48 points, SCA Band 3, 1.000 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
The unit covers theoretical and methodological aspects of research, develop analytic, research and communication skills, as well as provide students with advanced knowledge in biotechnology/ biotechnology-related research.
Students will undertake a supervised research project of a publishable standard that aims to provide training in both discipline specific and generic research skills and form the basis of a research thesis presented at the end of the year.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Develop and refine a research question capable of being investigated using the scientific method
- Propose and justify the selection of an appropriate research methodology
- Create a rigorous and feasible research proposal, including a protocol that includes data collection methods and participant recruitment procedures.
- Prepare an application for approval by the relevant ethics committee/s (if appropriate).
- Explain and apply the moral, ethical and legal principles of scientific research (including applying the principles of academic integrity).
- Design and conduct an appropriate literature search strategy
- Critically evaluate and analyse the literature collected through the search strategy
- Synthesise the relevant literature in relation to the research question.
- Collect data in accordance with the moral, ethical and legal responsibilities of scientific investigation.
- Organise, analyse and interpret data, using appropriate statistical tests where appropriate.
- Interpret the data collected and evaluate its significance in relation to the existing literature.
- Generate defensible conclusions based upon the significance of the research findings.
- Communicate research findings to an audience of peers.
Assessment
- Literature review (2000 words) (10%)
- Oral presentation (15%)
- Poster (Size A0) (10%)
- Thesis (15,000 words 50%)
- Thesis defence (15%)
- Progress report (Hurdle)
Workload requirements
40 contact and private study hours per week (30 contact hours with supervisor/lab members and 10 hours of independent study)
See also Unit timetable information
This unit applies to the following area(s) of study
Biotechnology, biomedical science