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Unit of study_

PHSI4108: Physiology Honours Project F

Semester 1, 2022 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Independent research can be a life changing experience. Students in the Physiology honours programme will complete a supervised research project which will be focused on any one of the challenges to human health and wellbeing that the Discipline in Physiology researches. Members of the discipline have particular expertise in the themes of: the nervous system, senses and movement; cancer, cell biology, reproduction and development, and endocrinology; energy homeostasis; cardiovascular physiology. Research within the Discipline falls under the auspices of the School of Medical Sciences, Bosch Institute. Completion of the project aims to provide training in advanced scientific methodologies and technical skills, as well as critical thinking skills. The project forms the basis of the thesis presented for examination at the end of the year. You will be expected to design and carry out experiments, to collect and analyse appropriate data, and statistically evaluate your experimental results. The findings you obtain will be interpreted in relation to previous research done in this area and to the general field in which the work is relevant. Successful completion of your Honours will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHSI4108
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
PHSI4107 and SCIE4999
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Zaklina Kovacevic, zaklina.kovacevic@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Final Oral Presentation
Final oral presentation based on the research project.
20% Formal exam period 25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Assignment Honours Thesis
Final 10,000 word honours thesis based on research project.
80% Ongoing
Due date: 09 Nov 2022 at 23:59
10,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Assessment summary

Assessment

Weight

Due Date

Thesis

80%

09/11/22 23:59

Oral Presentation

20%

23-25/11/22 

Assessment criteria

95–100 Outstanding First Class quality of clear Medal standard, demonstrating independent thought throughout, a flair for
the subject, comprehensive knowledge of the subject area and a level of achievement similar to that expected by first rate
academic journals. This mark reflects an exceptional achievement with a high degree of initiative and self-reliance,
considerable student input into the direction of the study, and critical evaluation of the established work in the area.


90–94 Very high standard of work similar to above but overall performance is borderline for award of a Medal. Lower level of
performance in certain categories or areas of study above.


80–89 Clear First Class quality, showing a command of the field both broad and deep, with the presentation of some novel
insights. Student will have shown a solid foundation of conceptual thought and a breadth of factual knowledge of the
discipline, clear familiarity with and ability to use central methodology and experimental practices of the discipline, and clear
evidence of some independence of thought in the subject area. Some student input into the direction of the study or
development of techniques, and critical discussion of the outcomes.


75–79 Second class honours, first division – student will have shown a command of the theory and practice of the discipline.
They will have demonstrated their ability to conduct work at an independent level and complete tasks in a timely manner,
and have an adequate understanding of the background factual basis of the subject. Student shows some initiative but is
more reliant on other people for ideas and techniques and project is dependent on supervisor’s suggestions. Student is
dedicated to work and capable of undertaking a higher degree.


70-74 Second class honours, second division - student is proficient in the theory and practice of their discipline but has not
developed complete independence of thought, practical mastery or clarity of presentation. Student shows adequate but
limited understanding of the topic and has largely followed the direction of the supervisor.


65-69 Third class honours - performance indicates that the student has successfully completed the work, but at a standard
barely meeting Honours criteria. The student’s understanding of the topic is extremely limited and they have shown little or
no independence of thought or performance.


<65% Fail - unsatisfactory performance in all areas of study.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day

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
Ongoing Honours research project Practical (37.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Introductory presentation 10 minutes + 5 minutes of questions. 17/5/21 Presentation (0.25 hr) LO6

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

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. Identify, collect, critically evaluate, synthesise and distil information from a range of relevant sources.
  • LO2. Develop rationale/s that directly support the research question/s, aims and hypotheses
  • LO3. Design robust experiments, collect and analyse their outcomes to investigate a research question
  • LO4. Interpret research findings in addressing experimental aims and hypotheses
  • LO5. Develop rationale/s that directly support the research question/s, aims and hypotheses
  • LO6. Communicate research practice in written and oral form for a discipline appropriate audience
  • LO7. Produce independent research which is an original contribution to the discipline
  • LO8. Act with integrity in their research practice and professional relationships, working within established ethical and regulatory frameworks
  • LO9. Establish collaborative and professional relationships with other students and staff

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.

No changes made

Work, health and safety

Before commencing any research work please ensure you discuss the WHS requirements to work in your building. These may include inductions to specific buildings and laboratories, and/or animal ethics training.

Disclaimer

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