It is a requirement of this course that you maintain a detailed laboratory book (these will be provided to you at the start of the semester) for your group project.  This book should be written in ink (not pencil) as it is a permanent record of your research endeavours, and all entries must be dated and signed weekly by your demonstrator.  It should detail all of the experiments that you undertake, including those that did not work for one reason or another.  All protocols must be written in sufficient detail to be understood and replicated by another scientist working the same area or using the same methods.  References to techniques derived from elsewhere must be clearly indicated, or more preferably, recorded in the laboratory book.  International protocol is that these SHOULD NOT leave the laboratory.  At the end of the course the laboratory book must be handed in with the group report and will remain the property of the School (students may make a copy, if they so wish).

The preferred mode of communication of information and notices to students is by MyUni notices and email.  All students will be issued with a student email address by the University, which the Co-ordinator will use for general communication with you.  Because of the difficulty in confirming receipt, it is considered that you have received our communication when emails are sent to you.  It is by this mechanism that you will be informed of changes to schedules and other important information.  It is your responsibility to check your email on a daily basis.

IT Support

The School of Medical Sciences now receives centralised IT support via the University IT services (ITS).  Help is available by phoning the ITS Helpdesk on 8303 3000 during working hours.  Note that support is limited to issues with accounts and University-owned computer software and hardware.  Nevertheless it is possible to use personal computers on the University network and at home.  A wireless secure LAN connection is available to all member of the University with a valid email account, for use with personal computers within the University.  Reception is possible within various areas on campus.  The University account also provides access from home for the cost of a local phone call.  Every student has access to web-mail for use anywhere in the world (see: http://webmail.adelaide.edu.au).

We cannot stress enough how important it is to backup your data and written work regularly.  Please ensure that you have well-established routines for backing up your work from the beginning of the year.  In previous years there have been problems where students are unable to retrieve lost work, causing a great deal of unnecessary stress for everyone.

Academic Learning and Language

Supporting Student Learning

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/learning/students/

Maths Learning Service

The Maths Learning Service (MLS) offers free support for all University of Adelaide students meeting their maths (including stats) in their studies.  The Maths Learning Service and the Maths Drop-In Centre is located on Level 2 of the Plaza Building on the North Terrace campus. (It is at reference G9 on the printable North Terrace Campus map).  Access to the Centre will be via the entrance to the Horace Lamb Building, past the Health Service and up the stairs to Level 2 of the Plaza Building.  Please follow the signs to the Centre.  We offer the following services:

The Maths Drop-In Centre: The Drop-In Centre is open from 10am-4pm during teaching weeks and swot vacs.  Our friendly staff is available during these times to help all students understand maths in their university courses.  No appointment is necessary.  During breaks, assistance is still available by contacting the MLS and making an appointment.

Bridging Courses: The MLS provides free self-paced bridging courses to cover prerequisite maths knowledge.

Online and Print Resources: We provide quick revision worksheets on various maths topics plus online refresher modules.  Our website also contains links to useful maths resources specific to various University of Adelaide courses. 

For further information : http://www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearning/

Maths Learning Centre, Level 3 East, Hub Central

This course will provide an online learning environment and all material will be provided to students through the University of Adelaide’s online management system MyUni. In particular students may undertake online learning using the Articulate Storyline Software, complete online assignments through MyUni, submit assignments online, participate in discussion boards and blogs. Links will be provided throughout the semester.

Note: students do not need Articulate Storyline Software; only access to MyUni.

Articulate presentations – the School of Medical Sciences has a number of staff that are expert in its use. The advantage to the student is the freedom to progress through content at their own pace while receiving in time support for their learning.  This is particularly helpful for the nature of the content which will be available for revision across the semester. The School of Medical Sciences has a purpose built e-learning room with dedicated PC access to training support software.

Laboratory-based Practicals – weekly practicals sessions enable small group research discovery and peer interaction around a semester long research project.

Discussion board – discussion boards will provide an interactive portal for students to post questions that may be of common interest to the group.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

This is a 3 unit course, and we expect that students should be spending 4 hours per week on reading and lecture preparation and attendance; 6 hours per week on laboratory work (including reading and writing) and 2 hours per week on revision for tests and examinations.

Tests and examinations will be graded using marks. This test will assess lecture material. It is designed to promote continuous learning of course content and preparation for the examination as well as feedback on your level of knowledge and understanding as you progress in the course.  Attendance at this test is compulsory.  If you miss the test for legitimate reasons (ie medical grounds) there WILL NOT be any opportunity to re-sit the test.  However, it will mean that your end-of-semester exam will be worth 45%.  If you fail to sit the test and do not have any medical documentation then you will receive 0 for the missed test.

Research Project

For the practical component students are required to undertake a research project.  Students will work in small groups of two or three and will be asked to sign up to a project via the My Uni web page.  To join a project, select Groups from the list on the left handside of the ICB MyUni site, then select “view sign up sheet to join a group” and then read the list of project topics from 1-10.  Once you have made your selection you click the “sign up” button under the topic.  Once you have done this it is final and cannot be changed.  The research projects are designed to introduce students to the various stages of the research process, from the development of a research proposal, to formulating an hypothesis, executing a series of experiments to investigate the topic, critically evaluating the results, and discussing them in the context of current literature.  At the end of the project, each group of students have to write and submit a detailed research report, in the form of a short paper. During the research project students will develop, and refine, skills in the following areas:

·    Organisation and time management.

·    Critical thinking.

·    Experimental design and hypothesis formulating and testing.

·    Collaboration with colleagues as co-workers.

·    Data collection, synthesis and analysis.

·    Data discussion in relation to current literature.

Students will be asked to read the relevant literature and, with assistance and advice from Tania and Rachel, identify the issue(s) they wish to investigate, and design an appropriate research strategy.

Research proposal (10% of grade)

A written research proposal must be submitted in the form of a written plan by Week 4 of semester emailed to Tania AND Rachel.  The following questions should be addressed in the research proposal, and will be used to assess each group's proposed research strategy.  :

·    Is the title clear?

·    Is the title related to the proposed research topic?

·    Are the objectives of the research clearly outlined?

·    Has a valid justification for conducting the research been provided?

·    Can the project be achieved given the resources that are likely to be available?

·    Has a realistic timetable for the completion of the project been indicated?

·    Are the research methods appropriate to the question(s) in hand?

·    Does the project require ethics

Format: The maximum length for the research proposal is 750 words excluding images and referencing.  Please use Times New Roman size 12 font, and use double spacing throughout your assignment. 

Referencing: Please use numbered citation in order of appearance OR alphabetical. As this is a 3^rd year course please do not cite websites or textbooks.

Your proposal should be named as follows: Group member surnames in alphabetical order_Research_Proposal_2014.  For example: Bowen_Crotti_Gibson_Research_Proposal_2014.  Please send both a word and PDF version of your proposal.  You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your proposal by 5pm on the due date.  If you do not receive this email, please contact both Tania and Rachel.

The practical work should start as soon as possible after meeting with the appointed supervisor completed by the end of week 11 of the semester.  Please be aware that this is also an important time in the National Research Funding cycle and your supervisor may be more limited n availability.

Research Report (30% of grade)

Students are advised to revise their final report in light of comments made by Rachel and Tania on their initial proposal. At the completion of the project a group research report (in the form of a research paper) must be submitted Monday Week 13 of Semester

Each student should be listed alphabetically according to their last name i.e. T.N. Crotti, R.J. Gibson. The research report should be organised under the following general headings:

·    Title

·    Abstract (of no more than 250 words)

·    Introduction

·    Materials and methods

·    Results (including figures/images)

·    Discussion

·    References to relevant literature cited in text.

Format: The maximum length for the research report is 3000 words excluding images and referencing (this is a standard journal article length).  Please write in Times New Roman, size 12 font, double spacing. Please use endnote for referencing. 

Referencing: Please use numbered citation in order of appearance OR alphabetical. As this is a 3^rd year course please do not cite websites or textbooks.

The report should be named as follows: Group member surnames in alphabetical order_Final_Research_Report_2014.

For example: Bowen_Crotti_Gibson_Final_Research_Report_2014.  Please send both a word and PDF version of your report.  You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your proposal by 5pm on the due date.  If you do not receive this email, please contact both Tania and Rachel.

The following questions may serve as a guide for the layout and content of your final research report:

·    Has a clear statement of the question, or hypothesis, to be investigated been presented?

·     Has a thorough explanation of the question being investigated been provided?

·     Is the explanation clear, well reasoned, and logical?

·     Are all components in the explanation given appropriate attention?

·    Is the report well organised in the presentation of the information?

·    Is the text legible and free from grammatical and typographical errors?

·    How clearly does the text and graphics transfer information to the reader?

·    Is appropriate use made of figures and tables?

·    Are figures/tables easily understood and have they been integrated into the text?

·    Has the research been appropriately discussed in relation to that of other literature of the field?

·    Does the report reflect the research methods and resources appropriate to the topic?

·    Are the conclusions supported by the data obtained?

·    Is there evidence of critical evaluation of results?

·    Are references appropriate to the topic?

·    Does the project require ethics?

Oral Presentations (15% of final grade)

As all graduates from the University of Adelaide are expected to have competency in oral and written dissemination of information related to your degree field, you will be expected to give a short (10mins + 5 min questions) presentations of your group project

The content of your presentation should give a concise overview of your project.  It is important to illustrate key points with diagrams and images.   It is compulsory for you to attend this session. 

·    Powerpoint programs must be compatible with Windows 7

·    Your presentations must be given to either Tania or Rachel (either via email or USB) no later than 9am on the morning of the symposium to allow for loading.

·    Your presentation must be based on diagrams and illustrations – simply reading notes out loud is discouraged.

Examination (35% of final grade)

There will be a two hour theory examination for this subject.  Important information about exams that all students should be aware of can be found at

www.adelaide.edu.au/student/current/exams/

Tests and examinations will be graded using marks. Questions in the written theory paper will be based on material covered in the lectures. The examination aims to examine the depth of a student’s understanding of the topics that have been covered during the semester.  The total possible mark for the exam will be specified on the test / examination. Marks for individual questions in the examination will be stated on the question paper. The marks give a guide as to how much you should write in your answer. Don’t assume that, for example, 3 marks means that only 3 points/facts must be covered in the answer. Three marks just means that you need not give as much or as detailed information as for a 10 mark question for example.