Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Co-convenor Prof. Mark Connor mark.connor@mq.edu.au Contact via Email Level 1, 75 Talavera Rd. Consultation by appointment Co-convenor Dr. Danè Turner daneh.turner@mq.edu.au Contact via Email Level 1, 75 Talavera Rd. Consultation by appointment
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites Admission to MRes
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description Building on MEDI711, students will continue to acquire an advanced conceptual knowledge of breakthrough discoveries relevant to a range of topics within the field of medical research. Through the mentoring of senior research-active staff, post-doctoral researchers and FMHS PhD candidates, students will gain discipline specific knowledge that will be relevant to their future research careers.Students will:1. Attend seminars and lectures focused on ongoing research projects from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and from invited speakers from leading national and international research institutes.2. Participate in self-directed and group tasks in which they will learn to research, read and critically review seminal research findings that have shaped contemporary thinking, and to disseminate their findings in written and oral form.

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:

Acquire advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual independence
Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
Develop oral and written communication skills, related to grant applications, and self-directed learning.
Identify pertinent areas of research and formulate a suitable methodology to test out a research question
Evaluate and appraise a research protocol based on quality, feasibility and significance.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Shark-Tank Grant Pitch	20%	Week 5
Grant Application	40%	Week 9
Peer Review and Rebuttal	30%	Week 12
Seminar Attendance	10%	Week 13

Shark-Tank Grant Pitch

Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%

Having attended two weeks of MND research talks, students will be asked to decide on a research question within the area of MND. They will then pitch their grant to an audience of research peers. This will be a 10-minute talk and 5-minute question session in a Shark-Tank style live pitch.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual independence
Develop oral and written communication skills, related to grant applications, and self-directed learning.
Identify pertinent areas of research and formulate a suitable methodology to test out a research question

Grant Application

Due: Week 9
Weighting: 40%

Students will submit a mock grant application, based on the MNDRIA Grant-in-aid application:

http://www.mndaust.asn.au/Discover-our-research/grants-and-research-meetings/Apply-for-a-grant.aspx

On successful completion you will be able to:

Acquire advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual independence
Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
Develop oral and written communication skills, related to grant applications, and self-directed learning.
Identify pertinent areas of research and formulate a suitable methodology to test out a research question

Peer Review and Rebuttal

Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

Students will provide a peer review of another’s grants. Strengths, weaknesses, significance and innovation. A week later, the students will discuss and respond to the comments of the peer reviewers (staff as well as peers).

On successful completion you will be able to:

Acquire advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual independence
Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
Develop oral and written communication skills, related to grant applications, and self-directed learning.
Evaluate and appraise a research protocol based on quality, feasibility and significance.

Seminar Attendance

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

MRes students are expected to attend a minimum of 15 hours of seminars over the Semester (minimum of 1 hour of seminar per week), these can include Research Seminars hosted by Biomedical Sciences, AIHI, the Department of Health Professions or other Faculties.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Acquire advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research

Delivery and Resources

Throughout the semester students will be provided with references to various journal papers which they will be expected to read and reflect on. Students are also encouraged to expand their knowledge and understanding of topics presented by further reading of the current literature (using databases such as Scopus and PubMed).

Unit Schedule

Week	Date beginning	Topic
1	Monday, 1st August	Proteomics
2	Monday, 8th August	Cardiovascular Biomechanics
3	Monday, 15th August	MND
4	Monday, 22nd August	MND
5	Monday, 29th August	MND
6	Monday, 5th September	MND
7	Monday, 12th September	Infection Control
Mid-semester break
8	Monday, 3rd October	LABOUR DAY- PUBLIC HOLIDAY
9	Monday, 10th October	Neuroscience
10	Monday, 17th October	Neuroscience
11	Monday, 24th October	Orthopaedic Biomechanics
12	Monday, 31st October	Pharmacology
13	Monday, 7th November	PhD Student Experiences

Please note that times for Practicals/ Tutorials will be arranged with students. Current time allocations are provisional.

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

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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/

Results

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.

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

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/

Results

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

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:

Learning outcome

Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research

Assessment tasks

Grant Application
Peer Review and Rebuttal
Seminar Attendance

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

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.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

Acquire advanced knowledge of current research in medical science

Assessment tasks

Shark-Tank Grant Pitch
Grant Application
Peer Review and Rebuttal

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

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:

Learning outcomes

Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual independence
Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
Develop oral and written communication skills, related to grant applications, and self-directed learning.
Identify pertinent areas of research and formulate a suitable methodology to test out a research question
Evaluate and appraise a research protocol based on quality, feasibility and significance.

Assessment tasks

Shark-Tank Grant Pitch
Grant Application
Peer Review and Rebuttal
Seminar Attendance

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual independence
Synthesise and analyse information from a wide variety of sources on medical research
Identify pertinent areas of research and formulate a suitable methodology to test out a research question
Evaluate and appraise a research protocol based on quality, feasibility and significance.

Assessment tasks

Shark-Tank Grant Pitch
Grant Application
Peer Review and Rebuttal
Seminar Attendance

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Develop oral and written communication skills, related to grant applications, and self-directed learning.
Identify pertinent areas of research and formulate a suitable methodology to test out a research question
Evaluate and appraise a research protocol based on quality, feasibility and significance.

Assessment tasks

Shark-Tank Grant Pitch
Grant Application
Peer Review and Rebuttal

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Acquire advanced knowledge of current research in medical science
Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in medical research with intellectual independence
Develop oral and written communication skills, related to grant applications, and self-directed learning.
Identify pertinent areas of research and formulate a suitable methodology to test out a research question

Assessment tasks

Shark-Tank Grant Pitch
Grant Application
Peer Review and Rebuttal

Changes from Previous Offering

This unit, similar to previous years, is an extension of MEDI711 from Semester 1. The core research topics have been modified to reflect current research within the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Seminar Attendance Log Book

Student details
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Unit Co-ordinator

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