UWA Handbook 2024

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is taken over two successive semesters and parts 1 and 2 must be completed to fulfil the requirements of the unit. Students can commence the unit in either semester 1 or semester 2. Honours students undertake an original research project under the guidance of their supervisors. Early in the process a research project is formulated. This includes a critical review of the relevant literature, formulation of aims and hypotheses, and a description of the methods including the experimental and sampling design, and any laboratory, field and statistical methods. Students also develop oral presentation skills including a 15-minute Proposal Seminar as well as a 20-minute Final Seminar where the students present their research findings to standards expected at a national scientific conference. They also submit an assignment comprising a newspaper article, describing one or more aspects of their research findings, suitable for the general public. Attendance at the School's seminar series and the School's postgraduate student's research day (Student Expo) is a required component of the unit.

Credit

6 points

Outcomes

Students gain (1) sound research skills in critical analysis of literature, experimental design, techniques and analysis, critical interpretation of results and presentation of findings; (2) the ability to present research in a scientifically rigorous way that is also interesting; (3) the ability to present research to the public in an informative and interesting way; (4) enhanced listening skills; (5) enhanced critical evaluation skills; and (6) broader knowledge of social and scientific issues in physiology.

Assessment

The seminar and written requirements are developed under the guidance of supervisors. The Project Proposal forms a well-developed draft of the early components of the dissertation. The Proposal Seminar is an oral and visual presentation of the Project Proposal. Through attendance at the School's Seminar Program and Student Expo, students develop the ability to address broad scientific areas in physiology in a rigorous scientific manner. They develop skills in listening and appreciation of a wide variety of presentation skills. This assists students to develop a good understanding of the skills required to make interesting and scientifically rigorous seminar presentations. The final seminar is an oral and visual presentation of the research project. The 500-word newspaper article describes one or more aspects of their research findings in an interesting and informative manner suitable for the general public. Unless permission is formally obtained, work submitted after a deadline has 5 per cent deducted for the first day (or part day) it is late and 2 per cent for each extra day (or part day). For example, a piece of work initially marked as 60 per cent but handed in two days late is graded at 53 per cent. In the same circumstances, an initial mark of 90 per cent is graded at 83 per cent. This policy also applies to seminars and vivas.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Gavin Pinniger

Unit rules

Prerequisites

enrolment in

honours in Physiology
or Graduate Diploma in Science (50300)

Co-requisites

PHYL7406/PHYL7403 Physiology Honours Research Project Part 1/Part 2

Texts

Allen, L. V. et al. Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 9th edn: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 2011

Aulton, M. Pharmaceutics: the Design and Manufacture of Medicines, 3rd edn: Churchill Livingstone 2007