General provisions

The course is part of the third semester at the Master's Programme in Infection Biology.

Entry requirements

Prerequisites equivalent to 45 credits of the courses included in year one of the Master's Programme in Infection Biology or equivalent. This corresponds to in-depth knowledge of the biological mechanisms regulating infectious processes, how infections are diagnosed and treated and knowledge of microbial epidemiology and evolution. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

• interpret and critically evaluate scientific findings and development in the field of infection biology and biomedicine
• understand and explain principles of study designs and experimental models, including aspects of both basic and advanced laboratory research methodology
• evaluate and discuss the relationship between study design and methodology, as well as bioinformatic and statistical analysis methods
• identify and assess research ethical questions in scientific contexts, including experimental models and study designs
• plan, formulate and explain basic study design and statistical analysis for a project equivalent to Master’s thesis (30-45 credits)
• Alternative I: demonstrate understanding in theoretical background, experimental design, methodology, analysis and ethical aspects of the planned research project
• Alternative II: fulfil the requirements according to Swedish legislation (SJVFS 2015:38, L150) and directive 2010/63/EU for persons carrying out procedures on animals (function A+D).

Content

Based on previously acquired, molecular and biomedical knowledge in infection biology and biomedical research, the course will provide a deeper understanding of experimental design and advanced laboratory techniques used in the field. The course provides knowledge in experimental design, research ethics, relevant information retrieval, reference management and literature review. During the course, students will work with scientific communication through planning and writing a study plan, as well as presenting current research and own experimental results.

Two options are available for a minor part of the course (3 credits):

Alternative CI: planning, writing and defending a detailed research plan for the upcoming master thesis project, or a research project of equivalent extent

Alternative CII: theoretical as well as practical course on research animals (requires certificate of necessity of from supervisor at upcoming thesis project)

Instruction

Instruction is provided in English and consists of lectures, seminars as well as practical and theoretical assignments. Seminars and assignments are mandatory.

Assessment

The different course parts are examined orally and in writing as follows:

A: Theory (6 credits). Written exam graded by fail, pass or pass with distiction.

B: Seminars, case studies, study visits, and assignments (6 credits). Compulsory participation, as well as written reports and oral presentations

CI: Theoretical research projects (3 credits). Examined by participation in compulsory moments (project introduction, presentation of experimental design and mini symposium), written report and oral presentation at mini symposium.

or

CII: Experimental animal module (3 credits). Completed online theoretical course and practical training on handling of animals (totally 57 hours).

All compulsory assignments are graded fail or pass.

To pass the course all written exams and mandatory parts must be approved. The final grade of the course is based on a weighted rating of all course sections. Possibility to complete non-approved mandatory assignments may be given at the next course opportunity, at the earliest, and only in case of vacancy.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.