BCH3990 Action in biochemistry research project
Faculty of Science
BCH3990 Action in biochemistry research project is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Summer A, Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Summer A, Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 6 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before BCH3990
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After BCH3990
No unit lists BCH3990 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: Permission from the unit coordinator. You must have completed all first and second level units in your approved major, and be able to demonstrate that you have an appropriate project and supervisor(s). 12 credit points of study in the discipline area at 2nd year level and a grade point average of at least 70 over 24 credit points in relevant units at 2nd year level.
Overview
This unit provides the opportunity for high achieving students to work with an academic supervisor and complete a research project in Biochemistry. The research project may be chosen from a list of projects available at the beginning of semester from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The unit convenor and supervisor must approve the project topic at the time of enrolment. You will work in a research laboratory to obtain data, will complete a written preliminary and final report and will give a series of oral presentations on their work.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester A | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Assessment task 1: Progress report - satisfactory / non satisfactoryDemonstration-
- Assessment task 2: Seminar 1Presentation10%
- Assessment task 3: Literature reviewWritten10%
- Assessment task 4: Seminar 2Presentation10%
- Assessment task 5: Final written reportWrittenThreshold hurdle50%
- Assessment task 6: Assessment of laboratory / research workDemonstration20%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Undertake a research project with regard to ethical and safety regulations;
- 2
Demonstrate technical skills in experimental methods and the ability to collect, analyse and interpret data using methods relevant to the discipline of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;
- 3
Communicate appropriately and effectively with supervisors, laboratory staff and students;
- 4
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of experimental procedures, results and outcomes;
- 5
Identify relevant published scientific literature and critically analyse and evaluate the content in the context of the discipline of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;
- 6
Construct written reports.
Workload and teaching
- Teaching approachResearch activities
12 hours per week
The Research in action units are different from all other 3rd year units in that there are no lectures or end of semester exams. The entire unit is focused on research. The “Research in action” units within the School of Biomedical science departments, Monash Medical Centre and the School of Public health and preventative medicine have been designed to provide high achieving students with a chance to undertake a minor research project and to become an important part of the “research community”. In many ways these units provide a sample of the “Honours year experience”. We congratulate and welcome you to the 3rd year “Research in action” units. You have demonstrated academic excellence in your chosen area of biomedical science and the School is proud of your achievement. Research forms the backbone of our school and informs all of our teaching. The School has established an excellent research reputation for Monash on an international scale. We hope you enjoy your experience in our research groups and continue into Honours and beyond to form the next generation of biomedical scientists and researchers at Monash.
You should spend the equivalent of 12 hours per week undertaking research / laboratory work, reading and writing. The lack of lectures and exams does not mean that these units are easier than other 3 year units. As there are no exams, all assessment is related to the research project. Your supervisor and other academic staff will be responsible for the assessment of the unit.
The scheduled teaching activities for MIC3990. You will work with an active research group to complete a research project in an area of pharmacology.
Where it fits
BCH3990 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Michelle Dunstone
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Max Cryle
- Dr Andre Mu
- Adam Rose
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BCH3990?
BCH3990 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is BCH3990 offered?
In 2025, BCH3990 runs in Summer A, Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does BCH3990 have an exam?
No. BCH3990 has 6 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include BCH3990?
BCH3990 is part of Biochemistry and Microbiology.