Dr Anna Cowan
Honours Convenor
E: anna.cowan@anu.edu.au
T: (+61 2) 6125 8506
F: (+61 2) 6125 3955

Admission to Neuroscience Honours
Scholarships
Organisation of the Year
Neuroscience Honours projects 2007-8

Welcome to information about Neuroscience Honours. This information is intended for students who have completed undergraduate degrees at any university in Australia. Overseas students who are interested in enrolling in this program of study should read the information below and then contact the Course Co-ordinator by e-mail or telephone (see above).

The Neuroscience Honours at Australian National University is designed to:
. Further students' knowledge of the cellular basis of brain function in health and disease
. Teach students how to interpret and critique original papers published in neuroscience
. Teach students how to write fluently and logically
. Teach students how to analyse and present data that they have collected

In addition most students will have an opportunity to become proficient in the use of any or all of the following types of computer programs: those for word-processing, data management, graphing, reference management, drawing and seminar presentation. Thus, students should expect the course to provide them with not only specialist knowledge of brain function but also with a range of generic skills for use in a wide range of workplaces. The course is also an appropriate qualification for entrance to PhD study in any branch of the neurosciences at universities within Australia and overseas.

Admission to Honours in Neuroscience is the same as a normal honours degree at the Australian National University. These are outlined at Faculty of Science Honours Rules . For neuroscience, relevant subjects would normally include neuroscience, completed as a stand-alone subject or within physiology or pharmacology. Additional subjects for consideration are molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology and psychology (but not social psychology). Students who have a background in computing science, physics or engineering are welcome to apply but such students must be willing to undertake coursework which will strengthen their knowledge of brain function. The relevance of their undergraduate degree to their honours research project will be a strong factor in determining acceptability for admission.

A limited number of scholarships are available to fourth year students undertaking Honours in any branch of the medical sciences. Application for these scholarships is made by inquiry to the JCSMR School Secretary, RSBS School Secretary or the Faculty of Science Office; the closing date is annually in late October/November. The scholarships are competitive and awarded on the basis of academic record to date.

The Neuroscience Honours course begins on about February 3rd and July 17th (if demand is sufficient) of each year. The course is a full 10 months of fulltime study. Assessment is based primarily on the presentation of a research thesis. However, all students attend a journal club program in Feb-May. Assessment of this part of the course is through presentation of one journal club, and a written critique of 3 others. This provides an opportunity for the student to learn to carefully study and critically analyse research papers. Over the same period of time, the research project is developed; oral presentation of the proposed project is required early in the year.

After completion of the journal club program students work full-time on their research projects. This can be undertaken in any one of the many neurobiological laboratories at the ANU, for example, within The Faculties, The Research School of Biological Sciences, or The John Curtin School of Medical Research. Students are expected to keep in close contact with their supervisors and to work collaboratively, but also independently on some of the technically less demanding aspects of the project. An extensive reading program must be undertaken. The course culminates with the presentation of a thesis and an oral communication documenting the research project.

Progress throughout the year is monitored by the Neuroscience Management Committee and the results achieved are assessed by the Committee using the same criteria for the award of grades of honours as are current in the Faculty of Science; details of the assessment are provide in the Neuroscience Honours Handbook.