Bachelor of Biological Sciences with Honours

Build on your successes in the Bachelor of Biological Sciences by completing Honours to enhance essential employability skills or take your first step to a career in research, academia and beyond.

Mentored by expert staff from La Trobe's School of Life Sciences, you'll develop a variety of scientific techniques by conducting your own research project. To complement your research, essential laboratory, scientific communication and presentation skills established during your undergraduate degree will be consolidated through workshops and exercises. You'll also be exposed to leading edge methodologies as part of a competitive research team.

Honours in biological sciences also gives you the opportunity to specialise in the following disciplines:

• biochemistry (Melbourne Campus)
• botany (Melbourne Campus)
• ecology, environment and evolution (Melbourne and Albury-Wodonga campuses)
• genetics (Melbourne Campus)
• microbiology (Melbourne Campus)

By completing Honours, you'll be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in your field and, through your professional behaviours, the values that shape the work of a professional scientist. You'll also have advanced skills in designing and successfully implementing scientific investigations, analysing and interpreting data and presenting your findings to scientific audiences.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8.

Honours in biological sciences also gives you the opportunity to specialise in the following disciplines:

• biochemistry (Melbourne Campus)
• botany (Melbourne Campus)
• ecology, environment and evolution (Melbourne and Albury-Wodonga campuses)
• genetics (Melbourne Campus)
• microbiology (Melbourne Campus)

By completing Honours, you'll be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in your field and, through your professional behaviours, the values that shape the work of a professional scientist. You'll also have advanced skills in designing and successfully implementing scientific investigations, analysing and interpreting data and presenting your findings to scientific audiences.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8.

Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Honours in your major

You may be eligible to complete Honours in a major completed as part of your undergraduate degree. Your eligibility is subject to the availability and agreement of a suitable supervisor for the major and you meeting the entry requirements specific to that major. For more information, please see the University Handbook.

Career outcomes

More than simply consolidating the knowledge gained from your undergraduate degree, Honours develops your abilities in research and enhances other essential employability skills, giving you a career-ready edge in today's competitive job market.

Honours is also the best foundation for a postgraduate coursework degree, a higher degree by research or a career in academia. Complete the Honours program with distinction, and you could qualify for entry into the Masters by Research. If you're a high achiever, you could gain direct entry into a PhD.

How to apply

Discuss ideas for a thesis topic with your lecturers and tutors, secure the agreement of a supervisor and then apply online.

Note: Some courses start earlier than the standard semester, term or study period. Applications for these courses close one week prior. Always check your course's start date to ensure your application is submitted in time.

Check when course applications close

CRICOS code: 067836B