Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit provides the opportunity for high achieving students to work with an academic supervisor and complete a research project in Developmental Biology. The research project may be chosen from a list of projects available at the beginning of semester from the Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology. Students will work in a research laboratory to obtain data, will complete a final report and will give a series of oral presentations on their work. Students will also undertake an informal written open-book exam comprising 3 brief essays based on weekly tutorials.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will have acquired the following skills and attributes: review scientific literature in developmental biology, including the ability to identify key information in this area: access databases for provision of information; presentation of oral reports; construction of written reports; manage workloads to meet deadlines; work with a significant degree of independence; plan a large project, including the ability to adjust planning as events and results dictate; conduct appropriate statistical analysis of results; perform routine laboratory measurements and manipulations; maintain efficient and meaningful communication with a project supervisor and gain experience in the use of technical work processing packages and graphics software.

Assessment

Two oral reports (preliminary 10 mins, 5% and final 15 minutes, 15%): 20%
Two written reports (preliminary 1000 words, 10% and final 8,000 words, 50%): 60%
assessment of laboratory work: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Georgina Caruana

Contact hours

12 hours per week

Prerequisites

12 points of study in the discipline area at 2nd year level and a distinction average over 24 points at second year level and by permission of the Unit Convenor or the Head of Department.