MEDI712
Research Frontiers in Medical Science 2
S2 Day 2013
School of Advanced Medicine
Contents
General Information
2
Learning Outcomes
3
Assessment Tasks
3
Delivery and Resources
5
Unit Schedule
5
Policies and Procedures
6
Unit Rationale
7
Disclaimer
Macquarie University has taken all reasonable
measures to ensure the information in this
publication is accurate and up-to-date. However,
the information may change or become out-dated
as a result of change in University policies,
procedures or rules. The University reserves the
right to make changes to any information in this
publication without notice. Users of this
publication are advised to check the website
version of this publication [or the relevant faculty
or department] before acting on any information in
this publication.
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/5007/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide MEDI712 Research Frontiers in Medical Science 2
General Information
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Mark Connor
[email protected]
Contact via [email protected]
Unit Convenor
Jacqueline Phillips
[email protected]
Contact via [email protected]
Other Staff
Sarah White
[email protected]
Contact via [email protected]
Credit points
4
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites
MEDI711
Co-badged status
Unit description
In this unit students will acquire an advanced conceptual knowledge of breakthrough
discoveries relevant to a range of topics within the field of medical research. Through the
mentoring of senior research-active staff, post doctoral researchers and ASAM PhD
candidates, students will gain discipline specific knowledge that will be relevant to their future
research careers. Students will: 1. Attend seminars and lectures focused on ongoing research
projects from ASAM faculty and from invited speakers from leading national and international
research institutes. 2. Participate in self-directed and group tasks in which they will learn to
research, read and critically review seminal research findings that have shaped contemporary
thinking, and to disseminate their findings in written and oral form.
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/5007/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide MEDI712 Research Frontiers in Medical Science 2
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are
available at http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/enrolmentguide/academicdates/
Learning Outcomes
1. Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
2. Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
3. Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual
independence
4. Articulate cogent argument in written and oral form for a variety of audiences
Assessment Tasks
Name
Weighting
Due
Journal Club Presentation
20%
Week of 19/08/2013
Grant Application
25%
3/10/13
Public media article
20%
17/10/13
Essay
30%
7/11/13
Seminar attendance
5%
7/11/13
Journal Club Presentation
Due: Week of 19/08/2013
Weighting: 20%
Prepare 10-minute talk on a current novel research paper. As part of the exercise, students will
undertake a peer assessment of their colleagues presentation.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
• Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
• Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual
independence
• Articulate cogent argument in written and oral form for a variety of audiences
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/5007/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide MEDI712 Research Frontiers in Medical Science 2
Grant Application
Due: 3/10/13
Weighting: 25%
Students will submit a mock grant application that proposes a research project arising from a
recent publication in the field of medical research.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
• Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
• Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual
independence
• Articulate cogent argument in written and oral form for a variety of audiences
Public media article
Due: 17/10/13
Weighting: 20%
Submission of a popular news article presenting the findings of very recent journal article to a
general audience.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
• Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
• Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual
independence
• Articulate cogent argument in written and oral form for a variety of audiences
Essay
Due: 7/11/13
Weighting: 30%
Critical discussion based around topic of study during the semester.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
• Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/5007/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide MEDI712 Research Frontiers in Medical Science 2
• Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual
independence
• Articulate cogent argument in written and oral form for a variety of audiences
Seminar attendance
Due: 7/11/13
Weighting: 5%
Record of 17 hours of formal attendance to be obtained throughout the course of the semester.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
Delivery and Resources
Recommended readings in the format of journal articles or book chapters will be provided during the
course of the unit
Unit Schedule
There will be one 2 hour Seminar/Tutorial each week, and an additional 5 x 2 hour practical classes over
the duration of the course.
The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Summary of hour commitments
Seminars/tutorials and practical sessions (scheduled class hours) = 40
Self scheduled group work = 13 hours
Seminar attendance = 17 hours
Assessment tasks (excluding exams) = 50
Class Preparation = 100
The seminar/tutorial classes consist of a 2 hour scheduled class which will be conducted by the
unit-coordinators with expert guest speakers also in attendance for a number of the classes.
These classes are not lectures, but are intended to be interactive discussion based sessions,
with students being expected to have undertaken the required readings or preparations in
advance in order to allow their full participation.
The practical sessions will be scheduled throughout the semester. The practical classes provide
a time slot for exposure to additional learning materials, to undertake site visits to other
laboratories, to undertake supervised group exercise activities and present journal club style
presentations to the class for assessment.
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/5007/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide MEDI712 Research Frontiers in Medical Science 2
In addition to the scheduled classes, students will be expected to participate in 13 hours of self
scheduled Group Work throughout the course. Groups will be allocated in the first week of
semester and groups will be expected to meet at a convenient time to all members to allow them
to undertake a group task that will be assessed.
Students will also be expected to attend a minimum of 17 hours of Research Seminars during
the course, to be drawn from presentations at ASAM (at least 75%) and from the rest of the
University. Students are required to provide evidence for Seminar attendance in the form of a
seminar log as part of the assessment of the course.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students
should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of
Policy Central.
Internal ASAM Procedures:
Code of conduct
Scholars enrolled in ASAM programs who are also working or observing in Macquarie University
Hospital are subject to the Hospital’s Code of Conduct.
Attendance requirements
Students/scholars are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes and other scheduled
learning activities, such as clinics, journal clubs and unit meetings, unless special consideration
is granted by the unit convenor. If a student/scholar does not attend a minimum of 80% of
classes, he/she may not be able to pass the unit.
Penalties for late submissions
Late submissions will be penalised unless special consideration is granted by the unit convenor.
The penalty is 10% per day or part thereof.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these
services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/5007/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide MEDI712 Research Frontiers in Medical Science 2
UniWISE provides:
• Online learning resources and academic skills workshops
http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
• Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
• The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
• Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.
Student Enquiry Service
Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.
Equity Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide
appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
IT Help
If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/
help/.
When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies
to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.
Unit Rationale
In the process of acquiring knowledge about pioneering and current cutting-edge research,
students will gain practical experience in academic skills that are critical to their becoming active
and independent researchers in their own right. This unit will allow the student to apply skills in
literature review, communication (both written and oral) and discovery. Research Frontiers in
Medical Science complements other Units within the ASAM Masters of Research Program that
provide training in experimental design and statistical analysis (Foundations in Medical Science
MEDI 701), detailed technical understanding of the principles that underlie modern research
techniques (Applied & Experimental Medical Research MEDI 731). Skills acquired in MEDI 712
will be able to be directly applied by the student to their studies in Research Rotations (MEDI
741), where students have the contribute to the daily working of a research laboratory, and will
be required to participate in laboratory meetings and journal club and present written and oral
accounts of their progress.
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/5007/unit_guide/print
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