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Unit of study_

PHAR4830: Honours

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study is designed to extend the Pharmacy undergraduate's knowledge and skills in research practice and problem solving and written and oral scientific communication acquired in PHAR4815. Honours provides an important basis for those who may wish to branch into specialised areas and will be particularly useful for those seeking employment in industry, government, hospital, research institutions and also for those considering continuation to postgraduate studies. The research project/journal club/research seminar/workshops/postgraduate research conference component of the course will assist in the development of advanced research and presentation skills and will complement the research project. A final research presentation and report describing research results and conclusions is to be conducted at the end of the semester.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHAR4830
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 24
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Danijela Gnjidic, danijela.gnjidic@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Danijela Gnjidic, danijela.gnjidic@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Live+ supervised) Type A final exam hurdle task Forensics Exam
MCQ and Short Answer Questions
0% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO9
Assignment hurdle task Research paper manuscript
Honours thesis
55% Formal exam period
Due date: 14 Nov 2022 at 09:00
5000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Participation Research Seminar and Workshop participation
Participation in workshops
0% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Participation MHFA Workshop
Participation in class such as role play and discussion.
0% Multiple weeks 2 days
Outcomes assessed: LO10 LO11
Skills-based evaluation Vaccination Course
Clinical skills evaluation, online module and assessment
0% Multiple weeks 9 hours online module plus workshop
Outcomes assessed: LO10 LO11
Presentation hurdle task Final Oral Presentation
Oral presentation
25% STUVAC 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Participation Mental Health First Aid Accreditation
MHFA online quiz at MHFA website in order to obtain the MHFA cert.
0% Week 13
Due date: 04 Nov 2022 at 17:00
15 questions
Outcomes assessed: LO10 LO11
Skills-based evaluation Overall Research Performance
Overall Research Performance
20% Week 13 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type A final exam = Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

Participation in Workshops: to a satisfactory standard in all workshops, eg. MHFA, Vaccination.

Forensics Exam: The Forensics exam will be delivered online and consist of questions relating to the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation in NSW and/or pharmacy relevant law. Students must achieve a minimum mark of 65% to pass the unit. Students who do not achieve this minimum mark will be offered the opportunity to attempt an additional assessment on 25th November 2022 in the formal exam period.

Final Oral Presentation: Compulsory assessment for final year honours students. Students will present orally the findings of their research projects in Week 14 (STUVAC).

Research Paper Manuscript: Compulsory assessment for final year honours students. Students will submit written research paper summarising the findings of their projects during the formal Exams Period.

Overall Research Performance: Students will be assessed by their direct academic supervisor in Week 13 on the following categories: intellectual curiosity, initiative/autonomy, reflective ability, ability to formulate questions, depth of understanding and commitment.

Supplementary Yr assessments: Students may be offered re-assessment of compulsory-to-pass assessments as described in the relevant year rule in the RE1 or RE2 formal exam periods. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts. 

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts. 

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts. 

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Mental Health First Aid Workshop (16 hr) LO10 LO11
Vaccinations Workshop (9 hr) LO10 LO11
Forensics Workshop (2.5 hr) LO9
Postgraduate Seminar Seminar (8 hr) LO2
Ongoing Honours Projects Project (400.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 01 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Q&A with Honours Coordinator Workshop (1 hr) LO2
Week 02 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Journal Club Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 03 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Research skills and methods Workshop (1 hr) LO7
Week 04 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Journal Club Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 05 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Research skills and methods Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 06 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Journal Club Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 07 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Research skills and methods Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 08 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Journal Club Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 09 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Research skills and methods Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 10 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Journal Club Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 11 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Research skills and methods Workshop (1 hr) LO1
Week 12 Research Seminar Lecture (1 hr) LO2
Q&A with Honours Coordinator Workshop (1 hr) LO2
Week 13 Final Oral Presentation Presentation (8 hr) LO4

Attendance and class requirements

In accordance with the Bachelor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Pharmacy and Management Course resolutions on Attendance Requirements, students must satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study.

For more information see: 

https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/medicine_health/coursework/pharmacy_rules.shtml 

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 24 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 480-600 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Project specific, please consult with primary academic supervisor.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Critically examine scientific evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to arrive at evidence based conclusions
  • LO2. Take opportunities to engage in research and scientific endeavour
  • LO3. Apply appropriate numeracy skills to the solution of pharmacy problems
  • LO4. Deal with the concept of uncertainty including devising alternatives which take account of qualifying, affording and constraining variables
  • LO5. Work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a learning team
  • LO6. Recognise and manage personal, physical and emotional needs, including mental and physical health
  • LO7. Engage in continuous reflection and take responsibility for personal and professional development
  • LO8. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently and take responsibility for own learning
  • LO9. Demonstrate a working understanding of the legislation surrounding the supply of scheduled medicines in NSW
  • LO10. Effectively communicate with consumers, peers and other health professionals
  • LO11. Competently provide professional pharmacy services

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Expanding the scope and sequence of workshops to encompass a range of research skills and methods.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.