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Course profile

Biomedical Science Research Skills (SCIE3220)

Study period
Summer 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Summer Semester, 2024 (25/11/2024 - 08/02/2025)
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 for SCIE3220

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.

5. Meet up and discuss the possible research project. Be informed about the research work of the academic's laboratory.ᅠ

Applying for SCIE3220

Once you have confirmed your supervisor, you must complete the SCIE3220 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 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 Professor Stefan Thor.

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 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.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Demonstrate the ability to participate in an individual or group research project

LO2.

Demonstrate the ability to make scientific observations

LO3.

Record and analyse scientific data

LO4.

Demonstrate core research skills including finding and organising information, and conveying ideas

LO5.

Apply skills developed in written and oral communication pertaining to scientific, biological and chemical research

LO6.

Explain concepts related to the ethical and legal aspects of scientific research and intellectual property

LO7.

Describe the social and civic responsibility pertaining to research, how research is funded, and future career opportunities in science

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Performance Laboratory Performance and Record Keeping
  • Hurdle
20%

4/02/2025 1:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Project Research Report
  • Hurdle
60%

4/02/2025 1:00 pm

Presentation Project Results - Oral Presentation
  • Hurdle
20%

14/01/2025 - 3/02/2025

14 Jan 25 9.00-11.00, 4 Feb 25 9:00-14:00, or 4 Feb 25 9:00-14:00

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

Laboratory Performance and Record Keeping

  • Hurdle
Mode
Activity/ Performance, Written
Category
Performance
Weight
20%
Due date

4/02/2025 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07

Task description

This practical component of SCIE3220 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. The supervisor will assess the laboratory performance and Record Keeping.

Due date: 4/02/2025, 1pm.

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI 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 AI 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 tools.

Hurdle requirements

You must submit a reasonable attempt of all assessment items

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Project Research Report

  • Hurdle
Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
60%
Due date

4/02/2025 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

The research report should be a maximum of 2,500 words and include sections for the Title, Author list, Contributions by others, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion and References. References, figures and tables are not counted in the word count.

Due date: 4/02/2025, 1pm.

Upon submission of the Research Report, you should check in the Turnitin Assignment Inbox page that your report was submitted successfully.

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI 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 AI 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 tools.

Hurdle requirements

You must submit a reasonable attempt of all assessment items

Submission guidelines

You must submit your Assessment task, with the electronic coversheet available on the School's website 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.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension 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.

Project Results - Oral Presentation

  • Hurdle
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Presentation
Weight
20%
Due date

14/01/2025 - 3/02/2025

14 Jan 25 9.00-11.00, 4 Feb 25 9:00-14:00, or 4 Feb 25 9:00-14:00

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07

Task description

Oral Presentation of Project Results either on 14/01/2025 at 9 -11am,  4/02/2025 at 9am - 2pm or 5/02/2025 at 9am - 2pm: 

Oral Presentations are a common way of presenting scientific research at conferences. The oral presentation for this assessment task is being used to present the student's research to 2 academics or research fellows. Hints and ideas to help with oral preparation will be discussed during the lectures and can also be obtained from the supervisors. The oral presentations will be assessed by 2 assigned academics or postdoctoral researchers not associated with the supervisor's laboratory. Should Queensland Health restrictions prevent this assessment to be undertaken face to face on campus, examination will instead be undertaken online via zoom.

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI 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 AI 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 tools.

Hurdle requirements

You must submit a reasonable attempt of all assessment items

Submission guidelines

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.

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 intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 50% or greater, but less than a pass in any of the assessment hurdles 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 the following hurdle requirements:

  • You must submit a reasonable attempt of all assessment items

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.

Additional assessment information

School of Biomedical Sciences Assessment Guidelines

  • Assessment due dates and times listed are Brisbane local (AEST) time.ᅠ
  • Oral Presentations are not eligible for requests for re-mark because the assessment cannot be replicated or duplicated.

Information onᅠapplying for an assessment extensionᅠcan be found on theᅠApplying for an extension ᅠwebsite.

Information onᅠapplying for a deferred examᅠcan be found on theᅠDeferring an exam ᅠwebsite.

Information onᅠassessment re-mark requestsᅠcan be found on theᅠQuerying a resultᅠwebsite.

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. Lab coats are available for purchase from the UQ Bookshop. 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

(25 Nov - 01 Dec)

Lecture

Introduction: [Prof. Stefan Thor]

Course Introduction, OH&S, laboratory work, ethics and record keeping. 26/11/2024, 9-10 am

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L06, L07

Lecture

Scientific Writing and Presentation [Thor]

What makes a great paper, poster or oral presentation. 26/11/2024, 10-11 am

Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L06

Week 2

(02 Dec - 08 Dec)

Workshop

Project Presentation [Thor]

3-minute presentation of proposed research by each student. Stream1: 3/12/2024, 9-11 am.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07

Week 3

(09 Dec - 15 Dec)

Workshop

Project Presentation [Thor]

3-minute presentation of proposed research by each student. Stream 2: 10/12/2024, 9-11 am.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07

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:

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: