Honours Degrees in the School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health

Welcome to the Honours course in the Discipline of Paediatrics and the Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, in the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health.  We hope that the coming year will present you with rewarding challenges and valuable training toward your chosen career.  You will be exposed to and encouraged to develop interests in a broad range of child health and reproduction related science.  The skills you will acquire during Honours are applicable to success in most professional career paths.

The intent of the program is to develop specific knowledge and skills in the student’s chosen research field as well as general skills in working independently, critical reasoning, scientific writing and presentation.

Aims of the Honours Program

• To provide mentored training in scientific research methods.
• To develop skills for independent critical thought and learning.
• To develop logical reasoning and written and oral presentation skills.
• To encourage interest in a broad range of child health and reproduction related science.

2009 Course Information

General Conditions | Specific Requirements | Assessment Scale

The course commences on 10 February, 2009 with an Orientation Day.

All students are enrolled in Honours in the School should use MyUni to access updated information, course material and notices (in Semester 1 the relevant course is Honours School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Part 1).

The information below is provided as a summary, and to allow supervisors and examiners to view the course structure.

Full details of the Honours Course are also provided in the School Honours 2009 handbook. The candidature for the Honours Degree is subject to the Academic Program Rules (Faculty of Health Sciences)

Current students with enquiries concerning their studies should use the following contacts:
Dr Cheryl Shoubridge (Honours Coordinator for Discipline of Paediatrics)
Dr Kathy Gatford (Honours Coordinator for Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology)

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The Honours Course is part of the Honours Program of the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, and consists of one academic year (or two years part-time) of original research and structured training, culminating in the preparation and presentation by the candidate of a thesis outlining the conduct of the research project. A number of components are assessed through the year, contributing to the final grade, as summarised below and detailed in the School Honours 2009 handbook.

The Honours year centres around a research project which is performed under the supervision of a member of academic staff, plus one other supervisor usually. The principal supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all the resources and facilities to undertake the research are provided to the student. Within the first 4 weeks after commencement of the project, the principal supervisor should also prepare in consultation with the student, a brief review of the project rationale and design, to enable the student to gain insight into the goals and methods of the project as well as its demands and challenges.

A written review of relevant literature that supports the rationale behind the research is submitted by the student for assessment. The final seminar is also assessed. The critical literature review, thesis and final seminar are marked by two assessors, who have specific expertise in the research area, and a third general assessor, nominated by the Honours Committee of the School.

Students also participate in a Tutorial Program covering the philosophical, ethical, methodological and procedural considerations of laboratory and clinical based medical science. Articles are selected and presented by the Honours students in "Journal Club" literature reading and evaluation sessions. The student's knowledge of scientific principles and techniques presented in the tutorial series is assessed by written examination.

In addition, students are expected to attend regularly at other research seminars, in particular the Health Research Seminars at the Women's and Children's Hospital, and the O&G Seminars at the Medical School.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE HONOURS COURSE

1. Course components and Assessment

Each student will be required to complete five components by a specified due date, which will contribute towards assessment ( % of total mark ) as follows:

Students give two additional seminars during the year, which do not contribute to the final marks, but are assessed for formative purposes:

2. Critical Literature Assessment / Research Plan

Critical Literature Assessment (15% of final grade)

The primary purpose of presenting a Critical Literature Assessment is for each student to fully examine the specific background to the research topic demonstrating how existing literature tests or supports the proposed hypothesis and experimental approach. Students should present in some detail the 10-15 most important original research papers that put their research hypothesis and design into perspective.

The word limit is 3000, not including references

Research Plan

A 1-2 page research plan must be attached as an appendix. This is not to be considered in the final assessment, but serves as a guide in assessing the focus, necessary elements and depth of the literature analysis.

PDF or Word files should be prepared and submitted via the Honours course electronic dropbox facility in MyUni by 5:00pm on Friday June 5th (for full-time students). The due date for part-time students commencing in Semester 1 2009 will be Friday 30th October.

 3. Examination of Tutorial Course material

Examination (15% of final grade)

Problem/scenario based open book written exam held on 10th July 2009, that draws on the issues discussed in the Tutorial Program.

Tutorial programs (5% of final grade)

This will be assessed on the basis of evaluation of each students original thought and contribution in the journal club and tutorial discussions. Student's comprehension and capacity to critique literature will be assessed during "journal club" exercises.

 4. Thesis

Thesis assessment (50% of final grade)

The final report of the research is to be presented in the style of a manuscript for publication. An appropriate journal should be nominated by each student in consultation with the supervisor, and a copy of the style guide should be attached to the submitted thesis. 

This manuscript may be as long as reasonably necessary, but no more than 5000 words should be needed. Material that does not conform to a manuscript style (eg questionnaire, method development or evaluation) should be added as appendices. The success or volume of experimental results need not affect the overall grade if evidence of critical reasoning, creativity and diligence are clearly shown and all other criteria are well met.

PDF or Word files should be prepared and submitted via the Honours course electronic dropbox facility in MyUni by 5:00pm on Friday October 30th (for full-time students). Part-time students commencing in Semester 1 2009 will submit theses in October 2010.

5. Final seminar

Seminar assessment (15% of final grade)

The Research Project major findings and achievements will be presented in an oral presentation of 20 minutes duration followed by 10 minutes of questions, to be held on 13th November 2009 (for full-time students).

6. Grading of Honours

Grades in the honours course are not assigned according to quotas nor on a relative scale.  The accumulated score from each assessment task is used to assign a grade as follows:

HONOURS ASSESSMENT SCALE

Honours scores are calculated using marks and weightings from each assessment task as detailed below. Cut-off points for final grades are determined at a meeting of Honours coordinators, supervisors, assessors and academic staff of the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, which will follow the final seminars on November 13. Students are individually advised of their grades after this meeting.