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Unit of study_

SOMS4102: Communicating Ideas in Biomedical Science

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The capacity to interpret a biological concept and communicate scientific findings is a fundamental skill underlying all facets of medical and health sciences. In this unit of study you will develop the skills to present your research data in a variety of mediums. This will involve writing a grant proposal on the theme of your research project as well as giving an oral a poster presentation of your research.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SOMS4102
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
SOMS4101
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

A major in one of the following areas: Applied Medical Science; Immunology and Pathology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Biology; Microbiology; Cell and Developmental Biology; Infectious Diseases; Pharmacology; Medicinal Chemistry; Neuroscience; Physiology; Anatomy and Histology; Genetics and Genomics; Quantitative Life Science

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Harman, andrew.harman@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew Harman, andrew.harman@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research Project Showcase
Write up Honours project research plan in the form of a grant proposal.
40% Week -03
Due date: 01 Feb 2024 at 23:59
5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation Oral Presentation
15 minute oral presentation and 5 mins questions
25% Week 02
Due date: 26 Feb 2024 at 23:00
20 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Poster Presentation
Present a poster summering research findings
25% Week 10
Due date: 30 Apr 2024 at 23:00
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3
Assignment Seminar Logbook
Logbook outlining seminars attended over Honours year
10% Week 13
Due date: 31 May 2024 at 23:00
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

Research project showcase: Assessed by both thesis examiners and average mark awarded.

Oral presentation: Assessed by 2 or 3 SOMS academics and average mark awarded.

Poster presentation: Assessed by 1 SOMS academic

Assessment criteria

As per rubrics

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:

Research project showcase: 5% per day up to 10 days Oral presentation: If you do not give an oral presentation you will recieve zero marks for that assignment Poster presentation: If you do not give a poster presentation you will receive zero marks for that assignment.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

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. Integrate medical science and health information from many sources to coherently and critically appraise available knowledge and resolve contemporary problems.
  • LO2. Acquire, record, analyse and interpret data using appropriate techniques
  • LO3. Describe and present research findings, their interpretation, and the conclusions drawn from data.
  • LO4. Critically analyse research literature and research findings for reliability, significance and relevance of information.
  • LO5. Communicate effectively using a range of modes (written, oral, visual etc.) for a variety of purposes and audiences.
  • LO6. Be accountable for your own learning by being an independent, self-directed learner and demonstrate effective teamwork skills through collaborative learning.
  • LO7. Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving skills and professionalism in a research context
  • LO8. Demonstrate skills required to work in a complex learning environment, e.g. time management, persistence, managing challenges and learning from failure

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.

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Disclaimer

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