Surgery and Biomedicine Research Project

Subject SURG40001 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: This subject is an individual research project and weekly contact hours will vary depending on the nature of the project.
Total Time Commitment: Students should discuss total time commitment with their supervisor but as a guide, a student would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of thirty hours per week over two semesters.
Prerequisites:

Students must be enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) or Bachelor of Science (Honours) to complete this subject.
Corequisites:

Please refer to the notes section below for details regarding the subjects to be completed.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Completion of Biomedicine or Science Bachelor degree with a relevant major.
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Ms Cathy Malcontenti-Wilson

Contact

C.Malcontenti-Wilson@unimelb.edu.au

Administrative Coordinator
Mrs Kim McAughtry
kimem@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject aims to provide students with an understanding in the practice of biomedical research. Students are required to complete a research project within the Department of Surgery and/or affiliated institution under the guidance of at least one supervisor.

Students will be enrolled in a combination of the research project subjects indicated below to ensure they have completed a total of 75 points for the research project by the end of their course.

SURG40005 Surgery and Biomedicine Research Project – 25 points, semester 1

SURG40001 Surgery and Biomedicine Research Project – 50 points, semester 2

Objectives:

The research project is designed to provide students with skills including:

• Design of scientific project and consideration of ethical principles and processes used in biological research;
• Develop the ability to propose hypotheses for testing;
• Locating and utilising information available in scientific and medical literature, and an understanding of experimental data in order to construct a rational scientific argument;
• Research techniques to apply to a specific project;
• Skills and techniques relevant to the research in surgery and biomedicine including the use of humans and animals in science;
• Enhanced problem solving skills by undertaking methodological approaches to research;
• Time management skills to manage the completion of specific tasks;
• Collection and critical analysis of data and information, including statistical assessment of experimental data;
• Communication of research results in both written and oral form, including the organisation of knowledge and identification of the potential scope of the research project.
Assessment: • Written literature review in the area of the research project under study of 3000~5000 words (10%) to be submitted end of March
• Written thesis ~10,000 words, end of semester 2 (75%) to be submitted mid-end October
• An abstract and poster presentation describing the findings of the research project (7.5%) Abstract due July; Poster presentation mid-October
• An oral presentation of thesis results and response to questions, end of semester 2(7.5%) Early November
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students should expect to develop skills in the following areas:

• critical analysis of complex scientific issues
• ability to make decisions and problem solve based on current knowledge
• seeking and retrieving relevant and key information from a large body of data;
• how to work effectively in a team environment;
• time management: planning and organization;
• extended observation and ability to contribute in intellectual discussion;
• good oral and written communication.
Links to further information: http://www.austinmedicine.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes:

To be awarded Honours with a specialisation in Surgery (Austin/Northern Health), students must successfully complete the following:

Semester 1

BIOM40001 Introduction to Biomedical Research (12.5 points)

SURG40002 Advanced Studies in Biomedicine (12.5 points)

SURG40005 Research Project (25 points)

Semester 2

SURG40001 Research Project (50 points)
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Biomedicine (Degree with Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours)

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