How will applications be assessed?

Students must first pass the academic requirement.

After that, the proposals will be assessed based on the potential of the projects to:

• enable students to acquire an appreciation of the value of observation and research in the development of medical science
• enable students to determine the ‘current state of knowledge’ in a defined field
• provide experience in the written and spoken presentation of scientific information and scholarly research, and
• provide an invaluable background in basic research philosophy and techniques on which a subsequent career in specialised medical research may be built.

The Subcommittee will be looking for supervisors to explain how and what the the student will be doing during the 34 weeks allocated for BScMedHon.

Why is the BScMedHon application so demanding?

It comes down to the timing - Students who intend to undertake the BScMedHon program have only 34 weeks in which they have to conduct research activities and produce a final report in the form of a scientific manuscript (5000 - 7000 words). The Subcommittee has to assess if the suggested research activities/projects are sufficient to satisfy an Honours degree or if it is too ambitious.

If an applicant fulfills the academic criteria, the application will be assessed on the proposed project's suitability for the BScMedHon program. If the application/proposal is deemed to be unsuitable for the BScMedHon program, either due to depth or scope of research, then it will not be successful. Also due to the nature of BScMedHon program, it is necessary to cap the number to 30 students per year.

Must a co-supervisor be nominated at the time of application? What is the role of a co-supervisor?

Yes. The co-supervisor should act as the supervisor whenever the supervisor is unable to do so for any reason. The co-supervisor should be involved in all stages of the planning of the candidate's research plan. The co-supervisor should maintain a level of communication with the supervisor and the candidate during the period of candidature so as to allow him or her to participate in the supervision or act as a substitute for the supervisor whenever this is necessary.

Must examiners be nominated at the time of application?

Yes - Again due to timing constraints, we are unable to wait on supervisors to nominate examiners after a project has commenced.

In nominating examiners, supervisors must choose appropriate academics who will not allow any pre-existing relationship to prejudice the marking of the student's performance. If the integrity of any examiner's assessment is suspect, it will negatively impact on the student.

Internal examiners must have Faculty of Medicine appointments, external to the supervisor's laboratory (or research group) and grade the literature review and final manuscript.

External examiners must be external to the school where the project will be completed and are only required to grade the final manuscript.