bio5tha thesis a
THESIS A
BIO5THA
2019
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
The full research program in the SMBB degree consists of four thesis subjects (BIO5THA, BIO5THB, BIO5THC and BIO5THD), which run over two semesters (BIO5THA and BIO5THB in the first semester of research and BIO5THC and BIO5THD in the second). The research program commences twice per year - in early February and late July. The SMBB research program consists of an individual research project under supervision, a research essay on the area of the research project, attendance at the Department of Biochemistry and Genetics seminar series, aimed at exposing students to cutting-edge biotechnology techniques, production and presentation of a research poster, a thesis written at the completion of the research project and a mark from the research supervisor.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points30
Subject Co-ordinatorJeff Yeoman
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Admission into SMBB.
Co-requisites BIO5THB
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions This subject of study represents one of two subjects that constitute the first semester of a year long research program. Students must complete BIO5THA and BIO5THB in one semester and BIO5THC and BIO5THD in the following semester. Listed assessment is for the combined BIO5THA, BIO5THB, BIO5THC, BIO5THD.
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Develop advanced skills to identify, comprehend and integrate knowledge from scientific literature relevant to the research project.
- Activities:
- Writing workshops will be timetabled to assist the students in developing literature analysis skills toward this ILO.
02. Develop scientific communication skills that allow interpretation and transmission of knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Activities:
- Prepare and present a research poster at a Departmental symposium. A workshop on poster preparation and presentation will be delivered to the students. Prepare a research thesis. Detailed instructions on thesis composition and formatting will be provided via the SMBB research handbook. Writing workshops will be timetabled to assist the students in preparing draft versions of the thesis. Supervisors will provide feedback on a draft copies.
03. Conduct laboratory experiments that contribute to an overarching research project in a specialist research field.
- Activities:
- Laboratory-based research of around 30-35 hours/week divided between subjects BIO5THA and BIO5THB.
04. Identify and interpret scientific information in the form of seminar presentations by leading researchers in their fields.
- Activities:
- Attend weekly departmental research seminars presented by research leaders from the fields of Biochemistry, Genetics and Biotechnology.
05. Analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in order to report research progress and analyses of experimental results in an oral format.
- Activities:
- Laboratory meetings or timetabled weekly workshops with the student's supervisor or mentor. These meetings may take place individually or in a group setting.
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Week 06-24, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJeff Yeoman
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 06 - 24
One 1.0 hours seminar per week on weekends during the day from week 06 to week 24 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students will be required to attend the weekly Department of Biochemistry/Genetics seminar, presented by a leading researcher in the fields of biochemistry, genetics and biotechnology. A short quiz will follow the seminar."
Supervised ResearchWeek: 06 - 24
Five 7.0 hours supervised research per week on weekdays during the day from week 06 to week 24 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students will be expected to spend 30-35 hours a week on laboratory research in total between the subjects BIO5THA and BIO5THB."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submission of literature review and brief research plan (3000 words) | Literature review will need to be submitted to the subject coordinator by a specified date. This is a hurdle requirement for successful completion of BIO5THA. Listed assessment is for the combined BIO5THA, BIO5THB, BIO5THC, BIO5THD. Students will receive a Handbook at the commencement of their research year, which details the due dates of each assessment throughout the year. | 01, 02 | |
| Weekly Departmental seminar quiz (equivalent to 1000 words). | A simple quiz will follow Departmental seminars on a periodic basis. The combined score for these quizzes throughout the term of the research year will contribute 5% of the mark for the research year, reported as the grade for BIO5THD. | 5 | 02, 04 |
| Poster presentation (equivalent to 1500 words) | The poster presentation involves the creation of a A0- sized poster describing the key outcomes of their research for a general audience. Prior to the assignment there will be a 1 hour workshop covering information on poster composition and delivery. This will contribute 10% to their final mark for the research year, which will be reported as the grade for BIO5THD. | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |
| Laboratory performance (supervisor's mark) (equivalent to 5000 words) | A supervisor mark is given at the end of the research work and is based on the performance of the student in the laboratory, which includes an assessment against employability criteria as described on the assessment sheet. These criteria are circulated to students and supervisors. This assessment is continued over both research semesters and contributes 15% of the final mark for the program, which is report | 15 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |
| Thesis (equivalent to 15000 words) | Prepare a research thesis The final written report covers abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and figure/ table legends, table of contents, abbreviations, references and acknowledgements. The thesis is marked by external examiners against a rubric which is also distributed to students and supervisors. This assessment represents both research semesters and contributes 70% of the final mark | 70 | 01, 02, 03 |
Melbourne, 2019, Week 31-51, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJeff Yeoman
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 31 - 51
One 1.0 hours seminar per week on weekends during the day from week 31 to week 51 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students will be required to attend the weekly Department of Biochemistry/Genetics seminar, presented by a leading researcher in the fields of biochemistry, genetics and biotechnology. A short quiz will follow the seminar."
Supervised ResearchWeek: 31 - 51
Five 7.0 hours supervised research per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 51 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students will be expected to spend 30-35 hours a week on laboratory research in total between the subjects BIO5THA and BIO5THB."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submission of literature review and brief research plan (3000 words) | Literature review will need to be submitted to the subject coordinator by a specified date. This is a hurdle requirement for successful completion of BIO5THA. Listed assessment is for the combined BIO5THA, BIO5THB, BIO5THC, BIO5THD. Students will receive a Handbook at the commencement of their research year, which details the due dates of each assessment throughout the year. | 01, 02 | |
| Weekly Departmental seminar quiz (equivalent to 1000 words). | A simple quiz will follow Departmental seminars on a periodic basis. The combined score for these quizzes throughout the term of the research year will contribute 5% of the mark for the research year, reported as the grade for BIO5THD. | 5 | 02, 04 |
| Poster presentation (equivalent to 1500 words) | The poster presentation involves the creation of a A0- sized poster describing the key outcomes of their research for a general audience. Prior to the assignment there will be a 1 hour workshop covering information on poster composition and delivery. This will contribute 10% to their final mark for the research year, which will be reported as the grade for BIO5THD. | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |
| Laboratory performance (supervisor's mark) (equivalent to 5000 words) | A supervisor mark is given at the end of the research work and is based on the performance of the student in the laboratory, which includes an assessment against employability criteria as described on the assessment sheet. These criteria are circulated to students and supervisors. This assessment is continued over both research semesters and contributes 15% of the final mark for the program, which is report | 15 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |
| Thesis (equivalent to 15000 words) | Prepare a research thesis The final written report covers abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and figure/ table legends, table of contents, abbreviations, references and acknowledgements. The thesis is marked by external examiners against a rubric which is also distributed to students and supervisors. This assessment represents both research semesters and contributes 70% of the final mark | 70 | 01, 02, 03 |