MICRO 4020A - Honours Microbiology & Immunology Project Pt 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This research project is selected at the start of the Honours year following consultation with the Honours Coordinator and depends on availability of research supervisors in any particular year.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MICRO 4020A
    Course Honours Microbiology & Immunology Project Pt 1
    Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact By supervision
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Corequisites MICRO 4010A/B
    Incompatible MICRO 4000A/B
    Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
    Course Description This research project is selected at the start of the Honours year following consultation with the Honours Coordinator and depends on availability of research supervisors in any particular year.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Shaun McColl

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Design, conduct, analyse and interpret results of an experiment, and effectively communicate
    these in written reports
    2 Develop interdisciplinary solutions to a variety of problems related to the Discipline of
    Microbiology & Immunology.
    3 Critically analyse and evaluate quantitative & qualitative information related to the
    Discipline of Microbiology & Immunology.
    4 Obtain and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
    5 Communicate effectively in a variety of forms.
    6 Use terminology appropriate to the field of study correctly and contextually.
    7 Extend knowledge and understanding of a variety of concepts related to the
    Discipline of Microbiology & Immunology in a range of contexts.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-4, 7
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,3,4
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1,2,7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1,5,6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1,4,7
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-5, 7
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1,2,7
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-4, 7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This primarily involves conducting experimental research, refining hypotheses, analysing and interpreting data, and communication of the results.
    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in this course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 36 hours per week on the studies required for this 18-point course.
    Learning Activities Summary

    Research Project and Thesis

    Each student will carry out a research project in an area of Microbiology, Immunology or Virology.  At the end of the year each project is written up as a thesis using a form similar to that required for publication of research data.

    Students should expect significant help from their supervisor in all aspects of scientific research including experimental design, interpretation of results, literature assessment, scientific writing, and career advice.  However, the final draft of the thesis should be the student's own work, for which the student takes responsibility.

    Students are advised to look at a representative set of theses from past Honours students to help them understand that style of thesis writing, but should be aware that the guidelines for thesis preparation have changed from past years.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Learning Outcome
    Thesis Summative

    65%

    No 1-7
    Final Seminar Summative 12.5% No 1-7
    Viva Summative 22.5% No 1-7
    Assessment Detail

    (a)   The Thesis (65%)

    The thesis should be essentially the work of the student.  However, preparation of the thesis in a professional fashion is an essential component of the Honours educational experience.  In particular, it is common for students to require extensive help in learning how to write accurate, unambiguous and grammatical English.  Supervisors should help the student to obtain the standard of written communication that is expected of a trained scientist, particularly in early drafts of the thesis, but should refrain from detailed review or introducing new content and new ideas at later stages. Supervisors should not do more than offer general comments about the Discussion chapter, which should appear in the thesis as the students' own work.

    The thesis will be assessed by three individuals - the supervisor and two others familiar with the general area of the project.  The three assessments will contribute a total of 45% of the final mark for Honours.

    (b)   Final seminar (12.5%)

    Shortly before the viva, each student will give a final seminar (20 minutes + 5 minutes questions) on the final outcome of their work and its implications. This is intended to highlight and inform other students and staff of the breadth and success of work carried out in the Discipline this year, but also carries a small assessment weighting.

    (c) The viva (22.5%)

    The vivas will be conducted by members of academic staff, chosen so that the panel covers Microbiology, Immunology and Virology.  This can be varied to include other disciplines as required.  Each student is interviewed for 20 minutes and questioned about various aspects of the thesis, and also about their general understanding of scientific issues within their discipline; students are also given the opportunity to draw to the examiners’ attention any particular issues or problems associated with their work.   Each member of the panel has read all of the theses and each student is assigned a member of the panel as a spokesperson.  Thesis examiners are invited to submit questions to be asked by the panel.  Experience indicates that the viva is a very discriminating modality of assessment.

    Submission

    Late submission of thesis

    Late submissions will attract the following penalties:

    1 day    :           1 mark deducted from total mark for the “thesis” component of the course

    2 days  :           3 marks deducted

    3 days  :           6 marks deducted

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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