MDSC3102 Professional Placement Medical Science

2020

9

1 x 1-hour workshop per semester
24 x 7.5-hour laboratories per semester

^ MDSC3000 - Skills for Medical Scientists 3

Students must have a minimum GPA of 4.5 to enrol in this topic.

It is the responsibility of the students to find themselves a placement in a laboratory of the own choice. Students must liaise with laboratory group leaders and organise a placement in their laboratory. Assistance can be obtained from the topic coordinator in this matter but students should not expect to be placed into a laboratory by the topic coordinator.

At the start of the project all students will participate in an introductory orientation workshop which will provide them with key information about the topic. Students will spend the equivalent of 2 days a week fulltime for 12 weeks working on their project in their host research group. In the final week students will be required to present their project findings as an oral presentation lasting 10-12 minutes with question time following this. They will also be required to present their laboratory notebooks for assessment as well as a written report on their project.

The topic aims to provide students with work experience in medical science through participation in project based laboratory work, and to cover the key elements of work practice necessary for the development of successful careers in medical science. The topic involves practical experience in a scientific laboratory, under the supervision of experienced scientists.

At the completion of the topic students should be able to demonstrate:

• Acquisition of technical skills relevant to the project

• Understanding of experimental design and the importance of controls

• Ability to maintain appropriate and accurate work records and laboratory work books

• Ability to analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical tools

• Ability to work within, and demonstrate an understanding of, the regulatory environment in which medical science is practiced. (For example, Occupational Health and Safety regulations, ethics clearness, NHMRC guidelines for conduct of research)

• The ability to communicate the findings of the project concisely and accurately to people outside the area of research