Project in Biomedical & Health Sciences

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Students must satisfy the requirements for entry into the MSc program.

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 Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides students with the opportunity to design and conduct, under supervision, independent research in biomedical and health sciences. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise and resources. Students will take responsibility for a research project, including the design of field and/or laboratory experiments; collection, appropriate statistical analysis, and interpretation of data; and oral and written presentations of the results. The report describing the research will more closely resemble a scientific paper than a traditional thesis. Students will assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm and communicate that knowledge to others. Students will also develop skills in managing a scientific research project, writing scientific reports, providing and responding to peer reviews, and making an oral presentation.

Students will identify an appropriate supervisor and negotiate a project area.

The objectives of this subject are to provide students with skills in:

• conducting research in biomedical and health sciences;
• designing experiments;
• taking responsibility for managing a research project;
• preparing and giving an oral and written presentation of the results;
• expressing intellectual, scientific arguments;
• assimilating and critically evaluating existing knowledge within a scientific paradigm.

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire Research Project (125 points).

A literature review of up to 4,000 words, due toward the end of the second semester of this subject (hurdle); two 20 minute oral presentations, due towards the end of the second and final semester of this subject (hurdle); and a research report of up to 15,000 words, due towards the end of the final semester of this subject (100%). Satisfactory performance is required for the completion of ‘hurdle’ components. If necessary this may involve re-submission or re-presentation.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of this subject, students should gain skills in:

• articulating the breadth of knowledge gained in a particular discipline;
• critical appraisal of draft documents;
• developing the ability to exercise critical judgement;
• expressing persuasive intellectual arguments;
• high level written report presentations;
• managing a research project;
• oral communication and presentation;
• rigorous and independent thinking; and
• time management and self-management skills.