SURGERY 4400A - Honours Surgery Research Project Part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

In this course, students will develop a research question that they will address by designing a research project. They will then collect and analyse data for their project, and report the outcomes in both oral and written forms. Throughout the course, they will apply the skills developed during the Honours Medicine Research Skills course, which runs in parallel with their research project

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code SURGERY 4400A
    Course Honours Surgery Research Project Part 1
    Coordinating Unit Surgical Specialties
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Corequisites HLTH SC 4201OL and HLTH SC 4200
    Restrictions BHlthMedSc (Hons) students only
    Course Description In this course, students will develop a research question that they will address by designing a research project. They will then collect and analyse data for their project, and report the outcomes in both oral and written forms. Throughout the course, they will apply the skills developed during the Honours Medicine Research Skills course, which runs in parallel with their research project
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Peter Zalewski

    Course Timetable

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

    Student activities on research projects will be planned in conjunction with research supervisors
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Execute a well-defined research project, under the guidance of a project supervisor.
    2. Critically interpret the background literature relevant to the research project.
    3. Demonstrate mastery of the techniques required for the experimental study of a research question, including collection, storage, and evaluation of data which is rigorous and methodological in accordance with the Australian Code for Responsible Practice of Research.
    4. Identify and evaluate methodological or technical issues in a research project and define the important elements required to solve them.
    5. Communicate the elements of the research project clearly and concisely in spoken and written English.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4,5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3,4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No single textbook covers the material to be considered during this course. All students are required to locate and evaluate the literature that is relevant to their project. This will primarily consist of peer-reviewed literature journal articles relevant to the area of the research project.
    Recommended Resources
    NA
    Online Learning
    Design of the research project and interpretation of the data will involve extensive use of web-based literature searches
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Students will work within research groups to develop, conduct and evaluate individual research projects, and to prepare written and oral presentations, which will be presented to peers and assessors. Research activities will initially be carried out with direct supervision of the supervisor and/or other research laboratory members but is expected to progress to performing independent work under broad or no direct supervision.
    Workload

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

    Students are expected to spend an average of 31 hours/week (full-time students; 15.5 hours/week expected from part-time students) planning, conducting and evaluating their research projects, in addition to time preparing written proposal, seminars and thesis. Students are expected to plan and manage timetabling of their projects, in consultation with research group members and supervisors.
    Learning Activities Summary
    This course is designed for students to develop specific knowledge and skills in a chosen research field as well as general skills in working independently, critical reasoning, scientific writing and presentation. Students undertake a research project. The overall objective of the program is for students to demonstrate a deep understanding and interpretation of their subject area and the ability to clearly and thoroughly present their project.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Enrolment of students from the MBBS program requires prior approval from the MBBS curriculum committee.

    Out-of-hours work, police check, vaccinations or field work may be required for specific research projects.
  • 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 AssessmentType Weighting Hurdle Course Learning Outcomes being addressed
    Research proposal seminar Formative Nil No 2, 5
    Conference poster presentation Summative 10% No 1, 2, 5
    Thesis Summative 60% No 1 - 5
    Thesis oral defence Summative 20% No 1 - 5
    Supervisor evaluation Summative 10% No 1
    Assessment Related Requirements
    No additional requirements.
    Assessment Detail
    Research Proposal Seminar: A 10 min Powerpoint presentation of research question and proposed approach.

    Conference Poster Presentation: Production of a research poster to be presented at the Florey Undergraduate Research Conference including a 3 minute oral presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions from poster judges.

    Thesis: Report of research outcomes in the style of a journal manuscript.

    Thesis Oral Defence: 15 minute Powerpoint presentation followed by 15 minutes of questions from assessors.

    Supervisor Evaluation: The student’s principle supervisor provides a mark based on the performance of the student over the life of the project.

    Submission
    Submission of all written assignments will be via MyUni
    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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