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Honours in Science
Enhance your future career opportunities with a single year of additional study
Honours provides a unique opportunity for you to explore your research potential and extend your undergraduate studies.
The honours year in science is a widely recognised and highly regarded additional year of study available to you after you complete your undergraduate course.
An honours qualification in science is not only impressive in academia, but also in industry where research experience and a command of critical thinking are highly sought after. Honours is a unique opportunity for students to explore their potential by designing and conducting an independent research project and producing a thesis of their work.
Honours also provides you with a pathway to higher degree by research, such as a PhD.
More information about honours can be found on the understanding honours page.
If you are looking to undertake an honours year in Science, you can consider the appended Bachelor of Science (Honours) or Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science (Honours).
Please read the scenarios below to see which applies to you.
- Students who are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney, see our advice on the current student website.
- If you’ve completed a qualifying bachelor’s degree and are either returning after graduation or transferring from another institution:
- Our appended honours degree, the Bachelor of Science (Honours), is an option for students who did not complete two majors in their single bachelor’s degree.
- If you completed a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science degree, you can apply for the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science (Honours).
- Our appended honours degree, the Bachelor of Science (Honours), is an option for students who did not complete two majors in their single bachelor’s degree.
Honours areas
- Agriculture
- Anatomy and Histology
- Animal and Veterinary Bioscience
- Animal Health, Disease and Welfare
- Animal Production
- Applied Medical Science
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Financial Mathematics and Statistics
- Food and Agribusiness
- Food Science
- Genetics and Genomics
- Geoscience
- Geophysics
- Health
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Human Movement
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Information Systems
- Marine Science
- Mathematics (Applied)
- Mathematics (Pure)
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Medical Science
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition Science
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Production
- Psychology
- Quantitative Life Sciences
- Software Development
- Soil Science and Hydrology
- Statistics
How can I undertake honours in science?
Options depend on how many majors you have or will complete in your undergraduate degree, as well as when you started your degree.
If you have some discipline-specific questions about honours or honours projects, get in touch with a coordinator below.
- Agriculture: Dr Malcolm Possell
- Anatomy and Histology: Dr Paul Austin
- Animal and Veterinary Bioscience: Associate Professor Sonia Liu
- Animal Health, Disease and Welfare: Associate Professor Sonia Liu
- Animal Production: Associate Professor Sonia Liu
- Applied Medical Science (Westmead): Associate Professor Andrew Harman and Dr Najla Nasr
- Biochemistry: Associate Professor Andrew Holmes
- Biology: Professor Ashley Ward
- Cell Pathology: Associate Professor Lenka Munoz
- Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry: Professor Gregory Warr
- Computer Science: Professor David Lowe
- Data Science: Associate Professor John Ormerod
- Environmental Science: Dr Floris Van Ogtrop
- Environmental Studies: Dr Josephine Gillespie
- Financial Mathematics and Statistics: Professor Marek Rutkowski
- Food Science: Dr Malcolm Possell
- Geography: Dr Josephine Gillespie
- Geology: Dr Josephine Gillespie
- Geophysics: Dr Josephine Gillespie
- Genetics and Genomics: Professor Claire Wade
- Health: Dr Sophie Lewis
- History and Philosophy of Science: Professor Peter Godfrey-Smith
- Human Movement: Dr Sophie Lewis
- Immunobiology: Associate Professor Jim Manos
- Infectious Diseases: Associate Professor Jim Manos
- Information Systems: Dr Josiah Poon
- Mathematics (Applied): Professor Marek Rutkowski
- Mathematics (Pure): Professor Laurentiu Paunescu
- Mathematics - Statistics and Data Science: Associate Professor Uri Keich
- Microbiology: Associate Professor Andrew Holmes
- Molecular Biology: Associate Professor Andrew Holmes
- Neuroscience: Dr Paul Austin
- Nutrition Science: Associate Professor Andrew Holmes
- Pathology: Associate Professor Lenka Munoz
- Pharmacology: Professor Michael Murray
- Physics: Associate Professor Bruce Yabsley
- Physiology: Dr Daniel Johnstone
- Psychology: Dr Bruce Burns
- Plant Production: Dr Malcolm Possell
- Quantitative Life Sciences: Dr Floris Van Ogtrop
- Soil Science and Hydrology: Dr Malcolm Possell
- Statistics: Associate Professor Uri Keich
- Taronga Conservation: Professor Dieter Hochuli
Honours topics and projects
Honours projects available in:
- Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
An honours year in the School of Chemistry provides the opportunity to undertake a research project and advanced training in contemporary chemistry. In the honours year, each student undertakes a research project under the supervision of a member of the academic staff, writes a thesis which explains the problem, outlines the research undertaken and the results obtained, and also attends advanced lecture courses and seminars.
You will join a large and active research community of honours, masters, and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral and senior research staff in the School of Chemistry. You will have the opportunity to work on research for 90% of your Honours year.
The honours program further builds on what you have learnt from your undergraduate studies, adding new dimensions to the skills you have acquired thus far. Honours will equip you with additional practical and problem-solving skills that enhance your immediate employment prospects and your future career potential, broadens the range of employment possibilities, and may lead to the opportunity to proceed to a postgraduate degree.
All students with a sound record in chemistry are strongly encouraged to enrol in an honours program in the School of Chemistry.
How to Apply: Application to Honours is a two-step process. You first submit an Expression of Interest for supervisor and project to the School of Chemistry, then apply for admission through the Faculty of Science.
1. You can search for a supervisor and browse available projects here
2. You will also submit your Expression of Interest (EoI) through this platform, listing up to four supervisor preferences. EoI’s open around the middle of the semester preceding your Honours year, which may start in either semester.
3. After submitting your EoI, you will receive an acknowledgment email which you should attach to your application for admission to Honours to the Faculty of Science.
4. You will be notified of your confirmed supervisor shortly after EoI’s close on November 10th. Late applications for available supervisors will be considered in the order received.
Honours projects available in:
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Information Systems
- Software Development
Contact:
Professor David Lowe
E: david.lowe@sydney.edu.au
Do you want to graduate from the University of Sydney with a research thesis you can show to prospective employers? The School of Geosciences offers honours in the areas of:
Honours in Geosciences is available to students with a major in any of the above and who meet the University’s admission requirements for Honours (which include a minimum SCIWAM of 65 and approval by the School of Geosciences). It involves an advanced coursework program of seminars and reports (accounting for 25% of the program’s assessment) and an individually-written Honours thesis of 20,000 words addressing a specific research question (accounting for 75% of the program’s assessment). The process of working with your supervisor in developing your topic, and then generating new knowledge about it through original research, represents an additional dimension to your future employability and long-term career prospects.
The research problem that forms the basis for your Honours thesis will be developed in consultation with a supervisor. The academics in the Geosciences units you have taken during your undergraduate degree are able to act as supervisors, subject to their availability. In the first instance, you should contact an academic and discuss your interest in Honours. It is possible for your Honours thesis to be developed either as part of a wider research project being undertaken by the supervisor, or as a stand-alone project guided by your own interests and passions.
Honours in Geosciences provides the opportunity to develop real-world research skills and apply them to a specific problem. You will work closely with a supervisor, be part of a small group of committed, high-achieving Honours students, and be part of the wider community of staff and students in the School of Geosciences.
Applying for Honours in Geosciences
The application for Honours in Geosciences is a two-step process. First, students should email prospective supervisors and arrange a meeting to discuss Honours. The Honours coordinator in Geosciences should be copied into emails. You should do this in the semester prior to your proposed entry into Honours, and our strong advice is to contact prospective supervisors earlier rather than later. Don’t delay the discussion.
Second, students also need to apply for admission into Honours through the University. Choose the faculty that your degree is administered by on this page for further information on applying.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Honours coordinators:
Associate Professor Jo Gillespie (for queries about admission, supervision, the program and Geography, Environmental Studies)
Dr Vasilis Chatzaras (for queries about Geology & Geophyscics)
Queries about Honours in Marine Science can also be directed to us.
Studying fourth year Honours in history and philosophy of science can lead to many different career paths such as science policy, science administration, science education, science journalism, and science writing, and, in particular, serves as an excellent preparation for an academic career.
Working closely with an academic supervisor in a lively and supportive department, HPS honours students gain experience in formulating a research question and producing a substantial piece of original research.
While some students have pursued PhDs in our Unit, several students who have obtained an honours degree with us have continued their postgraduate education at leading programs at the most prestigious universities around the world, among them the University of Cambridge and Princeton, Johns Hopkins, and Pittsburgh Universities.
The structure of the HPS honours year
Honours students are expected to complete four Honours level Units of Study successfully and write a 15,000 words thesis based on independent research. A thesis supervisor will guide you through the steps of conducting research for your thesis and writing up the results.
We currently offer four honours level units, which provide a comprehensive background in history and philosophy of science.
Semester 1
Semester 2
In addition, there are four units of study in which you need to enrol which represent work on your thesis.
- HPSC4201 Research Project 1
- HPSC4202 Research Project 2
- HPSC4203 Research Project 3
- HPSC4204 Research Project 4
Your thesis will be graded by two independent academics who are familiar with the thesis topic. The final grade for your Honours year is: 50% (average grade for Units of Study) and 50% (thesis mark).
Applying for Honours in HPS
To be eligible to enrol in the Honours program, you need to have a bachelors degree with an average grade of at least a credit. If you graduated from the University of Sydney, you are expected to have majored in HPS. If you are from another university, you are expected to have a similar background.
However, we have accepted students with a minimal background in HPS if they have good reasons to pursue an honours degree with us. You could acquire the required knowledge by taking units of study or reading courses either before or during your honours year. Whether this option is appropriate and what should be the courses taken will be decided for each applicant personally, according to the judgment of the Unit.
If you would like to pursue this option, please contact HPS Honours Coordinator.
Application process
- Make appointment to speak to relevant supervisor or honours coordinator
- Complete and submit the HPS honours application form
Honours projects in the following areas:
- Agriculture
- Animal and Veterinary Bioscience
- Animal Health, Disease and Welfare
- Animal Production
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Environmental Science
- Food and Agribusiness
- Food Science
- Genetics and Genomics
- Infectious Diseases
- Marine Science
- Microbiology
- Nutrition Science
- Plant Production
- Quantitative Life Sciences
- Soil Science and Hydrology
Do you want the chance to do real research under the guidance of some of the most highly respected scientists in Australia? Your honours year of research in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences will give you that and much more, as you delve into your area of interest in a year-long research project.
Choose from an array of exciting projects in life and environmental sciences, and delve into detail like you’ve never had the chance to before, as you focus on your sustained research project.
You’ll get technical training in research techniques and instrumentation, as well as invaluable skills in communication, project management and critical analysis.
Contact soles.education@sydney.edu.au if you have any questions or issues.
More information on the Current Students site on how to apply and the SOLES Student Portal on Canvas (internal student access only).
Honours projects available in:
- Data science
- Financial Mathematics and Statistics
- Mathematics (Applied)
- Mathematics (Pure)
- Quantitative Life Sciences
- Statistics
In all cases, assessment is by a combination of coursework (~40%) and a project (~60%). While the three divisions offer courses separately, the honours program is flexible and students are encouraged to consult the relevant honours coordinator if they are interested in taking a course from another division.
Honours projects available in:
- Anatomy and Histology
- Applied Medical Science
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Immunology
- Infectious Disease
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
An honours year in medical sciences is undertaken in one of the specified honours areas listed above, either within a research laboratory at the Camperdown or Westmead campuses, or externally in an affiliated Research Institute or Clinical School. For more information about pursuing Honours in medical sciences, including projects available, application deadlines and expressions of interest, please refer to Honours in medical sciences page.
To obtain an honours degree in physics it is necessary to complete a fourth undergraduate year which is devoted to the study of physics: 50% on coursework, and 50% on a research project. Projects are available in a very wide range of research areas.
Students can commence honours in either first or second semester. Honours is full time. In some cases it is possible to take honours part-time over two years, with special permission from the Associate Dean.
Upon completion, a student is eligible for the award of First Class Honours, Second Class Honours (Division 1 or 2) or Third Class Honours. University Medals in Physics are awarded to the top students if the standard achieved is sufficiently high.
The same course is taken by candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Science (Physics).
Honours in Psychology is a full-time year of study requiring completion of coursework (50%) and a major research project produced under the supervision of an academic from the School (50%) – successful completion of Honours in Psychology makes you eligible to apply for APAC-accredited postgraduate professional programs and/or Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs.
Applying for Honours in Psychology
All applicants must complete the School Application, and then all applicants (except Bachelor of Psychology students) must also complete a University Application – more information about both applications can be found in the Honours Information Booklet for 2024 [PDF, 265KB] and a general overview of the Honours in Psychology program can be found in the recording from the Honours Information Session for 2024.
Due to the competitive nature of Honours in Psychology, all applicants will be ranked on their Honours Application Mark (HAM) – prospective students can get an idea of where they stand with our Honours Application Mark (HAM) Calculator [xlsx, 15KB].
Other key information
- Prospective Supervisors and Topics [PDF, 185KB].
- School Application (opens on mid December 2024, closes on 6 January 2025).
- University Application (to be completed after you submit the School Application – see the Honours Information Booklet for relevant links).