Postgraduate taught 

Science Communications MSc

Current trends and challenges in biomedical research and health BIOL5199

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Infection and Immunity
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

During this course students will select a current topical issue in biomedical research or health, and working in small groups, will critically research the topic, develop a plan to address the challenge, and present their research and conclusions.

Timetable

Three-week full time course: Consisting of lectures, tutorials, and independent student learning

Excluded Courses

Technology transfer and commercialisation of bioscience research

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

A dissemination output: dissemination of information to appropriate target audience (e.g. stakeholders, public health officials, general public, etc) in a suitable medium, followed by a Q&A session [ILOs 1:3]. Example outputs could be a poster, presentation slides, leaflet, or a social media video. This task will be separated into individual and group components. The output will achieve a group mark (50 %), while the Q&A session will be marked on individual contribution (20 %).

 

Individual reflective piece (30%, 700-1000 words) [ILO 4].

Course Aims

The course aims to provide students with an opportunity to research a current topical issue or challenge of their choice in biomedical research or health and communicate their findings to appropriate stakeholders in a medium they determine is most effective.

 

Students will identify a trend, challenge, or issue and working in groups will plan and perform research of the scientific background of the issue, analysing and synthesising the available information to draw conclusions, and/or develop possible solutions to the issue. Students will determine how best to convey their findings to the relevant stakeholders and execute it appropriately.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

i) Critically evaluate the field of biomedical research or health to identify, select, and critically investigate a relevant current trend, issue, or challenge;

ii) Critically appraise and/or develop solutions to control and/or contain the current challenge, and/or explanatory hypotheses and plans for further research, as appropriate to the topic chosen;

iii) Effectively communicate findings in a medium appropriate for a target audience or stakeholders, end-users, or the general public;

iv) Critically reflect on learning throughout the process

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.