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 and 16cp at 700 level
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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 provide hands-on experience by direct interface with molecular science underway in the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences. Students will participate in the programs of two distinct research groups over the semester and navigate typical situations encountered as members of a scientific research team. They will engage in a range of pertinent laboratory activities, receive preparative training in advanced molecular techniques from research scientists, and attend team meetings at which experimental data are reviewed and research planning is encountered.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Laboratory notebook A | 15% | 14th September |
Research presentation A | 25% | 11th September |
Supervisor A report | 10% | 18th September |
Laboratory notebook B | 15% | 2nd November |
Research presentation B | 25% | 30th October |
Supervisor B report | 10% | 6th November |
Due: 14th September
Weighting: 15%
You will be provided with a notebook in which you will record your daily laboratory activities in a manner appropriate to the research disipline in which you are working. The laboratory notebook is generally regarded as the primary source of new experimental information, and many granting authorities require notebooks to be retained by funded laboratories (i.e. they are not the property of the researcher).
Your lab notebook must be written up as experiments are set up and progress, alongside relevant observations or insights. Each task and observation must be clearly dated. The level of description should be sufficient to allow experiments to be replicated by another worker. The names and location of all data files related to each experiment must be identified clearly.
Your notebook must be certified on a weekly basis by your supervisor or a senior researcher in your team. Marks will be deducted if this is not done. At the end of your rotation, the quality of reporting within your laboratory notebook will be assessed by the Unit convenor.
Due: 11th September
Weighting: 25%
You will give a 30 min Powerpoint presentation to your research group outlining:
(i) the work in which you participated,
(ii) background literature to the overall project,
(iii) a critique of experiments in which you were involved, and
(iv) an outline of your results.
You will be questioned by your research team members and receive constructive feedback on your presentation.Your overall performance will be marked by your research supervisor.
Due: 18th September
Weighting: 10%
You supervisor will provide a report to the Unit convenor evaluating your laboratory performance, technical competencies gained and degree of engagement. Factors such as attention to detail, ability to learn new methods, your contribution to experimental interpretation, and interactions with the research team will contribute to this assessment.
Due: 2nd November
Weighting: 15%
As for laboratory notebook A.
At the end of your second rotation, the Unit covenor will review and assess your laboratory notebook.
Due: 30th October
Weighting: 25%
As for Research presentation A.
Due: 6th November
Weighting: 10%
As for Supervisor Report A.
Following the information about research projects available and induction sessions run in Weeks 1 and 2, you will be asked to nominate up to 3 projects that interest you. Two will be assigned to best accommodate your preferences, within the research spaces made available by team leaders.
During the two 5 week-sessions of laboratory work, you are expected to be present in the participating laboratory for ~15 hours per week. During this time, as well as participating in experiments, you will write up your laboratory notebook, conduct background literature surveys and attend group meetings and seminars.
Technologies Used and Required
Consumable costs have been provided to each hosting laboratory towards your laboratory costs, and you will be provided with basic laboratory needs, including lab notebook. Specialist scientific equipment, computers and software will be made available to you under supervision, but you will require your own laptop with basic software installed to prepare your reports and presentation.
For detailed schedules and locations, you must consult the CBMS780 iLearn site. The class will not generally use the Monday scheduled "lecture" slot: instead you must arrange suitable working times with your laboratory head, according to mutual timetables.
The Unit will be generally structured as follows:
Weeks 1&2: Unit introduction; Meet with CBMS Laboratory Heads, chemical and biosafety induction; notification of lab placements
Weeks 3-7: Placement, Lab A
Weeks 8-12: Placement, Lab B
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Please note due dates for all tasks. No extensions will be granted, unless a case for Special Consideration has been made through the Faculty site and approved by the Unit convenor.
Your laboratory notebooks must be handed in person to the Unit convenor by the due date. Late work will be penalised.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
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Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
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No changes made from 2014 offering