The principal component of second year of the Biology Master by Coursework programs is a research project conducted under supervision and embedded in a medical research laboratory. In addition, students present seminars on their research work, critically analyse a current paper in their field and prepare a thesis for examination. The research project runs from early February to early November or mid-July to mid-May. As a first step, students must find a supervisor from the John Curtin School of Medical Research to guide the project. The project and supervisor must then be approved by the convenor of this course and of the Master by coursework program. As this can take some time, students should discuss their intention to undertake a research project with potential supervisors and the Master by Coursework coordinator several months before the proposed starting date.

Learning Outcomes

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

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

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic to generate new knowledge in an area of medical research.
2. Systematically evaluate relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
3. Demonstrate sufficient mastery to understand and apply relevant experimental techniques in medical research to collect original research data.
4. Analyse and interpret original medical research data with statistical or other evaluative processes where appropriate.
5. Communicate and justify complex concepts and results clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

MEDN8001 is an Research Year with a Medical Research Specialisation.

A full time load is 24 units over 2 semesters (48 units total)

Students undertake a research project in the field of Medical Research. Students will undertake a project under the supervision of an academic from the College of Health and Medicine. Additionally, students, are expected to participate in a the activities (e.g. journal clubs) of one of the divisions of the John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Field Trips

It is possible that some research projects have a fieldwork component.

Required Resources

The complete Medical Research Masters (Adv) handbook, timeline, assessment criteria are available on the the Medical Research Masters (Adv) Wattle site.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

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

• Via regular meetings with supervisors where general feedback on day to day progress will be given
• Indicative marks (subject to subsequent moderation) for assessed milestones will be given before then end of each semester
• Specific feedback will be provided by examiners on the journal club, thesis and defense, and final seminar exercises

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	Overview: The Medical Research Project usually is taken as a 24 unit course over two consecutive semesters, usually commencing after completion of 48 units coursework courses in the Master of Neuroscience (Advanced).	Assessment is to be negotiated with the supervisor and/or course convener within the first 2 weeks of the first enrolment. This summary provides a general information for a student enrolling in this course for the first time as a full-time student. It is expected that a student will complete a research project of 48 units. The date ranges provided are a general indication only for a student commencing their research project in semester 1 and submitting their research project in semester 1 of the following year.
2	In house training courses are scheduled throughout the year. Details are provided in the masters timeline and on the wattle site. The training required depends on the nature of the research project and should be discussed with your supervisor.	For details of the timing of training courses see the masters timeline document.
3	The focus of the research year is the completion of a thesis based on a research project. The other assessed components are the presentation of a paper at journal club in the first semester of study and a final presentation of data at the end of the second semester of study. Additional milestones will need to be completed through the year	Full details of milestones and assessment requirements are given in the Masters (Advanced) handbook.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Grant Proposal	0 %	16/03/2023	07/04/2023	1,2,5
Seminar on proposed research project and meeting with advisor	0 %	27/03/2023	07/04/2023	1,2,5
Journal club presentation	15 %	16/06/2023	*	2,5
Submission of First Draft of Thesis	0 %	05/10/2023	19/10/2023	1,2,4,5
Submission of Thesis	75 %	26/10/2023	01/12/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Final Seminar	10 %	14/11/2023	01/12/2023	1,2,3,4,5

* 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

Participation in group lab meetings, department journal clubs and seminars and school seminars is mandatory. Attendance at the initial and final seminars of the honours cohort is also mandatory.

Examination(s)

There is no exam

Assessment Task 1

Grant Proposal

A written literature review and research plan modeled on the NHMRC guidelines. For full details of formatting and word limits see the masters (adv) handbook.

Assessment Task 2

Seminar on proposed research project and meeting with advisor

A 15 minute presentation (12 minute talk + 3 minutes questions) outlining the proposed work. This is to be open to the whole school. Talks will be scheduled over 2 days and attendance at the talks of your fellow masters (adv) students is compulsory. Around the same time you are required to meet with your advisor. A signoff sheet is provided to confirm that this meeting has taken place.

Assessment Task 3

Journal club presentation

A journal club presentation of a high quality paper including a critical analysis of the experiments and analysis. The paper will be assigned by your department 3 weeks before your scheduled presentation. You will also be required to submit an annotated bibliography of five related papers. Full details of presentation and submission requirements as well as the marking rubric will be in the handbook.

Assessment Task 4

Submission of First Draft of Thesis

A draft of the thesis to be submitted for comments and feedback from the supervisor.

Assessment Task 5

Submission of Thesis

The thesis is the formal written presentation of the research project, together with the oral exam this will constitute the main assessment item in the course. Full details of formatting and submission requirements as well as the marking rubric will be in the handbook.

Assessment Task 6

Final Seminar

A 15 minute presentation (12 minute talk + 3 minutes questions) outlining the completed work. Talks will be scheduled over 2 days and attendance at the talks of your fellow masters (adv) students is compulsory. Full details of presentation requirements as well as the marking rubric will be in the handbook.

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.

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.

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.

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