Course coordinator
Professor Anthony Richardson
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
During the last semester of the Masters of Quantitative Biology students will conduct a research project with an academic at UQ, or will work directly with an industry partner outside UQ. In this introductory intense course, students will learn how research and work with big data in Biology works. Students will learn the demands, expectations, ethics, and strategies employers apply to new recruits, and will learn how to maximise their chances of gaining working and academic opportunities in the future.
This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Quantitative Biology programs.
Current job demands in academia, government, and industry are changing rapidly. Students will be introduced to diverse aspects of the research and professional landscape awaiting quantitative biology graduates. The course will include modules on research ethics, career pathways, writing grants and tenders, critical analysis of the literature, writing compelling science, and professionalism. This course will serve as foundation for their research or industry placement in the final semester of the Master of Quantitative Biology.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
QBIO7001, and at least three courses from QBIO7002, QBIO7003, QBIO7004, QBIO7005 & QBIO7006
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Anthony Richardson
Associate Professor Jan Engelstaedter
Professor Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos
Associate Professor Katrina McGuigan
Dr Simon Hart
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course is held over winter break between semesters.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims toﾠshowcase the diversity of career pathways taken by quantitative biologists and to foster the professional and research skills expected by industry and academic employers.ﾠ
ﾠ
ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Be familiar with career pathways, and topics of speciality, that can lead to employment as a quantitative biologist in industry or academia.
LO2.
Appreciate the importance of the scientific method, ethics, and integrity to any research career.
LO3.
Critically analyze and communicate cutting-edge research in quantitative biology.
LO4.
Understand how skills gained in previous quantitative biology courses are implemented across a broad spectrum of biological research fields.
LO5.
Deliver a competitive CV, cover letter and interview for a prospective job in quantitative biology
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Critical thinking: paper questions
|
4% |
8/07/2024 - 11/07/2024 |
| Presentation |
Critical thinking: topics in quantitative biology
|
20% |
8/07/2024 - 11/07/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | News and Views | 36% |
15/07/2024 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation | CV, cover letter and interview | 40% CV (10%), cover letter (10%), interview (20%) |
12/07/2024 5:00 pm
Please submit you CV and cover letter via Turnitin by 5 pm on 12 July 2024. Your face-to-face interview will be held on 17 July 2024. |
Assessment details
Critical thinking: paper questions
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 4%
- Due date
8/07/2024 - 11/07/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
For the papers that you are not presenting, prior to each session, you will submit two questions arising from each paper. These should be thoughtful questions about the research conducted and reported in the paper and be accompanied by a short justification or explanation. Please submit this via Turnitin by 9 am on the day of the session. These questions are to ensure all students are prepared for a deep and lively discussion of the papers. You can gain a total of 1 mark per paper (2 questions and justifications per paper) and your best 4 out of 6 submissions will be counted towards your final grade.
Submission guidelines
Please submit this via Turnitin by 9 am on the day of the session.
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.
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.
Critical thinking: topics in quantitative biology
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
8/07/2024 - 11/07/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each session will involve discussion of two papers (45-60 mins for each). Each of you will chair (or co-chair) the discussion of two papers (they cannot be on the same topic). As chair, we will ask you to begin with a ~10 minute ‘journal club style’ presentation outlining the study question, the main (or most important) methods used and the conclusions drawn. This will be followed by open discussion of the paper. Each journal club presentation will comprise 10% of your final mark for the course. You are expected to read all papers in advance even if you are not the chair! This format mirrors a typical weekly meeting for research groups where discussing publications is an important aspect of staying current in science.
Submission guidelines
Each journal club presentation will comprise 10% of your final mark for the course.
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.
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.
News and Views
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 36%
- Due date
15/07/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03
Task description
Paper summary (sensu News and Views)
Submission guidelines
Please submit this via Turnitin.
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.
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.
CV, cover letter and interview
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 40% CV (10%), cover letter (10%), interview (20%)
- Due date
12/07/2024 5:00 pm
Please submit you CV and cover letter via Turnitin by 5 pm on 12 July 2024. Your face-to-face interview will be held on 17 July 2024.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05
Task description
You will submit your curriculum vitae (CV), cover letter for a job application, and attend an interview.
In preparation for this assessment task, you will be provided:
- a position description for a job opportunity that you will apply for
- an appointment for an interview (in person or via Zoom)
- some guidelines on how to prepare for the interview
In preparation for this assessment task, you should:
- update your CV
- prepare a one-page cover letter to address selection criteria outlined in the job opportunity
- collate your CV and cover letter into one document and submit it (via Turnitin) by the due date
During your interview, you should:
- respond to interview questions asked by your interview panellists
- ask any questions you may have about the job opportunity
After this assessment, you will be provided:
- personalised feedback on your performance and suggestions for improvement
Submission guidelines
Please submit you CV and cover letter via Turnitin by 5 pm on 12 July 2024. Your face-to-face interview will be held on 17 July 2024.
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.
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.
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: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 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 minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Courses graded 1-7
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
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: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. 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.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE (AI)
The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Jun - 30 Jun) |
Workshop |
Professionalism 1 Insights into how to have a career in quantitative biology. Led by Anthony Richardson. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Workshop |
Professionalism 2 Insights into how to have a career in quantitative biology. Led by Anthony Richardson. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Ethics and integrity Are you ready to embark on a thought-provoking journey into the world of ethics in biological research? We will discuss such questions as: What does transparent, reproducible, ethical research entail? What are the reasons why research might not be repeatable? What might motivate researchers to behave in unethical ways? What ethical obligations do we have when conducting research in areas/on topics where either the research process or the outcomes of the research could directly impact on the livelihoods or welbeing of the local residents? What ethical obligations do we have when collaborating to define research questions, collect data, or conduct analyses with other researchers? Led by Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos and Jan Engelstaedter. Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Workshop |
Panel discussion on careers (academic, industry, government) Panel discussion with practitioners from academia, industry, government, and education - facilitated by Anthony Richardson Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
|
Week 3 (08 Jul - 14 Jul) |
Workshop |
Critical thinking 1 The aim of this module is to get you thinking critically about the application of various techniques you learnt in the core courses (QBIO7002-7005) to cutting edge research problems in biology. We also aim to give you practice and experience in reading and critically discussing scientific papers. Different lecturers will be involved on different days. Learning outcomes: L03 |
Workshop |
Critical thinking 2 The aim of this module is to get you thinking critically about the application of various techniques you learnt in the core courses (QBIO7002-7005) to cutting edge research problems in biology. We also aim to give you practice and experience in reading and critically discussing scientific papers. Different lecturers will be involved on different days. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Workshop |
Critical thinking 3 The aim of this module is to get you thinking critically about the application of various techniques you learnt in the core courses (QBIO7002-7005) to cutting edge research problems in biology. We also aim to give you practice and experience in reading and critically discussing scientific papers. Different lecturers will be involved on different days. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Workshop |
Critical thinking 4 The aim of this module is to get you thinking critically about the application of various techniques you learnt in the core courses (QBIO7002-7005) to cutting edge research problems in biology. We also aim to give you practice and experience in reading and critically discussing scientific papers. Different lecturers will be involved on different days. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Workshop |
Writing grants and tenders A fundamental skill in science and industry is securing fund to perform research. A continuous source of funding for research teams is essential to their success, and particularly for their growth over time. There are multiple sources of competitive funding to conduct research. Here, we will review what it takes to attract money for research with the hope that you will find the process more amicable and you become aware of some of the approaches that might lead to successful applications. Delivered by Simon Hart. Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 4 (15 Jul - 21 Jul) |
Workshop |
Perspectives on a career in quantitative biology Led by Simon Hart. Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Case-based learning |
Interviews This task is meant to simulate a real-world job interview. During your interview, you should respond to interview questions asked by your interview panellists, and ask any questions you may have about the job opportunity. After this assessment, you will be provided with personalised feedback on your performance and suggestions for improvement Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
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.