Pharmacology - SOMSCH4500
Stream Summary
Faculty: MED - Faculty of Medicine
School: School of Medical Sciences
Contact: medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au
Program: 4500 - Science (Honours)
Award(s):
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
View stream information for previous years
Stream Outline
The Pharmacology Honours stream introduces undergraduate students to medical research. Students undertake a supervised research project that places emphasis on scientific research methods, the use of relevant specialised techniques, critical thinking and scientific communication via written submissions and oral presentations. The learning and teaching philosophy underpinning this course is centred on Honours students taking on their ‘role as a researcher’ to develop these skills and the relevant advanced disciplinary knowledge. The stream, run over two semesters, includes a substantial and partly-independent research project complemented by more formal Research Skills Learning Activities, as well as Departmental/Institute/School seminars.
Student research projects relate to the discipline of Pharmacology and may be undertaken in a wide range of laboratories within SOMS and within affiliated Hospitals and Research Institutes. SOMS also offers honours projects under a number of other streams including Physiology, Anatomy, Pathology, Exercise Physiology and Medical Sciences.
Further information on the Honours program is available on the SOMS Honours webpage.
Honours in Pharmacology can be completed full-time or part-time. Most students commence their enrolment in semester 1 (S1) but mid-year entry is available. Students are to commence work on their project in early February (S1 enrolments) or in June (S2 enrolments). The course runs until mid-November (S1 commencement) or late July (S2 commencement). Students should check the SOMS Honours webpages for current enrolment deadlines, and assessment and completion dates.
Student research projects relate to the discipline of Pharmacology and may be undertaken in a wide range of laboratories within SOMS and within affiliated Hospitals and Research Institutes. SOMS also offers honours projects under a number of other streams including Physiology, Anatomy, Pathology, Exercise Physiology and Medical Sciences.
Further information on the Honours program is available on the SOMS Honours webpage.
Honours in Pharmacology can be completed full-time or part-time. Most students commence their enrolment in semester 1 (S1) but mid-year entry is available. Students are to commence work on their project in early February (S1 enrolments) or in June (S2 enrolments). The course runs until mid-November (S1 commencement) or late July (S2 commencement). Students should check the SOMS Honours webpages for current enrolment deadlines, and assessment and completion dates.
Stream Structure
The Pharmacology Honours stream involves undertaking a research project that, although conducted under supervision, contains substantial independent research and self-direction. The research project is described in a submitted project manuscript that forms the majority of the assessment. The research project is complemented by introductory written and oral background presentations, oral presentation of the research project, an analysis of research performance and seminar engagement by the project supervisor(s), and a reflective piece on the research and professional skills acquired during the Honours year. The courses also include compulsory Research Skills Learning Activities, and Departmental/Institute/School seminars. Students also undertake relevant Health and Safety training.
Students must enrol in either SOMS4001 School of Medical Science Honours Full-time (24 UOC) for two semesters, or SOMS4001 School of Medical Science Honours Part-time (12 UOC) for four semesters.
Assessment items:
Literature Review
A 3 000 word written proposal providing a detailed account of published scientific investigations relevant to the project being undertaken. Students graded by their assigned examiners.
Introductory Seminar
A 15 minute presentation covering the background and methods of the project and strengths and limitations of relevant literature. A written abstract is also required in association with the presentation. Students are graded by the academics in the audience for their presentation and their assigned examiners.
Reflective Essay
A 500 word essay to demonstrate an awareness of research and professional skills developed over the course of the Honours year. The essay also provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their strengths or weaknesses in the role as a researcher.
Project Manuscript
A written manuscript summarising the research and results of a maximum of 5 000 words marked by two assigned examiners.
Final Seminar
A 20 minute presentation covering the results of the research.
Research Performance and Seminar Engagement
Research Performance: Assessment of a student’s research performance throughout the year including motivation, organisational skills, research (laboratory) skills, note-keeping, critical analysis and communication skills.
Seminar Engagement: Students are required to attend relevant seminars, which include those of their Research Institute / Division or Department, as well as the monthly SoMS seminars. Students must keep a seminar notebook that records details about at least 12 seminars attended throughout the year.
Other compulsory activities which do not contribute to a grade but are required for successful completion of the program:
Students must enrol in either SOMS4001 School of Medical Science Honours Full-time (24 UOC) for two semesters, or SOMS4001 School of Medical Science Honours Part-time (12 UOC) for four semesters.
Assessment items:
Literature Review
A 3 000 word written proposal providing a detailed account of published scientific investigations relevant to the project being undertaken. Students graded by their assigned examiners.
Introductory Seminar
A 15 minute presentation covering the background and methods of the project and strengths and limitations of relevant literature. A written abstract is also required in association with the presentation. Students are graded by the academics in the audience for their presentation and their assigned examiners.
Reflective Essay
A 500 word essay to demonstrate an awareness of research and professional skills developed over the course of the Honours year. The essay also provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their strengths or weaknesses in the role as a researcher.
Project Manuscript
A written manuscript summarising the research and results of a maximum of 5 000 words marked by two assigned examiners.
Final Seminar
A 20 minute presentation covering the results of the research.
Research Performance and Seminar Engagement
Research Performance: Assessment of a student’s research performance throughout the year including motivation, organisational skills, research (laboratory) skills, note-keeping, critical analysis and communication skills.
Seminar Engagement: Students are required to attend relevant seminars, which include those of their Research Institute / Division or Department, as well as the monthly SoMS seminars. Students must keep a seminar notebook that records details about at least 12 seminars attended throughout the year.
Other compulsory activities which do not contribute to a grade but are required for successful completion of the program:
- Attendance at Research Skills Learning Activities including seminars and workshops.
- Attendance at School and Departmental or Institute seminars.
- Completion of the online Health & Safety Awareness course and Laboratory Safety course.
- Completion of additional H&S requirements depending on research project.
- Attendance at Student Interview if required. This may be required by examiners to clarify assessment and adjudication of the project manuscript. The interview is chaired by a member of the Honours Committee and held in the presence of a student's supervisor.
Honours Grade Calculation
- Literature Review (10%)
- Introductory Seminar (10%)
- Reflective Essay (2.5%)
- Project Manuscript (50%)
- Final Seminar (15%)
- Research Performance and Seminar Engagement (12.5%)
A guide to allocation of Honours classes and what is expected of students within the School of Medical Science is as follows:
Final Mark ≥85 (Honours Class 1)
Work of superior quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, demonstrating the ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, the integration of information from a wide range of sources and containing clear examples of excellent critical evaluation.
Final Mark 75-84 (Honours Class 2.1)
Work of very good quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, but showing lesser ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, integrate information from range of sources and critically evaluate the literature and research data.
Final Mark 65-74 (Honours Class 2.2)
Good quality in all aspects research, scientific writing, and oral presentation but with inadequacies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Final Mark 50-64 (Honours Class 3)
Adequate quality work with significant deficiencies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Final Mark ≥85 (Honours Class 1)
Work of superior quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, demonstrating the ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, the integration of information from a wide range of sources and containing clear examples of excellent critical evaluation.
Final Mark 75-84 (Honours Class 2.1)
Work of very good quality in all aspects of research, scientific writing, and oral presentation, but showing lesser ability to organise information in a clear and concise manner, integrate information from range of sources and critically evaluate the literature and research data.
Final Mark 65-74 (Honours Class 2.2)
Good quality in all aspects research, scientific writing, and oral presentation but with inadequacies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Final Mark 50-64 (Honours Class 3)
Adequate quality work with significant deficiencies in understanding, critical skills, organisation and presentation.
Admission Requirements and Process
Admission Requirements
The Pharmacology Honours stream is available to all students who have met the entry requirements outlined below and is typically offered to Medical Science (3991) and Science (3970) students at UNSW who have completed a Pharmacology major or equivalent program of study. Students selected for the Graduate Entry stream into UNSW Medicine are permitted to enrol in Pharmacology Honours with only 12 units of level III courses from Pharmacology. Exceptions to these requirements may be permitted with the consent of the Honours Coordinator. External students should provide evidence of equivalent study and require approval of the course Honours Coordinator.
Other entry requirements for students prior to entry into Honours are as shown below. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
The Pharmacology Honours stream is available to all students who have met the entry requirements outlined below and is typically offered to Medical Science (3991) and Science (3970) students at UNSW who have completed a Pharmacology major or equivalent program of study. Students selected for the Graduate Entry stream into UNSW Medicine are permitted to enrol in Pharmacology Honours with only 12 units of level III courses from Pharmacology. Exceptions to these requirements may be permitted with the consent of the Honours Coordinator. External students should provide evidence of equivalent study and require approval of the course Honours Coordinator.
Other entry requirements for students prior to entry into Honours are as shown below. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
- A Bachelors degree in Science or Medical Science
- A credit average (≥65% weighted average mark; WAM) for all undergraduate degree courses.
- A credit average for all Level III courses relevant to Medical Science.
- An applicant with an overall WAM of 60 to 64 will only be considered if the weighted average for their Level III courses is ≥65%. For combined degree students, only Science courses will be used in this calculation.
Admission Process
Potential students must first apply for acceptance into the stream and, following receipt of an offer of acceptance, students can proceed with enrolment. Application and Enrolment procedures are described on the SOMS Honours webpage.
Supervisors and potential projects can also be found on the SOMS Honours webpage. Students may also identify potential supervisors and projects via UNSW Research (http://research.unsw.edu.au/).
Students who meet the entry requirements should make contact with potential supervisors aligning with their interests and discuss undertaking Honours with them. Students should then download and complete an application form (http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/apply/step-3) and submit to BSB Student Office before the submission deadline (early February for S1 or June for S2 enrolments). Students accepted into the program will receive an offer of acceptance letter from the Honours Coordinator, and can then proceed with full enrolment.
Potential students must first apply for acceptance into the stream and, following receipt of an offer of acceptance, students can proceed with enrolment. Application and Enrolment procedures are described on the SOMS Honours webpage.
Supervisors and potential projects can also be found on the SOMS Honours webpage. Students may also identify potential supervisors and projects via UNSW Research (http://research.unsw.edu.au/).
Students who meet the entry requirements should make contact with potential supervisors aligning with their interests and discuss undertaking Honours with them. Students should then download and complete an application form (http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/apply/step-3) and submit to BSB Student Office before the submission deadline (early February for S1 or June for S2 enrolments). Students accepted into the program will receive an offer of acceptance letter from the Honours Coordinator, and can then proceed with full enrolment.
Pathways
Students who successfully complete Pharmacology Honours are qualified to continue further in their research careers by undertaking postgraduate studies by research (Masters or PhD level). Students with successful honours are qualified to enrol in a PhD program at UNSW. Students achieving a high Honours Grade (Class 1 or 2.1) may apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) PhD scholarship to support such studies. Further information can be obtained from the postgraduate studies webpage (http://medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/postgraduate-research/overview).
Honours graduates may also consider undertaking further study in a graduate Medical Program or in a postgraduate Allied Health Program.
Graduates of the Pharmacology Honours plan are well qualified to work in a Medical Science or Biomedical Sciences research laboratory as a Research Assistant or Research Technician. Graduates may also find employment in medical diagnostics, health technicians and forensic science; in lifestyle and health-industry positions; in occupational health and rehabilitation, or in government regulatory bodies. Relevant careers in the private sector may be in specialized biotechnology companies, health-care and scientific instrument companies and/or pharmaceutical companies undertaking a range of different jobs such as researching the mechanisms or effectiveness of new and existing products; marketing, sales and/or providing client support; and ultimately management and company development. Other potential industries include intellectual property, science journalism, forensic science, advertising and management. Potential careers are very broad as the generic skills acquired during an Honours year are widely applicable and highly sought.
Honours graduates may also consider undertaking further study in a graduate Medical Program or in a postgraduate Allied Health Program.
Graduates of the Pharmacology Honours plan are well qualified to work in a Medical Science or Biomedical Sciences research laboratory as a Research Assistant or Research Technician. Graduates may also find employment in medical diagnostics, health technicians and forensic science; in lifestyle and health-industry positions; in occupational health and rehabilitation, or in government regulatory bodies. Relevant careers in the private sector may be in specialized biotechnology companies, health-care and scientific instrument companies and/or pharmaceutical companies undertaking a range of different jobs such as researching the mechanisms or effectiveness of new and existing products; marketing, sales and/or providing client support; and ultimately management and company development. Other potential industries include intellectual property, science journalism, forensic science, advertising and management. Potential careers are very broad as the generic skills acquired during an Honours year are widely applicable and highly sought.
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