69503 Medical Laboratory Science Project Capstone
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Students undertake a short research investigation in a pathology, diagnostic, medical research or affiliated medical science laboratory under the supervision of an external partner and in association with the subject co-ordinator. Students contribute, in collaboration with their industry or external co-supervisor, to formulating the scope of the research project, including planning the research work. The student is responsible for carrying out the work, including appropriate and critical analysis of the data or information obtained, and writing up their findings in a formal written report which includes an introduction to the project, a description of the methods used, a presentation of the results obtained plus any analysis undertaken and a discussion of the results in the context of the relevant literature. The length of the report will be commensurate with the requirements of the place of the internship.
Students are also required to present a 15-minute online or in-person seminar summarising their research activities and outcomes to their project supervisor and the UTS subject co-ordinator, as well as optionally other UTS students, staff and industry or external partners.
Due to supervisory and infrastructure constraints, places in this subject are limited and it can only be undertaken with Faculty approval. Students should negotiate a suitable project in the first instance with an external industry partner. A project proposal, written in consultation with, and signed by the proposed supervisor must be sent to the MSc (MedLabSci) Program Director for formal approval. Where the project involves laboratory or fieldwork, a completed risk assessment form must also be provided with the approval request. Ethics approval is required for certain projects.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Develop and execute a project plan with your supervisor, within the field of your research area |
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| 2. | Establish effective channels of communication with your supervisor(s) and colleagues. |
| 3. | Apply knowledge and skills into professional scientific practice to gain new expertise. |
| 4. | Review and respond to existing academic literature. |
| 5. | Apply appropriate methods of statistical analysis to interpret data. |
| 6. | Identify the role of the project within the broader context of the field of interest or in a global cultural perspective and applying knowledge and skills to meeting these needs. |
| 7. | Communicate the findings of your research through both written and oral communication, including the contribution of the research to the scientific field. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise advanced knowledge and evaluate the advanced application of in-depth and up-to-date technical knowledge and research principles in pathology in the context of medical laboratory science. (1.1)
- Critically evaluate relevant scientific literature in the investigation of complex medical and diagnostic problems, and demonstrate assessment, argue for and conduct appropriate approaches to independent research. (2.1)
- Independently engage in laboratory work practices that demonstrate a high-level understanding of health and safety requirements, ethical conduct, risk management, organisation, record keeping and collaborative skills in the context of a professional pathology laboratory. (3.1)
- Exemplify professional communication of complex ideas and justifications in a rigorous, effective and professional manner across many mediums to peers, industry representatives, government, and members of the public. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The Faculty of Science has six graduate attributes that you will develop during your course at UTS.
This subject is intended to assess the following graduate attributes:
Graduate Attribute 1 - Disciplinary knowledge
Students will apply the disciplinary knowledge and practical skills they have developed during the Master of Science program and related knowledge from their undergraduate studies to a research question in order to contribute to the development of new knowledge in medical laboratory science or dianostic processes. To successfully complete their research project, students will build a deeper understanding of their focus area by critiquing and/or using existing scientific literature to complete aspects of their project such as data analysis, experiments, or interpretation of results.
Graduate Attribute 2 – Research, Inquiry, and Critical Thinking
Students will learn how to structure and investigate a research project from the design stage to the final report and seminar by using the scientific method. They will formulate scientific hypotheses and learn how to design appropriate experiments to test and evaluate these hypotheses with guidance from their supervisors. Students will also develop problem-solving skills by applying existing knowledge or literature to solve unknown or unfamiliar problems. Students will be trained on and gain expertise with the instruments, software and processes used in the medical laboratory, setting them up to apply their technical skills to a new workplace or research scenarios.
Graduate Attribute 3 – Professional, ethical and social responsibility
Students will develop their professional skills and ability to learn collaboratively with other scientists - necessary for continued career development in modern science - through independent research, participating in research group meetings, working with other staff, researchers and students in the laboratory or workplace, and managing the day-to-day aspects of their project. Students will have an opportunity to practice key professional attributes such as time management, researching scientific literature, problem-solving, and personal organisation required for a successful career. Students will learn other professional skills such as laboratory risk assessment and management, conducting ethical research, maintaining thorough laboratory notes, and scientific communication during their project work.
As students investigate their project, they will build an awareness of the current limitations and issues within their chosen focus area, and aid in the development of a solution to these limitations, whether it is the development of a new method or an industry-based validation or interpretation framework project.Students will gain an awareness of the role of science within a global culture and willingness to contribute actively to the shaping of community views on complex issues where the methods and findings of science are relevant. This will be demonstrated in the student's ability to explain the significance of their research project, and how it contributes to the needs of the global community within their field of research.
Graduate attribute 5 – Communication
The communication of a student's project findings is an essential part of their professional development. Students will get an opportunity to develop their written scientific communication skills by writing a technical scientific report at the end of their project, which requires students to critically analyse various data and sources into a coherent body of work. Students will also practice their oral communication skills via the presentation of their findings in the final seminar.
Teaching and learning strategies
Guided Learning
Teaching and learning in this subject is on an individual level and linked to your project. You will acquire crucial laboratory skills in informal training sessions with supervisors, professional research technical officers and / or industry supervisors. With assistance from your supervisors, you will learn other practices required in a professional research environment, such as preparing risk management plans, project plans, designing experiments, and research ethics. Supervisors will provide guidance and personalised feedback on assessments to help you refine your academic writing, literature critique and presentation skills. You may also request one-on-one meetings with your supervisors to discuss specific problems or progress.
Independent Learning
You will be responsible for the day-to-day activities in your research project, including balancing research time, coursework and other commitments, providing draft work for critique in a timely manner, and providing regular updates to your supervisors. You will use online resources such as scientific literature, webinars or tutorials to develop a deeper understanding of their research topic and results.
Research Group Meetings and Collaborative Learning
You will be seen as an active participant in your research or industry group, and you are expected to show 'good citizenship' within your respective groups and act as an ambassador for UTS at all times. Meetings are one channel for receiving regular feedback and guidance from your supervisors, other research students or work colleagues. The nature of these meetings may differ depending on each internship opportunity but your attendance and involvement in any seminars and meetings is expected. This includes attending and giving updates at group meetings and participating in other activities such as journal clubs or practice seminars, which will help you develop your critical review, scientific and presentation skills.
Content (topics)
The topic for this research project is developed in your research plan. Your research plan is the result of a process of consultation and feedback with your project supervisor and must be approved by them. Your supervisor will provide ongoing feedback in regard to the progress of your project throughout the term.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Final report
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: GA 1. Disciplinary Knowledge GA 2. Research, inquiry, and critical thinking GA 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility GA 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Criteria: | Assessment task 1 will be assessed on the following criteria:
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Assessment task 2: Seminar
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: GA 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | The 15-minute seminar will be assessed on your grasp of knowledge of the research field, clarity of aims, project design, quality and correct interpretation of results, soundness of project conclusions, as well as overall communication style and the ability to respond to questions from peers. |
Assessment task 3: Supervisor's report about your professional practice
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: GA 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility GA 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Criteria: | Your supervisor will provide an assessment of your participation in the research project including participation in all stages of the project from planning, implementation to reporting and presenting. This will also inlcude a comment about your contribution to the research group and your engagement with the research project and scientific processes including willingness to learn, competency with laboratory skills, record keeping, punctuality, attendance in meetings and seminars, ability to undertake independent research, use of new and existing technologies and a demonstrated understaning of the health and safety aspects of working in a laboratory or workplace. |
Minimum requirements
Students must obtain a minimum of 50% for the cumulative marks in the subject in order to pass this subject.