PHARMACY 410A Dissertation - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Students undertake an original research project in the areas of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical science. They develop an awareness of the purpose, nature and practice of research and an ability to undertake an original research project in a small group under the supervision of an academic member of staff.

Course Overview

PHARMACY 410 is designed to enable students to develop both a critical awareness of the purpose, nature and practice of research, and an ability to undertake research in the science and practice of pharmacy. In PHARMACY 410, students will work in groups of 4 to 6 members under the supervision and guidance of a member of the School's academic staff, and engage in an original research project determined by those members of staff; in some cases, the project involves working with a hospital or community pharmacist, or other appropriate collaborators external to the School.

During semester 1 of PHARMACY 410, students complete an individual literature review in their project area, and write a research protocol for their specific project as a group. At the conclusion of the course in semester 2, students present a group written dissertation of their project findings and a group oral presentation of their work; also, each student has an individual oral examination by two examiners who have not been involved with the project.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: PHARMACY 311, 312 To complete this course students must enrol in PHARMACY 410 A and B, or PHARMACY 410

Learning Outcomes

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

Explain the need for research in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences, and the different approaches to research in pharmacy (Capability 2.1 and 2.2)
Use effective literature searches with biomedical databases and other sources, and critically appraise research literature (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 5.1)
Create a research question in the context of a specific research topic (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 5.1)
Identify and select appropriate research methods, and develop a study design to answer a specific research question (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 5.1)
Demonstrate accuracy, integrity and care in all aspects of agreed research processes (Capability 2.2, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in research, including impact with respect to Māori and other ethnic and cultural groups, and of the ethics and other approval processes (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
Undertake and complete a research project as a member of a small team of researchers. (Capability 2.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
Explain the differences between qualitative and quantitative data, and perform analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data using appropriate evaluative/statistical methods (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1)
Critically evaluate research findings and produce a written dissertation report using a standard format (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 5.1)
Present and defend research findings, both individually and as a member of a research team (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Literature Review	20%	Individual Coursework
Research Protocol		Group Coursework
Dissertation	40%	Group Coursework
Viva	30%	Individual Coursework
Oral Presentation	10%	Group Coursework
5 types	100%

Assessment Type	Learning Outcome Addressed
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Literature Review
Research Protocol
Dissertation
Viva
Oral Presentation

Requests for Extensions for Assessments

Extensions will be considered in exceptional circumstances, where the request is made within a reasonable timeframe* prior to the assignment due date, where evidence is provided (such as a medical/counsellor certificate) and where approved by the Course Director (or nominated Module Leader where relevant).

Assignments received more than one week after the due date or once marked work has already been returned to other students in the class, whichever is earlier, will not be marked and will be graded as “0” or as “not achieved” (if in relation to Experiential Learning Placement coursework and assessments).

* A request for an extension should be submitted at least 24 hours before the due date.

Deductions for Late Assignment Submissions

The deductions will apply (see below) if either the hard copy or Turnitin or Chalk ‘n Wire electronic submission is late, and will be determined by the later submission.

Assessments that are submitted after the deadline will lose marks as follows:

Up to first 24 hours late: Deduct 10% of the available marks

24-48 hours late: Deduct 20% of the available marks

48-72 hours late: Deduct 30% of the available marks

72-96 hours late: Deduct 40% of the available marks

96-120 hours late: Deduct 50% of the available marks

University Assessment Policy (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/assessment/assessment--coursework--tests-and-examinations--policy--from-jan.html)

Course Contacts

Associate Professor Suresh Muthukumaraswamy

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Some timetabled sessions that are available for groups to meet to take forward their research project are included in the fourth year timetable – these sessions vary each week so please check the timetable.

Digital 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.

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 at 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.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester 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 and respond with summaries and actions.

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

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

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).

Students in the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme are bound by the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Fitness to Practise policy that applies to all students who are studying in clinical undergraduate programmes.

Fitness to Practise Policy

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-to-practise/fmhs-fitness-to-practise-policy.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.

Capability 1:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement
Capability 5:	Independence and Integrity
Capability 6:	Social and Environmental Responsibilities

PHARMACY 410A/B : Dissertation

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester One (1203) / Semester Two (1205) (30 POINTS)