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 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, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to complete all online activities and attend all small group interactive sessions and lectures. 

Students who do not maintain adequate attendance and engagement (greater than or equal to 80% of scheduled classes/activities) 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 (MEDI7041 and MEDI7042) and Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (MEDI3901). 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.

Online training modules and laboratory inductions

COVID19 update: MEDI3900 will be delivered online in Session 2, 2020. For this reason practical laboratory inductions will not be required. Other online training modules may be required for each individual research project.

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 selection of research projects.

Weeks 2 to 11. Research Placement.

It is expected that each week at least 5 hours will be spent engaged in research activities, including data generation, data analysis, learning through critical review of literature, and 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. Students will either assist with a currently running project, or conduct a small independent project (at the discretion of the laboratory head).

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.

In Session 2, 2020 MEDI3900 will not include face-to-face research activities due to current University guidelines on learning and teaching activities in response to COVID19 conditions. Research projects will involve online research experiences.