Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Biomedical Sciences School
This course will present students with the opportunity to develop core research skills in the field of biomedical science. Students will develop vital research skills such as safe laboratory techniques, proper record keeping, forms of communication and ethics in science. They will carry out a research project under the supervision of a researcher in their research laboratory.
This course allows students to participate in an individual or group research project associated with a discipline of interest to them.
It provides an opportunity to develop core skills in biomedical science research, including scientific communication, record keeping, analysisﾠand statistics, as well as both independence and teamwork.
Finding a supervisor
To participate in this course you need an academic supervisor who can accommodate you in their laboratory. How do you find a supervisor?
1. Identify an area of research in Biomedical Science that interests you.
2. Locate an academic that has an active laboratory in the research field that interests you. A good source of this information is the SBMS website and www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers.
3. Choose several potential supervisors.
4. Contact the selected supervisors by email to make an appointment to speak with them. Tip: Include your CV with your GPAs.ﾠ
5. Be informed about the research work of the academic's laboratory. Tip: During the interview, be enthusiastic about the academic's research.
Applying for this course
Once you have confirmed your supervisor, you must complete the application form in conjunction with your supervisors. All applications should be submitted to the School of Biomedical Sciences via email to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au or to the Student and Academic Administration Office, Level 1, Sir William MacGregor Building (#64), by Week 1 of the semester.
Applications will be considered by the Course Coordinator and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the School Office administration on behalf of the Course Coordinator. This notification will be sent via email to your official UQ student email account. Students with approved applications will be added to a permissions list which will allow them to enrol into the course via mySi-Net. Students will be unable to enrol into the appropriate course until given permission by the School.
All details relating to the course organisation, lectures and assessment of projects will be discussed in the first lecture and subsequent communication will be directly with the course co-ordinator, lecturers, and supervisors via the course Blackboard site. For more information about specific projects, contact the lab supervisor offering the research project.
If you are uncertain whether the project you have identified is appropriate for your field of study, please contact the course coordinator.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that all students will have undertaken Level 2 courses which provide an appropriate background to the project which they undertake. In particular, some component of Level 2 laboratory work would be desirable. All students as a minimum must have undertaken first level or equivalent course which introduces basic aspects of occupational health and safety issues associated with working in a laboratory.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Completion of #24 prior to enrolment in the course; approval from School of Biomedical Sciences
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOL1040, BIOL2200, BIOM2011, BIOM2012
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
BIOL3012, BIOL3017, BIOL3043, SCIE3017, SCIE3012
Course contact
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
School enquiries
Student and Academic Administration Team
The SBMS Student and Academic Administration Team is located on Level 1 of the Sir William Macgregor Building (64-130).
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The broad goals of the course are to develop students core research skills and to introduce them to important concepts related to the ethical and legal aspects of scientific research by allowing them to participate in an individual or group research project within a discipline of interest.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Manuscript Introduction
|
Pass/Fail |
28/08/2025 1:00 pm
If you wish to receive feedback on this task, you must submit your assessment by the due date or according to your approved extension date. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Research Report
|
60% |
22/10/2025 1:00 pm |
| Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration |
Laboratory Performance and Record Keeping
|
20% |
22/10/2025 1:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Oral Presentation
|
20% |
30/10/2025 - 31/10/2025 |
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
Manuscript Introduction
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
28/08/2025 1:00 pm
If you wish to receive feedback on this task, you must submit your assessment by the due date or according to your approved extension date.
- Learning outcomes
- L04, L05
Task description
A critical evaluation of the literature relating to the project undertaken. This assessment task is designed to improve the student's writing and critical thinking skills. Supervisors are asked to provide their student with a list of publications related to the assigned research on the first week of the semester. The student will then be required to produce what should become the Introduction to their Final Report/Manuscript. Document should be between 500 and 750 words and appropriately referenced. Course coordinators will provide feedback and give a pass/fail mark.
Upon submission of the Manuscript Introduction, you should check in the Turnitin Assignment Inbox page that your assessment was submitted successfully. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
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
You must obtain a PASS mark on the "Manuscript Introduction" assessment task.Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website (under Undergraduate - Assessment), to Turnitin by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
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.
A request for an extension must be submitted through my.UQ as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time.
Requests for extension received more than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.
If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified penalty listed under Late Submission will be applied to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension
Late submission
No late submissions permitted.
Research Report
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
22/10/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The research report should be a maximum of 2,500 words and follow the format provided by the course coordinators. This includes: Title, Author list, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results & Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgements (contributions by others) and References. References, Figures/Legends, Tables and Acknowledgements are not included in the word count.
Upon submission of the Research Report, you should check in the Turnitin Assignment Inbox page that your report was submitted successfully. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
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
You must obtain a PASS mark on the "Research Report" assessment task.Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website (under Undergraduate - Assessment), to Turnitin by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
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.
A request for an extension must be submitted through my.UQ as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time.
Requests for extension received more than one calendar day after the assessment task submission due date and time will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.
If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified penalty listed under Late Submission will be applied to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension
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.
Laboratory Performance and Record Keeping
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
22/10/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07
Task description
This practical component is a major emphasis of the course and this part of the assessment will focus on the student's overall ability to carry out cutting edge research. This includes the use of relevant equipment, techniques, OH&S compliance and ability to work with others. It is also essential to make accurate and detailed experimental notes so that experiments can be repeated and these are to be recorded in a laboratory notebook. The supervisor will assess the laboratory performance and record keeping. Students need to ensure they have provided their supervisors with access to all items required for them to complete the report.
Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
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
You must submit a reasonable attempt of all assessment items.Submission guidelines
The supervisor will be asked to assess the Laboratory Performance and Record Keeping and submit a report.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
No late submissions are permitted.
Oral Presentation
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07
Task description
Oral Presentation: Talks are a common way of presenting scientific research at conferences. Here, the student will present the work to an audience of fellow students, supervisors and well as the course coordinators. Hints and ideas to help with this preparation will be discussed during the lectures and can also be obtained from the supervisors. The talk will have a duration of 10 min with 3 minutes for questions. It should be accompanied by slides, which will be evaluated for their content, style, and overall quality. Clarity, good narrative, logic, focus, accuracy and critical evaluation are highly important attributes in a presentation. The talks will be assessed by the course coordinators. Further assessment details will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
The oral presentation will be recorded.
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
You must submit a reasonable attempt of all assessment items.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
No late submissions are permitted.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 0% - 29%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 30% - 44%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 45% - 49% OR A cumulative score for all assessment items of 50% or greater, but unsuccessful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 50% - 64% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 65% - 74% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 75% - 84% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 85% - 100% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information" |
Additional course grading information
To pass this course you must meet ALL the following hurdle requirements:
- You must submit a reasonable attempt of all assessment items
- You must obtain a PASS mark on the "Manuscript Introduction" assessment task
- You must obtain a PASS mark on the "Research Report" assessment task.ﾠ
If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-offs set to achieve a 4 or higher for the course and does NOT successfully complete the hurdles, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
The supplementary assessment may be in the form of an exam (written or oral), a written submission or another assessment as determined by the Course Coordinator. It may be made up of multiple components and will allow students to meet any outstanding Learning Outcomes. The final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary assessment only and a passing grade will be awarded only if a student passes the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Refer to the SBMS Assessment Guidelines for School specific assessment information.
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.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Clean white laboratory coat, safety glasses and fully enclosed shoes. Students will not be permitted in the laboratory without these items. Each student must have their UQ Student Identification Card visibly displayed above the waist. While public health directions no longer require face masks to be worn, they are recommended when you cannot physically distance, you are a vulnerable person or caring for vulnerable people. Please note that cloth masks are not acceptable in laboratory classes in the School of Biomedical Sciences. PPE and identification card holders can be purchased from the School Locker. | own item needed |
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
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| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Course Introduction: [A/Prof. Johan Rosengren] Course Introduction, OH&S, laboratory work, ethics and record keeping. Learning outcomes: L06, L07 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Literature Surveying, Writing an Introduction and Oral Presentation Skills [Rosengren] What makes a great paper, poster or oral presentation? Focus here will be on how do you find and digest scientific literature. How to structure an introduction to a report or manuscript, use of references and referencing software, and how to deliver effective oral presentations. This lecture will provide assistance for the "Manuscript Introduction" assessment and the 3 min presentations. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Workshop |
Practical Presentation Skills - 3 min student presentations [Rosengren, Thor, Hilliard] Workshop 1. 3 minute presentation of proposed research by each student. Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Workshop |
Practical Presentation Skills -3 min student presentations [Rosengren, Thor, Hilliard] Workshop 2. 3 minute presentation of proposed research by each student. Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Manuscript Writing [Rosengren] Lecture on how to write a manuscript/report. Creating a logical flow. Effective use of images. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Workshop |
Feedback Workshop on Data and Manuscript Writing [Rosengren] Bring your results, figures, drafts of manuscript sections and receive feedback to help refine your final report and interpretations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Workshop |
Oral Presentation Students will present the outcomes of their research in the form of a oral presentation for assessment. Students are expected to attend their peers' presentations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
Oral Presentation Students will present the outcomes of their research in the form of an oral presentation for assessment. Students are expected to attend their peers' presentations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, 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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: