Merit Pathway

Are you a high achieving science student?

If so the Merit Pathway in the Bachelor of Science degree may be for you. This program is tailored for passionate students looking for opportunities and challenges beyond the standard undergraduate science degree.

The Merit Pathway provides activities that will enrich your undergraduate experience and help you develop new skills to enhance your future in science.

You will:

• Receive a personalised mentoring and information program throughout the degree.
• Find out about seminars and activities in your discipline area.
• Be exposed to cutting edge research within the Faculty.
• Collaborate with some of our leading researchers.
• Have your participation in the Merit Pathway included on your academic transcript.

You must apply to be part of the Merit Pathway. 

Research Projects

The Merit Pathway provides a unique opportunity to conduct a small research project as part of your undergraduate degree. You will get a taste of what it is like to perform scientific research and further your knowledge in your discipline area.

These skills will give you a head start for further studies in Honours or a Research Higher Degree. 

The projects are offered in second and third year in the special elective courses SCIT2500 and SCIT3500. These courses are only available to students in the Merit Pathway program. You do not have to take these courses in order to be a part of the Merit Pathway and can still participate in the other activities.

Posters for some of the projects conducted in SCIT2500 in 2011 and 2012 are below:

• The Distribution of Tin and other metals within Silicates from a Skarn at Doradilla
• A study of Ultra-Low Frequency Plasma Waves in the Polar Cap
• Dual imaging and dosimetry with EPIDs in radiation therapy
• Functional Characterisation of Dynamin in Human Spermatozoa
• Purification of Escherichia coli Proteins XerD and FtsK-γ: A Preparatory Step in Solving Protein Structure
• An Assessment of Soil Temperature Variation in the Upper Hunter Valley
• A Golden Opportunity: Determining the Environmental and Biological Variables Influencing the Growth Rate of the Green and Golden Bell frog (Litoria aurea)

Summer vacation scholarships are also available. Successful applicants will undertake research projects over a six week placement during the summer vacation.

Admission Criteria

•  Students are invited to apply for admission to the Merit Pathway by the Pro-Vice Chancellor.
• Admission for first year students is based on their ATAR which must be equal to or greater than 90.
• Admission in subsequent years is by cumulative GPA which must be equal or greater than 90.
• You must maintain a GPA average of 6.0 in order to remain in the pathway.
• Variations to these requirements may be considered and are at the discretion of the Merit Pathway Convenor

Students who have been invited to apply for admission to the Merit Pathway or who would like to be considered for admission must complete the application form.

Welcome and Information Session

A welcome and information session is held in early semester one to give students an overview of the Merit Pathway, an opportunity to meet other students in the program and to discuss research project experiences from students who have completed SCIT2500.

Food and refreshments will be provided and an information pack will be handed out on the day.

Testimonials

"Participating in the Merit Pathway gave me a fantastic insight into the world of university research. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to have interacted with other students working in the university’s laboratories as well as some world class scientists.  I would highly recommend the Merit Pathway to any student interested in learning more about post graduate studies and/or a career in research." Amy Lesiow, Merit Pathway Student, 2011.

"I really did find this a very rewarding course. It is most likely the most beneficial course that I have undertaken in my undergraduate degree. It was so enjoyable and rewarding that it has changed my perspective regarding further research. Thanks again for the opportunity to enhance my learning in a direction that I would not have been able to pursue if I have not undertaken this course. I would recommend this course to anyone who is eager and keen enough to apply themselves in order to enhance what they get out of Uni."
Evan Ross, Merit Pathway Student, 2011 & 2012.

"SCIT2500 was a great opportunity to experience research in real life and gave me an insight to what my future as a scientist could look like. It's hard work but lots of fun!"
Therese Pedersen, Merit Pathway Student, 2012.

“SCIT3500 is a good opportunity for students to explore an area of interest to them in greater detail than may be possible through other courses. I would recommend it to anyone who is contemplating doing Honours. Not only can you see if you are suited to research- you might also be able to scope out a project for further work (Honours). By working one-on-one with an academic supervisor you are able to gain insight into what a career as a scientist might be like.” Daniel Baird, Merit Pathway Student, 2011 & 2012.

Contact

Merit Pathway Convenor
Dr. Vicki J. Keast
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
The University of Newcastle
Callaghan NSW 2308
Australia
Ph: + 61 2 4921 6653
Fax: + 61 2 4921 6907
email: vicki.keast@newcastle.edu.au