PCN540-2 Project (PT)


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:PCN540-2
Credit points:24
Assumed Knowledge:

The student is expected to have completed the Graduate Diploma coursework units before the project.

Coordinator:Andrew Fielding | a.fielding@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

New and exciting technologies are playing an increasingly important role in everyday life. Modern healthcare is a good example of a field where technology has had a huge impact in the way patients are diagnosed and treated. Graduates are increasingly involved in the research and development of new technologies and also in its translation and implementation into clinical use. This unit aims to develop further the student's skills for carrying out such work in the form of a research project. The project may be carried out in collaboration with hospitals or industry. This unit aims to introduce and improve the students skills in carrying out research work in the form of a short research project. (48 credit points achieved at completion of PCN540-1 and PCN540-2.)

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Critically and effectively apply specialist discipline knowledge and skills to answer an advanced medical physics research question.
  2. Critically evaluate current research and research methodologies in medical physics
  3. Apply investigative research methods to generate research in medical physics.
  4. Contructively and creatively apply advanced analytical skills
  5. Demonstrate effective communication of complex and advanced medical physics problems and their solutions.

Content

The project will be different for every student and will be chosen after discussion with prospective supervisors and the unit coordinator. Resources to develop research and communication skills will be embedded in the unit.

Learning Approaches

Students are required to be in a supervised program of research in a relevant area of medical physics. The research project may be carried out in a clinical or health physics department or university laboratory and will give you an opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and skills in a specialised topic in medical or health physics. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor(s) at all stages of the research project. Ongoing use of study groups for support and reciprocal collaborative learning is also encouraged. You will continue to develop your research and communication skills as well.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback will be provided by supervisors, examiners and peers on submitted assessment items. Regular meetings with the supervisor team will provide a mechanism for formative assessment of progress throughout the semester. The project supervisor will give formative feedback during the iterative process of preparation of the research paper, e-poster and presentations. Formative feedback will also be given on the literature review and progress presentation during the semester.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment will allow you to demonstrate that you have developed the skills for carrying out research in the discipline of medical physics and that you are able to effectively communicate the outcomes of the research project to the appropriate stakeholders.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Presentation (Oral)

A final oral presentation of your research project work in the format that might be expected at a medical physics conference.

Weight: 20
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): See Canvas Site
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Poster

An e-poster giving a graphical summary of your research project in a style that would be required at a scientific conference.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension

Weight: 20
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): See Canvas Site
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Scientific Research Paper

Written presentation of your research project work in the style required for a peer-reviewed journal in the medical physics discipline.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): See Canvas Site
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources


Texts:
As appropriate to the project being undertaken.

Risk Assessment Statement

Project activities may include low impact risks. You will be provided with information relating to safety issues at the beginning of the project and an assessment of the risks will be carried out as part of the research proposal.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

PH80 Master of Applied Science

  1. Demonstrate advanced critical knowledge and specialised technical skills based on current research in medical physics
    Relates to: ULO1, Scientific Research Paper
  2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the main areas of medical physics
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Critically review current research principles and methods to develop a deep understanding relevant to a specific medical physics problem
    Relates to: ULO1
  4. Critically and effectively apply specialist discipline knowledge and skills to meet an identified medical physics problem/requirements
    Relates to: ULO1
  5. Demonstrate higher order cognitive skills to critically assess knowledge and provide creative solutions to complex problems in research and/or the professional practice of medical physics
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Scientific Research Paper
  6. Critically evaluate current research and research methodologies in medical physics
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4
  7. Apply investigative research methods to generate research
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4
  8. Synthesise multiple information sources to make sound judgements and to formulate best practice strategies and solutions using established theories
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4
  9. Systematically, creatively and effectively deal with complex issues to solve significant problems within medical physics
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4
  10. Constructively and creatively apply advanced analytical skills
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4
  11. Apply their knowledge and skills to design and use appropriate communication strategies to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a diverse range of audience
    Relates to: ULO5, Presentation (Oral), Poster, Scientific Research Paper
  12. Communicate effectively and professionally with peers, stakeholders and the broader community
    Relates to: ULO5
  13. Demonstrate proficiency in all modes of professional and/or scholarly communication.
    Relates to: ULO5
  14. Engage effectively across multicultural and/or interdisciplinary domains
    Relates to: ULO5
  15. Apply acquired knowledge and skills to work with integrity within a varied and specialised professional contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Presentation (Oral), Poster, Scientific Research Paper
  16. Autonomously and ethically plan and execute tasks at a professional level
    Relates to: ULO3
  17. Work effectively with others to meet shared goals.
    Relates to: ULO3
  18. Apply self-management skills to successfully complete complex projects.
    Relates to: ULO3