The Bachelor of Social Science with Honours is a single year of full-time (or part time equivalent) advanced level study plus applied research in the behavioural and social sciences. Students are eligible to undertake Honours if they have completed a Bachelor of Social Science degree or its equivalent with an appropriate level of achievement. The honours program combines a flexible mix of coursework and independent study, during which students prepare and undertake an approved independent social science research project and submit a formal honours thesis. Honours students are encouraged to extend their specialised study in one of the areas of Health and Society, Social and Public Policy, Development or Criminal Justice and can be individually supervised across relevant UQ schools or and Research Centres. An Honours degree in Social Science allows students to develop, extend and consolidate their knowledge and skills in social science theory and research in relation to their specialisation area and is a valuable additional qualification on entering the job market. The course is delivered in Ipswich also. Fields of study Criminal Justice This major gives students the background and skills to critically evaluate how we can better respond to emerging crime problems in our communities. Courses included in the major focus on the social factors leading to criminality and the response to criminal behavior from the justice system. In contrast to the major in criminology for the BA which focuses more closely on theoretical and research skills in criminology, this major emphasizes applied social policy issues relating to criminal justice. Students are given a broad introduction to the field in year 1, followed by upper level courses that focus on the social causes of offending and the various ways in which different parts of the justice system deal with criminal/offending behavior. Development Undergraduate level study in Social Science involves multidisciplinary perspectives on social issues and the application of social science knowledge, skills and sensitivities to contemporary social problems, policy analysis and social research. Students undertaking a major in Development as part of their Bachelor of Social Science investigate causes of, and approaches to, international and community level inequality and critically evaluate strategies to enhance development and respond to the varied effects of economic growth on the social and physical environment. The main aims of an Honors year specializing in Development are: To enable students with an adequate background in Development to extend their studies in more depth than is possible with a pass degree To enhance students capacity for independent research and to extend research skills appropriate to the field of Development, and; To train to a standard sufficient for a specialist career or enrolment in postgraduate research degrees. Achievement of first class or IIA Honours allows direct entry to a PhD program. Health and Society Students gain an understanding of the social and ethical factors influencing health and illness. Focus is placed on the way the health system works, and gaining the skills relevant to becoming a social science worker in health care. Social and Public Policy Studies in policy connect the social sciences to the world of practical politics. Students gain the technical skills required to analyze social and economic issues and develop, implement and evaluate policy solutions.