Course Title: Research Project 3

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Project 3

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ONPS2422

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013

ONPS2422

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020

Course Coordinator: Dr Jonathan McQualter

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7275

Course Coordinator Email: jonathan.mcqualter@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.2A.001B


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None. 


Course Description

In this course you will develop your scientific research methods and skills and undertake your research project.

Under the guidance of your supervisor you will:

  • Learn information and data acquisition skills and experimental techniques required to undertake an intensive research project.
  • Develop skills in experimental design and project planning.
  • Undertake appropriate laboratory inductions and training as required by RMIT University and government legislation.
  • Develop an understanding of the ethics and approval requirements needed for your research project.
  • Collect, interpret and analyse primary data relating to your research project.
  • Develop skills in health and science communication


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BH058 Bachelor of    Biomedical Science (Honours):

PLO 1 Understanding Science 

  • Understand the scientific method and an ability to apply the scientific method in practice.
  • An understanding of the role and importance of evidence in the continuous evolution of scientific knowledge

PLO 2 Scientific knowledge:

  • Have advanced knowledge in specialized areas of your chosen discipline
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methodology appropriate to your discipline.

PLO 3 Inquiry and problem solving:

  • Be able to choose appropriate tools and methods to solve scientific problems within your area of specialization.
  • Possess an ability to accurately record, analyse, interpret and critically evaluate your research findings.

   PLO 4 Communication

  • Ability to communicate scientific information and the results of your research project using oral, written and presentation skills using appropropiate scientific language for the intended audience

PLO 5 Personal and professional responsibility:

  • Demonstrate accountability for your own learning and professional conduct
  • Demonstrate initiative and independence

 


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of research training requirements for your research project.
  2. Design and implement an experimental plan for your research topic.
  3. Perform research, record scientific data and analyse results.
  4. Employ appropriate statistical analysis to your research project data.
  5. Analyse, collate and present data in an appropriate format relative to the discipline area of your research.
  6. Convey scientific knowledge clearly, concisely and precisely in the form of academic writing appropriate for the discipline area of your research.


Overview of Learning Activities

Under supervisor guidance you will develop a greater understanding and skills in research data processing, statistical analysis and data interpretation. You will gain skills to assist you to develop and implement an experimental plan, evaluate your data and integrate your research results and information into a coherent and logical evaluation.

The research project learning activities will vary depending on the project. They will comprise skills particular to the experiments or procedures of the specific research project and will include individual problem solving (guided by your supervisors’ advice, experience and published literature), and discussion and reflection with your supervisor, collaborators and peers.

You will undertake 200-240 hours in intensive research experiences over the semester.


Overview of Learning Resources

Current scientific literature, supervisors and school academics, Honours program workshops, school research seminars, RMIT library resources and RMIT University and School of Health and Biomedical Sciences research laboratories and facilities will be used as required and as appropriate to your research project.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be based on individual performance in investigation, analysis, synthesis and reporting of research data from your individual research project. 

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Final seminar

Weighting 10%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Assessment Task 2: Performance evaluation

Weighting 10%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: Thesis

Weighting 80%

Note: Breakdown of thesis assessment is Abstract 8%; Introduction 8%; Methodology 12%; Results 16%; Discussion and conclusions 28%; Organisation and presentation 8% = Total 80%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Note: The final mark for this course will be a combined mark for all three research project courses (ONPS2562, ONPS2421 & ONPS2422) that form the research component of the honours program.