Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in Schedule 1 of the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, which is available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

All final grades in the Masters of Research are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade plus a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG). The SNG is not necessarily a summation of the individual assessment components. The final grade and SNG that are awarded reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, attempt all assessment tasks, meet any ungraded requirements including professionalism and achieve an SNG of 50 or better.

Student Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including tutorials, as well as complete online and laboratory-based practical sessions.

Furthermore, lectures and seminars are key learning activities that you are expected to attend throughout the Masters of Research program. While audio recordings and lecture slides may be made available following these large group sessions, it is important to recognise that such resources are a study aid - and should not be considered an alternative to lecture or seminar attendance.

Students who do not maintain adequate attendance (greater than or equal to 80% of scheduled classes) may be deemed unable to meet expectations regarding professionalism and may be referred for disciplinary action (which may include exclusion from assessments and unit failure).

Similarly, as part of developing professionalism, students are expected to submit all work by the due date. Applications for assessment task extensions must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. For further details please refer to the Special Consideration Policy available at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

Submission of assignments

All written assignments are to be submitted in Turnitin. The marking rubric is contained within the Turnitin submission system. Instructions on submitting assignments and how to access marks and feedback through Turnitin are available through this link: Turnitin.

Late Submission

All assignments that are officially received after the due date, and where no extension or special consideration has been granted, will incur a deduction of 5% per day, including weekends and public holidays and the actual day received. This will continue up until 10 days after due date, after which the assignment will not be accepted. For example:

Delivery

The research placements make up the majority of contact hours within this unit. The remaining hours are delivered through a co-location model with the Research Placement Units offered within the Masters of Research (MEDI7042) and Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (MEDI3900). Learning activities, outcomes and assessments differ between the different cohorts but co-locating these units allows candidates to participate in peer activities relevant to research engagement such as research discussions, presentations and critique.

Technology Used

Completion of online training and learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Required Unit Materials

For placements in laboratories within the Department of Biomedical Sciences, all students are required to wear closed shoes that cover the whole foot and a laboratory gown/coat (provided) whilst in the laboratory venue.

Online training modules and laboratory inductions

Before students will be provided with laboratory access for their research placements they will be required to complete online training modules and a face-to-face laboratory induction. Further details are available in iLearn. COVID19 update: MEDI7041 will be delivered on-line in session 2, 2020. Laboratory inductions will not be necessary.

Recommended Readings

Details of recommended readings will be provided by supervisors in the host research group. Students should use this material to actively seek further reading through searching the current literature (e.g. research articles and reviews) using tools such as PubMed, Scopus, and/or GoogleScholar. This material should supplement and extend their understanding of the research topic, and assist in preparation of assessed material.

Research Documentation

Students should keep a laboratory lab book or log for documentation of their day-to-day work, including details such as experimental methods, observations, results and results analysis, and conclusions. This document serves as an important written record in research and may be used to guide future work in your host group. This documentation will remain the property of the research group at the end of the placement.

Week 1. Unit Introduction

Introduction to the unit and tasks to complete online training modules and laboratory induction.

Weeks 2 to 13. Research Placement.

It is expected that each week at least one and a half days (approximately 11 hours) be spent engaged in research activities, whether that be laboratory work, preparation/analysis of data, learning through critical review of literature, or participating in research group discussions. Research activities will be conducted under the supervision of a staff researcher with possible assistance from a senior PhD student. Masters of Research candidates will either assist with a currently running project, or conduct a small independent project (at the discretion of the laboratory head).

• Week 2 to 6 - Research placement 1
• Week 8 to 12 - Research placement 2

Classes

Classes will not be held every week as the majority of the hours for this unit will be spent in your research placement setting. Learning opportunities for scientific communication may be held to assist in completing the assessment tasks.

MEDI7041 in session 2 of 2020 will not include face-to-face activities due to current University guidelines on learning and teaching activities in response to COVID19 conditions.