Postgraduate Research
Research can be undertaken through fourth year Honours of the undergraduate programs BSc Hons and BSc (Med) Hons as well as in postgraduate programs leading to Doctorates (MD, PhD) or Master of Science (MSc) in the fields of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, biotechnology and pathology.
Why do a Research Degree?
The main reason is to expand your knowledge of a field, or solve a particular problem. Many students intend to pursue academic and research careers, and for them a research degree (BSc Hons, BSc (Med) Hons, MSc, MD, PhD) is essential training in the scientific process.
Others may want to find out what research work is like and make a career decision later. An honours degree is a good extra qualification that is not only valuable as an entry to further research, but is also advantageous when seeking employment.
For medical students, research training (i.e., the BSc(Med)Hons program) in a biomedical field can be an advantage in the competition for postgraduate training positions, especially in the major teaching hospitals.
What is involved?
- Choose a research topic of interest
- Find a supervisor and join their lab
- Do experiments
- Flexible hours, but very hard work
- Write up results as journal papers
- Attend and present at scientific meetings
- Write a thesis
Research Degrees Available
 | | Full time | Part time |
| BSc Hons | Bachelor of Science, Honours | 1 year | 2 years |
| BSc (Med) Hons | Bachelor of Science (Medicine), Honours | 1 year | N/A |
| MSc | Master of Science | 2 years | 4 years |
| PhD | Doctor of Philosophy | 3 years | 6 years |
| MD (by thesis) | Doctor of Medicine | 3 years | 6 years |
| MD (by published work) | Doctor of Medicine | No limit | No limit |