Unit Outline

This research project-based unit provides you the opportunity to work with a research group to develop your research skills, including skills in experiment planning and design and conducting a research project. You will also develop skills in scientific communication by presenting the results of your research project to peers and in the form of a written scientific journal article.

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 evaluate scientific literature related to a research topic in health and disease.
2	Communicate scientific information clearly and effectively in oral and written form to a broad audience.
3	Critically evaluate scientific data related to a research project.
4	Conduct biomedical research by adhering to ethical and legal principles.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CAM203 and CAM204
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	CBA344

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes may have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, 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:	Lay Abstract	Week 5	5 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Literature Review	Week 8	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Project Record Book	Week 11	15 %	LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Research Project Presentation	Week 12	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Research Report	Week 13	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Lay Abstract

Task Description:

This assessment task involves the preparation of a lay (plain English) Abstract that contextualises the assigned research project.

Task Length:

200 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically evaluate scientific literature related to a research project in health and disease.	LO1, LO3
2	Communicate scientific information clearly and effectively in written form.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Literature Review

Task Description:

Literature Review
This assessment task involves the preparation of a review of the literature relating to the research project.

Further guidelines will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

1000 words (not including references)

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically evaluate scientific literature and data related to the research project.	LO1, LO3
2	Communicate scientific information clearly and effectively in written form	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Project Record Book

Task Description:

This assessment task introduces you to aspects of ethical and legal principles involved in biomedical research. You will be required to accurately record and report all experimental protocols performed during your research project. Your record book should be completed during semester and submitted for assessment following the completion of your experiments. It should be a clear and easy to follow record of all experiments performed.

Task Length:

To be advised –as appropriate to the research discipline

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Conducts biomedical research by adhering to ethical and legal principles	LO4
2	Communicates scientific information clearly and effectively in written form	LO2

Assessment Task 4: Research Project Presentation

Task Description:

This assessment task involves the preparation and delivery of a 12 minute oral presentation followed by 8 minutes of questions on the assigned research project. The presentation should involve appropriately organised content and visual aids and include a description of the project, research methods used, results obtained, conclusions drawn and future directions for the project, if applicable. Note: 55% of the marks for this task will come from the questions and answers (Q&A) component. Further details will be provided on MyLO. This is a Hurdle Task

Task Length:

12 min presentation + 8 min for questions

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Contextualise the purpose and methodologies of the research project and draw well-reasoned conclusions by critically evaluating appropriate scientific literature and research data.	LO1, LO3
2	Communicate to a broad scientific audience in the form of an oral presentation and Q&A session.	LO2

Assessment Task 5: Research Report

Task Description:

This assessment task involves the preparation of a research project report in the form of a journal article. The report should follow the format of an article from ‘The Journal of Biological Chemistry’ and include: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Results, Discussion, Experimental Procedures, References, Figure Legends.

Further details will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

30 %

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.