PHARM 4400B - Honours Pharmacology Research Project Pt 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

This course forms the main basis of an honours project conducted in the Adelaide Medical School. Students will be expected to engage in a novel, independent research project under the guidance of a School supervisor. To complete the course, students will be required to prepare and deliver a project proposal and resources pro-forma, a poster and oral presentation, plus a thesis followed shortly by a thesis defence. This course provides an advanced insight into scientific research.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHARM 4400B
    Course Honours Pharmacology Research Project Pt 2
    Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 18
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Corequisites HLTH SC 4201OL and HLTH SC 4200
    Restrictions For BHlthMedSc(Hons) students only
    Assessment Research Propoosal Seminar, Conference Poster Presentation, Thesis, Thesis Oral Defence, Supervisor Assessment
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Simran Sidhu

    Course Coordinators: A/Prof Joanne Bowen
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Execute a well-defined research project, under the guidance of a project supervisor.

    2. Critically interpret the background literature relevant to the research project.

    3. Demonstrate mastery of the techniques required for the experimental study of a research question, including collection, storage, and evaluation of data which is rigorous and methodical in accordance with the Australian Code for Responsible Practice of Research.

    4. Identify and evaluate methodological or technical issues in a research project and define the important elements required to solve them.

    5. Communicate the elements of the research project clearly and concisely in spoken and written English.

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4, 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3, 4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    School-based research support, Honours workshops and seminars.
    Online Learning
    Copies of workshop materials will be available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Honours is a 40-week program encompassing an independent research project supervised by a school academic or affiliate. In addition, students will be encouraged to attend weekly workshops and seminars to enhance their learning and development in the medical science research.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Details will be made available on MyUni.
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task AssessmentType Weighting Hurdle Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
    Research Proposal Seminar Formative 0% No 2, 5
    Conference Poster Presentation Summative 10% No 1, 2, 5
    Thesis Summative 60% No 1 - 5
    Thesis Oral Defence Summative 20% No 1 - 5
    Supervisor evaluation Summative 10% No 1
    Assessment Detail
    Research Proposal Seminar: A 10 min Powerpoint presentation of research question and proposed approach.

    Conference Poster Presentation: Production of a research poster to be presented at the Undergraduate Research Conference including a 3 minute oral presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions from poster judges.

    Thesis: Report of research outcomes in the style of a journal manuscript.

    Thesis Oral Defence: 15 minute Powerpoint presentation followed by 15 minutes of questions from assessors.

    Supervisor Assessment: The student’s principle supervisor provides a mark based on the performance of the student over the life of the project.
    Submission
    Where applicable, all submissions should be made via MyUni unless otherwise directed. 
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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