Unit Outline

CSA745 – Research Thesis A is the first of two research-focused units in the Master of Pharmaceutical Science program, designed to provide you with a transformative learning experience through research engagement. This unit offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a real-world pharmaceutical science research environment, where you will develop and apply advanced research skills essential for careers in academia, industry, government or regulatory settings.

CSA745 introduces you to the research process by enabling to undertake an independent research project on a selected topic under the guidance of a supervisory team. The unit fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific inquiry, encouraging you to take ownership of your learning while being supported through regular supervision.

Through this unit, you will gain hands-on experience in research design, literature review, and laboratory techniques. Emphasis is placed on understanding and addressing current research challenges within pharmaceutical science. You will also develop essential transferable skills such as scientific writing, project management, data interpretation, and communication of complex ideas.

CSA745 lays the foundation for CSA746 – Research Thesis B, with both units forming a cohesive research journey. Working on the same project across two semesters ensures continuity and depth in your research experience, allowing you to contribute meaningfully to your chosen field of study.

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	Critically analyse scientific literature to identify research gaps and to form well-supported conclusions.
2	Justify selection of research rationale, methodologies and techniques.
3	Apply appropriate laboratory techniques suitable to identified project.
4	Critically evaluate contemporary pharmaceutical issues to propose possible solutions.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CSA741 AND CSA742 AND CSA743 AND CSA744

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made in the structure of the unit to allow for a more scaffolded approach to learning and assessing research skills.
As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2025, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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:	Research Introduction and Oral Conversation	Week 6	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Graphical Poster Presentation	Week 10	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Laboratory Report	Week 13	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Analysis Report: Contemporary Issues in Pharmaceutical Science	Week 13	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Research Introduction and Oral Conversation

Task Description:

Research Introduction: 10%
Oral Conversation: 20%

In this task, you will write a 1,000-word research introduction that mirrors the structure of a journal manuscript, outlining existing knowledge, key gaps in the literature, the rationale for your research, and clearly defined aims and objectives. After submission, you will receive targeted questions based on your work, highlighting areas such as missed discussions or citations of important published information, overlooked significance, omission of industry or clinical relevance, and the exclusion of available contradictory evidence. These questions will help refine your understanding before your oral conversation, where you will critically engage with the feedback, and demonstrate your depth of knowledge.

Due by Date:
Research Introduction: Week 6
Oral Conversation: Week 8

Task Length:

Research Introduction: 1000 words, Oral Conversation: 20 minutes

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically evaluate existing literature to identify gaps and weaknesses.	LO1
2	Define research rationale through clearly defined aims and objectives.	LO2
3	Defend research rationale through well-supported justifications.	LO2
4	Articulate research significance by highlighting relevance to both pharmaceutical industry and clinical practice.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Graphical Poster Presentation

Task Description:

Preparation of Graphical Poster: 10%
Oral Conversation: 20%

In this task, you will create a graphical digital poster that represents your research methodological approaches using figures, diagrams, flowcharts, and concise protocol-based explanations. After submission, you will participate in a session, where you will defend and justify your methodological choices in response to questions, similar to an academic conference setting. You will be expected to explain key methodological approaches, compare alternative techniques, justify your chosen methods, and critically reflect on their limitations.

Due by Date:
Preparation of Digital Graphical Poster: Week 10
Oral Conversation: Week 11

Task Length:

20 Minutes

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop well-researched rationale with clear alignment of research aims and objectives to appropriate scientific literature.	LO1
2	Justify choice of proposed methodological approach in comparison to alternative methodological approaches.	LO2
3	Justify selection of proposed experimental approach in comparison to alternative experimental approaches.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Laboratory Report

Task Description:

In this assessment, you will submit a progress laboratory report based on the laboratory work completed to date in your assigned pharmaceutical science research project. Your report should provide a clear summary of the project background, describe the experimental work undertaken so far, present preliminary results (if available), and reflect on any challenges, refinements, or next steps for the continuation of your project.

This task is designed to develop your ability to document research progress, evaluate laboratory-based investigations critically, and communicate scientific work effectively, even when a project is still ongoing.

Due by Date - End of Semester

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Synthesise relevant background information to frame the research problem and objectives clearly.	LO1
2	Apply appropriate laboratory methods and techniques to the project aims.	LO3
3	Interpret preliminary results logically, using appropriate scientific reasoning to reflect the success or challenges of the experimental design.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Analysis Report: Contemporary Issues in Pharmaceutical Science

Task Description:

In this assessment, you will research and deliver an oral presentation on a contemporary pharmaceutical science issue, assigned through a randomised selection process. Your presentation must critically examine the scientific basis of the issue, interpret its broader context, and articulate its significance to the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare professionals or impacted communities, such as patients. This task is designed to develop your ability to analyse contemporary real-world challenges, effectively participate in scientific concepts conversations, and evaluate their implications within professional and societal contexts.

Task Length:

20 minutes

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically evaluate scientific literature related to the selected pharmaceutical science issue.	LO1
2	Assess current pharmaceutical challenges to suggest potential solutions.	LO4
3	Justify proposed approach to identified pharmaceutical science issue.	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.