DENT 4710A - Honours Dental Science T/Y Part A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2023

This course offers an opportunity to explore in some depth a specific aspect of dental science, or a discipline related to dentistry, of particularly interest to the student. Underpinning a research-based degree, the main component of the course is a research project, leading to the production of a research report or thesis. Honours project in dentistry requires commitment and a mature approach to learning. Students will be guided and supported by their supervisor(s) but the onus is on the individual student to be organised and self-directed in their studies.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code DENT 4710A
    Course Honours Dental Science T/Y Part A
    Coordinating Unit Dental
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact Up to 10 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Corequisites DENT 4005
    Restrictions Restricted to Bachelor of Science in Dentistry (Honours) students only
    Assessment Research Project & Thesis, Negotiated Research Piece and Research Presentation
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Kostas Kapellas

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Work effectively as an individual to plan and deliver outcomes.
    2 Work effectively in teams in small group and research contexts.
    3 Communicate scientific information including research context, approach, findings and significance clearly and concisely in written and spoken English.
    4 Critically interpret, evaluate and synthesise understanding of background literature, and critically interpret and evaluate the methodology used and results obtained in a research context.
    5 Understand and demonstrate professional and ethically-appropriate research principles and workplace behaviours.
    6 Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge, and advanced research skills including competency in investigative techniques and technologies relating to one or more disciplines in dental science.
    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.

    4, 6

    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.

    4, 6

    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.

    2, 3, 4

    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.

    1 - 6

    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.

    5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    N/A

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    N/A

    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.

    1, 2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    All Honours students, whether internally or externally located, have full access to infrastructure and support staff in the School.

    Software
    As Honours students in the Adelaide Dental School, they are entitled to access to the following licensed software:

    • MyUni, for program materials, relevant web sites, communications regarding the Honours year, Discussion groups, Calendar and To Do lists and more.
    • A variety of software is also available via the ITS website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/technology/yourservices/software/  

    It is highly recommended that students use (as required):

    • EndNote for establishing your reference database
    • GraphPad Prism: a straightforward package for data analysis and graphing
    • Adobe Acrobat: for modifying pdfs

     Depending on Honours project, additional access may be required and is to be negotiated with supervisors

    Recommended Resources

    IT support
    The Adelaide Dental School receives support via the University IT Services (ITS). Help is available by phoning the ITS Helpdesk on 8313 3000 (24 hours) or via the Self-service portal. A wireless secure LAN connection is available while on campus.

    Data Backup
    All students using standard University of Adelaide computers provide automatic access to the secure file stores (usually via an “U” drive mapping).

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course is restricted to current or former students and thus it is not expected that any will be new to university study.

    The majority of the learning Honours students are engaged in is with their supervisors and their respective research groups. As such, modes of learning may involve (but is not limited to) research laboratory procedures, literature database search/extraction, data analytics, research writing and presentations.

    Workload

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

    It is expected that students allocate one day per week
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    After-hours access to research laboratories and/or offices may be required.
  • 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 Assessment Task Type Assessment % Weighting Hurdle Requirement? Course Learning Outcome(s) assessed
    Research Projec t Summative 60% No 1, 3, 5, 6
    Negotiated Research Piece Summative 25% No 1, 3, 4, 6
    Final Oral Presentation Summative 15% No 1, 3, 4, 6
    NOTE: Assessment occurs at the end of DENT 4710C Honours Dental Science Part C. Progress for DENT 4710A Honours Dental Science Part A is continuing.
    Assessment Detail

    Research Project: Conduct a research project as negotiated with your supervisor(s) and communicate your findings in a research thesis. This should be written up and presented as a report for assessment such as a traditional thesis or be presented in the format of a scientific journal article, with an additional more in-depth discussion section covering areas that may not have been included in the manuscript such as reflections on the research process and future directions. The total length of the text of the written research report should be no more than 10,000 words NOT INCLUDING the abstract, declaration, acknowledgements, title page, table of contents, in-text tables, in-test figures, title of tables and figures, references in the Reference section and the appendices. The word count INCLUDES Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, in-text citations, quotes and references, and in-text statistics. The thesis is examined by two independent examiners using an existing assessment rubric and constitutes 60% of the assessment.

    Negotiated Research Piece: A research piece (the form of which must be approved by the supervisors and Honours coordinator). This constitutes 25% of the assessment for this course and may include: 1) A conference presentation (abstract plus poster or abstract plus PowerPoint presentation) that is substantially different from the final presentation to the school, 2) A teaching module, 3) A manuscript for publication that the student had substantial input into, 4) A grant or ethics application for an additional project (i.e. not related to the research project, 5) Development of a new instrument or technique applicable to research.

    Final Oral Presentation: Final presentation to the School that relates to the outcomes of the research project. The presentation should summarize the project undertaken, methods used, significant results and discussion. The duration of the presentation should be 15 mins plus 5 mins for questions. The presentation is examined by two independent academic staff examiners using an established assessment rubric and constitutes 15% of the assessment for this course.

    Submission
    Research Project & Negotiated Research Piece to be submitted 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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