General provisions

The course is offered as part of the Master's Programmes at the Faculty of Medicine.

Entry requirements

Undergraduate education of 180 credits within life sciences (e.g. biomedicine, biotechnology, medicine, veterinary medicine) including at least 10 credits each of cell biology, biochemistry and genetics. Prerequisites in the form of completed 45 credits from the courses included in the first year studies of the Master's Programme in Medical Research or equivalent. This includes in-depth knowledge on advanced level in genetics/genomics, as well as mechanisms that regulate biological processes from gene to disease development and methods used to study them.

Proficiency in English equivalent to the general entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• describe the development and summarise the current scientific questions in a biomedical research field
• identify coherence between the formulation of a scientific question and the choice or development of a method
• explain the fundamental principles of different forms of scientific communication

Competence and skills

On completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• critically review results from the performed project
• advance the project through active participation in group discussions
• use scientific and popular scientific forms of communication for mediating biomedical research results in a correct and understandable way

Judgement and approach

On completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• propose alternative experimental approaches as well as reflect upon the future developments of a biological sciences research field
• demonstrate a scientific approach when deliberating over relevant ethical aspects
• assess and argue for choice of different presentation techniques in a group

Content

The course aims to provide a broad insight into different biomedical research areas via theoretical knowledge and practical experiences of a research project as wells as different forms of scientific and popular scientific communication.

Instruction

Teaching is given in the form of:

• Lectures describing current research and novel techniques during the introductory week
• Lectures, practical exercises and group discussions about scientific presentation and communication equivalent to the mandatory modules on the doctoral student course at the Medical and Pharmaceutical Faculties at Uppsala University
• Hands-on guidance by the appointed research project supervisor
• Constructive feedback from an independent researcher, equivalent to a referee-evaluation of a review article
• Regular meetings where ongoing research projects, achievements and problematics are discussed between peer-students under a mentorship of the course leader

All instruction is performed in English.

Assessment

The student's performance during the project work is evaluated according to set criteria. The evaluation is performed by the practical supervisor who will be involved in all aspects concerning the design and presentation of the research project. Performance at the practical exercises and group discussions is assessed by the teacher. Both the practical and the theoretical work is evaluated and considered by the examiner when the course's final grade is given. To achieve a passing grade for the course, it is necessary to complete all compulsory elements. Students who fail at individual parts of the course may complete these during the annual block or otherwise at the coming course.

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.