Advanced Course in Experimental Research in Clinical Microbiology, 30 Credits
Swedish name: Avancerad kurs i experimentell forskning inom klinisk mikrobiologi
This syllabus is valid: 2010-09-13
and until further notice
Course code: 3IS005
Credit points: 30
Education level: Second cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Medicine: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Clinical Microbiology
Contents
The course comprises of a research project within the subject area and of theoretical education. The research project, which is implemented in a research group and supervised by a researcher who has a Ph.D. and is employed at Umeå University, comprises of independent fundamental studies and practical laboratory work. The student can familiarize him/herself with a research team and gain in-depth knowledge in a research area. The research project is defended publicly in a 15 min-presentation och presented in a report written in form of a manuscript for a scientific journal.
The theoretical education consists of lectures, seminars and practical exercises with oral and written accounts. This part comprises of fundamental training in skills important for research activity, e.g. biostatistics, literature search and citation management, presentation techniques and fundamental research ethics.
Expected learning outcomes
After completed course the student should be able to independently
- formulate a research plan within the subject area
- extend and consolidate his/her knowledge of a subject area through advanced studies
- compile and evaluate research results e.g. by applying fundamental statistical methods or by relating achieved results to relevant current research as published by other scientists
- present and defend research results orally and in script
Required Knowledge
To be eligible to the course students must have passed at least 6 semesters base level University education (180hp) in Sweden or have acquired comparable training abroad (3 years academic studies) in the areas of medicine, odontology, nursing, pharmacy or the natural sciences. Knowledge in English corresponding to EnA is required.
Form of instruction
Teaching language is English. The course comprises of the following mandatory elements:
Independent project work in a research group at the Medical Faculty or the Technical and Natural Science Faculty supervised by a researcher (Ph.D.) who is employed at Umeå University (=supervisor). The research project can be experimental work, an evaluation of clinical materials or a literature study. The time frame for the research project is not bound to a semester. At the beginning of the course supervisor and student draw up a brief plan for the research project. The research project is presented and defended in an oral presentation and in a manuscript, the latter of which forms the basis for grading the students accomplishments. Deadline for submitting the written project report is five months after project start. The research project can be carried out in Umeå or at another location, the oral presentation however requires presence on campus in Umeå during one presentation day per semester.
Theoretical education including lectures, seminars and practical exercises (oral and written accounts) distributed over the entire semester. High expectations are put on the student's ability to take initiative and to independently prepare and evaluate the classes. The classes are given locally on campus in Umeå.
Examination modes
Participation in all parts of the course including all theoretical education is required to pass the course; decisions on passed or not passed regarding specific classes are made by the responsible class lecturer. But foremost, a passed for the project report is required. The project report is graded by the examiner after consultation with the supervisor. In the project report, the research project is presented in the format of a manuscript for a scientific journal. Grading of the project report is oriented on the use of the English language, compliance with the journals instructions for authors, as well as on the ability to clearly and comprehensively present the results of the research project and their analysis.
The introduction shall provide enough background information on the research area and shall in a focused manner lay out the projects hypothesis. The method section shall be rationally organized with references to published techniques. The result section shall in logical sequence describe and explain the experiments and the findings. Finally, the results shall be critically interpreted in the light of current research within the field and thereby a synthesis should be reached demonstrating the scientific advancement of the project at hand.
According to Umeå University rules, students who failed the project work are always offered five opportunities to conduct and present the study. For up to two years new examination opportunities will follow the same course syllabus as was valid at initial student registration. Students who failed twice in either course element can request a new examiner. The application should be sent to the Department Council for Undergraduate Education and the decision is made by the Faculty Board for Undergraduate Education.
Other regulations
Accreditation is individual.
Accreditation is granted according to Högskoleförordningen 6 kap 12-14 §§. Application for accreditation is to be sent to the Department Council for Undergraduate Education and the decision is made by the Faculty Board for Undergraduate Education.
http://www.student.umu.se/digitalAssets/48/48262_tillgodorknandeordning-umu-100701.pdf
