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Unit outline_

AMED4102: Scientific Analysis and Communication

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Westmead, 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 critique a wide range of scientific literature from peer-reviewed articles to unsubstantiated independent web-site claims. You will learn how to critically assess the validity of scientific information to distinguish between rigorous, scientifically-supported claims and pseudoscience. You will also examine key concepts in data interpretation and evaluation in relation to medicine and health. This unit includes tasks that will enable you to clearly and independently communicate your own research findings both written and verbally to a range of audiences including politicians, the media, the general public and the wider scientific community. The skills taught in this unit will provide you with a solid foundation upon which you can forge a professional career in the health and medical communication sphere.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
AMED4101
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

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

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Harman, andrew.harman@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Journal club
In-class presentation
25% Multiple weeks 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Participation Journal club
In-class participation
15% Multiple weeks 10 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Participation Seminar participation
Seminar participation
10% Ongoing 10 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5
Assignment Seminar logbook
Written assessment
0% Ongoing 400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation Oral presentation
Oral presentation
25% Week 04 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3
Presentation Poster presentation
Presentation
25% Week 06 1 piece
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3

Assessment summary

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 a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates 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 unit 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 unit 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 unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

Fail

0 - 49

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

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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
Mid-semester break Meet the speaker Seminar (2 hr)  
Pre-semester Meet the speaker Seminar (2 hr)  
Welcome and overview Seminar (1 hr)  
Journal club workshop Workshop (1 hr)  
Meet the speaker Seminar (2 hr)  
Journal club 1 Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Journal club 2 Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Journal club 3 Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Week 01 Journal club 4 Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Week 02 Journal club 5 Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Poster workshop Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Week 03 Journal club 6 Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Week 05 Journal club 7 Workshop (1.5 hr)  
Meet the speaker Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 06 Journal club 8 Workshop (1.5 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

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. 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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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.