PHARMACY 789A/B : Research Project

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester One (1253) / Semester Two (1255) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Supervised research that represents the personal scholarly work of a student based on a coherent inquiry at an advanced level into an approved topic related to pharmacy or health scholarship under supervision of School of Pharmacy academic staff and collaborators. Develop understanding about the nature and practice of research and capabilities in data analysis, academic writing and dissemination of research.

Course Overview

This is a Part IV course in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) programme with a value of 30 points across the year. PHARMACY 789 is the only course that is explicitly designed for the completion of the Honours degree. The aim of this course is for students to develop an awareness of the purpose, nature, ethics and practice of research, and to develop skills in designing and conducting research, and in communicating research findings.
By doing this course, each of the PHARMACY 789 students will be able to develop an understanding of the nature and practice of research and capabilities in data analysis, academic writing and dissemination of research, under a supervisory team. At the end of the semester II the students submit a written research project report, and make an oral presentation of their findings.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: PHARMACY 312 Restriction: PHARMACY 410, 413 To complete this course students must enrol in PHARMACY 789 A and B

Course Contacts

Professor Zimei Wu

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

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Formulate a research question in the context of a specific research topic. (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.4, 4.2 and 6.1)
  2. Identify and select appropriate research methods, and develop a study design to answer a specific research question. (Capability 1.2, 2.3, 3.2, 4.2, 7.2 and 8.1)
  3. Explain and critically evaluate ethical issues in research, including impact with respect to Māori and other cultural groups (Capability 1.2, 2.3, 3.4, 4.3, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  4. Conduct effective literature searches using sources effectively such as biomedical databases and other sources as appropriate (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.1, 5.2, 7.1 and 8.2)
  5. Perform analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data using appropriate evaluative/statistical methods. (Capability 1.2, 2.2, 3.4, 4.2, 5.1, 7.1 and 8.2)
  6. Critically synthesise findings of research in written and oral forms, all to an appropriate academic standard, with guidance from a research supervisor. (Capability 1.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.2, 6.1, 7.2 and 8.2)
  7. Critically evaluate own research findings in the context of relevant research literature. (Capability 1.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 7.1 and 8.1)
  8. Present and defend research findings as an individual to School of Pharmacy staff and others in the wider health research community. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.4, 4.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  9. Demonstrate accuracy, integrity and care in all aspects of agreed research processes. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.4, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  10. Demonstrate self-directed learning, leadership and sound personal, time and project management skills. (Capability 2.1, 3.4, 5.2, 6.1, 7.2 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Written Project Report 100% Individual Coursework
Oral presentations Individual Coursework
Research foundation Group Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Written Project Report
Oral presentations
Research foundation

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.

For this course, you can expect 25 hours of lectures, 45 hours weekly or biweekly meetings with supervisors, 20 hours of reading and thinking about the content, 200 hours of work on report and 10 hours for oral preparation.

Delivery Mode

The course is delivered by face-to-face interaction with the research supervisor/s. This also includes blended delivery of research skills foundation lectures through face-to-face seminars or online tutorials.

Attendance on campus is required for oral presentations and research foundations that are delivered face to face.

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.

No change for next year

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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 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.

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.

Published on 25/10/2024 08:59 a.m.