Honours Programs

Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc)

In 2002, the University's Working Party on Honours and the School of Dentistry Board of Studies agreed that a common purpose and intent of an honours program at the University of Queensland should be to provide students with an intensive period of higher level study in the chosen discipline, including research training in the discipline.

It is intended that from 2005, eligibility for "on-course" honours in the BDSc program will be based on the attainment of a specified grade point average in the early years of a program (enabling entry) coupled with a requirement to undertake a specified set of courses and the attainment of a specified GPA in the later years of the program. This "on-course" honours program will apply to those students graduating in 2008 and later years.

The BDSc on-course honours program will be conducted over years 4 and 5.  This program will provide the opportunity to broaden the academic preparation of the student, and will develop research skills as a basis for future research and career progression. 

The program requirements for "on-course" honours includes:

  • completion of an approved research project;
  • a combination of high quality research and specified coursework performance;
  • the attainment of a high level of clinical skills and knowledge.

To be eligible for enrolment in the "on-course" honours program a student must:

  • Apply to enrol by 30 September of their third year; and
  • Have obtained a GPA of not less than 5.5 over Years 2 and 3 of the BDSc, with a grade of 4 on the first attempt in all courses; and
  • have obtained approval for enrolment from the Head of School.

Students will be required to undertake specific courses to be eligible for consideration for the award of honours, including #4 of research-related content, with both components spread over the last 2 years.

Students undertaking on-course honours will still attend lectures and seminars, and complete the identical requirements in terms of clinical and clinically-related laboratory work.

Further information regarding the on-course honours program and its structure can be found under 'Forms and Guidelines'.

Bachelor of Oral Health (BOralH)

The BOralH Honours program is conducted full time over one year. The program provides the opportunity to broaden the academic preparation of recent graduates and develop research skills in order to provide a basis for future research and career progression.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for enrolment in the honours program a student must:

  • Apply to enrol no later than fifteen months after completing the requirements of the Bachelor of Oral Health degree; and
  • Have obtained a Grade Point Average of not less than 5.00 over the three years of the program leading to the degree and obtained approval for enrolment from the Head of the School of Dentistry.

Application for admission should in the first instance be discussed with the BOralH Program Coordinator and the Head of the School of Dentistry. Applications must be submitted by 31 October in the year preceding the intended enrolment.

Program Structure

All honours degree students complete a one year full time program with a total value of 16 units. The candidate is required to submit a research protocol to the Research Committee (School of Dentistry) for approval by 31 March of the year of enrolment.

The program supervisor allocated to an enrolled student is responsible for submitting a plan of study to the Head of School prior to the student commencing. The plan can vary with respect to research methods or other courses undertaken, in order to support the area/topic of research chosen.

All students must undertake one research methods course that supports their research topic OR a course relevant to the research topic, approved by the Head of School, valued at 2 units. Suitable research methods courses include those currently offered by the School of Population Health in postgraduate programs such as Master of Public Health and Graduate Diploma in Public Health:  

PUBH7630 Introduction to Biostatistics
PUBH7600 Introduction to Epidemiology 

Advanced Discipline Readings (ORAL6010)

This is a guided reading course leading to a review of the literature within the student's area of research interest (2 units).

Oral Health Honours Dissertation (ORAL6020)

A work plan for the dissertation will be allocated to cover time in first and second semester. The dissertation is a full year course with a value of 12 units.

The program supervisor should provide the student with a study schedule, detailing a sequence of requirements and their time frames.

Further information regarding the BOralH Honours program and its structure can be found under 'forms and guidelines'.

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