Course Title: Independent Learning Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Independent Learning Project

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS1155

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006

MEDS1155

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Internet

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Genia David

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99257025

Course Coordinator Email: genia.david@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Students should have a working knowledge and experience of either diagnostic and/or medical research laboratories that allow them to contextualize their learning to the professional practice of Laboratory Medicine.


Course Description

This course will allow students to enhance their communication and research skills through the conduct of self directed learning exercises negotiated with an academic supervisor as part of a learning contract. It allows students to pursue a particular topic or topics of relevance to their proposed final year project, or alternatively, to develop skills and expertise in a new area of biomedical science which is of particular interest to the student.

Students will be required to finalise a learning contract with the academic supervisor by the end of the third week of the semester. The contract may involve both theory and practical work. Strict criteria are in place to ensure that a minimum set of requirements are followed which form the non negotiable part of the contract. These include the need to clearly define the intending learning outcomes, the use of a variety of learning resources and the inclusion of at least two activities in the achievement of learning outcomes. Learning contracts are negotiated with the academic supervisor and upon agreement being reached, are signed by both parties.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Having studied this course it is intended that you should be able to:

1. Research and compile information on the chosen topics areas from a variety of sources.
2. Demonstrate the ability to develop a learning contract and to manage the project to a defined standard and within a specified timeframe.
3. Present and communicate effectively on critical advances in selected subject areas.
4. Apply research and development skills to the promotion of medical science in the workplace, through conduct of a student driven project monitored by academic and laboratory supervisors.



Overview of Learning Activities

This course, through the independent learning format, will allow students to set their own learning tasks and assessment weighting through a learning contract by online negotiation with an academic supervisor. Therefore, students have flexibility to be innovative and creative and to undertake learning exercises in areas in which they have a particular interest. In most cases this would be expected to be of benefit towards the student’s final year research project if applicable. The topics may also be supportive of a student’s career development and/or of value to the employment organisation.


Overview of Learning Resources

Syllabus Outline: To be negotiated as part of the learning contract.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment is negotiable as part of the learning contract but must satisfy the minimum criteria as stated above. Assessment components and their negotiated assessment value must be clearly stated in the contract.  Note that the Learning Journal assessment value is non-negotiable and must be set at 25% as with other courses.

Pass or fail grades only will be allocated in this subject due to the diversity of options open to students. Students would be expected to have sufficient motivation through personal incentives to produce outcomes of a very high standard.