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| Unit name |
Concepts and Skills |
| Unit code |
PHPH30007 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Langton |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
PHPH20009: Neurophysiology, PHPH20010: Developmental Physiology of the Specialized Cell
|
| Co-requisites |
Research Project or Grant Proposal
|
| School/department |
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Life Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit aims to provide training in core skills and techniques that are vital to effectively, read, interpret and criticise the scientific literature, as well as to analyse and communicate scientific findings. It includes: statistics; data quantitation; limits of scientific understanding; critical reading of research literature; scientific writing and presentation; public engagement with science; ethics of animal and human experimentation.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- An understanding of and the ability to apply common statistical and analytical methods relevant to biomedical science
- The ability to demonstrate a critical approach to reading scientific publications
- The ability to demonstrate a scientific writing and referencing style
- An understanding of how to communicate science to the general public
Teaching Information
Lectures, practical classes on statistics, peer marking, e-learning components on data analysis using Excel, Powerpoint presentation and basic numeric skills.
Assessment Information
The unit will be assessed through:
- 1.5-hour summative examination in January (40%), consisting of around 70 extended matching -type questions based both on the students statistical understanding and prior statistical analysis of a range of datasets. This summative examination assesses statistical understanding and is preceded by a formative examination in November, using the same format.
- Library project (40%) on a choice of topics at the forefront of Physiological and Neuroscience research, consisting of 200-word abstract and 2500-word essay. This summative assessment tests the ability to read and critically analyse the primary research literature, to synthesise ideas and to communicate them effectively in written form to a scientific reader. It is preceded by a formative library project of the same format, which is peer assessed.
- Public engagement in Science assignment (20%). This is a 500-word article, aimed at communicating the ideas in their library project to members of the general public. This summatively assesses their understanding of the different approach required when in communicating scientific ideas to the general public and is preceded by a formative assignment of the same format.
Reading and References
Selected original research papers from the scientific literature
