Honours in Animal Science
As an animal science or behaviour honours student you become a member of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and part of a research group.
The school has a range of industry, research and teaching partners. These partnerships will assist you in gaining industry experience and in developing contacts within your areas of chosen specialisation. The school is also involved in various cooperative research centres and research that spans across the University of Adelaide.
Facilities and training opportunities
The school is based at Roseworthy campus, although not all honours projects are based there.
The labs have advanced scientific instrumentation for analytical research, while the Roseworthy Farm gives access to animal research facilities. The Veterinary Health Centre houses veterinary clinics and hospitals for companion, equine and production animals, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, teaching laboratories and skills suites.
Honours projects
Supervisors with available animal science projects have been added to the 'honours project finder'. If you are interested in their research you should talk with the respective supervisors to discuss potential projects.
If you are interested in a particular area of research that's not included, talk with the honours coordinators Alex Whittaker and Mandi Carr - to discuss other opportunities to develop an honours project.
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Animal and veterinary bioscience
How does scent work impact dog management and behaviour?
Honours project: Build on the successful COVID detector dog program to explore how 'scent work' impacts dog management and behaviour.
Read more about How does scent work impact dog management and behaviour?Sheep Pain Mitigation Trial
Honours project: Join a team of researchers who are investigating the experience of pain in sheep.
Read more about Sheep Pain Mitigation TrialManagement of cats in local councils of Australia
Honours project: Help develop better policies for the management of cats in Australia.
Read more about Management of cats in local councils of AustraliaCan the novel IVOS biosensor diagnose mastitis in dairy cows?
Honours project: Validate a novel biosensor as a potential diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows.
Read more about Can the novel IVOS biosensor diagnose mastitis in dairy cows?Muscular anatomy of rabbits and hares
Honours project: Hopping versus running - study the comparative muscular architecture and biomechanics of rabbits and hares.
Read more about Muscular anatomy of rabbits and haresKoala health and disease in South Australia
Honours project: Join the Koala Health Research Group and contribute to key research to improve the health of current and future animal populations.
Read more about Koala health and disease in South AustraliaEvaluating vaccine response in sheep
Honours project: Evaluate the efficacy of a Mycoplasma vaccine to produce an immune response in sheep.
Read more about Evaluating vaccine response in sheepUse of local anaesthesia for lamb marking
Honours project: Evaluate the efficacy and adoption of Numnuts, a local anaesthetic used on sheep.
Read more about Use of local anaesthesia for lamb markingWater restriction practices in broiler breeder hens: effect on egg albumen composition
Honours project: Determine the effects of maternal water restriction on egg development by investigating key proteins in the albumen of fertile chicken eggs which are vital for the survival and growth of the chicken embryo.
Read more about effect on egg albumen compositionGenetic mutations associated with skin & wool growth in sheep
Honours project: Identify genetic mutations in sheep DSC1 & DSG4 genes essential for skin and wool follicle architecture.
Read more about Genetic mutations associated with skin & wool growth in sheepStockpersons' knowledge of Codes of Practice in the pig industry
Honours project: Undertake qualitative research methods to determine farmer awareness and knowledge of a range of secondary legislative documents pertaining to the pig industry.
Read more about Stockpersons' knowledge of Codes of Practice in the pig industryWorking with animals: Knowledge of delegated legislation in biomedical research
Honours project: Undertake qualitative research methods to determine personnel awareness and knowledge of a range of secondary legislative documents pertaining to the use of animals in research.
Read more about Knowledge of delegated legislation in biomedical researchDo gut microbes promote migratory fattening in shorebirds?
Honours project: Determine if gut microbes promote migratory fattening in shorebirds, using commercial broiler chickens as a model.
Read more about Do gut microbes promote migratory fattening in shorebirds?Novel markers of animal emotion
Honours project: Can differential expression of microRNA’s distinguish valence of emotional state?
Read more about Novel markers of animal emotionImprinting status of type III iodothyronine deiodinase in cattle as QTL candidate for birthweight
Honours project: Explore the bovine genetics and analyse the affect of specific genes on birthweight in a Droughtmaster resource population.
Read more about Imprinting status of type III iodothyronine deiodinase in cattle as QTL candidate for birthweightMitochondrial DNA haplotype & response to placental restriction in sheep
Honours project: Determine effects of mitochondrial DNA haplotype on extent and response to placental restriction in sheep.
Read more about Mitochondrial DNA haplotype & response to placental restriction in sheepAnimal comparative physiology
Honours project: Study animal and bird physiology, how animals function and how function evolves.
Read more about Animal comparative physiologyDo sheep hang out with other sheep who have similar personalities?
Honours project: Determine whether sheep prefer to associate with other individuals that are similar in their behavioural type, and whether this results in an assortative social network structure.
Read more about Do sheep hang out with other sheep who have similar personalities?Digestive tract health in Yellowtail Kingfish
Honours project: Better understand the effects of an emulsifier and different energy levels and on the digestive tract health of Yellowtail Kingfish.
Read more about Digestive tract health in Yellowtail KingfishLipid metabolism in Yellowtail Kingfish
Honours project: Investigate lipid metabolism in Yellowtail Kingfish fed different energy diets, with and without an emulsifier at winter water temperatures.
Read more about Lipid metabolism in Yellowtail KingfishDigestive tract health of greenlip abalone
Honours project: Explore the dietary inclusions of solvent extracted soybean meal and dehulled lupin meal in abalone diets.
Read more about Digestive tract health of greenlip abaloneGrape marc meal effect on digestive tract health of greenlip abalone
Honours project: Interpret the effect of dietary inclusions of grape marc meal on the digestive tract health of greenlip abalone.
Read more about Grape marc meal effect on digestive tract health of greenlip abaloneHow do environmental factors influence sheep movement, space use and social behaviour?
Honours project: Identify how environmental factors influence movement, space use and social behaviour in Merino sheep.
Read more about How do environmental factors influence sheep movement, space use and social behaviour? -
Animal behaviour
Investigating the role of perineuronal nets as a non-cellular mechanism of emotion and mood
Honours project: Investigate perineuronal nets as a non-cellular mechanism of emotion and mood.
Read more about Investigating the role of perineuronal nets as a non-cellular mechanism of emotion and moodHow does scent work impact dog management and behaviour?
Honours project: Build on the successful COVID detector dog program to explore how 'scent work' impacts dog management and behaviour.
Read more about How does scent work impact dog management and behaviour?Management of cats in local councils of Australia
Honours project: Help develop better policies for the management of cats in Australia.
Read more about Management of cats in local councils of AustraliaNutrition & collective movement in the Australian plague locust
Honours project: Investigate the movement of plague locusts using laboratory and field experiments.
Read more about Nutrition & collective movement in the Australian plague locustAcoustic communication in alpacas
Honours project: Investigate how alpacas communicate in the context of its group’s social behaviour.
Read more about Acoustic communication in alpacasNovel markers of animal emotion
Honours project: Can differential expression of microRNA’s distinguish valence of emotional state?
Read more about Novel markers of animal emotionDo sheep hang out with other sheep who have similar personalities?
Honours project: Determine whether sheep prefer to associate with other individuals that are similar in their behavioural type, and whether this results in an assortative social network structure.
Read more about Do sheep hang out with other sheep who have similar personalities?Assessment of animal therapies
Honours project: Conduct research into animal assisted interventions and activities in dogs and horses.
Read more about Assessment of animal therapiesHow do environmental factors influence sheep movement, space use and social behaviour?
Honours project: Identify how environmental factors influence movement, space use and social behaviour in Merino sheep.
Read more about How do environmental factors influence sheep movement, space use and social behaviour?Australian zeolite for ammonia control in aquarium fish tanks
Honours project: Study the effects of 'in water and 'in feed' application of zeolite powder for the control of ammonia in aquarium fish display tanks.
Read more about Australian zeolite for ammonia control in aquarium fish tanksPhysical enrichment of zebrafish held for research
Honours project: Validate methods for assessing stress in Zebrafish before comparing tanks of fish with and without environmental enrichment.
Read more about Physical enrichment of zebrafish held for research -
Companion animal health
How does scent work impact dog management and behaviour?
Honours project: Build on the successful COVID detector dog program to explore how 'scent work' impacts dog management and behaviour.
Read more about How does scent work impact dog management and behaviour?Management of cats in local councils of Australia
Honours project: Help develop better policies for the management of cats in Australia.
Read more about Management of cats in local councils of AustraliaMuscular anatomy of rabbits and hares
Honours project: Hopping versus running - study the comparative muscular architecture and biomechanics of rabbits and hares.
Read more about Muscular anatomy of rabbits and haresIn vitro maturation of canine oocytes
Honours project: Determine the effects of different in vitro maturation (IVM) conditions on the developmental competence of canine oocytes.
Read more about In vitro maturation of canine oocytesCat sensitivity to the insecticide permethrin
Honours project: Why are cats so sensitive to the insecticide permethrin?
Read more about Cat sensitivity to the insecticide permethrinGenetic survey: Why does my Pomeranian dog have a blue tongue?
Honours project: Investigate the prevalence of a defective gene in the Australian population of Pomeranian dogs.
Read more about Why does my Pomeranian dog have a blue tongue?Prevalence of lungworm in cats in South Australia
Honours project: Undertake a survey to examine the prevalence of lungworm in cats in South Australia.
Read more about Prevalence of lungworm in cats in South AustraliaAssessment of animal therapies
Honours project: Conduct research into animal assisted interventions and activities in dogs and horses.
Read more about Assessment of animal therapies -
Equine
Dust exposure and airway inflammation in horses fed round bale hay
Honours project: Investigate dust exposure and pulmonary inflammation in horses fed round bale hay using a metal, round bale feeder.
Read more about Dust exposure and airway inflammation in horses fed round bale hayAntioxidant status and equine gastric ulceration syndrome
Honours project: Study the effect of a new supplement on oxidant / antioxidant balance in horses with and without gastric ulcers.
Read more about Antioxidant status and equine gastric ulceration syndromeEquine athletic performance
Honours project: Study the causes of poor performance in equine athletes.
Read more about Equine athletic performanceEquine lameness & biomechanics
Honours project: Define the potential detrimental effect of the surgical transection of the palmar annular volar ligament on the inter-sesamoid ligament of athletic horses.
Read more about Equine lameness & biomechanicsAssessment of animal therapies
Honours project: Conduct research into animal assisted interventions and activities in dogs and horses.
Read more about Assessment of animal therapies -
Production animal health
Is apple cider vinegar good for newborn piglets?
Honours project: This study will look at supplying an acid to newborn pigs to establish gut health and microbial populations.
Read more about Is apple cider vinegar good for newborn piglets?Sheep Pain Mitigation Trial
Honours project: Join a team of researchers who are investigating the experience of pain in sheep.
Read more about Sheep Pain Mitigation TrialHow does Vitamin D improve piglet performance?
Honours project: Measure the impact of exposure to UV light on growth, serum levels of vitamin D, and immune function in nursing piglets.
Read more about How does Vitamin D improve piglet performance?Uterine priming and pig fertility
Honours project: This pig fertility project will explore the influence of pre-breeding seminal components on gilt fertility.
Read more about Uterine priming and pig fertilityCan the novel IVOS biosensor diagnose mastitis in dairy cows?
Honours project: Validate a novel biosensor as a potential diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows.
Read more about Can the novel IVOS biosensor diagnose mastitis in dairy cows?Investigating the cause and prevention of red gut in lambs grazing lucerne
Honours project: Identify factors contributing to the incidence of red gut in lambs grazing lucerne, and develop strategies to prevent red gut from occurring.
Read more about Investigating the cause and prevention of red gut in lambs grazing lucerneImpact of thermal environment and melatonin on animal body temperature and reproduction
Honours project: Research opportunities are available to investigate how body temperature variation in pigs and sheep impact reproduction.
Read more about Impact of thermal environment and melatonin on animal body temperature and reproductionEvaluating vaccine response in sheep
Honours project: Evaluate the efficacy of a Mycoplasma vaccine to produce an immune response in sheep.
Read more about Evaluating vaccine response in sheepUse of local anaesthesia for lamb marking
Honours project: Evaluate the efficacy and adoption of Numnuts, a local anaesthetic used on sheep.
Read more about Use of local anaesthesia for lamb markingLactation oestrus and breeding in sows
Honours project: Efficacy of a modified gonadotrophin protocol for oestrus and ovulation in lactation
Read more about Lactation oestrus and breeding in sows
Lactation oestrus and breeding in sows.Effect of prepartum hCG on farrowing performance of older parity sows & their piglets viability
Honours project: Investigate blood oestrogen levels of older sows and subsequent piglet growth and survival.
Read more about Effect of prepartum hCG on farrowing performance of older parity sows & their piglets viabilityMaternal supplementation to improve lamb survival
Honours project: Test the level of caffeine supplementation fed to outdoor, semi-intensive grazing ewes during late gestation.
Read more about Maternal supplementation to improve lamb survivalAcoustic communication in alpacas
Honours project: Investigate how alpacas communicate in the context of its group’s social behaviour.
Read more about Acoustic communication in alpacasImproving sheep reproduction via pregnancy scanning
Honours project: Undertake research that aims to increase lambing percentages through better use of pregnancy scanning technology.
Read more about Improving sheep reproduction via pregnancy scanningWater restriction practices in broiler breeder hens: effect on egg albumen composition
Honours project: Determine the effects of maternal water restriction on egg development by investigating key proteins in the albumen of fertile chicken eggs which are vital for the survival and growth of the chicken embryo.
Read more about effect on egg albumen compositionTransmission of Salmonella from broiler breeder to progeny
Honours project: This animal science project aims to understand the prevalence of Salmonella in meat type breeder flocks and their progenies.
Read more about Transmission of Salmonella from broiler breeder to progenyStockpersons' knowledge of Codes of Practice in the pig industry
Honours project: Undertake qualitative research methods to determine farmer awareness and knowledge of a range of secondary legislative documents pertaining to the pig industry.
Read more about Stockpersons' knowledge of Codes of Practice in the pig industryMitochondrial DNA haplotype & response to placental restriction in sheep
Honours project: Determine effects of mitochondrial DNA haplotype on extent and response to placental restriction in sheep.
Read more about Mitochondrial DNA haplotype & response to placental restriction in sheepDo sheep hang out with other sheep who have similar personalities?
Honours project: Determine whether sheep prefer to associate with other individuals that are similar in their behavioural type, and whether this results in an assortative social network structure.
Read more about Do sheep hang out with other sheep who have similar personalities?Factors affecting fertility of female pigs
Honours project: Study the effect of maternal parity and suckled litter size on sexual development of female pigs.
Read more about Factors affecting fertility of female pigsGenomics of tropical composite beef cattle
Honours project: Work on a project to improve the accuracy of breeding value estimation in a commercial breeding program.
Read more about Genomics of tropical composite beef cattleGenetics of lamb survival
Honours project: Examine the genetic relationship between birth weight and lamb survival in a research flock.
Read more about Genetics of lamb survivalAssessing cellular response to bioactive compounds as a prelude to testing in vivo
Honours project: Establish tissue culture and tissue explant systems for the bovine mammary gland.
Read more about Assessing cellular response to bioactive compounds as a prelude to testing in vivoThermal imaging of lamb temperature to help boost survival
Honours project: This project aims to assess lamb body temperature using thermography as an indirect selection criterion for genetically improving its survival.
Read more about Thermal imaging of lamb temperature to help boost survivalGrowth signalling pathways acting on the intestinal stem cell
Honours project: This project aims to access activity of positive and negative signalling pathways that act on intestinal stem cells in pigs.
Read more about Growth signalling pathways acting on the intestinal stem cellImpact of birth trauma on piglet mortality
Honours project: Are lesions indicative of birth trauma present on still-born piglets? If so, are these lesions are also present on piglets dying from other causes.
Read more about Impact of birth trauma on piglet mortalityHow do environmental factors influence sheep movement, space use and social behaviour?
Honours project: Identify how environmental factors influence movement, space use and social behaviour in Merino sheep.
Read more about How do environmental factors influence sheep movement, space use and social behaviour?Improving survival of new born piglets & sow performance
Honours project: This research aims to increase the reproductive output of sows by increasing piglet survival using supplementary nutritional strategies in late gestation.
Read more about Improving survival of new born piglets & sow performance -
Pathobiology, infectious disease and public health
Can the novel IVOS biosensor diagnose mastitis in dairy cows?
Honours project: Validate a novel biosensor as a potential diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows.
Read more about Can the novel IVOS biosensor diagnose mastitis in dairy cows?Does eating cruciferous vegetables protect us against breast cancer?
Honours project: Explore the anti-breast cancer actions of isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables.
Read more about Does eating cruciferous vegetables protect us against breast cancer?In vitro maturation of canine oocytes
Honours project: Determine the effects of different in vitro maturation (IVM) conditions on the developmental competence of canine oocytes.
Read more about In vitro maturation of canine oocytesTransmission of Salmonella from broiler breeder to progeny
Honours project: This animal science project aims to understand the prevalence of Salmonella in meat type breeder flocks and their progenies.
Read more about Transmission of Salmonella from broiler breeder to progenyA sweet treat? Salmonella in raw egg based desserts
Honours project: Combine your interest in food science, animal science and biomedical science by investigating the the behaviour of Salmonella in mousse, tiramisu, and custard.
Read more about A sweet treat? Salmonella in raw egg based dessertsPrevalence of lungworm in cats in South Australia
Honours project: Undertake a survey to examine the prevalence of lungworm in cats in South Australia.
Read more about Prevalence of lungworm in cats in South AustraliaLongitudinal study of Giardia & Cryptosporidium infections in lambs
Honours project: Explore parasitic infections in lambs.
Read more about Longitudinal study of Giardia & Cryptosporidium infections in lambsOccurrence & distribution of ticks in South Australia
Honours project: Outbreaks of the tick-transmitted parasitic disease Theileriosis in South Australia has raised questions regarding the presence of the tick vector.
Read more about Occurrence & distribution of ticks in South AustraliaPathogenesis of newly emerged Newcastle disease virus in South East Asia
Honours project: Investigate molecular basis of pathogenicity of the Newcastle disease virus and provide preliminary information to develop new vaccines for protection of poultry in Indonesia.
Read more about Pathogenesis of newly emerged Newcastle disease virus in South East AsiaEvaluation of monoclonal antibodies in detection of avian influenza antigens
Honours project: Evaluate different recombinant and non-recombinant monoclonal antibodies against M2e antigen of avian influenza virus, to find the most reactive antigens and antibodies
Read more about Evaluation of monoclonal antibodies in detection of avian influenza antigensViable, but non-culturable bacteria: Understanding the risks for food safety
Honours project: This project aims to determine the ability of viable but non culturable bacteria to cause disease.
Read more about Understanding the risks for food safetyAustralian zeolite for ammonia control in aquarium fish tanks
Honours project: Study the effects of 'in water and 'in feed' application of zeolite powder for the control of ammonia in aquarium fish display tanks.
Read more about Australian zeolite for ammonia control in aquarium fish tanksIsolation & evaluation of protein pattern of koala retroviruses
Honours project: Determine the antigenic pattern of isolated Koala retroviruses in South Australia.
Read more about Isolation & evaluation of protein pattern of koala retrovirusesFull genome sequencing of recombinant strains of canine hepatitis
Honours project: Full genome sequencing will be performed to find the genomic structure of a new infectious canine hepatitis virus.
Read more about Full genome sequencing of recombinant strains of canine hepatitisExploring the interactions between Salmonella and Campylobacter species
Honours project: Characterise both intra- and intercellular interactions between Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Read more about Exploring the interactions between Salmonella and Campylobacter speciesHistopathology in Pacific oyster health surveillance
Honours project: Look for health and signs of disease in Coffin Bay oysters, and develop the procedures for a statewide oyster health surveillance program.
Read more about Histopathology in Pacific oyster health surveillancePhysical enrichment of zebrafish held for research
Honours project: Validate methods for assessing stress in Zebrafish before comparing tanks of fish with and without environmental enrichment.
Read more about Physical enrichment of zebrafish held for researchWhat's the best diet for a zebrafish?
Honours project: Develop diet recipes for a variety of life stages of zebrafish.
Read more about What's the best diet for a zebrafish?Efficacy of commercial transport media swabs for use in aquatic animal disease diagnosis
Honours project: Investigate the appropriateness of commercially available transport media for pathogenic marine bacteria isolated from diseased fish.
Read more about Efficacy of commercial transport media swabs for use in aquatic animal disease diagnosisHeavy metal resistance in E. coli isolated from pigs
Honours project: Explore resistance to heavy metals in an Australia-wide collection of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from pigs.
Read more about Heavy metal resistance in E. coli isolated from pigsHeavy metal resistance in carbapenem-resistant bacteria
Honours project: Mechanisms of heavy metal resistance in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolated from humans, animals and the environment.
Read more about Heavy metal resistance in carbapenem-resistant bacteriaXenobiotic metabolism in Australian marsupials
Honours project: Investigate the dietary effect of eucalyptus terpenes on drug metabolising enzyme CYPs and UGTs in Australian marsupials.
Read more about Xenobiotic metabolism in Australian marsupials -
Related projects
Reconstructing past marine life using ancient DNA
Honours project: Reconstruct past marine life using ancient DNA from deep ocean sediments.
Read more about Reconstructing past marine life using ancient DNAEnvironmental monitoring with drones: Koalas
Honours project: Use drones to assist with wildlife conservation and research.
Read more about Koalas