Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 6
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course provides students with an opportunity to apply their newly-acquired quantitative skills - programming, statistics, and/or mathematics - and biological understanding to solve a real research problem. This will be done under the guidance of, and in collaboration with, a research supervisor at The University of Queensland. This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Quantitative Biology programs. Permission to enrol is granted by the Course Coordinator who can be contacted via the School of the Environment at environment@enquire.uq.edu.au
Students must organise a supervisor, who should be an academic staff member at The University of Queensland, before they can enrol in this course. The research interests and contact details of potential supervisiors can be found on on the School of the Environment website or other schools/centres' websites. Students should contact a potential supervisor themselves (preferably by email) to determine if they can supervise your project. The coordinator is also happy to support the process.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Three courses from QBIO7002, QBIO7003, QBIO7004, QBIO7005 & QBIO7006
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Tatsuya Amano
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide students with experience in applying a range of quantitative tools and techniques to a well-defined biological research problem.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
identify and clearly define a research problem in biology that can be solved using mathematical, statistical and/or programming skills.
LO2.
clearly communicate quantitative research findings.
LO3.
generate reproducible research outputs
LO4.
collaborate with research advisors and other stakeholders.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Research Proposal
|
20% |
30/03/2026 3:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Final Research Report
|
50% |
8/06/2026 3:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Final Research Presentation
|
30% |
15/06/2026 3:00 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
Research Proposal
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/03/2026 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students should complete a research proposal for their research project. The research proposal should be structured according to the following headings:
1) Abstract/summary;
2) Background;
3) Proposed methods and approach;
4) Schedule;
5) Proposed outcomes and deliverables;
6) References.
It should be clear what the research is, why the research is necessary, and what methods will be used. A clear timeline and a clear list of deliverables and outcomes should be provided. A list of cited references should be included at the end of the document.
The main text of the research proposal (excluding Figure/Table legends) should be 1,500-2,000 words.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
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.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
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 (the 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).
Final Research Report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
8/06/2026 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students should complete a final research report describing their research project and results. The report should be organized according to the following headings:
1) Title
2) Abstract
3) Introduction
4) Approach and Methods
5) Results
6) Discussion
7) Acknowledgements
8) References
In addition and where appropriate, the student should provide evidence that the project has been carried out according to principles of open reproducible science. This may, for example, require evidence of project management and continuous integration with github repository that is itself well organized. More generally, other quantitative biologists should be able to easily access data, code, mathematics, procedures, etc., and should be able to understand and readily re-implement key features of the project.
The main text of the final research report (excluding Figure/Table legends) should be less than 5,000 words (but should not be too short; over 4,000 words are recommended).
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
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.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
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 (the 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).
Final Research Presentation
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
15/06/2026 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students will present a final seminar describing their research. Students should use their initiative to present their work in the most clear and compelling way. A general format would be background, research problem/question(s), methods, results, and conclusion. Seminars should go for 10-15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions.
Students will be scheduled to deliver their assessment on the 15/06/2026 from 2.00 pm. Please refer to Blackboard announcement for assessment scheduled time and location.
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 information relating to this assessment itemSubmission guidelines
The in-class, in-person presentation will take place on campus. The classroom location will be provided to students via Blackboard closer to the presentation date.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
This is an in-person presentation. You may only be eligible for alternative arrangement if exceptional circumstances arise on the day of the scheduled presentation. Please contact your course coordinator with supporting documentation of the exceptional circumstances that prevented you from attending for consideration of an alternate arrangement.
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 a grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for a grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for a grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for a grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for a grade is is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for a grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for a grade is: 85% |
Additional course grading information
Hurdle Assessment:
You must obtain at least 50% of the available marks for the Final Research Presentation. If you do not meet this requirement, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3.
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 the link above 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 to Assessment Due Dates
Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension
For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184
Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates
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 |
|---|---|---|
Problem-based learning |
Research Project Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.