Students

MEDI7041 – Research Rotation 1

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Angela Laird
Jennifer Rowland
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is the first of two units facilitating research within the first year of the Masters of Research within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences. This unit focuses on providing a first hand experience of performing research and research communication. In this unit, you will become a member of several research groups under the supervision of a senior PhD candidate or post-doctoral staff member. Learning activities will include participation in research activities such as assisting in the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, participation in research group meetings and journal clubs, and practical experience in research communication. The immersive learning environment within the research activities will provide you with access to discipline-specific expertise, and you will be able to demonstrate the application of the theoretical knowledge obtained in your other learning activities. Through this unit you will develop skills as a researcher and research communicator.

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: Communicate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of fields of contemporaryresearch.
  • ULO2: Participate in the day-to-day running of a research group and the responsibilities inresearch and collaborate in discussion centred around research ideas, methods, anddata.
  • ULO3: Acquire, analyse, and interpret research data and methods in a way suitable forpresentation to the scientific community.
  • ULO4: Review and critically evaluate diverse scientific literature and present your findings.

General Assessment Information

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.

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 clinical- and laboratory-based practical sessions.

Furthermore, lectures and seminars are key learning activities that you are expected to attend throughout completion of the Masters of Research. 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 are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all small group interactive sessions. Students that do not meet this requirement 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 www.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.

Late Submission

Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty including weekends and public holidays. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks.

For example:

Due date

Received

Days late

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

Friday 14th

Monday 17th

3

15%

75%

60%

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Project Proposal 25% No Week 4
Research engagement 15% No Week 12
Poster Presentation 30% No Week 7
Mini-paper submission 30% No Week 14

Project Proposal

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 25%

Research proposal based on first research rotation.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of fields of contemporaryresearch.
  • Acquire, analyse, and interpret research data and methods in a way suitable forpresentation to the scientific community.
  • Review and critically evaluate diverse scientific literature and present your findings.

Research engagement

Assessment Type 1: Lab book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 15%

Contribution in research placement.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of fields of contemporaryresearch.
  • Participate in the day-to-day running of a research group and the responsibilities inresearch and collaborate in discussion centred around research ideas, methods, anddata.

Poster Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

Presentation of outcomes from first research rotation.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of fields of contemporaryresearch.
  • Participate in the day-to-day running of a research group and the responsibilities inresearch and collaborate in discussion centred around research ideas, methods, anddata.
  • Acquire, analyse, and interpret research data and methods in a way suitable forpresentation to the scientific community.
  • Review and critically evaluate diverse scientific literature and present your findings.

Mini-paper submission

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 14
Weighting: 30%

Conference proceeding on second research rotation topic.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of fields of contemporaryresearch.
  • Participate in the day-to-day running of a research group and the responsibilities inresearch and collaborate in discussion centred around research ideas, methods, anddata.
  • Acquire, analyse, and interpret research data and methods in a way suitable forpresentation to the scientific community.
  • Review and critically evaluate diverse scientific literature and present your findings.

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

Delivery

The research placements make up the majority of contact hours within this unit. The remaining contact 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 (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.

Resources

Technology

Completion of online training and learning activities throughout the unit will require you to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. If you do not have your own device you may borrow one from the University library.

Required Unit Materials

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

Online training modules and laboratory inductions

If you need access to the laboratory you will be required to complete online training modules and a face-to-face laboratory induction.

Recommended Readings

Details of recommended readings will be provided by supervisors in the host research group. You 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 your understanding of the research topic, and assist in preparation of assessed material.

Research Documentation

You should keep a laboratory book or research diary for documentation of your day-to-day work, including details such as experimental methods, observations, 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.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.


Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook