Course Title: Advanced Biotechnology/Bioinformatics Research Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Biotechnology/Bioinformatics Research Project

Credit Points: 48.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2494

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 2 2024,
Sem 1 2025,
Sem 2 2025

Course Coordinator: Professor Aidyn Mouradov

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7144

Course Coordinator Email: aidyn.mouradov@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge

The course is available to students who are in their FINAL semester with an average grade of DISTINCTION (70+) or higher (unless you have exceptional results) Permission is required from the Course Coordinator before enrolling in this course.


Course Description

This course has a vocational focus. It assists you to develop skills in research and scientific communication in the relevant discipline, including design and performance of experiments or action research, analysis and presentation of research data, and preparation of oral and written scientific reports that use these skills.

The aim of the course is to prepare students to apply research focused on one of the following:

Biotechnology, develop technology to mitigate a biological problem

Bioinformatics, apply computational biology skills to investigate a biological problem

This unit offers a challenge to postgraduate students, and allows innovation by the student with respect to both method and research direction. You are required to make a presentation regarding your project to your peers.

This course includes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience in which your knowledge and skills are applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program(s):

MC111P03 - Master of Biotechnology

PLO 1.3 Understanding Science - You will demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to biological sciences
PLO 2.1 Advanced skills to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology - You will demonstrate cognitive skills in mastery of advanced theoretical knowledge in biotechnology and apply this knowledge to solve complex problems in existing and new areas.
PLO 2.2 Advanced skills to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology - You will generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level.
PLO 3.1 Application of knowledge and skills. You will critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology by - Demonstrating creativity, initiative and a high level of autonomy in research and/or professional practice
PLO 3.2 Application of knowledge and skills. You will critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology by - Planning and executing a substantial research or work-based project and/or pieces of scholarship.
PLO 4.1 Communication - You will be able to effectively communicate concepts of biotechnology to specialist and non-specialist audiences, using a variety of presentation modes.
PLO5.2 You will work effectively, responsibly ethically and safely in an individual or team content

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.


Upon the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Undertake a research topic in biotechnology and computational biology, working under supervision either independently or as part of a research team.
  2. Reflect critically on technical skill progression in biotechnology or bioinformatics through extended research practice.
  3. Formulate solutions to complex research problems by critically evaluating computational or biotechnological methodologies.
  4. Substantiate research records and reporting practices in accordance with ethical and professional workplace standards.
  5. Compose a research thesis that demonstrates advanced scholarly analysis and aligns with publication-level standards.
  6. Elucidate research findings for specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate scholarly and professional conventions.


Overview of Learning Activities

This course includes a WIL experience in which your knowledge and skills are applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience. Despite the differences between individual projects, the course aims to provide you with the opportunities to gain expertise in project design, management and reporting.

Learning activities may include any or all of the following:

  • Completion of library, field, or industry project designed to give you further practice in the application of theory and procedures in your field. The time requirements will be project dependant, but will not be larger than 36 hours per week.
  • Private study, working through the requirements of the project with the assistance of a supervisor, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and numerical problems.
  • Communication of the results of your project to an appropriate audience

You are expected to develop skills in:

  • locating and synthesising information available in scientific (and in some cases other) literature in order to establish the need for, and potential scope and context of, the research project;
  • developing creative ways of solving unfamiliar problems by devising a methodological approach to address the research question being raised;
  • managing the time allocated to completing specific tasks;
  • collecting and analysing data (qualitative and/or quantitative) including an assessment of the validity of the research results; and
  • communicating the results in written form, requiring critical analysis, synthesis and organisation of knowledge, and the construction of a rational and lucid scientific argument.
  • Depending on the project, you may also find you learn other important skills such as how to work effectively in teams and how to take into consideration other complex issues associated with research.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your supervisor and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.

In line with the WIL component of this course, you will be expected to conduct yourself in a manner that contributes to a safe and inclusive working environment.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

Weekly learning resources are set up and available in Canvas.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, which may include books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be based on negotiated assessments agreed between the student and supervisor and will depend on the nature of the project and the discipline stream.

Assignment Task 1: Research Plan
Weighting 10%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1,-4

Assignment Task 2: Project Completion Seminar
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3 & 6

Assignment Task 3: Research Thesis
Weighting 40%
This assessment supports CLOs 1-5

Assignment Task 4: Workplace Assessment
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.