See our project guide for a wide range of available Honours and Masters projects.
Further information
The following degrees each have an advanced coursework component and a research project:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) or Bachelor of Science (Honours) following completion of Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline
- Master of Biomedical Science - entry requirements are an undergraduate degree with a major in a relevant discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%), or equivalent. This program is an alternative to the Honours to PhD pathway.
If you have not already done so, you should familiarise yourself with the structure, entry requirements, fees and scholarships and the application process for your chosen Degree.
What is Honours?
Honours is a fourth-year undergraduate course that consists of a combination of a research project and coursework subjects. The course is designed to develop the student’s capacity to solve problems, to analyse data, to read and think critically, and to communicate clearly.
Honours can give you a taste of what working as a scientist would be like as a career, allows you to demonstrate academic excellence in an area of special interest to you, and provides an entry point for further research higher degree study (i.e. PhD) and coursework courses. These skills are highly sought after by employers in biological, medical and industrial areas.
What is the Master of Biomedical Science?
The Master of Biomedical Science at the University of Melbourne is a coursework master’s degree incorporating a substantial research project. This course is an alternative to the Honours as a PhD pathway. Students undertake a major research project and discipline-specific coursework subjects. In addition, a suite of professional business and communication subjects are offered to complement and enhance the research undertaken and to progress students’ career opportunities.
The course encourages students to think innovatively and provides an awareness of the health and economic benefits of biomedical research. Graduates of this course gain an understanding of the research process, specialist knowledge and professional skills that are attractive to employers.
Honours | Masters | |
Duration | 1 year (full time) | 2 years (full time), part time available |
Level | Undergraduate | Graduate |
Fee Types | Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) International Full Fee Place | Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) Australian Full Fee Place International Full Fee Place |
Intake | Start year (February) | Start year (February) |
PhD Scholarship scoring | Considers marks from 3rd year of Bachelor degree and Honours | Only Masters marks are considered |
International Market recognition | Australian Honours degrees may not be recognised overseas as many countries do not have an equivalent degree. | Recognised as a graduate Masters degree |
How to apply | https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/master-of-biomedical-science/how-to-apply/ | |
Course Structure | Coursework subjects: 25 points Research project: 75 points | Coursework subjects: 75 points Research project: 125 points |
Research in the Department
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is a research and research-led teaching department of the School of Biomedical Science in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. The Department’s research laboratories are located in the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) which is in the heart of the Parkville research precinct on the corner of Grattan street and Royal parade. The Doherty Institute is a centre of excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to improve human health globally.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Doherty Institute includes global leaders in infection and immunity who are studying infectious agents and the cells of the immune system. The Department delivers specialised subjects in bacteriology, virology, immunology and pathology along with more generalist infection and immunity subjects. The Doherty institute researchers are focused on key themes in immunology, viral and bacterial infectious diseases, host-pathogen interactions, antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infections. The Doherty Institute specialises in research, surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and cure of a range of viral infectious diseases, with a particular focus on HIV, viral hepatitis, Influenza, Dengue, Malaria, Tuberculosis, enteric infections and emerging infections. The Institute also has a strong focus on Public Health, Epidemiology, Translational and Clinical Research, Global Health, Education & Professional Development, Indigenous Health and Genomics.
The institute contains state-of-the-art facilities for research, including the ImmunoID flow cytometry facility, electron microscopy, an advanced microscopy and in vivo imaging facility that is part of the Biological Optical Microscopy Platform (BOMP) as well as the Doherty Applied Microbial Genomics facility.
Project Information
Visit the Doherty Institute website for details on the diverse range of research projects that are available for prospective Honours and Masters of Biomedical Science students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
Honours in Pathology
Pathology is the scientific study of the nature of disease.
Honours in Pathology provides an introduction to the challenging area of investigation of disease processes at the cellular and molecular level.
Students undertaking Honours in Pathology will be members of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and will undertake a full-time research project based in a laboratory on campus, or at one of our affiliated research institutions.
Projects at External Institutes
It is possible for students to complete their research project with supervisors in affiliated external institutions as well as a co-supervisor within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. The Department has historically included students completing projects at the following research organisations:
- Burnet Institute
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
- St Vincent's Institute
Projects in external institutions must have a strong focus on immunology or infectious diseases and supervisors should be affiliated with the Department and approved by the Honours coordinators.
Doherty Institute Virtual Student Open Day:
Are you completing your degree with a major relevant to microbiology, immunology, pathology or infection & immunity and want to find out about further study opportunities at the University of Melbourne?
Join us to hear from course coordinators who will outline the entry requirements, available projects and supervisors, course structure and further study and career opportunities. In addition, students will provide their insight into the course experience and graduate outcomes.
The world-renowned Doherty Institute is home to the Department of the Microbiology and Immunology and offers Honours and Masters programs with a number of students continuing on to PhD research at the Doherty.
Listen to the 2022 Open Day recording at https://www.doherty.edu.au/education/student-information-days
Scholarships
Departmental Contacts
Honours Coordinators - Microbiology and Immunology
Dr Amy Chung 03 834 49938 | awchung@unimelb.edu.au
Assoc Prof Ashraful Haque
03 9035 5206 | ashraful.haque@unimelb.edu.au
Professor Scott Mueller
03 834 49044 | smue@unimelb.edu.au
Honours Coordinator - Pathology
Dr Theo Mantamadiotis
03 834 45861 | theo.mantamadiotis@unimelb.edu.au
Masters Coordinator
Professor Scott Mueller
03 834 49044 | smue@unimelb.edu.au