The deluge of data from our newfound ability to sequence genomes and visualise molecules from thousands of cells and individuals will revolutionise healthcare. Computational solutions, from distributed computing to deep learning, are increasingly essential to biomedical progress. While the transformation at the interface of high-throughput experimentation and computer science is underway, biomedical research is generating data at a faster pace than we are able to process and interpret it. This presents an unheralded opportunity for motivated students to become the new leaders of the computational biology revolution.

This course is an opportunity for students with diverse disciplinary backgrounds — including but not limited to computer science, engineering, statistics, biology, physics and mathematics — to work on real-world biomedical problems using computational methods under the supervision of top researchers at the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR). This course will embed students into multidisciplinary teams to Identify and work on applications of innovative computational technologies to biomedicine. 

This course can be taken as either 6 or 12 units. Students who take the 12 unit version are expected to undertake more in-depth and sustained study.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Plan and pursue an independent investigation and evaluation of novel computational methods to address open questions in biomedical research.
2. Systematically develop and apply relevant theory and methods and draw evidence-based conclusions to open biomedical problems using advanced computational technologies.
3. Explain advanced concepts in computational biology and develop a translational application.
4. Demonstrate accurate and efficient use and development of advanced computational methodologies to solve real-world biomedical problems, and their communication in writing.
5. Demonstrate capacity for scientific reasoning and interpretation through the independent development and application of advanced methods in computational biology and their communication to experts and lay audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

Students will be integrated in an active research group in a world-class research environment. They will obtain direct experience of the elements involved in a research project, from defining their hypotheses, choosing appropriate methods, undertaking research and presenting their results in oral and written formats. They will be guided and supervised by research academics currently working in the area of study.  

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• verbal feedback from the supervisor on the research proposal and seminar, and feedback during the seminar in the form of questions from the examiners and other audience members.
• feedback on final report and software output once final marks have been released on an individual basis, in writing or in person if required.
• individual one-to-one feedback during the course, on appointment with convenor, on any query or issue the student wants to raise.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Weeks 1 - 2: Welcome and induction sessions; Development of project proposal.	Project Proposal
2	Weeks 2 - 8: Undertake research project; prepare oral presentation.
3	Weeks 9-12: Deliver oral presentation. Complete research project and write final report	Oral Presentation
4	Week 12: Submit final report and software output	Final Report and Software

Tutorial Registration

ANU uses MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Project Proposal	10 %	04/08/2023	18/08/2023	1,4
Oral Presentation	20 %	02/10/2023	13/10/2023	3,5
Final Report	50 %	27/10/2023	31/12/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Software Output	20 %	27/10/2023	31/12/2023	1,2,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to participate in group lab meetings and group scientific discussions, undertake presentations in group meetings and attend JCSMR school seminars.

Assessment Task 1

Project Proposal

A short written proposal of the project to be carried out of about 500 words. The project proposal should include sections for Background, Aims, Methodology, and Expected Outcomes.

The project proposal should be submitted within the first two weeks of the semester.

Feedback will be given by the supervisor within 2 week of submission.

Assessment Task 2

Oral Presentation

An oral presentation outlining the methods and outcomes of the research project will be prepared by the student for presenting in week 9 of semester. This presentation is expected to be 10 minutes with 2 minutes of question time.

Feedback will be given by the supervisor within 1 week of the presentation.

Assessment Task 3

Final Report

Formal written presentation of the research project. This is expected to be of approximately 4000 words. The report should include the following sections: Background, Aims, Methodology, Results, and Discussion. The report should also include relevant literature references.

Assessment Task 4

Software Output

Production of a repository or notebook that is complete with instructions and test data. This should be submitted during week 12 of semester.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin. Students will also be required to provide a copy of the submission through EasyChair or similar to facilitate the reviewing process.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Student assignments will be returned online.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Assignments cannot be resubmitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students