PHARMACY 410A/B : Dissertation

Medical and Health Sciences

2022 Semester One (1223) / Semester Two (1225) (30 POINTS)

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

Course Contacts

Associate Professor Suresh Muthukumaraswamy

Capabilities Developed in this Course

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
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Pharmacy

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. 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)
  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)
  3. Create a research question in the context of a specific research topic (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 5.1)
  4. 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)
  5. 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)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in research, including impact with respect to Maori 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)
  7. Undertake and complete a research project as a member of a small team of researchers. (Capability 2.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  8. 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)
  9. Critically evaluate research findings and produce a written dissertation report using a standard format (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 5.1)
  10. 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
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Literature Review
Research Protocol
Dissertation
Viva
Oral Presentation

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.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs/tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for individual vivas and the group presentation day.
The activities for the course are scheduled as timetabled classes with independent study time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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.


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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 22/10/2021 12:39 p.m.