Students
BIOL7925 – Biology in the 21st Century
2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Kosnik
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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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 provide students with hands-on experience in biological research, particularly in the area relative to your second year project. The unit also aims for you to develop your skills with working with potential supervisors and research groups. Students will undertake the equivalent of 150 hours work experience in a research group in the Department of Biological Sciences. Students will learn methods used by the research group, assist in research relative to their project, attend research group meetings, and, potentially, pursue their own small individual project.
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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:
- ULO1: Apply knowledge of your Work Health and Safety obligations to create a risk assessment and management plan for your research project.
- ULO3: Professionally communicate and defend your selected methodology.
- ULO2: Identify, critically evaluate and apply potential methods to undertake your research.
- ULO4: Identify an appropriate funding body for your proposed research project.
- ULO5: Build and articulate a case for the importance of funding your research project.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHS portfolio | 10% | No | Week 2 & last day of classes |
| Skills plan and supervisors report | 20% | No | Plan: Week 2, Report: last day of classes |
| Grant Proposal | 30% | No | To be agreed with student. |
| Research methods | 40% | No | To be agreed with student. |
WHS portfolio
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 2 & last day of classes
Weighting: 10%
A portfolio outlining the WHS training plan from Lab Essentials, completion of the required WHS modules, and a project specific evaluation of WHS needs. Students will need to work a supervisor and the relevant professional and technical staff to ensure that a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management plan is produced.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of your Work Health and Safety obligations to create a risk assessment and management plan for your research project.
- Identify, critically evaluate and apply potential methods to undertake your research.
Skills plan and supervisors report
Assessment Type 1: Work-integrated task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Plan: Week 2, Report: last day of classes
Weighting: 20%
Students and supervisors will outline an agreed series of tasks designed to train the student in relevant lab, field, or data analysis techniques. Students will provide a written reflection on these tasks and supervisors will feedback on student performance, progress, participation in group activities, abilities acquired, competency with performing methods, and attendance throughout the placement.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of your Work Health and Safety obligations to create a risk assessment and management plan for your research project.
- Professionally communicate and defend your selected methodology.
- Identify, critically evaluate and apply potential methods to undertake your research.
Grant Proposal
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: To be agreed with student.
Weighting: 30%
Students, with assistance from a supervisor and the unit convenor, will identify an appropriate grant opportunity relevant to their proposed project. They will write a grant application using the format specified by the grant opportunity.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify an appropriate funding body for your proposed research project.
- Build and articulate a case for the importance of funding your research project.
Research methods
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: To be agreed with student.
Weighting: 40%
Students will describe and defend the appropriateness of the methods they have learnt in their placement in written form for publication.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Professionally communicate and defend your selected methodology.
- Identify, critically evaluate and apply potential methods to undertake your research.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
There is a mandatory meeting in Week 1 for both students and supervisors - attendance can be online if necessary.
Laboratory / fieldwork and meetings with supervisors is to be arranged by the students & supervisors.
The unit convenor will have a weekly meeting as necessary and will arrange workshops at the request of students, but this unit is student led!
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.