This course is specially tailored for students attracted to, or wondering about research. Students are immersed in a real research environment and in the practice of research. They are integrated in a research team and get direct experience in core components of research activities, from posing a question, defining hypotheses to address it, and the appropriate approaches to examine these hypotheses; data analysis and rigorous presentation, interpretation of results, and most importantly their critical assessment and discussion in the context of the current body of knowledge. Students are experiencing first-hand the joys and tribulations of probing the unknown, the drive, curiosity, discipline, and perseverance this requires.

This course is designed to be flexible and allows for a broad range of research areas and environments to be experienced by students. Interested students are encouraged to contact the convener and prospective supervisors in Biology. Many research areas are available, for example: http://www.biology.anu.edu.au/ , http://cos.anu.edu.au/Plants , http://genetics.anu.edu.au/ , http://jcsmr.anu.edu.au

Note: This is an Honours Pathway Course that involves research oriented material of a greater conceptual difficulty than a typical 3000 level science course. Entry to this course requires at least 96 units towards a degree with an average of 70% or above in second and third year science courses and approved by the convener.

A Botanical Internship (summer) is available in the Australian National Herbarium and Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research in Canberra, Australia. It is aimed at those intending to undertake a technical or professional career in botany or a closely related discipline (including ecology, resource management and botanical horticulture). Students are admitted by written application and a selection process that occurs in November. The program is aimed at students who have just completed their second or third year of study, but applications from students at other levels will be considered. Contact rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au for application form.

A Genetic Counselling Internship is available with the Genetic Counselling Unit of The Canberra Hospital. It is aimed at those with a special interest in the field of human genetics, specifically in the area of genetic counselling. Students who wish to be considered for this internship should have completed BIOL3204 Human Genetics, or other relevant human genetics courses and satisfy the eligibility criterion of at least a 70% average across science courses during previous semesters. Contact David.Rowell@anu.edu.au for more information.