Honours in the Faculty of Science enables students who have performed well at undergraduate level to deepen their knowledge of approaches, perspectives and traditions in their chosen scientific discipline and undertake a significant research project. It is designed to connect undergraduate study with supervised independent research and provide an academic foundation for students continuing on to a Masters by research or a PhD.
The Faculty of Science offers Honours programs in a broad range of disciplines:
- Aviation
- Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences
- Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Chemistry
- Maths and Statistics
- Materials Science
- Medical Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Psychology
- Vision Science
Each discipline has variations in entry requirements and program details. Prospective students are advised to contact the relevant School for their area of interest before applying. A summary of entry requirements and contact details for each School are provided below.
How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools offering Honours in Science
AVIATION | ||||||
http://www.aviation.unsw.edu.au/future/honours.html
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in Aviation
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM).
Project/supervisor allocation: The student is responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours. However, the Honours Coordinator can help to facilitate discussions with a potential supervisor, and prospective students are encouraged to contact him.
Contacts:
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//www.babs.unsw.edu.au/future_students/future-honours-students
Prior study requirement:
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WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree, and a minimum credit (65) WAM for stage three (final year) science subjects.
Project/supervisor allocation: The School allocates a supervisor and project to the student. The student is required to nominate a minimum of five (5) supervisors in order of preference. Nominated supervisors must be academic staff in the School of BABS or approved external supervisors. It is expected that students introduce themselves and discuss projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on their application. Prospective students are strongly advised to consult the document “Honours Information Booklet” for the list of supervisors and their Honours research projects.
Contacts:
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BEES (Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences) | ||||||
http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/honours
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, genetics, geography, geosciences, or marine sciences.
WAM requirement: WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree, and a minimum credit (65) WAM for six level three courses in BEES.
Project/supervisor allocation: The student is responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours. Prospective students are advised to consult the BEES Honours Website for the list of supervisors and their Honours research projects.
Contacts:
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CHEMISTRY | ||||||
http://www.chemistry.unsw.edu.au/current-students/undergraduate/honours-research
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in chemistry, medicinal chemistry or nanoscience.
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM).
Project/supervisor allocation: The School allocates a supervisor and project to the student. The student is required to nominate a minimum of three (3) supervisors in order of preference. It is expected that students introduce themselves and discuss projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on their application. Prospective students are strongly advised to consult the document “Honours in Chemistry” for the list of supervisors and their Honours research projects.
Contacts:
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MATHS & STATISTICS | |||||
//www.maths.unsw.edu.au/currentstudents/honours-mathematics-and-statistics
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in mathematics or statistics OR at least 30 units of credit in stage three (final year) mathematics.
WAM requirement: Minimum 70 weighted average mark (WAM) in stage three (final year) mathematics courses, and a minimum 70 WAM in core stage three (final year) mathematics courses for the specialisation in which they will undertake Honours.
Project/supervisor allocation: The student is responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours. Honours projects and course selection are divided into four streams and students must consult with the appropriate stream coordinator prior to applying (see below).
Contacts:
Honours Coordinators Applied Mathematics stream: Dr Shane Keating, Ph: 9385 7071 E: s.keating@unsw.edu.au Pure Mathematics stream: Dr Pinhas Grossman, Ph: 9385 4992 E: p.grossman@unsw.edu.au Statistics stream: Dr Libo Li, Ph: 9385 7025, E: libo.li@unsw.edu.au Quantitative Risk stream: Dr John Steele, Ph: 9385 7060, E: j.steele@unsw.edu.au | |||||
MATERIALS SCIENCE | ||||||
http://www.materials.unsw.edu.au/current-students/honours-projects
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in materials science or related discipline (the latter will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree, and a minimum credit (65) WAM for all Level II and III courses in the Materials Science major.
Project/supervisor allocation:
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Contacts:
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MEDICAL SCIENCES | ||||||
//medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/soms-honours/overview
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology, Pharmacology or other relevant science specialisation.
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree, and a minimum credit (65) WAM for stage three (final year) relevant science subjects.
Project/supervisor allocation: The student is responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours. Prospective students are advised to consult the SOMS Honours website for the list of supervisors and their Honours research projects. Applicants must fill out and attach this form to their Intention to Undertake Honours form.
Contacts:
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NEUROSCIENCE | ||||||
//medicalsciences.med.unsw.edu.au/students/undergraduate/neuroscience/honours
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in neuroscience.
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM).
Project/supervisor allocation: The student is required to nominate a minimum of three (3) supervisors in order of preference. It is expected that students introduce themselves and discuss projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on their application. Prospective students are strongly advised to consult the Neuroscience Honours Supervisor website for the list of supervisors and their Honours research projects.
Contacts:
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PHYSICS | ||||||
//www.physics.unsw.edu.au/current-students/honours
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in Physics. Students are expected to have completed the UNSW courses PHYS3111 Quantum Mechanics; PHYS3113 Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics; and PHYS3114 Electrodynamics (or equivalent).
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM).
Project/supervisor allocation: The School allocates a supervisor and project to the student. The student is required to nominate three supervisors in order of preference. It is expected that students meet with and discuss possible projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on their application. Prospective students are strongly advised to consult the Physics Research Projects webpage.
Contacts:
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PSYCHOLOGY | ||||||
http://www.psy.unsw.edu.au/current-students/undergraduate/honours
Prior study requirement: Please carefully read the information available at the above link, review our FAQs, and contact the School should you have any questions.
WAM requirement: Psychology average of 75 or higher. Please refer to the FAQs for a definition of the Psychology average.
Project/supervisor allocation: See above.
Contacts:
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VISION SCIENCE | ||||||
http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2018/VISNBH4500.html
Prior study requirement: 3 year full-time bachelor degree specialising in Vision Science
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM).
Project/supervisor allocation: The student is responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours. Prospective students are advised to consult the SOVS Honours website for the list of supervisors and their Honours research projects.
Contacts:
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Science Honours FAQs
How many intakes will there be for honours in 2019 and beyond?
For students in all Schools except for Physics & Psychology, there will be 3 intakes per year (term 1, 2 & 3) for both 4500 B.Science (Honours) and embedded honours (ie. Advanced Science, Advanced Mathematics). Honours in the School of Psychology will only commence once per year in term 1 and the School of Physics will only commence twice per year in term 1 and term 3.
4518 B.Psychological Science (Hons) and the final year of 3632 B.Psychology (Hons) will only commence in term 1.
Will honours be available part-time?
If a School currently allows students to take honours part-time, this arrangement will continue. Please note that not all Science Schools allow students the option of doing honours part-time so you should check with the School you are intending to do honours with.
When can I enrol into my honours courses?
You will be able to enrol into your honours courses after you have received an offer for your honours year. When you receive your offer, you will be advised on what courses to enrol into for each term.