Students

MHHS8001 – Research Frontiers

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Milena Gandy
milena.gandy@mq.edu.au
Jacqueline Phillips
jacqueline.phillips@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Jennifer Rowland
Unit description Unit description

In this unit you will develop an advanced conceptual knowledge of breakthrough discoveries relevant to a range of topics within medicine, health and human sciences. You will gain discipline-specific knowledge that will be relevant to your future research career. You will attend seminars and lectures focused on ongoing research projects from the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences and from invited speakers from leading national and international research institutes.You will also learn to conduct research, read and critically review seminal research findings that have shaped contemporary thinking, and to disseminate these 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:

  • ULO1: Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • ULO2: Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • ULO3: Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • ULO4: Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • ULO5: Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

General Assessment Information

Scientific News Article

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation Indicative Time on Task 2: 19 hours Due: Week 5

Weighting: 25% Groupwork/Individual: Short extension 3: No AI Approach: Open

A popular science news article reporting on findings from a recent publication.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

Journal Club Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours Due: Week 7

Weighting: 35%

Groupwork/Individual:

Short extension 3: No AI Approach: 

Presentation of a seminal research paper in journal club format.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

Critical Review Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay Indicative Time on Task 2: 33 hours Due: Week 12

Weighting: 40%

Groupwork/Individual:

Short extension 3: No AI Approach: Open

Critical essay on selected topic from the unit.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

Seminar Critique

Assessment Type 1: Report Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours

Due: Formative assessment to be undertaken throughout Session 1

Weighting: 0%

Groupwork/Individual:

Short extension 3: No AI Approach: Open

Critical review of seminar presentations. Formative Assessment.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

 

 
   

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Scientific News Article 25% No Week 5 Individual No Observed
Journal Club Presentation 35% No Week 7 Individual No Observed
Critical Review Essay 40% No 29/05/2026 Individual Yes Open
Seminar Critique 0% No TBA Individual No Open

Scientific News Article

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 19 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

A popular science news article reporting on findings from a recent publication.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

Journal Club Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

Presentation of a seminal research paper in journal club format.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

Critical Review Essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 33 hours
Due: 29/05/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Critical essay on selected topic from the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

Seminar Critique

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 0%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Critical review of seminar presentations. Formative Assessment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise and analyse research information from a wide variety of resources in your discipline
  • Identify and discuss complex problems and issues in research within your discipline
  • Articulate clear arguments in written and oral form for a variety of audiences.
  • Apply skills in research literacy and research related information technology.
  • Reflect on the breadth of research in the disciplines of medicine, health and human sciences

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2026.01R of the Handbook