Course coordinator
Dr Lisette Pregelj
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Chemistry & Molec Biosciences
Project work in specialised areas of biotechnology under supervision of appropriate staff members in any disciplines contributing to the biotechnology program.
Scientific research underpins progress in biotechnology. This course provides an opportunity for students to undertake a small research project on an aspect of biotechnology. Under the supervision of an appropriate staff member, students will gain experience in analysing relevant literature, designing a research proposal, planning experiments, undertaking research, assessment of results, writing a research report and presenting a research seminar. The course thus provides a basic introduction to research methodology and the transition to professional or research work.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission of Director, Biotechnology Program.
Course contact
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course is delivered by directed study under academic supervision and there is no generic timetable. Student and supervisor will arrange to meet at regular intervals to monitor progress. For a 4 unit project laboratory attendance should be a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Students must meet with their supervisor and agree upon a topic BEFORE the end of week 2 of semester. Students must also provide their supervisor with a hard copy of the Course Profile (CP) at this meeting.
Students should contact their individual supervisors directly for matters relating to their research project lab work and research report.
It is the student's responsibility to make contact and arrange meetings with their supervisor to discuss the progress of their work.
It is the supervisor's responsibility to supervise the research project and provide a mark for each of the following assessment items - project plan and laboratory performance. The research report will be marked by two independent examiners, which the supervisor will nominate.
Any questions on the assessment requirements should be directed to enquiries@scmb.uq.edu.au
Aims and outcomes
This course provides Bachelor of Biotechnology (Hons) students in Part B of their program the opportunity to develop their independent research skills, project planning and management, design and execution of experiments including hypothesis formulation, and critical analysis of results. Students also gain experience in written and oral communication
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
apply generic skills in project planning and management, design and execute experiments, and formulate and test hypotheses.
LO2.
apply a broad knowledge of the latest technologies to an area of biotechnology.
LO3.
organize and execute a biotechnology research project in a compressed time frame.
LO4.
critically analyse knowledge and information from a range of sources relevant to an area of biotechnology.
LO5.
give a clear, concise, organized, and accurate oral presentation of your research.
LO6.
clearly, concisely, and accurately communicate your research aims, objectives, methods, results, and implications in a written report.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project |
Project Plan
|
Pass/Fail |
20/03/2025 2:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Final Research Seminar
|
20% |
2/06/2025 - 6/06/2025 |
| Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration |
Laboratory Research Performance
|
20% |
9/06/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project |
Final Research Report
|
60% |
9/06/2025 2:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Project Plan
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
20/03/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L06
Task description
Project planning is an important skill for biotechnologists and scientists alike. You will develop a 2-page project plan/proposal consisting of 1 paragraph abstract followed by a brief outline (can be in dot-points) of the introduction, background/literature, aims and objectives, proposed methodology, and anticipated conclusions. Citations should be included where necessary along with a list of cited references and up to five (5) recent references included on a separate page.
The plan should be prepared using a word processor. The page margins should be set to 2cm all round, the pages should be numbered and 12pt font such as Times New Roman (or equivalent) fonts should be used.
The project plan will be developed in consultation with your supervisor and assessed by the Course Coordinator.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle/s relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Submit your Project Plan through the course Turnitin submission point in Blackboard. Before submitting your assessment item to Turnitin please name your file in the following way. FAMILY NAME_GivenName_StudentID_CourseCode_AssignmentName For example: Bob Smith (ID: 54329876) would name his ABCD1234 essay 1 in the following way. SMITH_Bob_54329876_ABCD1234_Essay1
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Applications for Extensions
Information on applying for an extension can be found here: my.UQ Applying for an extension.
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
If you are unable to provide approved documentation to support your application by the due date and time, you must still submit your application by the deadline but with an attached Word document that outlines why you cannot provide the approved documentation by the deadline. You will then need to acquire and upload the approved documentation to your request within 24 hours. Please note: When an extension request has been submitted and is pending, students are expected to continue to work on the assessment item, with the aim of submitting by the requested due date and time.
Prolonged Absence
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g. a medical certificate.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.
In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfill the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.
Final Research Seminar
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
2/06/2025 - 6/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The ability to present your research work at scientific meetings is an essential part of your research training. Following submission of your Final Written Report, you will present a Final Seminar on your project, its overall aims and objectives, methods, and results.
The seminar will consist of a 15-minute presentation and 5-minutes for questions from the audience. You should time your presentation to go for between 14 and 15 minutes. If you go overtime then you will be cut-off in mid-sentence at 16 minutes.
The audience will be from a variety of backgrounds, although you can assume that they all have a basic knowledge of biotechnology. You must try to communicate with the whole audience, not just members from your own sub-discipline.
Your seminar will be assessed by the Course Coordinator and where possible the examiners of your Final Research Report.
Assessment of the research seminar will be on the basis of:
- quality of content;
- clarity of presentation (both oral and visual);
- ability to handle questions and discussion;
- ability to communicate effectively with an audience of diverse backgrounds.
What you must do the day before your talk:
You must submit a copy of your final powerpoint slides to blackboard by 2pm the day before your talk, through the turnitin submission portal in the BIOT4070 blackboard page. Your slides will be pre-loaded onto the school laptop ahead of your talk. You cannot make any changes to your slides once they have been submitted. Please name your slides in the following way: FAMILYNAME_Givenname_StudentID_Coursecode_AssignmentName. For example: Bob Smith (ID:12345678) would name his ABCD6789 essay 1 as SMITH_Bob_12345678_ABCD6789_Essay1.
If you seminar contains confidential information you must inform the Course Coordinator. Consult with your supervisor about the confidential nature of your presentation.
What you must do the day of your talk:
The room and final time will be communicated to you by the Course Coordinator or their representative from SCMB. Please ensure you attend the entire session, including your peers seminars (if your peers are presenting). This is an important opportunity to learn about your peers projects and provide feedback to others working in similar and other fields of biotechnology.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle/s relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
You must submit a copy of your final powerpoint slides to blackboard by 2pm the day before your talk, through the turnitin submission portal in the BIOT4070 blackboard page. Your slides will be pre-loaded onto the school laptop ahead of your talk. You cannot make any changes to your slides once they have been submitted. Please name your slides in the following way: FAMILYNAME_Givenname_StudentID_Coursecode_AssignmentName. For example: Bob Smith (ID:12345678) would name his ABCD6789 essay 1 as SMITH_Bob_12345678_ABCD6789_Essay1.
If you seminar contains confidential information you must inform the Course Coordinator. Consult with your supervisor about the confidential nature of your presentation.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Applications for Extensions
Information on applying for an extension can be found here: my.UQ Applying for an extension.
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. If you are unable to provide approved documentation to support your application by the due date and time, you must still submit your application by the deadline but with an attached Word document that outlines why you cannot provide the approved documentation by the deadline. You will then need to acquire and upload the approved documentation to your request within 24 hours. Please note: When an extension request has been submitted and is pending, students are expected to continue to work on the assessment item, with the aim of submitting by the requested due date and time.
Prolonged Absence
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g. a medical certificate.
Important Note - Project Progression
Please note that extensions are only rarely granted. Extensions will typically only be granted if you suffer from a significant illness, if a close family member develops a serious illness, or for family bereavement. Extensions will not routinely be granted at many weeks or months after an illness or other event, on the basis that such interruptions are part of life.
Research projects are not about completing a set body of work within an indefinite time frame. Rather, you are given a period of time to learn about a topic, gain experience in practical research skills, analyse data, develop your own independent thoughts and conclusions based on this analysis, and write a report that communicates all of this to your examiners.
We expect that you will develop skills that allow you to adjust your plans “on the run” – everyone will experience things that do not go according to plan at some point, and it is a necessary skill in scientific research to be able to respond to change, whether it is an experiment that did not work because someone switched the incubator off over the weekend, or an event that prevented your attendance at the University or impacted your priorities.
What is important is that you adjust your plans appropriately, and in close consultation with your supervisor, so that you have sufficient time to analyse and write up what data you have obtained into a report that best demonstrates you knowledge and development as a scientist.
Note: If your application for extension is due to significant unforeseen circumstances in your laboratory a detailed written statement outlining the circumstances is required from your supervisor. This can be included in your application. Applications due to unforeseen circumstances will not be accepted without a supervisor's statement.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.
In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfil the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.
Laboratory Research Performance
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
9/06/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Your performance in the laboratory will be assessed by your supervisor on the basis of your ability to organize your research project, formulate hypotheses, plan experiments to test the hypotheses, interpret results, work independently, work in a team, work conscientiously and constantly throughout the semester, follow instructions, seek consultation and advice, report findings and discuss results with your supervisor, and understand the significance of your findings. You must keep a laboratory notebook in a style approved by your supervisor and submit your laboratory notebook to your supervisor at the end of semester. Your supervisor will evaluate your lab performance in a supervisor's evaluation report.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle/s relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Submission of your laboratory notebook to your supervisor upon completion of your research report. Your supervisor will submit a copy of your evaluation form via email to the Course Coordinator or their representative from SCMB.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Applications for Extensions
Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
Please note: When an extension request has been submitted and is pending, students are expected to continue to work on the assessment item, with the aim of submitting the assessment item by the requested due date and time.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.
In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfil the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.
Final Research Report
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
9/06/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
A research report describing your work throughout the semester must be submitted at the end of the study period, and you will be required to present your research findings via a research seminar (see separate assessment item).
RESEARCH REPORT
You are required to write a scientific report on your research project in the form of a short scientific journal article. The format should be appropriate for your field of study (i.e. may follow the style of the leading journal in your field) and chosen in consultation with your supervisor: The report must be written in 12 font, 1.5 spaced with 2 cm margins according to the guidelines below and not exceed 25 pages excluding tables, figures, and references.
A COVER PAGE must include the following information:
Student name
Student number
Course code
Course name
Name of supervisor
Title of report
Word count
SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING YOUR REPORT
The following is a suggested structure but may be varied according to the journal format chosen in consultation your supervisor:
Abstract
Approximately 1 page. This should present clearly and concisely the aims of the research, the most important findings and conclusions drawn.
Introduction
Approximately 5-10 pages. A concise background to your research and its aims and hypotheses tested, including relvent literature review.
Materials and Methods
A brief description of methods citing relevant references. Must contain sufficient information for readers to interpret your results and repeat your experiments in the future. Where published methods have been used briefly describe the principle and acknowledge by citation rather than providing full details. If you have modified methods or used unpublished methods these must be provided in full detail. NOTE that if your research involves the development of a method this should be presented as results. Your materials and methods may be presented at the end of your report, if this is the convention of the leading journals in your field.
Results
Contains a description of your experimental results. It is not necessary to present the results of every experiment. Sub-sections may be used and figures and/or tables can be used to illustrate or summarise results. The text should draw attention to features of the results which will be addressed in the discussion. The results should be discussed in sufficient detail to explain the results only and not discussed in relation to the literature or unexpected findings. This should be left to the Discussion.
Discussion
In this section you should discuss your results in relation to the aims of your research and in relation to work by other researchers. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your critical scientific insight, and ability to synthesise ideas. Do not over interpret your results beyond what the results will support, but you can use your results to formulate hypotheses for future experimentation. In some cases the Results and Discussion may be combined.
References
All literature cited must be presented in a bibliography as determined by the journal format.
Figures and Tables
Clearly labelled figures and tables should be inserted in the text as near as possible to the place where they were first mentioned. They should have a concise title and legends and footnotes which allow the contents to be interpret without reference to the text. All Figures and Tables must be numbered.
Your report will be examined by two examiners external to your supervisor's research group
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle/s relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Submit through the course Turnitin submission point in Blackboard. Please note: No hardcopy is to be submitted. Before submitting your assessment item to Turnitin please name your file in the following way. FAMILY NAME_GivenName_StudentID_CourseCode_AssignmentName For example: Bob Smith (ID: 54329876) would name his ABCD1234 essay 1 in the following way: SMITH_Bob_54329876_ABCD1234_Essay1.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Applications for Extensions
Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
Please note: When an extension request has been submitted and is pending, students are expected to continue to work on the assessment item, with the aim of submitting the assessment item by the requested due date and time.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.
In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfil the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student has made little attempt to address the requirements for this topic. Written submissions and performance are incomplete or unsatisfactory. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student fails to demonstrate relevant knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts associated with this topic. The student shows little evidence of the skills and understanding expected of a graduate. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student demonstrates a limited knowledge of the topics being assessed. The student shows little aptitude to continue in this area, but has benefited from the exercise and may be able to apply this knowledge for other purposes. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student's answer to the topic is unambiguous and addresses the specific question(s) or issue(s) being examined. Performance in the assessment instrument(s) demonstrates basic knowledge and comprehension of the underlying concepts of the topic being examined. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: In addition to the criteria for a grade of 4, the student demonstrates in his or her assessment a superior understanding of some of the underlying concepts of the topic(s) being examined. The student has shown some competence in addressing the assessment criteria. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: In addition to the criteria for a grade of 5, the student demonstrates a higher level of understanding of the factual and conceptual information available from the literature or other appropriate sources (e.g. the student's own experimental data). A good attempt has been made to dissect and integrate different aspects of that knowledge, resulting in well-balanced and appropriate conclusions and a commendable attempt to synthesize ideas. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Reserved for an outstanding performance which demonstrates a level of achievement superior to a grade of 6, and includes a substantial and original synthesis of ideas based on a critical analysis of the subject matter available to the student. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Additional course grading information
Assessment Hurdle
In order to pass this course:
1. Students must obtain an overall course mark of 50% or more;
2. Students must complete and submit ALL learning tasks and assessment items.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Assessment Submission
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the on time, correct and complete submission of all assessment items.
Please ensure you receive and save the submission confirmation for all submitted items, you may be asked to produce this as evidence of your submission.
Turnitin
By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment”.
All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if one or more of your submissions are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after seven days, will receive zero. In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.
Assessment/Attendance
Please notify your Course Coordinator as soon as you become aware of any issue that may affect your ability to meet the assessment/attendance requirements of the course. The my.UQ website and the Electronic Course Profile (ECP) for your course also provide information about your course requirements, the rules associated with your courses and services offered by the University.
Important Note - Project Progression
Please note that extensions are only rarely granted. Extensions will typically only be granted if you suffer from a significant illness, if a close family member develops a serious illness, or for family bereavement. Extensions will not routinely be granted at many weeks or months after an illness or other event, on the basis that such interruptions are part of life.
Research projects are not about completing a set body of work within an indefinite timeframe. Rather, you are given a period of time to learn about a topic, gain experience in practical research skills, analyse data, develop your own independent thoughts and conclusions based on this analysis, and write a report that communicates all of this to your examiners.
We expect that you will develop skills that allow you to adjust your plans “on the run” – everyone will experience things that do not go according to plan at some point, and it is a necessary skill in scientific research to be able to respond to change, whether it is an experiment that did not work because someone switched the incubator off over the weekend, or an event that prevented your attendance at the University or impacted your priorities.
What is important is that you adjust your plans appropriately, and in close consultation with your supervisor, so that you have sufficient time to analyse and write up what data you have obtained into a report that best demonstrates your knowledge and development as a scientist.
Note: If your application for extension is due to significant unforeseen circumstances in your laboratory a detailed written statement outlining the circumstances is required from your supervisor. This can be included in your application. Applications due to unforeseen circumstances will not be accepted without a supervisor's statement.
A note for repeating students in this course
Any student who enrols in a course must not be given exemption or partial credit from their previous attempt(s) for any individual piece of assessment. Instead, the student must successfully complete all of the learning activities and assessment items within the study period of enrolment (PPL Assessment - Procedures Section: Assessment integrity).
If the same assessment item is set from one year to the next, repeating students are allowed to submit the same work they submitted in previous attempts at the course. Where possible SCMB recommends that you use the feedback you received in your last attempt to improve parts of the item where you lost marks. Resubmission of an altered or unaltered assessment item by a repeating student (where the same assessment has been set) will not be considered as self-plagiarism.
Important Note
Turnitin is to be used for assignments/laboratory reports to check for plagiarism. Penalties can be severe for plagiarism.
The University has adopted the following definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as one's own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another either intentionally or unintentionally. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media.
Students are encouraged to read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy at: https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
You will be required to seek out journal articles and other references using the university online databases and catalogues, to identify knowledge gaps, to design research experiments on the basis of published research methodologies, and to write a scientific research report substantiated and referenced to relevant peer reviewed literature.
Access to required and recommended resources, plus past central exam papers, is available at the UQ Library website (http://www.library.uq.edu.au/lr/BIOT4070).
The University offers a range of resources and services to support student learning. Details are available on the myUQ website (https://my.uq.edu.au/).
Blackboard
Additional supplementary material may be posted on the Blackboard site for BIOT4070 at learn.uq.edu.au
Please check the Announcements section of the Blackboard site regularly for information updates.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Revision week |
Problem-based learning |
Biotechnology research project Undertake a research project of 1 semester duration. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Problem-based learning |
Research thesis Prepare a research report in the style of a short journal article describing your work throughout the semester. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 4 |
Problem-based learning |
Prepare a research project plan Project planning is an important skill for biotechnologists and scientists alike. Design and propose a research plan outlining the background, aims, methods and expected conclusions Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
Revision week (02 Jun - 08 Jun) |
Seminar |
Deliver a research seminar on your research You will present a 15 min Final Seminar on your project, its overall aims and objectives, methods, and results. See Assessment information for specific information on this activity. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.