BIOMED 399 : Capstone: Biomedical Science

Science

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students will synthesise knowledge and reflect on learning experiences attained during their studies in Biomedical Science. Students will engage in debate on contemporary issues and use their scientific reasoning to counter misunderstandings and misrepresentation. Students will consider wider societal issues involved in research, such as human and animal ethics, Māori and Pacific health advancement, and public health relevance and economic benefits.

Course Overview

This course explores the key processes involved in modern biomedicine research within the context of wider societal issues. This includes ethical and economical issues, consideration of the Treaty of Waitangi and the role of government in science. You will engage with local scientists to understand how science really works in the context of NZ society. You will be guided to debate contemporary issues in biomedical and health sciences, and use scientific reasoning to counter misunderstandings and misrepresentation. The role of communication to a range of audiences will also be discussed. Finally you will have the opportunity to write and tailor your CV to help you achieve your future career aspirations.
The course combines lectorials and small-group workshops based on specific BIOMED pathways. Students choose a specific workshop at enrolment to suit their timetable and pathway preferences.
NOTE: Workshop numbers are capped – we encourage enrolling early to ensure availability
A range of assignments, including individual and group work tasks, have been designed to give you the opportunity to assimilate what you have learnt during your degree to date and to demonstrate your graduate capabilities. You will be guided throughout by "workshop mentors". 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points from BIOSCI 347-358, MEDSCI 300-320, MEDIMAGE 300, 302

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Summarise the key processes involved in modern research within the context of wider societal issues, such as human and animal ethics, Maori and Pacifica health advancement, and the public health relevance and economic benefits surrounding research. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Debate contemporary issues in biomedical and health sciences, and use scientific reasoning to counter misunderstandings and misrepresentation. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  3. Identify and critique the rapidly evolving and diverse body of reputable Biomedical Science literature. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Integrate discipline specific knowledge to interpret data and create new ideas. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  5. Communicate biomedical science effectively and appropriately based on the target audience. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  6. Plan, research and write a tailored CV appropriate for potential employers in the biomed field. (Capability 3, 6 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 50% Group & Individual Coursework
Presentation 20% Individual Coursework
Coursework 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Presentation
Coursework

Special Requirements

Attendance at workshops is compulsory.
Attendance and participation at a 'community engagement' event outside standard hours is compulsory. The date and time for the community engagement event is published in the BIOMED 399 Canvas course. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 12 hours of lectures, 24 hours of workshops, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 70 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and lab visits will not be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
There is no test or exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
There is no required text book.
Primary literature resources will be used.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Staff welcome feedback on the course throughout the semester, including the SET evaluations. Please contact your course coordinator or student representative at any time with your feedback.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Students may use generative AI technologies but only to improve readability and language. Applying the technology should be done with human oversight and control, and students should carefully review and edit the result, as AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete or biased.
Copying AI-generated content or using AI tools to generate the content of your assignments will constitute plagiarism. 

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.