Bachelor of Science (Hons)Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Hons)

Orientation for Semester 1,

2012

SCHOOL OF SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCESBIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Proceedings Monday 6th February:

2-3.30 pm

• Opening by Dr David Pennisi (Chair of Hons Committee ) • Overview over the Honours Year & Requirements• Role of Hons Committee• Other bits & pieces (including OHS and ethics)• Greeting from Head of School

Proceedings continued

3.30-5pm – drinks

• Meeting the committee• Meeting your fellow Honours students • Time to ask lots of questions about Honours,

life at UQ etc.

Honours @ SBMS

• SBMS– ~ 50 research groups around T&L academics &

research-only staff– About 1300 full-time undergraduate students– 120 PhD students– Honours students ~ 50 for 2010 & ~ 70 for 2011– Close collaborations with many of the Institutes

and other Schools (IMB, QBI, UQCCR, Diamantina, School of Medicine)

– Head of School: Prof Wally Thomas

BBiomedSc Honours

• BBiomedSc administered by SBMS

• One course code and #16 for SBMS Honours: BIOM6191 (BSc Hons) BIOM6501 (BBiomedSc Hons)

• Electronic Course Profiles to be posted soon

• This is the second year BBiomedSc Hons conducted

Honours @ SBMS

• Your first “proper” contact with research• Some initial related training• Your main activity will be your research• Most assessment based on oral and written

aspects of YOUR own project • See if you catch the research bug!

   Summary of Course Content

Important points to note:

In 2012, assessment for the BSc and BBiomedSc courses are the same.

There are significant changes for previous years – make sure your supervisor is aware of them!

Assessment

Research Proposal (Written) 10%Research Proposal (Seminar) 10%Research Report (Thesis) 55%Final Seminar 10%Supervisor Report 10%Journal Club 5%

NB. No Statistics course this year

Research Proposal• 10% of mark• ~ 4000 word document• You will be assessed on your knowledge of literature,

justification of project aims etc. • Due date Thursday March 29th (3pm), submit through

turnitin, electronic and/or printed copies• *Note: Remind supervisors this is earlier than previous years

Proposal Seminar:- 10% of final mark

- 10 minute talk/ 5 minute questions- April 11th and 12th - “Practice” in the effective communication workshop

Research Project – All students• 55% Thesis, • 10% supervisor report• Max 8000 word document• You will be assessed on what you do with your

data, critical appraisal of research crucial• Due date 26th October (3pm), submit through

turnitin, electronic and/or printed copies

• Important change for previous years: Students MUST get a H1 on their final thesis in

order to get an overall H1

Final Seminar – All students

• 10% of mark• Final Seminar, 10min talk, 10 min questions• Dates ~ Nov 1st and 2nd.• Conference style

Supervisor Mark – all students

Mark based on aspects such as :

• Laboratory skills• Laboratory record keeping• Attitude and compliance to regulations• Independence and originality• Ability to work as a member of a team

• 10% of total mark – ask for routine feedback!

Journal Club Format• 5% of total Honours mark• Student to select paper at least 1 week in advance

and send PDF of the paper to Journal club leader• Papers will then be sent to all students• ALL students must read the papers prior to the

Journal club• ~20 minute presentation / 10 minute discussion• More detail on how to prepare in 1st journal club

group meeting

Assessment and Marking Criteria

• Detailed assessment criteria etc. will be available in electronic course profiles

• Marking sheets (with criteria) will be made available (where applicable)

Late Penalties• ALL work must be completed and submitted on the due

date• Penalties WILL be applied – 10% for 1 day late, then 5%

per day!• Extensions granted in extreme circumstances

(eg. serious illness, personal reasons)- Extensions must be sought from the Honours co-ordinator (supervisors CAN NOT grant extensions)- Extensions should be sought well in advance of deadline. Not the day before submission!

Who Examines?

Seminars: Hons CommitteeResearch Proposal: 2 ExaminersResearch Report: 2 ExaminersLab. Report: Supervisor(s)Seminar Diary: Hons CommitteeJournal Club: Journal club leader

Other requirements• OHS – in relevant School/institute• Effective Communication Workshops

– 1. Preparing a research proposal – date TBA– 2. Preparing your seminar – date TBA

• Library courses (2) – Database course: 13th Feb, 1st

– Endnote course: 17st Feb, or 24th Feb

• Ethics –theory (20st Feb). Only those using animals to do practical (21–23th Feb). SBMS pays!

• Attend Research Seminars (n >12) and keep a Seminar diary. Supervisors to sign-off (P/F).

Website: www.uq.edu.au/sbms/honours

Core requirements and assessors sheets - important!

Will be published in electronic form and posted on Blackboard

Check Bb and your UQ student email for notifications

Honours Handbook

The Honours year is very structured - time management is the key!

Refer to Honours Webpage for important dates.

There are heavy penalties for unapproved lateness.

Balance your studies with your external work.

Plagiarism! http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/plagiarism.html

Occupational Health and Safety

305 Skerman Building for OH&S Induction - Wednesday 15th Feb 10:00-12:00, SBMS Seminar room

No keys or Swipe card access without OH&S training

No lab work without OH&S training

If you are working in a non-SBMS location (e.g. IMB, QBI) we need written confirmation that you have been through an OH&S session at that location.

Information TechnologyCentrally located IT help run by Faculty

Please consult your supervisor / lab manager first!

Statistical Help: Note: No statistics course in this years program

BUT SBMS does offer (free) statistical assistance to all students

• DEADLINES (penalties)

• ORGANISATION

• COMMUNICATION (supervisors, other students, mentors, committee members)

TIME MANAGEMENT!

Know the rules - ask your supervisor- check the handbook and/or - ask a member of the Honours Committee

How will we communicate with you?

• Email• Blackboard• Telephone• In person

Communication with other students

• Bulletin Board• In person• At social events

Role of the SBMS Hons Committee

• Formulation of School Policy on all matters in relation to the Honours program

• Communication with students and supervisors (2-way) via the Mentor scheme and the postgraduate student representatives

• Assessment of seminars (proposal & final) and moderation of marks

• Recommendation of final grades to the Head of School (Prof. Wally Thomas) and Science Faculty

Honours CommitteeChairs: Karen Moritz (BSc) and David Pennisi (BBioMed)SBMS Office: Shannon Rawding – Honours Administration

Co-ordinatorAcademic members:A/Prof Bruno van SwinderenDr Brooke Purdue Dr Nic LavidisDr Derik Steyn Dr Ethan Scott Dr Georgia Kafer Dr Kathryn BullerDr Simon PhippsDr Michelle HillDr Sean MillardDr Tamara Paravicini

Student membersMr Lee O’Sullican, Mr Dale Pavlovski, Ms Carlie Cullen

Contact details can be found in the Honours Handbook and on the website

Regular social events: 1. Movie nights 2. Sausage sizzles (need help!!)3. Trivia night4. Pancake mornings 

Fancy ball at the end of the year 

Science events:Postgraduate colloquiaInvited speakersStudent Mentoring can be arranged

YOUR (student) Reps:

10 Tips for a Successful Honours Year

• Be organised – prepare a work plan for the year.

• Attend as many seminars as possible at the start of the year as time will be limited towards the end.

• Attend final honours seminars to get a feel of the type of questions the examiners may ask.

• There are never too many drafts.

• Start writing thesis as soon as the written proposal is finished.

• Organise experiments ahead of time and remember CONTROLS.

• Organise figures and legends for thesis as soon as results are obtained.

• Finish experiments at least 1 month before thesis is due.

• Try not to STRESS.

• Don’t let honours overtake your life – make sure you maintain a healthy social life.

Why Honours?

• Your expectations:– Why do you want to do Honours?– What skills will you learn?– What will it be like during the year?– Your “dream outcome”?

• Your supervisor’s expectations:– Why do you think they took you on?– What do you think they expect from you?– Their “dream outcome”?

• SBMS’ expectations:– Why does SBMS offer Honours?

Information – Some Take-Home Messages

• Course Codes and some dates on circulated Honours Calendar have changed

• All information will be posted on Blackboard (BIOM6191 and BIOM6501 – the new course codes)

• Students will be informed of any subsequent changes by email and via Blackboard

• Updated Honours Calendar and Handbook will be available electronically

Enjoy

your Hons year and

its challenges!