Description This is a 60 credit point year-long subject taken over two terms (30 credit points in each term). This subject is the principal component in the Bachelor of Medical Research. It aims to give students, enrolled in the Western Sydney University MBBS, the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and gain a more detailed experience in medical research than is provided in the medical program. It consists of a research project in any area of medical research for which the School can provide suitable supervision. Students will study the relevant literature, develop and conduct the program of research with the assistance of their supervisor, take part in research seminars in their research group, and present the results as a dissertation. The main learning outcomes are a subset of the 15 Learning Tasks/Outcomes for the medical program as a whole, but will be achieved at a considerably higher level than is expected in the main MBBS program. The task numbers relate to the complete set in the MBBS learning outcomes.
School Medicine
Discipline Medical Studies, Not Elsewhere Classified.
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 3 30cp
Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.
Co-requisite(s) Must pass two of the following- HLTH 3006 Methods of Scientific Researching HLTH 2021 - Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative) HLTH 1001 -Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Restrictions This program requires the background of at least two years of a medical degree before it can be successfully attempted. It will therefore be available only to currently enrolled Western Sydney University medical students as part of an intercalated year leading into the Bachelor of Medical Research.
Assumed Knowledge
Knowledge from successful completion of years 1 and 2 of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Task 11. Seeking and applying knowledge: G.11. in seeking and applying knowledge to health problems �c; G.11.1 Identify the question/s posed by the health problem; G.11.2 Find information efficiently to answer the question/s; G.11.3 Evaluate the quality of the information / evidence; G.11.4 Decide whether to apply the information / evidence to the problem, and justify the decision taken.
Task 12. Developing new knowledge: G.12. in developing new knowledge �c; G.12.1 Identify gaps in existing knowledge, and develop precise research questions; G.12.2 Plan, design and implement (alone or in appropriate collaboration) studies designed to answer the research question(s); G.12.3 Write up and submit for publication (alone or in appropriate collaboration) the results of such studies; G.12.4 Provide clear and intelligible presentations of the results of such studies in appropriate professional forums
1. Identify an area of achievable research in consultation with the supervisor of the unit
2. Perform a detailed literature search and analysis, relevant to the area of proposed research
3. Develop a research plan
4. Obtain ethical approval
5. Perform the planned experiments
6. Present the literature review then the interim research findings to the supervisor?fs research group and/or other B Med Res students at intervals during the year
7. Present the literature review, research plan, results and discussion as a dissertation for examination
Legislative pre-requisites
Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Prerequisites
Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
Prior to enrolling in this subject, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement, and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration. Use the link to the Special Requirements webpage below for more information.
To be eligible to enrol in this subject and complete any required health-related placements or experiences, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.
Western Program Requirements
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.
Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
