This course offers eligible students the opportunity to acquire specialised training in research techniques, or to conduct independent research (laboratory, field work, project or library based) reflecting the current interests of the supervisor and student.  Interested students are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors in biology. 

Entry to this course requires at least 96 units towards a degree with an average of 70% 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.   Many research areas are available, for example:  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 3000 level science course.

A quota may be placed on enrolment in this course.

A Botanical Internship (summer) is available in the Australian National Herbarium and Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research in Canberra, Australia.  It is aimed at those intending to undertake a technical or professional career in botany or a closely related discipline (including ecology, resource management and botanical horticulture).  Students are admitted by written application and a selection process that occurs in November.  The program is aimed at students who have just completed their second or third year of study, but applications from students at other levels will be considered.  Contact rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au for more details.

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 supervised by an academic

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 or field 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

Written report (80%; LO 1-6)

Seminar (20%; LO 1-6)

Where possible, assessment of the research project will include input from an expert assessor from another institution.  This provides the opportunity for cross-institutional benchmarking and exposes the student to expertise from a wider range of researchers.

Project is expected to involve 65 hours of laboratory or field work plus 65 hours of analysis and private study.

Completion of at least 96 units towards a degree with an average of 70% 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 BIOL3209 (12 unit course) are met the second time.