Honours in Animal Science
As an animal science 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 coordinator to discuss other opportunities to develop an honours project.
Browse all Animal Science projects
Subthemes
- Animal and veterinary bioscience
- Animal behaviour
- Companion animal
- Equine
- Production animal
- Pathobiology, infectious disease & public health
- Related projects
Animal & veterinary bioscience projects
Koala 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 sheepIdentification of genes controlling marbling in cattle
Honours project: Identify genes controlling the deposition of the intramuscular fat (that is, marbling) in beef cattle to better understand fat metabolism and to provide genetic markers for selection to improve beef quality.
Read more about Identification of genes controlling marbling in cattleUse 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 markingBrown snake envenomation in cats: are two antivenom doses better than one?
Honours project: Help cats survive after brown snake poisoning.
Read more about are two antivenom doses better than one?Water 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 compositionNovel markers of animal emotion
Honours project: Can differential expression of microRNA’s distinguish valence of emotional state?
Read more about Novel markers of animal emotionGenetic 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 sheepReptile welfare assessment tool development
Honours project: Husbandry of reptiles is complex; signs of pain or disease can be challenging to recognise, and behaviour is not always well understood. This project will build on preliminary work in developing a practical welfare assessment tool for captive reptiles.
Read more about Reptile welfare assessment tool developmentStockpersons' 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?Mitochondrial 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 physiologyImprinting 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 birthweightDo 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
Nutrition & 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 emotionEvaluate changes in the cognitive ability of sheep due to disease development
Honours project: This project involves developing cognitive and behavioural tests in sheep to evaluate disease phenotypes.
Read more about Evaluate changes in the cognitive ability of sheep due to disease developmentReptile welfare assessment tool development
Honours project: Husbandry of reptiles is complex; signs of pain or disease can be challenging to recognise, and behaviour is not always well understood. This project will build on preliminary work in developing a practical welfare assessment tool for captive reptiles.
Read more about Reptile welfare assessment tool developmentDo 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?Does anxiety in dogs affect heart function?
Honours project: Determine if there are links between anxiety in dogs and heart function.
Read more about Does anxiety in dogs affect heart function?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 researchVeterinary neurological disorders
Honours project: Opportunities exist for honours projects in the areas of veterinary neurological disorders and animal models of human neurological diseases.
Read more about Veterinary neurological disordersEfficacy of Trazodone to reduce anxiety in shelter dogs
Honours project: Study the efficacy of Trazodone as an anxiolytic in shelter dogs and an evaluation of possible haematological and biochemical changes.
Read more about Efficacy of Trazodone to reduce anxiety in shelter dogsCompanion animal health projects
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 oocytesBrown snake envenomation in cats: are two antivenom doses better than one?
Honours project: Help cats survive after brown snake poisoning.
Read more about are two antivenom doses better than one?Cat 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 AustraliaDoes anxiety in dogs affect heart function?
Honours project: Determine if there are links between anxiety in dogs and heart function.
Read more about Does anxiety in dogs affect heart function?Assessment of animal therapies
Honours project: Conduct research into animal assisted interventions and activities in dogs and horses.
Read more about Assessment of animal therapiesEfficacy of Trazodone to reduce anxiety in shelter dogs
Honours project: Study the efficacy of Trazodone as an anxiolytic in shelter dogs and an evaluation of possible haematological and biochemical changes.
Read more about Efficacy of Trazodone to reduce anxiety in shelter dogsEquine health projects
Antioxidant 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 performancePrevalence & significance of lameness in sports horses
Honours project: Conduct research into the prevalence and significance of lameness in sports horses in training and/or competition.
Read more about Prevalence & significance of lameness in sports horsesTemporal variability of lameness in horses kept on pasture
Honours project: Investigate the temporal variability of objectively detected lameness in horses kept on pasture and not subjected to controlled exercise.
Read more about Temporal variability of lameness in horses kept on pastureEquine 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 therapiesPotential for bacteriophages to control Rhodococcus equi infections in foals
Honours project: Help find a cure for Rhodococcus equi, a zoonotic infection in grazing animals such as horses and foals.
Read more about Potential for bacteriophages to control Rhodococcus equi infections in foalsProduction animal health projects
Impact 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
Lactation oestrus and breeding in sows.
Identification of genes controlling marbling in cattle
Honours project: Identify genes controlling the deposition of the intramuscular fat (that is, marbling) in beef cattle to better understand fat metabolism and to provide genetic markers for selection to improve beef quality.
Read more about Identification of genes controlling marbling in cattleInvestigating 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 lucerneEffect of pre-partum 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 pre-partum 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 industryEvaluate changes in the cognitive ability of sheep due to disease development
Honours project: This project involves developing cognitive and behavioural tests in sheep to evaluate disease phenotypes.
Read more about Evaluate changes in the cognitive ability of sheep due to disease developmentMitochondrial 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 sheepEffect of inoculation of the neonatal ruminant with foreign microbiota
Honours project: Analyse the effect of inoculation of neonatal lambs with known populations of rumen microbes on the development of the innate immune system.
Read more about Effect of inoculation of the neonatal ruminant with foreign microbiotaDo 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?Genomics 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 cattleTrans-Tasman cattle maternal efficiency
Honours project: Explore genetic selection strategies for maternal productivity in Angus and Hereford cattle in Australia and New Zealand.
Read more about Trans-Tasman cattle maternal efficiencyOptimising fodder beet grazing management for beef cattle
Honours project: Investigate the stocking rates, allocation of leaf and bulb and daily allocation of beets and the effect that changes in these parameters have on cattle performance.
Read more about Optimising fodder beet grazing management for beef cattleManaging diurnal changes in rumen pH of cattle grazing fodder beet
Honours project: Increase our knowledge of the extent of rumen pH fluctuations in cattle grazing fodder beet long-term.
Read more about Managing diurnal changes in rumen pH of cattle grazing fodder beetSow conformation & performance
Honours project: Determine the relationship between sow conformation (assessed at gilt selection) and performance over four parities.
Read more about Sow conformation & performanceGenetics 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 vivoCattle colostrum programming for a healthy life
Honours project: Compare the biological and molecular effects on a calf of receiving colostrum from its natural mother, from a different cow or not receiving colostrum at all.
Read more about Cattle colostrum programming for a healthy lifeThermal 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 survivalDetecting Huntington's disease using naturally occurring compounds in the breath
Honours project: Identify volatile organic compounds from exhaled breath for early diagnosis of Huntington’s disease using a sheep model.
Read more about Detecting Huntington's disease using naturally occurring compounds in the breathGrowth 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 mortalityFactors 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 pigsPathobiology, infectious disease & public health
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 dessertsEvaluation 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 antigensPrevalence 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 AustraliaEffect of inoculation of the neonatal ruminant with foreign microbiota
Honours project: Analyse the effect of inoculation of neonatal lambs with known populations of rumen microbes on the development of the innate immune system.
Read more about Effect of inoculation of the neonatal ruminant with foreign microbiotaPathogenesis 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 AsiaViable, 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 safetyIsolation & 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 hepatitisAustralian 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 tanksExploring 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 bacteriaVeterinary neurological disorders
Honours project: Opportunities exist for honours projects in the areas of veterinary neurological disorders and animal models of human neurological diseases.
Read more about Veterinary neurological disordersXenobiotic 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 marsupialsPotential for bacteriophages to control Rhodococcus equi infections in foals
Honours project: Help find a cure for Rhodococcus equi, a zoonotic infection in grazing animals such as horses and foals.
Read more about Potential for bacteriophages to control Rhodococcus equi infections in foals