Students
CBMS700 – Research Frontiers in Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences
2014 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Bridget Mabbutt
Contact via bridget.mabbutt@mq.edu.au
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is designed to engage students with those topics currently dominating the chemical and biomolecular sciences. It will expose students to current research questions across the range of the broad discipline. Activities are based on seminar attendance, as well as directed reading of research papers and the discussion and critiquing of research topics in written and seminar forms. Students will be guided to a range of readings that engage new directions of scientific thought and break-through methodologies, such as recent Nobel Prize-winning outcomes. This unit will allow students to reflect on current trends and to communicate changes underway.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Engagement with highly advanced knowledge in molecular science through attendance at relevant research seminars
- Development of critical skills concerning technology trends in contemporary molecular science research
- Practice of a professional level of communication (written, verbal) to articulate cutting-edge achievements and the manner by which discoveries are being made in molecular science
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Research seminar attendance | 10% | 6June |
| Technology review (draft) | 50% | 7April |
| Technology review (final) | 10% | 19May |
| Seminar reflection | 20% | 12June |
| Peer discussion | 10% | 12June |
Research seminar attendance
Due: 6June
Weighting: 10%
Departmental research seminars occur in CBMS on a weekly basis, in 2014 scheduled Tuesdays 1-2pm. This is a conventional forum by which visiting scientists formally convey their research findings to a peer audience, and staff and students of the Department are expected to attend. Such seminars differ from more informal research presentations, such as given at research team meetings.
You will be required to attend a total of 10 seminars in the semester, usually of 1 hr duration, and confirm your attendance with sign-off from the day's seminar convenor. You are a guest at these formal settings in which researchers show respect and give full attention to the speaker: always arrive on time (space is limited) and do not leave the session until after questions are completed. Should it be essential to leave the room before others, always do so quietly by a back door. Please make sure you turn your mobile phone off and leave it in your bag.
Research seminars held elsewhere in the University or across the Sydney region may be of direct relevance to your research interest, and you are certainly welcome to include those in your attendance program, should they be formally endorsed by other organisations. Please seek permission from A/Prof. Mabbutt should you plan to include other types of seminar experiences in your attendance portfolio.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Engagement with highly advanced knowledge in molecular science through attendance at relevant research seminars
- Development of critical skills concerning technology trends in contemporary molecular science research
Technology review (draft)
Due: 7April
Weighting: 50%
You will be supervised in readings concerning a selected technology currently having breakthrough impact within molecular science. The specific topic will be selected from a panel of new techniques offered to the 700-level class.
You will prepare a written review (2500 words) covering the molecular basis of this new technology, its development and recent application. The first version of this report will form the basis for a viva (~20 min) with your supervising academic.
Following your viva and feedback concerning your written report, you will re-submit an improved version of your review (see below).
The grade awarded will reflect the degree to which you demonstrate understanding of the molecular basis underlying the specific technology and your awareness of the scientific impact and potential demonstrated by its recent application
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Development of critical skills concerning technology trends in contemporary molecular science research
- Practice of a professional level of communication (written, verbal) to articulate cutting-edge achievements and the manner by which discoveries are being made in molecular science
Technology review (final)
Due: 19May
Weighting: 10%
Following your viva and feedback concerning your written report, you will re-submit an improved version of your review.
The grade awarded will reflect the degree to which you made improvements in response to feedback provided.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Development of critical skills concerning technology trends in contemporary molecular science research
- Practice of a professional level of communication (written, verbal) to articulate cutting-edge achievements and the manner by which discoveries are being made in molecular science
Seminar reflection
Due: 12June
Weighting: 20%
A 10 min PowerPoint presentation will be delivered by each student to the CBMS700 peer group, highlighting and critiquing one research seminar attended during semester which proved to be of specific personal interest. Your talk will be followed by questions (~10 min) from your audience of moderators and fellow students.
By exploring the relevant primary literature, you will be expected to demonstrate insight into the concepts and findings presented by the seminar speaker. You will also be required to reflect on the impact the particular piece of research successfully brings to the molecular sciences.
Grading of this task will be determined by the critical depth and scientific understanding articulated in your reflection and answers to questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Engagement with highly advanced knowledge in molecular science through attendance at relevant research seminars
- Practice of a professional level of communication (written, verbal) to articulate cutting-edge achievements and the manner by which discoveries are being made in molecular science
Peer discussion
Due: 12June
Weighting: 10%
You will act as Chair for one presentation delivered by a fellow student concerning a seminar they have attended. In this position, you are responsible for introducing the speaker, and to facilitate the discussion that follows, in a manner that brings out the strenghts of the speaker's ideas.
All audience members in the class will be expected to participate in the questions and discussion concerning the innovative aspect of each seminar experience highlighted.
Your grade will reflect the degree to which you meaningfully contribute and bring insight to the seminar you chair, as well as to your contributions within peer-driven discussion following all talks.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Practice of a professional level of communication (written, verbal) to articulate cutting-edge achievements and the manner by which discoveries are being made in molecular science
Delivery and Resources
Seminar attendance and critique
Departmental research seminars generally occur in CBMS on a weekly basis. Seminars within formal series such as these (sponsored within University/Medical Research Departments) serve as an excellent educational opportunity to become aware of areas of current research focus.
You must obtain record for a total of 10 seminar experiences by June 6. It is your responsibility to retain and collate sign-off on the Unit-approved class sheet as participation record. A printed card will be distributed to all students in Week 1.
Your presentation must concern one of the 10 seminar experiences documented on your personal attendance record.
News of seminars on offer around Sydney and of relevance in the molecular sciences will be regularly placed on the iLearn site. You may wish to include seminars held in other university departments or Research Institutes, as well as those formally hosted in the metropolitan area by professional organisations such as Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Joint Microbiological Associations (JAMS) or the Sydney Protein Group.
Details concerning additional seminar series you may like to consider:
- Wednesday 1pm, Department of Biological Sciences (Macquarie): //bio.mq.edu.au
- Wednesday 6pm, Joint Academic Microbiology Seminars (held at the Australian Museum, College St): /www.jams.org.au
- Friday 12.00, School of Molecular Bioscience (University of Sydney): sydney.edu.au/science/molecular_bioscience/news_and_events/seminars.php
- Friday 3.30, School of Advanced Medicine (Macquarie): //www.mq.edu.au/about_us/faculties_and_departments/faculty_of_human_sciences/asam/research/seminar_series/
- Sydney Protein Group (varied days): sydney.edu.au/science/molecular_bioscience/spg/
Technology essay and viva
As noted within the semester schedule above, once you have selected your technology topic, it is your responsibility to contact and arrange interviews and vivas with the relevant supervising academic.
New for 2014
The Technology Review task has been separated into draft and final submission stages to formally expedite consultative feedback into the writing process of Masters students.
Unit Schedule
This Unit consists of self-directed tasks, with formal classroom experience only occuring in the last week of semester. It is your responsibility to organise your work according to the following schedule:
Weeks 1 –12:
You will attend ~1 research seminar weekly as part of your research training in this Unit. Seminars will most likely be selected from the CBMS Research Seminar series at Macquarie, generally held on Tuesdays at 1pm, as advertised on the Departmental website. However, you are invited to attend other departmental/institutional research seminars that interest you.
Week 2:
You will be notified within iLearn of the panel of Molecular Science technology topics available in 2014 for review, together with supervisory staff associated with each topic. Once you have selected a specific topic, it is your responsibility to directly contact the supervising academic in Week 2 for direction concerning appropriate reading literature. Your must compile a written critical review of background methodology and contemporary applications of this breakthrough technology (as detailed in assessment tasks).
Week 6 (April7):
4pm deadline for submission of technology review to CBMS700 Unit Convenor, A/Prof. Mabbutt. Late submissions will be subject to penalty. Turnitin must be used for an electronic submission.
Week 7 or 8:
Viva concerning your technology topic with relevant supervising academic. It is your responsibility to arrange and schedule this interview in advance.
Week 10 (May19):
4pm deadline for submission of revised version of technology review to CBMS700 Unit Convenor, A/Prof. Mabbutt. Late submissions will be subject to penalty
Week13 (Jun 12):
Student presentations and discussion sessions will be held within the timetabled Thursday session, i.e. from 11am. Your contribution to peer discussion during this seminar session will be graded, as well as your own presentation, and role as Chair.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.