Students will choose a research project and supervisor. Projects will be individually supervised and will be laboratory (and based in a research laboratory) or library based, reflecting the current interests of the supervisor. Interested students are encouraged to make contact with prospective supervisors at the ANU. For some research areas see:http://www.biology.anu.edu.au/, http://cos.anu.edu.au/Plants/,  http://genetics.anu.edu.au/,  http://jcsmr.anu.edu.au/  

Note: This is an Honours Pathway Course that involves material of a greater conceptual difficulty and research orientation than a typical Group C course.

Specific learning outcomes will depend on the nature of the research project. In general, on satisfactory completion of the course students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic
2. systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
3. engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
4. understand and apply relevant laboratory techniques and methods
5. record original data and apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data when appropriate
6. communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally

Assessment will be based on:

• Seminar (15%; LO 1, 2, 3, 6)
• Written project report (75% LO1-6)
• Laboratory notebook (5%; LO 4, 5, 6)
• Endnote library record (5%; LO 1,3)

Up to a total of 65 hours of laboratory work, plus individual study.

Requires at least 96 units towards a degree with an average of 75% or above in relevant second and third year courses. Enrolment in this course is dependent upon the availability of a suitable supervisor and must be approved by the course convener. A quota may be placed on enrolment in this course. The course can be done twice, provided that the entry requirements for BIOL3175 are met the second time.