Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Honours Student Information

Microbiology Honours Program

The Department offers approximately 20 places annually in the subject 526-400 Microbiology Honours. This varies from year to year.

Microbiology Honours runs full-time from mid-February to mid November and comprises 70% research and 30% advanced coursework.

Prerequisites

The program is open to Science graduates who have obtained an average of at least 3rd class Honours in their third year, which in general should have included at least 40% microbiology, biotechnology and/or immunology, incorporating a significant practical component. These prerequisites may be waived for outstanding students.

Objectives

By the end of the year it is expected that you will have learnt from first-hand experience how to formulate questions,design and conduct experiments, analyse and evaluate data, and write a scientific paper/report.

Career Advancement

Approximately one third of the B.Sc. Hons. class obtain 1st Class Honours. Some of these win a Scholarship to proceed immediately to a Ph.D. degree. Some of the others obtain a position as a Graduate Research Assistant, which may enable them to proceed simultaneously to a part-time (half-time) M.Sc. Most of the remainder of the class obtain positions in: medical diagnostic laboratories in hospitals; private pathology labs or the blood bank; industry, often involving biotechnology, e.g. food, vaccines, diagnostics, chemical engineering; environmental microbiology, e.g. bioremediation, wastewater management; research in universities; research institutes, CSIRO, agriculture, CSL, etc; teaching in schools or universities.

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International Applicants

International Students pursuing a Degree in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, please follow the University procedures to ensure all required documentation is received and your application is processed as quickly as possible.

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Honours Coordinators

For further information about honours in microbiology please contact:

Dr Stephen Turner

Ph: 8344 8090;
Email: sjturn@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Odilia Wijburg

Ph: 8344 9919;
Email: odilia@unimelb.edu.au

Honours Information Session for admission in 2008

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology will hold an Honours Information Session on Monday 15 September 2008, commencing at 4:30pm, in the Woodruff Theatre. This will be followed by pizza and drinks on the balcony area outside the Woodruff Theatre where students will be able to meet potential supervisors to discuss the projects and have any questions answered.

 

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