Unit Outline

This unit of study aims: (a) to provide training in research, in order to give students a competitive edge in their vocational career path; (b) to provide students with the opportunity to plan, execute, interpret and analyse purposeful experiments, appropriate to their research project, and to communicate their results; and (c) to investigate and communicate analysis and outcomes of contemporary biomedical research. Research projects in this unit include the very wide range of techniques required for modern biomedical and clinical research from the biochemical or molecular level, through cell biology, to whole animal and human studies. Students considering this unit are advised to discuss with prospective supervisors their research areas and possible projects in detail before deciding on a research group for the year. The Discipline will provide specific details on assessment procedures and criteria used.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Source, organise and critically evaluate scientific literature relevant to a specific research study.
2.	Formulate a research question(s) and hypothesis and justify how the proposed research design will address the research question and generate new knowledge
3.	Communicate scientific knowledge clearly and concisely, using correct scientific terminology, in both oral and written form

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	Admission into M4N - Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours or M4G – Bachelor of Medical Research or S4E Bachelor of Science (Biomolecular Sciences)
Concurrent Pre-requisite	CAM426

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	NOTE 80% of the assessment weighting for this unit will be undertaken in CAM428 and CAM429	See the MyLO site for the due date	80 %
Assessment Task 2:	Research Introduction Seminar	Week 6	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Thesis introduction	Week 9	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: NOTE 80% of the assessment weighting for this unit will be undertaken in CAM428 and CAM429

Task Description:

NOTE 80% of the assessment weighting for this unit will be undertaken in CAM428 and CAM429 Students will receive an IC grade on successful completion of CAM426 and CAM427. Students will receive their final grade on completion of the assessment tasks in CAM428 and CAM429.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

80 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

Assessment Task 2: Research Introduction Seminar

Task Description:

Students will present an introduction to their research project in the form of a seminar. This seminar will consist of a focussed introduction to the research area/question that should logically lead to your project aims and hypotheses.
A more detailed guide including, for example, details of what should be included in your seminar, will be given in the Research Introduction Seminar workshop.

Students will undertake peer assessment whereby they will be assigned one other students to assess using the task assessment rubric. These assessments will not contribute to the presenting student’s mark and will remain confidential.

Note: assessment tasks are undertaken across the Honours course and are not associated with individual units within the Honours Course. Final grade is recorded in CAM429.

Task Length:

20-minute presentation including questions

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply knowledge to present and introduction to your research project	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Defend assertions, judgments, and conclusions made regarding your planned research in response to audience questions	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Communicate the introduction of your research project to a broad scientific audience in the form of a seminar presentation	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Thesis introduction

Task Description:

The thesis introduction should give a detailed account of published scientific investigations that are relevant to the project being undertaken. It should contain an introduction to the project and end with the project aims and hypotheses. The introduction should identify and critically assess limitations of the literature and/or areas of controversy. It is not intended to be an extensive review of the literature but should include a discussion of key papers to date addressing the research problem. It should have a clear and logical flow and be adequately referenced with recent and appropriate studies. The stated aims and hypotheses should clearly relate to the areas outlined in the introduction and should be succinctly stated.
The introduction should not exceed 4500 words (text) and the word count should be stated on the cover page. A more detailed guide including, for example, details of what is included in the word count, will be given in the Thesis Introduction workshop.
Note: these tasks are undertaken across the Honours course and are not associated with individual units within the Honours Course. Final grade is recorded in CAM429.

Task Length:

4500 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Design scientific research	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Communicate in the form of a thesis introduction	LO1, LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass Honours, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes.
The following criteria apply:
• All assessment tasks must be submitted
• You require an overall percentage of 50% or greater to be awarded an Honours degree

Honours Grades
HF   Honours-first class               Highest pass grade, mark 80-100%
HU   Honours-second class (upper division)   Honours pass grade, mark 70-79%
HL   Honours-second class (lower division)   Honours pass grade, mark 60-69%
HT   Honours-third class               Honours pass grade, mark 50-59%
HN   Honours-failure               Honours fail grade, mark 0-49%

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.