Science or Biomedical Sciences research laboratory as a Research Assistant or Research Technician. Graduates may also find employment in medical diagnostics, health technicians and forensic science; in lifestyle and health-industry positions; in occupational health and rehabilitation, or in government regulatory bodies. Relevant careers in the private sector may be in specialized biotechnology companies, health-care and scientific instrument companies and/or pharmaceutical companies undertaking a range of different jobs such as researching the mechanisms or effectiveness of new and existing products; marketing, sales and/or providing client support; and ultimately management and company development. Other potential industries include intellectual property, science journalism, forensic science, advertising and management. Potential careers are very broad as the generic skills acquired during an Honours year are widely applicable and highly sought.
Potential students must first apply for acceptance into the stream and, following receipt of an offer of acceptance, students can proceed with enrolment. Application and Enrolment procedures are described on the SOMS honours webpage:
(http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/overview).
Supervisors and potential projects can also be found on the SOMS Honours webpage. Students may also identify potential supervisors and projects via UNSW Research (http://research.unsw.edu.au/).
Students who meet the entry requirements should make contact with potential supervisors aligning with their interests and discuss undertaking Honours with them. Students should then download and complete an application form (http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/apply/step-3) and submit to BSB Student Office before the submission deadline (early February for S1 or June for S2 enrolments). Students accepted into the program will receive an offer of acceptance letter from the Honours Coordinator, and can then proceed with full enrolment.
Pathways
Students who successfully complete SOMS Honours are qualified to continue further in their research careers by undertaking postgraduate studies by research (Masters or PhD level). Students with successful honours are qualified to enrol in a PhD program at UNSW. Students achieving a high Honours Grade (Class 1 or 2.1) may apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) PhD scholarship to support such studies. Further information can be obtained from the postgraduate studies webpage:
http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/postgraduate-research/overview
Honours graduates may also consider undertaking further study in a graduate Medical Program or in a postgraduate Allied Health Program.
Graduates of the SOMS honours plan are well qualified to work in a Medical Science or Biomedical Sciences research laboratory as a Research Assistant or Research Technician. Graduates may also find employment in medical diagnostics, health technicians and forensic science; in lifestyle and health-industry positions; in occupational health and rehabilitation, or in government regulatory bodies. Relevant careers in the private sector may be in specialized biotechnology companies, health-care and scientific instrument companies and/or pharmaceutical companies undertaking a range of different jobs such as researching the mechanisms or effectiveness of new and existing products; marketing, sales and/or providing client support; and ultimately management and company development. Other potential industries include intellectual property, science journalism, forensic science, advertising and management. Potential careers are very broad as the generic skills acquired during an Honours year are widely applicable and highly sought.